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In the beginning, God instructed all mankind to eat a diet based solely on plant foods. It is this diet--a vegan diet--that is the basis of good health, both physically and spiritually. A vegan diet not only protects our bodies from the dangers of flesh eating, such as cardiovascular disease and obesity, but it creates within our souls a spirit that is closer to God because it does not kill in order for it to live.
Nutrition Facts
There is no need for human beings to eat animal flesh, eggs or milk from cows; all essential nutrients can be found in plant foods (carbohydrates, fats, protein, vitamins, minerals, water) Dietary fiber, which is essential to a healthy digestive system, can only be found in plant foods
Health Facts
Nearly all meat in America is contaminated with man-made carcinogens such as dioxins and DDT1 Cardiovascular disease, including heart attack, can virtually always be attributed to saturated fat and cholesterol found in animal products1 The benefits of a low-fat vegetarian diet also include reduced risk of hypoglycemia, ulcers, intestinal disorders, gout and other forms of arthritis, kidney stones, gallstones, asthma, impotence, diabetes, and anemia1
Factory Farming Facts
Chickens, veal calves and hogs are confined in cages or stalls that do not allow them to turn around, lie down, or stretch their limbs.2 Dairy cows are forced into a cycle of pregnancy and hyperlactation.2 Nearly all beef producers dehorn, brand and castrate their animals; all of these processes can cause severe physical pain.2
Economic Facts
It takes 16 pounds of grain to create 1 pound of beef; the same amount of grain needed to produce 1 pound of meat could feed 32 people a day if they ate the grain directly3 An acre of fertile land can produce 40,000 pounds of potatoes, 30,000 pounds of carrots, 50,000 pounds of tomatoes, or 250 pounds of beef1
Environmental Facts
Millions of acres of ancient forest in Central and South America are being felled and cleared to make room for pastureland to graze cattle; cattle herding is responsible for much of the spreading desertification in Africa, the United States and Australia4 Organic runoff from feedlots is now a major source of organic pollution in our nation's groundwater4
For Further Study 1Mad Cowboy by Howard Lyman 2Animal Liberation by Pete Singer 3Diet for a Small Planet by Frances Moore Lappe
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