Vegetarianism is the main part. Are there any benefits of vegetarianism

Marina, 35 years old, teacher

I am a vegetarian with five years of experience. It's just that at some point I felt that I didn't want to eat meat. I didn't particularly like him before, but after I got sick, I had to follow a diet for a while. And then, when my diet ended, it turned out that I can do just fine without meat - the body simply does not require it. And you know, after I said goodbye to sausages and roast beefs, I began to feel much better. The heaviness in the stomach disappeared, the skin became clearer. And on the figure it was reflected very positively. I lost 5 kilograms, cellulite decreased. Why go far for an example! Look at Hollywood stars: half of them are vegetarians. Madonna, who has not eaten meat for a long time, at 50 years old looks at least 30! Therefore, I advise everyone: give up animal protein! It just seems that you will miss cutlets and you will constantly feel hungry! From my own experience, I can say that nothing like this will happen. Again, you don't have to become a strict vegetarian - if you do not deny yourself dairy products and eggs, your diet will be just as balanced as that of meat eaters.

Elena, 50, accountant

I believe that vegetarianism is a perfectly healthy diet. Judge for yourself, those who eat meat constantly burden their bodies with too heavy food. And from here - all the health problems. At the same time, people who refuse meat and other food of animal origin for some ideological reasons (they feel sorry for killing animals or taking an egg from a chicken) seem to me to be hypocrites. After all, no one really knows exactly how a potato feels when it is dug out of the ground. Taking care of your own health is another matter. Meat is extra fat, which means an increased level of bad cholesterol, the risk of vascular plaques, heart disease and atherosclerosis. In addition, meat food is digested longer than plant food, and this is an extra load on the stomach and intestines. And meat-eaters consume much less vitamins than vegetarians. If the former are used to snacking on a sandwich with sausage, then the latter will prefer a carrot or an apple. Therefore, I believe that if you look after your health and want to maintain it for many years, it is better to become a vegetarian.

Nikolay, 48 years old, auto mechanic

I have not eaten meat since I was 15. My father is an avid hunter. And then one day he decided that it was time to introduce his son, that is, me, to this male entertainment. In general, they took me to the forest with them. Together with everyone I stood behind the trees and waited for the elk to come out on us. I will not describe the bloody details, but when I saw the killed beast, I could not recover for several weeks. Every night I saw in a dream the face of a dead moose. Since then I have become a vegetarian. Animals are not to blame for the fact that a person wants to eat well. I'm not even talking about wild animals that are killed solely for the sake of forgetting. Those that are grown on farms are no less a pity. The domestic pig wants to live just like the wild boar. I, of course, understand that my refusal to eat meat will not affect the fate of these animals in any way and in the end they will end up on the table for someone else. But I won't feel like a murderer. And if there are more like me, the number of animals that are raised specifically for slaughter will decrease over time - it will simply be unprofitable for farmers to engage in animal husbandry. After all, most people listen with horror to stories about Korean cuisine, where dog meat is considered a delicacy. Everyone immediately presents their beloved four-legged friend at the dinner table. But those who kill and eat calves are no less cruel than the Korean cook.

Vs

Galina, 42 years old, manager

My daughter has recently become a vegetarian, and, you know, I just don't recognize my child. She became pale, she has constant weakness, often complains of headache. The daughter, however, assures that her malaise is not related to the new diet, and explains it by the fact that she not so long ago suffered the flu, but I believe that all this is from the fact that she stopped eating meat. I try to cook all sorts of goodies - twirl cutlets, fry stews, bake ham. But all is useless. The daughter refuses! Worst of all, she doesn't eat fish either! And what vitality can be from empty buckwheat and potatoes? And if you take into account our crazy life, when you need to work, earn extra money, and do something around the house to do something, you cannot do without adequate nutrition. Therefore, I believe that vegetarianism is a whim for the rich, who can afford not to work and cook all sorts of delights from vegetables.

Ivan, 30 years old, engineer

I'm okay with vegetarians. If people like to eat only plant foods - please! Another thing is that it doesn't suit me. If there is no meat on the table, then I will remain hungry. Not even a fish can replace him. Within a couple of hours after such a lunch or dinner, I will run to the refrigerator to finally eat. By the way, my wife tried several times to feed me different salads for dinner without the obligatory piece of meat, but then she gave up her ideas. She just realized that such a dinner later leads to the complete emptying of the refrigerator. Maybe women are arranged differently. But for us, men, a full meal without meat simply does not exist.

