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10th anniversary pratishtha mahotsava
Vegetarianism
Nitin Mehta, London
WE SHOULD MAKE SURE OUR CHILDREN NEVER In the prevention and reducing the risk of diseases such EAT MEAT as Gall Stones, Kidney Stones, Arthritis, Hernia, vegetarian diet is beneficial.
Vegetarianism is one of the greatest gift that our culture and religion has bestowed upon us. Ahimsa and compassion towards all living beings How wonderful these thoughts are and by being Vegetarian we can actually be compassionate in our everyday lives. Meat eating is wrong not only because it is cruel but also because it is associated with so many modern day diseases. Lets look at a few of these diseases.
HEART DISEASE
Coronary Heart disease is one of the biggest killers in U.K. Vegetarians suffer markedly lower mortality from coronary heart disease compared to non-vegetarians. This is believed to be because of lower blood cholesterol levels in vegetarians.
HYPERTENSION
Hypertension or high blood pressure can contribute to heart disease, strokes and kidney failure. A vegetarian diet is known to reduce blood pressure in hypertensive patients.
DIABETES
Vegetarian diets tend to be high in complex carbohydrates and dietary fibre, which has a beneficial effect on carbohydrate metabolism, lowering blood sugar levels.
CANCER
According to several studies a vegetarian diet cuts risk of Cancer by 40%. Vegetarian diet helps in preventing colon, prostate, and pancreatic cancer.
BREAST CANCER
Studies of adolescent girls have shown age of menarche to be delayed in vegetarians. Later age of menarche is believed to lower the risk of breast cancer in adult life.
Food poisoning, mad cow disease, the pollution of rivers and seas with animal waste, the destruction of rain forests to start cattle ranches, starvation in poorer parts of the world because food grains are diverted to feed animals rather then people-- these are some of the problems associated with meat production.
Jain Education International 2010_03
Millions of animals live and die in cruel conditions, they are given growth hormones, they are transported thousands of miles across the world, they are hunted for fun, cruel experiments are carried out on them, not content with the exploitation of land animals the oceans are now being cleared out and crabs are the new delicacy.
With so much vegetarian food where is the need to eat meat? We must protect our heritage of compassion. Our children should not eat meat, they should even avoid going to meat restaurants. Millions of English people are going vegetarian, we should share with them our vegetarian food tradition. When you gently take a small insect and put it out of harms way then you know that the seed of compassion is born in you! Pythogarous the great philosopher used to buy the fish from the fishermen and throw them back in the sea! Sometimes it might look difficult, you might have to say no to that birthday cake because it has eggs in it or those sweets because they have Gelatine in it! But it is a test of our resolve and we must pass it! Human beings want peace in the world, no body wants violence, but we cannot continue being violent towards animals and expect peace for our selves. Compassion towards animals will bring peace and happiness to human beings. Do not keep your vegetarianism to yourself, always mention it whenever you get a opportunity, even if you make one vegetarian you will save the lives of so many animals, and you can make many more. Together we can make a difference in this world!
Worry affects the circulation the heart, the glands, the whole nervous system. I have never known a man who died from overwork, but many died from worry.
-Dr. Charles Mayo
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