There are several reasons why you should become a vegetarian. Basically, it is because of health reasons and the other reason entails that of animal rights. Please allow me to reintroduce and reiterate some of them to you:
First of all, to lead a vegetarian lifestyle is to take in greater amounts of Vitamin E (Leitzmann, 2005). “Vitamin E or Tocopherol” in turn is extremely beneficial because it helps prevent heart disease (Gandelman, 2006).
Explaining further, it has the capacity to “guard the body from oxidation or cell damage” (Gandelman, 2006). Thus, it follows that “Atherosclerosis” may then be prevented if the body takes in “Vitamin E” as well (Gandelman, 2006). “Atherosclerosis” is a condition wherein the arteries hardens and narrows which eventually leads to heart disease and stroke (Gandelman, 2006). On a final note and summarily, “Vitamin E” then plays a large role in the prevention of heart disease (Gandelman, 2006).
Second, to lead a vegetarian lifestyle is to take in low amount (if not none at all) of saturated fat and cholesterol (Leitzmann, 2005). LDL cholesterol or bad cholesterol is lower because vegetarian diets have lower saturated fat content as well (Brown, 2006). This in turn is exceedingly beneficial in the deterrence and even management of medical conditions including the following “cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, cancer, osteoporosis, renal disease and dementia, as well as diverticular disease, gallstones and rheumatoid arthritis” (Leitzmann, 2005).
Third, to lead a vegetarian lifestyle reduces the risk of acquiring a “coronary heart disease” vegetarian diets have larger amounts of high-fiber fruits and vegetables, thus more antioxidants are taken in fighting off the toxins in the body (Brown, 2006).
Fourth, clotting factors are lessened because vegetarian diets have larger amounts of fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins and minerals (Brown, 2006).
Fifth, blood pressure is surely lower because vegetarian diets have lower salt content (Brown, 2006).
Sixth, diabetes is less likely to occur because vegetarian diets have more “complex carbohydrates and fewer simple sugars” (Brown, 2006).
Seventh, the risk of cancer, specifically of the “colon cancer, may be significantly reduced”(Brown, 2006). Breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, and cancer of the kidney may also be avoided through a vegetarian diet (Brown, 2006).
Eighth, since a vegetarian diet is said to have: 1) less protein; 2) lower cholesterol; 3) lower saturated fat; 4) lower total fat; 5) more carbohydrates; 6) more fiber; 7) more minerals; 8) more vitamins, it is very advantageous and beneficial because of the possibility of the following: 1) less hypertension; 2) more endurance; 3) longevity; 4) lesser possibility of acquiring obesity; 5) less possibility of having osteoporosis, bowel disease, cancer, as well as heart disease (Brown, 2006).
Last but not least, it is beneficial to lead a vegetarian diet so that we no longer have to violate any of the rights of the animals.
Leading a vegetarian lifestyle is an excellent way of living the good life then.
References
- Brown, C. (2006). Vegetarian vs. Meat Diet.
- Gandelman, G. (2006). Vitamin E and Heart Disease.
- Leitzmann, C. (2005). Vegetarian Diets: What are the Advantages? Forum of Nutrition, 57, 147 – 56.