Why Vegan Diets Are Better

Why Vegan Diets are a Better Choice
Veganism is the ancient practice of refraining from eating animal products. According to Suddath (2013), “Veganism is an extreme form of vegetarianism, and though the term was coined in 1944, the concept of flesh-avoidance can be traced back to ancient Indian and eastern Mediterranean societies” (para. 2). There has been a lot of conversation about vegan diets not being healthy and extremely expensive. The truth of the matter is that there is a lot of conclusive scientific evidence proving that vegan diets are healthier and more nutritious. While vegan diets are not very popular they are healthier and a more economical choice compared to eating meat and dairy products.
Vegan diets are inexpensive when compared to the price of meat and dairy products. Most vegans base their diets around items that can all be purchased inexpensively in bulk such as grains, beans, legumes, nuts, and seeds (Blumberg, 2013). Many vegans save money by purchasing fruits and vegetables that are in season this results in lower prices. Since vegans consume mostly fruits and vegetables this has many health benefits.
With the large consumption of fruit and vegetables this gives vegans a lowered risk of many cancers specifically colon cancer (Blumberg, 2013). Along with the reduced risk of cancer vegans have a much lower obesity rate compared to non-vegans. Vegans weigh five to 20% less than meat eaters. Since most vegans have a lower body mass index they have a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and type II diabetes. Another great benefit of practicing a vegan diet is that vegan diets are well balanced.
Many Americans consume too much protein from red meat. On average Americans consume twice as much protein required for a healthy diet and most of it comes from red meat (NursingDegree.Net , 2004-2013). Red meat is not a healthy source for getting protein (Blumberg, 2013). When women consume high amounts of protein through red meat it puts them at a higher risk of coronary heart disease (Harvard School of Public Health, 2010). Contrary to popular belief vegans consume a healthy amount of protein through beans, nuts, peas, lentils, and soy products.
By consuming animal products it puts humans at a greater risk for health problems.
Eggs have also been shown to cause many health problems. Many nutritionists would agree that the American diets consist of to many eggs (NursingDegree.Net , 2004-2013). By eliminating eggs from your diet you are reducing your chances of having high cholesterol levels. By consuming large amount of cholesterol it puts people at a greater risk of heart disease and stroke (Healthaliciousness.com, 2006-2012). Vegans have a lower cholesterol level compared to non-vegans because cholesterol is only found in animal products. Although there are some negative effects associated with low cholesterol levels, which is infrequent, the human body produces enough cholesterol naturally. Since the human body produces cholesterol naturally there is no need to add more. Eggs are one of the foods that have the highest cholesterol levels a person can consume. This is not the only animal product that has been linked to health problems. Seafood is another dangerous animal product that people have been led to believe is safe to consume. Fish purchased at many grocery stores come from fish farms (The Vreeland Clinic 's Blog, 2010). The fish that come from fish farms live in large tank and are on special diets. These fish are on a diet loaded with grain with intentions of making them fat. When fish are fed grain they consume a high amount of fatty acid named omega-6. Large amounts of omega-6 are dangerous to humans. The truth behind farm-raised fish is that they are pro-inflammatory. Inflammation has been linked to many diseases such as cancer and heart disease. Many have been led to believe that fish is good for your heart oil of the fish, and oil backed fish contain a large amount of cholesterol (Healthaliciousness.com, 2006-2012). Shellfish like Oysters, Clams, and Mussels all contain high amounts of cholesterol to. Studies have also shown that shrimp contain high levels of cholesterol. A single shrimp can contain as much as 11mg. Following seafood our next threat is cow milk and cow dairy.
The human body is not designed to digest cow milk and cow dairy products but through advertising many people have been led to believe that consuming these products is healthy (Reality of Nature, 2008). 75% of the world could potential be lactose intolerant or suffer from other undiagnosed milk reaction (NursingDegree.Net , 2004-2013). When people make the decision to eliminate milk from their diets, they are significantly improving their health. What many consumers do not know is that dairy cows are fed differently. Dairy cows are net fed traditional green grass; they are fed high-protein, soy-based feed instead (Reality of Nature, 2008). When the dairy cows are fed this enhanced feed it cause them to grow extremely large pituitary glands with enlarged glands it allows the cows to produce milk faster. The problem with this process is that it leaves the cows weak and helpless. Since the cows are so weak the dairy farmers have no choice but to give the cows antibiotics so they are strong enough to continue to produce milk. Unfortunately many of these antibiotics are still present in the products many people consume.
This is not the only danger people face from consuming products from dairy cows. The Food and Drug Administration approved the use of bovine growth hormones by dairy farmers (Reality of Nature, 2008). The reason dairy farmers want to use bovine growth hormones to increase the production of milk. The problem with bovine growth hormones and why they are dangerous to humans is they cause a dramatic increase in insulin-like growth factors (IGF-1) in the milk of dairy cows. IGF-1 has been found to cause human breast cells to become cancerous. When people consume milk from dairy cows they are directly consuming bovine growth hormones. If more consumers were educated about the added risk of eating animal products, they would probably reconsider it.
Animal products are unhealthy and high priced. By eliminating animal products from your diet consumers are saving money and increasing his or her life span. There is not anything more a person could ask for when choosing a diet. Vegan diets are extremely healthy and nutritious. Vegans put themselves at a lower risk of cancer. Choosing a vegan diet is the smart choice because people are decreasing their risk of breast and colon cancer. When women make the smart choice by not eating meat they are reducing their risk of heart disease. Along with this vegans receive the proper amount of protein through healthy sources unlike meat eaters who receive to much. By not consuming cow milk or cow milk products consumers are saving themselves from potential milk allergies or other undiagnosed conditions. When consumers make the choose not to ear seafood they are eliminating there chances of high cholesterol and diseases related to inflammation. With the research provided about the health benefits of eating vegan and the dangerous unnecessary health risk from consuming animal products. It would be safe to say that a vegan diet is more beneficial to a persons health and is not as high priced as consuming animal based products.