Peter, 56 years old, policeman

Man hunted mammoths in the Stone Age! Because by nature we are all predators. Why do we need to invent some new diets to which our body is not initially adapted? Of course, with a vegetarian diet, you will definitely experience a deficiency of nutrients. After all, meat is the protein from which the cells of our body are built. And vegetable proteins cannot be a complete substitute. That is why all vegetarians look somehow unhealthy. And listen to what they say! They defend their point of view so aggressively that the thought creeps in that their diet is not conducive to a good mood!

Expert opinion

Rimma Moysenko, nutritionist, candidate of medical sciences:

- Moderate vegetarianism, when a person excludes only meat from the diet, but at the same time drinks milk and eats fish, is not at all harmful for an adult healthy person. The iron in beef is the only thing you lose in this case. Buckwheat, cottage cheese, eggs, seafood will help to fill the deficit of useful "metal". Moreover, some types of meat should be abandoned altogether: there are a lot of connective tissue fibers in pork and lamb, which are very difficult for our gastric tract to digest. As a result, harmful ammonia and nitrogenous bases appear in the body. But I would not recommend excluding beef from the menu for people suffering from anemia, hypotension, and girls in transitional age who have had their period with profuse bleeding.

Each of us has heard these concepts. The currents are expanding, gaining proportions. Disputes are constantly going on between ardent adherents and ardent opponents of these directions. Not always honest and scientifically based. Not always tolerant. Sometimes, "in the struggle for a just cause" reaching fanaticism, which levels the ethical, as well as spiritual moments, underlying the aspirations.

Let's find out what is the point, what are the arguments, where is the golden mean.

The essence of veganism and vegetarianism

In practice, these are two types of one flow - vegetarianism promoting the refusal to eat animal meat.

It is based on:

• The ethical norm is "Thou shalt not kill!"
• The theory that the human body is not provided for eating flesh, on the contrary, it is more inherent in the assimilation of plant foods.
• Caring for the environment, health.
• Some people join the stream solely for the purpose of losing weight.

At the same time, it is allowed to eat fish, dairy products, eggs.

Veganism - a tougher, more strict component of vegetarianism. It goes further and deeper, radically excluding any animal products, even dairy products and honey.

The basis is the rejection of any form of animal exploitation.

Including - from medicines, cosmetics, clothing items, in which, one way or another, living beings were used, including in the form of testing drugs.

In principle, the basis of these movements can be fully understood if there is a reasonable approach in the actions of the adepts and there is no fanaticism that would rather bring harm to their followers than the declared benefits.

Arguments for and against vegetarianism

We omit the ethical side, we will only touch on physiology.

In an attempt to understand how justified the rejection of meat is, there is a debate.

Main aspects of the discussion:

1. Is man a carnivore or herbivore?

Opponents consider features such as:

• The structure of the teeth.
• Salivation.
• The size of the stomach, acidity of gastric juice.
• Intestine length.

There are arguments both in one and the other direction. We will not list them here, those who are interested can get acquainted with the details on the internet, since now everything is available.

But let us inform you that the generalization of all the arguments allows us to come to the conclusion that the set of signs does not allow us to unambiguously accept the correctness of one side or the other, most likely the truth is in the middle: man is omnivorous ... Like a bear, for example. The body is adapted to assimilate food of both plant and animal origin, extracting the necessary substances from it at certain periods of development.

2. Is vegetarianism good or bad?

Arguments for"

The advocates of vegetarianism argue that:

• Vegetarians have fewer carcinogens in their food.
• The lower the likelihood of cardiovascular, cancer, obesity,.

Doctors agree that a decrease in the intake of animal fats, as well as an increase in the content of antioxidants that come with, does indeed have the above beneficial effects.

• Easier to control body weight.
• A vegetarian diet contains all the necessary vitamins, micro- and macroelements.

A highly controversial argument.

• Longer lifespan.
• Plant foods are digested faster.

Arguments against vegetarianism

The statement about a longer life expectancy is not scientifically supported. Based on official statistics, we can say that people in the Caucasus, in Japan, who do not differ in vegan strictness, live the longest.

Cooking vegetarian dishes often includes a significant amount of vegetable fats, carbohydrates, which increases their calorie content, does not indicate lightness in any way, and can also cause, like food of animal origin.

In addition, eating only healthy food does not exclude metabolic disturbances and excess body weight, if the balance between the calorie content of food and energy costs is not observed. The body "does not care" where they came from surplus glucose or fat: you ate oatmeal with nuts and honey, or a cake. Although, in the first case, there are certainly more vitamins and macronutrients.

The fact that a sharp transition to veganism gives a feeling of constant hunger, incomplete satiety can also lead to weight gain. Satisfying the need, you can quickly gain weight, even on plant foods.

