Vegetarians Do Live Longer

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This is good news Monday, and today’s good news (which was not easy to find with Hurricane Sandy dominating the news) is that people who move away from animal-based diets to plant-based diets can expect to live a decade longer than traditional meat-eaters.  This represents a major conclusion of a series of studies from the Loma Linda University in California which tracked tens of thousands of Seventh Day Adventists since 1958.  Additionally, this research specifically identifies foods in vegetarian diets that can:

  • Reduce an individual’s risk for diseases, such as cancer, heart disease and type 2 diabetes;
  • Control body mass index; and
  • Boost brain health.

Known as the Adventist Health Study 2, this research project is still underway.  The sample population includes 96,000 people from the United States and Canada.  Seventh Day Adventist members were selected for this study because their religion specifically promotes vegetarianism and discourages drinking, smoking and drug use.  Statistics show that California Vegetarian Adventist men live to an average of 83.3 years and that state’s Vegetarian women to 85.7 years, representing 9.5 and 6.1 years longer, respectively, than other Californians.  This study population also was 25% African-American and half vegetarian.

Other findings of this study are as follows:

  • Vegans generally 30 pounds lighter than meat eaters.
  • Vegans overall have a BMI that is 5 units lighter than meat eaters.
  • Vegetarians and vegans are less insulin-resistant than meat eaters.
  • Lean people are more likely to exercise regularly, eat plants and avoid cigarettes than overweight people.
  • People who limit ingestion of animal products, but eat meat sparingly, have “intermediate protection” against lifestyle diseases.
  • Obesity cuts the lives of African-Americans by 6.2% and across the races, the protective quality of fat in seniors was not observed.

This study presents a very convincing argument on the need to restrict or eliminate the ingestion of animal products largely because it covers such an extensive study period and incorporates a very large and diverse population.  Combined with other evidence on the adverse consequences of meat consumption, including, but not limited to, reduced availability of grains for human consumption, increased carbon footprint, destruction of land by grazing animals, and lack of compassion for animals, the option of vegetarianism or veganism is becoming an important choice for a healthy life and a great way to live green, be green.

The source for this article is http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/12/vegetarians-live-longer-longevity_n_1961967.html?utm_hp_ref=healthy-living.

Eat veggies to live longer!

Good Green News

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Our world is full of bad news.  Locally, we are bombarded with stories on crime, accidents sickness, death and destruction.  Then the national news serves up a daily dose of reports on war, famine, poverty, climate change and politics.  I have decided that from this point going forward, I will continue to discuss topics important to the green movement, but I will reserve Mondays for good green news.  Monday subjects will range from people, activities, legislation and research aimed at improving our planet to inspirational stories, celebrations and community activities by people trying to make a positive difference.

My first good green Monday story salutes World Vegetation Day, which is celebrated today, October 1st, and kicks off Vegetarian Awareness Month.  For those interested in improving their health through dietary measures, this is a great opportunity to investigate the benefits of a veggie-friendly diet.

It is important to note that there are several levels of vegetarianism, and they are summarized as follows:

  • Vegan:  One who abstains from the use of animal products;
  • Vegetarian:  One who excludes from his/her diet meat and slaughter by-products, fish, shellfish, other sea animals and poultry.
  • Pescatarian:  One who practices a diet that includes seafood but not the flesh of other animals.
  • Weekday vegetarian:  One who practices a diet of part-time vegetarianism, often called flexitarian, choosing what to eat and when, i.e., proponents of Meatless Mondays.

Research shows that a vegetarian diet is associated with lower blood pressures and cholesterol, better heart health and even lower rates of cancer.  The American Dietetic Association holds the position that “appropriately planned vegetarian diets, including total vegetarian or vegan diets, are healthful, naturally adequate, and may provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases”.  As a bonus, being vegetarian also may contribute to a sense of happiness and well being.  A 2010 study in the Nutrition Journal concluded that vegetarians report significantly less negative emotion than meat eaters.

So let’s celebrate World Vegetarian Day and Vegetarian Awareness Month on some level, ranging from incorporation of more vegetables into our diets to the elimination of meats on some days.  If you are feeling really bold, now may be the time to go cold turkey and eliminate meat.  Let’s celebrate green, live green, be green!