Plant-based Diet is..Really..Healthy

Vegeterian and vegan diet is on the rise. Over the past few years, there's been a surge in plant-based diet and vegan restaurants than ever before. Vegan and vegetarian diet is not just a trend, as many presumed. It goes beyond the fight against factory farm animals and animal cruelty, although this is also important. A plant-based diet is actually great for your health - physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. 

So let's take a look at some of the health benefits of plant-based diet that might even convince you to adopt a vegan, vegetarian diet.

A HEALTHY HEART

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Heart disease is a leading cause of death in the U.S. primarily because of cholesterol and high blood pressure. Plant-based foods are notoriously low on saturated fats that increase cholesterol and sodium that raises the blood pressure. Vegetables can also improve our blood vessels and reduces vessel irritation. 

LOWER BLOOD PRESSURE

Fruits and vegetables make our arteries more flexible and relaxed. They help reduce cholesterol levels that block the blood flow throughout our body, especially to our heart, all resulting to lower blood pressure. On contrary, animal fats are heavy on saturated fats that thicken our blood, resulting to high blood pressure.

LOW CHOLESTEROL
Animal fats promote high cholesterol levels, plain and simple. The more we take in animal meat, the more we have cholesterol floating around in our blood. Cholesterol is one of the main causes of heart diseases that block the blood flow to our heart. When we reduce or refrain from consuming animal meat, we significantly reduce our risk for having high cholesterol levels. Not only this, plant-based foods have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that keep our blood vessels healthy, smooth and relaxed.

DIABETES MANAGEMENT

Plant-based foods don't have saturated fats found in animal meat. They're low in caloric content and lack processed sugar that are big contributors to high blood sugar levels in our blood. 

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WEIGHT LOSS

Fruits and vegetables are generally low in calories that help promote weight loss and prevent obesity. 

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STROKE PREVENTION

Stroke works just like heart attack, except it affects our brain. We suffer from stroke when there’s blockage in the blood flow to the brain or when one of our arteries ruptures that impede blood supply to our brain. High blood pressure causes artery rupture, so the positive effect of plant-based food in lowering our blood pressure is a big prevention from stroke. 

As mentioned earlier, animal fats that we get from meat consumption thicken our blood vessels, cause inflammation and irritation, and increase our cholesterol levels that can all block the normal blood flow to our brain. 

  

ACTIVE BRAIN 

Plant-based foods improve blood vessels function and reduce inflammation, which helps reduce our risk for developing Alzheimer's disease. Studies show strong correlation between diet high in beta carotene, vegetables, and Vitamin C and E and low incidence of Alzheimer's.

IMPROVED LUNG FUNCTION

Fruits and vegetables are rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce inflammation in the airways that usually occur in common lung problems, such as asthma and COPD. 

HEALTHIER BONES 

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There’s an old saying that milk brings calcium, which improves our overall bone health. While calcium is needed for our bone growth and strength, dairy products like milk are not always the best solution. Cow milk can actually increase our risk for osteoporosis. Dairy products have high acidity that gets our body to remove calcium and other minerals from our bones as it tries to taper the acidity. 

Plant-based foods that are rich in calcium and other minerals, such as green leafy vegetables, seafood, legumes and fruits, offer a more alkaline level that works better for our bones. Plant-based foods also reduce inflammation in bone joints that are helpful in managing arthritis.  

STRONGER IMMUNE SYSTEM 

Plant-based diet offer antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits that help boost our immune system. Not to mention that the animal meat we consume come from factory farms that inject antibiotics in animals for their growth and health in stressful, filthy and miserable factory farm conditions. By consuming meat, we also directly take in these antibiotics that greatly cause us to be more antibiotic resistant in the midst of infection.  

CONSTIPATION RELIEF

Animal meat and products don’t have fiber, but fruits and vegetables do! Fruits and vegetables are naturally high in fiber that is good for healthy digestion and thus relieving constipation.  

CANCER PREVENTION 

Cancer is becoming more prevalent now than ever. It’s a tough and complicated health problem to beat. The good news is, adopting a plant-based diet can help prevent and eradicate cancer! Cancer cells thrive in meat, dairy, eggs, oils and processed sugars, which we get from animal meat consumption. 

 

High saturated fats and high calorie foods promote cancer cell growth. Dairy products even have a hormone called IGF-1 that is known to be a cancer hormone. IGF-1 boosts estrogen levels in women, putting them at higher risk for breast and ovarian cancers. It also boosts testosterone levels in men that increase their risk for prostate and testicular cancers. 

Photo credit: King's College London

 Eggs are very high in animal protein that is acidic that can promote cancer cell division and multiplication.

On the bright side, plant-based foods and fruits are heavily loaded with fiber and phytochemicals that promote normal cells. Fruits and veggies are also rich in antioxidants that help regulate free radicals that lead to cancer cells. 

LAST BUT NOT THE LEAST... 

Plant-based diet makes us feel good. It allows us to be more compassionate, connected with your food and our nature. We’re more in touched with who we are and the value of everything around us – our personal health, animals, and the environment – which makes us happier individuals.

 

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New Zealand Welcomes Ban on Cosmetic Animal Testing

A more humane practice is underway!  The New Zealand government recently introduced and approved a bill that would ban the cruel cosmetic animal testing on animals. The Animal Welfare Bill prohibits the use of animals to test finished products and ingredients on cosmetics. 

