Vegetarianism for peaceful coexistence

by Surekha GALAGODA

Being vegetarian is healthy as a vegetarian is spared of most sicknesses compared to non-vegetarians and most importantly by going green we save the earth not only for us but also for future generations.

Dr. D. P. Atukorale himself a vegetarian said there is a popular myth that vegetarian food doesn't contain all the nutrients, but in fact it does contain all the nutrients and therefore is more nutritious than a non- vegetarian diet. Vegetarian nutrition is far more healthier to the body and mind alike. A true follower of the Buddha's philosophy who can analyze the first precept invariably becomes a vegetarian .

He said India has the largest number of vegetarians while in Sri Lanka too there are over a million now. Most vegetarians in Sri Lanka are Hindus but today there is an increase in the number of vegetarians even among the followers of other religions.

A person weighing 60 kilograms needs 60 grams of protein per day while a vegetarian diet consists of about 80 grams of protein. He said consuming too much of protein gives rise to many ailments including obesity, increase of bad cholesterol, osteoporosis and kidney disease. He said when the bad cholesterol increases it increases atherosclerosis leading to heart attacks and strokes.

Dr. Atukorale said fats are necessary to keep our bodies healthy but too much fat can make a person prone to many ailments. The fat we can get from food should have the essential fatty acids which include Omega 3 and 6 and vegetarian food contains more than sufficient essential fatty acids. Fibre is not found in meat, fish, eggs and milk but in vegetarian diets.

There are two types of fibre soluble and insoluble. Soluble fibre is found in carrots, yeast, beans, fruits and unpolished rice and it helps to reduce blood cholesterol and maintain blood sugar in diabetics. Insoluble fibre is present in green vegetables, kohila, jak and fruits and helps prevent constipation and cancer of the large bowel.

He said our gastronomical system is similar to that of non-meat eating animals while the human teeth too are shaped like the herbivores.

The hydrochloric acid content of the human stomach is low unlike the carnivorous animals who have to digest meat. When the toxic products of meat remain longer in the intestine there is a tendency to develop cancer. In addition, statistics show that 60 per cent of the population over 40 years of age are overweight in the USA and it is one of the biggest epidemics and most often it is a condition faced by non-vegetarians. Most importantly those who are overweight are more prone to develop diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, arthritis, varicose veins and cancer.

He said the setup of hormones in non-vegetarians is different from those of vegetarians and there is scientific evidence to prove that incidence of hypertension is lower among vegetarians compared to non-vegetarians. Vegetarians are less prone to develop cancer in the stomach, large intestine, prostrate, breast, bladder, cervix and ovaries. Antioxidants in a vegetarian diet prevent the development of cancer while vegetarians have less free radicals compared to non-vegetarians.

He said mental diseases are more prevalent among non-vegetarians compared to vegetarians. Migraine is less common among vegetarians.

Dr. Atukorale, said when a person has a heavy meal consisting of meat a good night's sleep is not possible. Food rich in carbohydrates, fruits, vegetables and sweets taken before bed time helps to relax people and helps to wake up with pleasant feelings and most importantly a good night's sleep makes one able to concentrate more on the work.

Dr. Atukorale also said in the Indian prison camp Golier, prisoners when given vegetarian food became less quarrelsome but when it was reverted to a non-vegetarian diet they became boisterous and quarrelsome. Therefore, a Japanese professor had said there would be peaceful coexistence and that the world will be a better place to live if the world population subsisted on a vegetarian diet.

He said man can live longer and in good health on a vegetarian diet, and Russian Caucasians and Bulgarians who live mainly on a vegetarian diet have the highest life expectancy in the world.

Dr. Atukorale said compared to earlier days there is a variety of food such as puddings, jellies, ice cream mixes, vegetarian meat balls, burgers, sausages, as well as a host of other food items a person can purchase over the counter."

He said being a vegetarian is the healthy way of living a peaceful life without disturbing mother nature.

"I am dreaming of a day that all Sri Lankans become vegetarians and I am confident that it will happen", said Dr. Atukorale.