Becoming a vegetarian for medical reasons

Image courtesy of Apolonia at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

There are many reasons that an individual may want to become a vegetarian. Some feel that the cruelty to animals that meat eating promotes is significant enough of a reason for them to cut meat from their diet. Others do it for the benefit of the environment, as raising livestock is costly to our farmland and resources. Without a doubt, one of the most significant things that a vegetarian diet can do for you is the positive effect that it will have on your health. In this article, we’ll address some of the health problems that a vegetarian diet may be able to help with in order to clearly illustrate just how healthy the vegetarian lifestyle can be to adopt.

One thing that being a vegetarian can help out with is the regulation of body weight. If you find that you are way above your ideal body weight, a vegetarian diet may be helpful in making your body level itself out. Fruits and vegetables are much healthier than meat, containing less fat and generally containing more healthful vitamins and minerals. Many people find that when they become a vegetarian, they tend to lose weight, but in a healthful manner. Some people fear becoming a vegetarian will cause them to get insufficient amounts of nutrients such as protein, but it is simply not the case. Plenty of vegetables, nuts, and grains offer significant amounts of protein that will keep a vegetarian’s body functioning to the fullest of its abilities.

Another health aspect to consider when questioning whether or not the vegetarian lifestyle is right for you is your cholesterol levels. Since only animal products contain cholesterol, making the switch to a vegetarian diet will definitely help to reduce your cholesterol levels. Also, high cholesterol levels and blood pressure can lead to heart disease, the number one killer in the United States. Studies have consistently shown that those who switch to a vegetarian diet have a much lower chance of dying from heart disease, and individuals who stop eating meat once they are at risk for a heart attack have been known to actually decrease the levels of plaque in their clogged arteries, giving them a better chance of survival.
Additionally, many people find that going vegetarian leaves them with much more energy than they are used to. This could be due to the fact that many of the foods in the vegetarian diet cannot be turned into fat by the body, and instead must be expended as energy. Several notable past triathlon winners have followed vegetarian diets to victory, clearly illustrating that a vegetarian diet is not just for the weak.
These are just a few of the health reasons that you may want to switch to a vegetarian diet. The impact that your dining decisions has on the environment is also a notable thing to consider, as well as the ethical treatment of animals. Whatever your reasons are for wanting to go vegetarian, rest assured that you are making the right decision for yourself and the world.