Animals, such as mice, rabbits, and guinea pigs among many more are commonly used in cosmetic testing for as long as cosmetic testing started. Animals are often exposed to irritant products that are rubbed on their skins, instilled in their eyes or introduced into their bodies.



The availability of more advanced alternative methods for cosmetic testing challenged the long standing status quo of animal use in laboratories. 

New Zealand Prime Minister Nathan Guy welcomed the proposed ban.

“The Government has decided to introduce an alternative to the original SOP introduced by Green MP Mojo Mathers because of concerns the wording may have been too broad. This could lead to unintended consequences such as banning testing on ingredients in medicines that New Zealanders depend on.

“I want to thank Mojo Mathers for her work on this issue. Although the Government has introduced slightly alternative wording, this amendment still captures the principle of her SOP.

“It’s important to note we already have a strong framework for any animal testing done in New Zealand. Any testing for products like medicines has to be approved by an independent ethics committee and has to show the benefits will outweigh any harm caused.”

-Nathan Guy, NZ Prime Minister

Phasing out animal testing for cosmetics still has a long way to go. Nevertheless, New Zealand's strong opposition to this creates a remarkable positive standards that would hopefully influence the rest of the world.

 

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Pigs are Highly Intelligent Animals

Pigs are intelligent social animals. They love to play, root in the soil and enjoy the simple pleasures of life. Below is a video of an adorable pig named Moritz who solves puzzles. 

Cool Facts About Pigs:

1. They are highly intelligent and curious animals - even smarter than 3 year old children, dogs and some primates.

2. They are social animals - they love to be with other pigs and form connection, creating strong bonds.

3. They are actually clean - they separate their potty area from where they rest and sleep.

4. They are peaceful animals - rare to show aggression, except in cases of having to protect their young. 

5. They help in the ecosystem - as they root in the ground, they create new areas for plants and trees to grow. 

6. They have heightened smell - useful for rooting the ground. 

7. They have 20 vocalizations used in communication - each has distinctive message.

8.  They prefer to snuggle with one another and sleep nose to nose - they also dream in their sleep.

9. Mother pigs sing to their babies - and the babies recognize their own names and their mother's voice.

10. Pigs don't eat like pigs - they are rather demure who take their sweet time eating their food.

11. They like to bathe in water or mud to stay cool - as they don't have sweat glands. 

12.  Many pigs have saved human lives (yes, they are true stories).


Many of us are not aware that the pork we eat come from the suffering, misery and horrible slaughtering of millions of pigs in factory farms. In becoming aware of the remarkable intelligence of pigs, I hope that many of us find new form of respect and admiration for these lovely animals. To recognize that they are just like us, fully capable of experiencing joy and pain, happiness and sadness. To minimize our pork and overall meat consumption that would help spare millions of farm animals in cruel factory farms. To empower factory farms and food business to develop and practice higher standards for animal welfare.


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Amy's Farm: The Beauty in Local Farms

I recently had the opportunity to visit Amy’s Farm in Ontario, California. Thanks to the recommendation of someone I just met, I found this humbly beautiful farm. I got to visit on a beautiful Saturday morning. The very first ones that caught my eyes were the friendly goats who ran to me without hesitation. They look peaceful and in great condition.

Amy's Farm

Then, I proceeded to the backside of the farm where I found the beautiful green landscape for growing of fruits and vegetables. I felt the calmness and serenity in simple being there and living that moment. I wish we have more of these in San Bernardino and Los Angeles County area. 

I was originally there to buy some cage free eggs, but the various locally grown vegetables like parsley, cilantro and kale also got my attention. What amazed me the most is the farm’s Honor System. 

Honor System is a certain way of purchasing your merchandise. There is no cashier or sales customer involved in the process. No need to check out your products or scan your items. One simply purchases the produce by donating money depending on the total amount of items he/she plans to get. In other words, Amy’s Farm puts its faith and trust in people that they would remain honest with their purchases!

I also got the chance to visit the petting zoo. Therein houses some more goats, lambs, pigs, cows and poultry. They were all looking lovely and happy. They could not be any more excited to get to and greet me. I couldn’t stress out enough how much I find it amusing that these farm animals seem so excited to see me. It just goes to show they live in a happy place by being in Amy’s Farm. 

I’m not a vegetarian nor am I vegan. But I’m certainly on my journey of cutting down on my meat consumption so more farm animals can be spared from the misery and cruelty of factory farms. I just couldn’t bear the thought of pigs crammed in small gestation crates, chickens crowded in battery cages, dairy cows attached to milking machines, mothers and babies getting separated, tail docking, ear notching and mistreatment of downed animals among other things.

I could go on and on about other political and social changes that we can implement to better the lives of these gentle farm animals but in all honesty, it all goes down to several things:

• Transition to vegetarian or vegan diet
• Reduced meat consumption
• Switch to organic, local produce
• Spread the word about factory farms to others, so they can make conscious decisions about their health and lifestyle
• Promotion for local farms
• Educational trips and outreach on farm animals

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Despite the proliferation of factory farms in our current society, we always have the ability to challenge and change the system. Factory farms operate because we let them. As long as people stay ignorant or turn a blind eye on this source of animal cruelty, health crisis and environmental degradation, it will continue on. The key is to get educated, be knowledgeable and empower local farms and organic farming. The more we empower them, the more we empower our health, animal welfare and the environment. 

 
Source: www.amysfarm.com

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