Veagan’s state, that each year, ninety-five percent of animals killed in the United States are slaughtered for human consumption and on a daily basis the Central American and Amazon rain forests are being destroyed to create farmland for cattle. While, on the other hand, meat companies, will pronounce that every human needs meat to survive. There is no technical right or wrong? In order to understand, vegan-ism, it is important to negate our stereotypes, beliefs, and any other preconceived notions one may have.

For starters, vegan is not only an “in” diet, but an ideology stressed with the belief in a healthier Earth. Sure, it is important to stay internally pure, but what good is a personal health, if the world around you is being destroyed. This all may sound like it derives from an Aldous Huxley book, but allow me to highlight the vegan perspective.

1. Antibiotics: On a daily basis, animals are given antibiotics, in order to minimize illness. Each time we consume meat products, we are ingesting small portions of antibiotics, in turn rendering our medicine less effective.

2. Bacteria & Parasites: Meat is a magnet for bacteria and parasites. For instance, E. Coli., Mad Cow disease, and Trichnosis all have been the result of meat products.

3. Putrefaction: Fruits and vegetables ferment over time. On the other hand meat putrifies, which means it creates poisons that are toxic to humans.

4. Antioxidants: Vegetables and fruits contain antioxidants, which act as a cancer fighting agent.

5. Chemical Toxins: Several different animals are actually fed animal parts. This practice does nothing, but aid in the spread of toxins.

6. The amount of land required to grow one cow to maturity, versus the amount of grain that can be produced in the same acreage, is staggering.

7. Economic: Plain and simple, meat is more expensive than vegetables or fruits. The economic hit is not only, a personal scrap to our wallets, but the production actually costs more.

8. Humanistic: The conditions that these animals, which we consume, are raised in; are dismal to say the least.

Saturday 19 December 2009