The question of the balance of vegetarian and especially vegan food is the most controversial point:

1. Unfortunately, not all adherents of veganism know that plant foods contain incomplete or inadequate amounts of critically needed nutrients.

In particular:

• Protein, Omega-3, and 6, vitamins B-12, D, calcium, zinc, folic acid, iron, iodine, - a deficiency of which will inevitably lead to problems of bone tissue and mass, central nervous system functions, anemia, decreased immune forces, muscular dystrophy , blood diseases.
• Plant omegas are not as effective as animal omegas.
• Protein from plant foods such as beans or soy is not difficult to obtain, but it is not a good substitute for animal protein. Again, we all know that today's soy is a GMO product. However, vegans are forced to use it, which is very controversial for the body.
• Iron from plant foods is absorbed worse, you need to use it twice as much.

It will help the absorption of vitamin C.

• It is very important to provide the required amount of zinc to maintain immune strength. You should be aware that the phytonic acid contained in vegetables interferes with its absorption.
• For vegetarians, vitamin B-12 will be supplied with dairy products, while vegans must use substitutes.

Knowing this, you should replenish the diet with pharmacy vitamins, or vegan products that contain them in the form of a supplement.

For the sake of fairness, it should be said that many meat eaters also lack vitamins, since they do not provide a balance of essential foods, in particular plant foods.

Deficiency of vitamins, microelements is very unfavorable in which, as scientists have become, can be happy.

Besides:

Creatine creates and maintains cellular energy.

Carnosine (found only in animal products) prevents degenerative changes that are triggered.

Cholesterol is an important and necessary molecule for the body. It is not only found in cell membranes, but is indispensable, in particular, in the production of testosterone.

2. The special group must include children and pregnant women

Experts are categorical and unanimous that the expectant mother, spending considerable body resources on the formation and development of the fetus, should receive meat products containing protein in the required amount. Vegetarianism and pregnancy are incompatible.

Lack of food of animal origin; vitamin B-12 for children under 15 years old - will negatively affect physical as well as mental development.

According to doctors, the "omnivorousness" of children is more useful than refusal of a number of products.

3. Concerning the prevention of diabetes. One experiment by the American Diabetes Association found that a low-carb diet was more potent than a vegan diet.

4. Ethical and spiritual issues are multifaceted.

Once you stop eating meat, you cannot become a righteous person in one fell swoop. Equally, its use does not detract from spiritual merits.

History knows examples when the leaders of Buddhism, the Dalai Lama 14 and Buddha Gautama, used meat products, which does not make their merits less significant.

Image copyright iStock

Avoiding meat will be good for both our health and our planet, but at the same time it can harm millions of people, the observer found out.

People become vegetarians for a variety of reasons. Someone does this because they feel sorry for the animals, while others simply adhere to a healthy lifestyle. There are also those who are in favor of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

As much as opponents of vegetarians try to deny it, there are many benefits to avoiding meat. And the more people exclude it from their diet, the greater the positive effect we will be able to observe on a global scale.

But if everyone becomes committed vegetarians, millions, if not billions, of people will face severe negative consequences.

"This scenario has both pros and cons," says Andrew Jarvis of the International Center for Tropical Agriculture, Columbia.

"In developed countries, the transition to vegetarianism will improve the environment and health of citizens. But in developing countries, this will only lead to deepening poverty."

Together with other experts from the center, Jarvis tried to simulate the situation that would develop on the planet if all people suddenly stopped eating meat.

Image copyright iStock Image caption If by 2050 we all become vegetarians, there will be 7 million fewer deaths on the planet every year, and if we become vegans, then by 8 million.

First of all, they paid attention to climate change. Food production accounts for a quarter to a third of all anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, and most of this comes from the livestock industry.

Despite this, we often underestimate the impact of our food choices on the environment.

For example, in the United States, producing enough meat for an average family of four emits more greenhouse gases than when a family member uses two cars.

However, when we discuss global warming, we are constantly talking about cars, not steaks.

Most people don't think about the link between food and climate change Tim Benton, expert

"Most people don't think about the link between food and climate change," says Tim Benton, a food security expert at the University of Leeds. "But if we start eating a little less meat today, our children and grandchildren will thank us."

Marco Springman, Research Fellow at the Oxford Martin School at the University of Oxford, is currently working on the Future of Food program.

He decided to find out what real benefits it could bring. Together with colleagues, he created computer models to predict what would happen if all of humanity completely abandoned meat by 2050.

The results of the study showed that emissions from the food industry will decrease by about 60%, mainly due to the elimination of red meat.

And if all the inhabitants of the Earth become vegans (that is, complete vegetarians - Ed.), the volume of emissions will be reduced by approximately 70%.

