Heartsavers - Diet
There is ample evidence to show that a vegetarian diet
has healthful effects and can help you live longer.
Prevention of coronary heart disease.
A guide to the vegetarian diet
There is now a wealth of evidence available that proves adopting a vegetarian diet brings substantial health benefits. Vegetarians stand around 40% less risk of developing cancer and have around 30% less risk of developing coronary heart disease. The overall premature mortality rate is around 20% less for vegetarians when compared to meat eaters.
One major factor in heart disease are high blood cholesterol levels, it has been established beyond scientific doubt that if you consume a meal composed of animal flesh your blood cholesterol levels will rise. If you donated blood after such a meal and looked at a sample of your blood in a test tube, you would be shocked by what you saw; you would probably see thick white greasy blobs of fat floating on top of the blood serum.
Additionally your red blood cells will become more sticky and more liable to clot in your arteries.
Within minutes of eating any food, molecules of that food will be coursing through your blood stream including the artery clogging fats in meat and dairy products.
Many people assume that you can reduce these harmful effects by cutting the fat off meat before you eat it or switching to low fat milk, and this is true to a certain extent, however it is not just the high levels of saturated fat that causes blood cholesterol levels to rise, the body reacts to animal proteins in a different way to plant proteins and this will also cause a rise in cholesterol levels. It boils down to the fact that the human digestive system is designed for a diet consisting primarily of fruit and vegetables it is just not adapted to a diet consisting of meat and dairy produce. No one would consider putting diesel fuel into a petrol engine so why put the wrong fuel inside your own body?
Now for some good news
There is now concrete scientific evidence available that by following a strict vegetarian diet it is possible not only to prevent heart disease but also to REVERSE HEART DISEASE after it has occurred.
It has been found that it is not only the cholesterol lowering effects of a vegetarian diet but also the valuable nutrients contained in fruits and vegetables which are so often lacking in a meat eaters diet.
Make the Change
Within a few weeks of changing your diet you will notice something remarkable happening to your body, your blood pressure will be lower, surplus fat will melt away, you will be bursting with energy and enthusiasm.
You will also find a new pleasure in food, as you break free from old patterns of eating you will experience a heightened sensory acuity as you explore the huge and delicious range of healthy food available.