References
Blumberg, P. (2013). 11 Convincing Reasons that Eating Vegan Isn’t Crazy. Retrieved February 24, 2013, from The Reader 's Digest Association, Inc.: http://www.rd.com/slideshows/convincing-reasons-eating-vegan-isnt-crazy/#slideshow=slide10
Harvard School of Public Health. (2010, August 16). HSPH News. Retrieved February 25, 2013, from Shifting protein sources away from red meats may reduce risk of heart disease in womenShifting protein sources away from red meats may reduce risk of heart disease in women: http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/press-releases/shifting-protein-heart-disease-risk-women/
Healthaliciousness.com. (2006-2012). Top 10 Foods Highest in Cholesterol (To Limit or Avoid). Retrieved March 1, 2013, from Healthaliciousness.com: http://www.healthaliciousness.com/articles/foods-highest-in-cholesterol.php
NursingDegree.Net . (2004-2013). 57 Health Benefits of Going Vegan. Retrieved February 24, 2013, from NursingDegree.Net : http://www.nursingdegree.net/blog/19/57-health-benefits-of-going-vegan/
Reality of Nature. (2008, February 14). 6 Reasons to Stop Drinking Milk Today. Retrieved February 13, 2013, from Reality of Nature : http://www.realityofnature.com/eating-habits/6-reasons-to-stop-drinking-milk-today/
Suddath, C. (2008, 10 28). Time Health & Family. Retrieved March 2, 2013, from Time: http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1854996,00.html
The Vreeland Clinic 's Blog. (2010, January 31). Why eating fish could be bad for you. Retrieved March 2, 2013, from The Vreeland Clinic 's Blog: http://thevreelandclinic.wordpress.com/2010/01/31/why-eating-fish-could-be-bad-for-you/

References: Blumberg, P. (2013). 11 Convincing Reasons that Eating Vegan Isn’t Crazy. Retrieved February 24, 2013, from The Reader 's Digest Association, Inc.: http://www.rd.com/slideshows/convincing-reasons-eating-vegan-isnt-crazy/#slideshow=slide10 Harvard School of Public Health. (2010, August 16). HSPH News. Retrieved February 25, 2013, from Shifting protein sources away from red meats may reduce risk of heart disease in womenShifting protein sources away from red meats may reduce risk of heart disease in women: http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/press-releases/shifting-protein-heart-disease-risk-women/ Healthaliciousness.com. (2006-2012). Top 10 Foods Highest in Cholesterol (To Limit or Avoid). Retrieved March 1, 2013, from Healthaliciousness.com: http://www.healthaliciousness.com/articles/foods-highest-in-cholesterol.php NursingDegree.Net . (2004-2013). 57 Health Benefits of Going Vegan. Retrieved February 24, 2013, from NursingDegree.Net : http://www.nursingdegree.net/blog/19/57-health-benefits-of-going-vegan/ Reality of Nature. (2008, February 14). 6 Reasons to Stop Drinking Milk Today. Retrieved February 13, 2013, from Reality of Nature : http://www.realityofnature.com/eating-habits/6-reasons-to-stop-drinking-milk-today/ Suddath, C. (2008, 10 28). Time Health & Family. Retrieved March 2, 2013, from Time: http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1854996,00.html The Vreeland Clinic 's Blog. (2010, January 31). Why eating fish could be bad for you. Retrieved March 2, 2013, from The Vreeland Clinic 's Blog: http://thevreelandclinic.wordpress.com/2010/01/31/why-eating-fish-could-be-bad-for-you/