“We tried to find out how to slow the pace of climate change, and we found that achieving a sustainable balance of emissions from the food industry and all other emissions can only be if the entire population of the Earth eats only plant foods,” says Springman.

Image copyright iStock Image caption Farmers in developing countries will suffer the most from global vegetarianism

"It is unlikely that this is possible, but this conclusion once again indicates that the emissions of greenhouse gases resulting from the activities of the food industry will have a serious impact on the future of the planet," he said.

For food production, and especially for the needs of livestock, extensive agricultural land is required, and land conversion and loss of biodiversity lead to an increase in greenhouse gas emissions.

There are about 5 billion hectares of agricultural land worldwide, and 68% of this is used as pasture for livestock.

If we all become vegetarians, then at least 80% of these pastures will be converted back into meadows and forests that will capture carbon and help us stem climate change.

If by 2050 the whole of humanity completely abandons meat, then the volume of emissions associated with the activities of the food industry will decrease by about 60%

Returning pastures to their natural state will also have a beneficial effect on biodiversity. Large herbivores will return to their habitat, such as buffaloes, displaced by humans for breeding livestock, as well as wolves, which are often killed due to attacks on domestic animals.

The remaining 10-20% of the former pastures can be used for growing crops that will help fill the lack of food.

This relatively small increase in agricultural land will be more than enough to compensate for the lack of meat, because a third of the arable land is grown for fodder crops not intended for humans.

Restoring the environment and moving to a purely plant-based food production will require careful planning and significant investment, as most of this land has already fallen into disrepair.

"You can't just take cows off the ground and wait for a virgin forest to grow on its own," Jarvis notes.

Employment options

People who have worked in the livestock industry will need help with finding jobs.

They will be able to engage in agriculture, reforestation or the production of clean energy from plant waste, which is now used as feed for livestock.

In addition, farmers will be able to generate income by raising livestock for environmental purposes.

“Scotland is characterized by mountainous terrain, which is very strongly influenced by humans, or rather, the herds of sheep grazing here,” says Peter Alexander, an expert on socio-ecological systems at the University of Edinburgh. will affect biodiversity. "

Image copyright iStock Image caption The disappearance of meat from the menu will have a colossal impact on the entire global economy

If we are unable to offer new employment options and subsidies to those who previously worked in industrial livestock production, we are likely to face rising unemployment and mass unrest, especially in rural areas, which are closely associated with this industry.

“There are now over 3.5 billion domestic ruminants on earth, and we consume tens of billions of chickens every year,” said Ben Phalan of the University of Cambridge, who studies the balance between food demand and biodiversity.

"This means that the economy will be hit hard," he said.

But even the best plan cannot provide for the creation of alternative sources of income for everyone.

About a third of the world's land is arid and semi-arid pastures that are not suitable for growing crops.

The attempt to convert parts of the Sahel, an African region south of the Sahara and north of the equator, from livestock grazing land to arable land, has failed to achieve anything other than desertification and loss of fertility.

"Without livestock, life for people living in certain natural conditions will be impossible," says Falan.

This is especially the case for Mongolian and Berber nomads, who, due to the lack of livestock, will have to settle permanently in cities, which will lead to the loss of their cultural identity.

If everyone on Earth becomes vegetarian by 2050, the global mortality rate could drop by 10%

In addition, those for whom meat is not a source of livelihood may also suffer. After all, meat is an important part of history, traditions and culture.

It is customary for many peoples around the world to give livestock at weddings, and some people simply cannot imagine a festive dinner without turkey or roast beef.

Meat dishes have become a manifestation of the cultural identity of certain regions and peoples.

“Avoiding meat completely will have a huge impact on the culture, which is why measures to reduce meat consumption are often ineffective,” Falan says.

The health consequences of a vegetarian diet are also controversial.

According to Springman's computer model, if everyone on Earth becomes vegetarians by 2050, the global mortality rate will decrease by 6-10%, thanks to a decrease in the number of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, heart attacks and some types of cancer.

This will be equally influenced by avoiding red meat and the associated reduction in caloric intake, as well as consuming more fruits and vegetables.

If the entire population of the planet switches to veganism, the positive effect will only increase: a vegetarian diet can save 7 million lives a year, while a vegan diet - about 8 million.

Reducing the number of chronic diseases caused by poor nutrition will also lead to lower spending on health services, which will save about 2-3% of global GDP.

Image copyright iStock Image caption But even the best plan will fail to create alternative sources of income for everyone.

But for all this to become a reality, it is necessary not only to abandon meat, but also to replace it with products with an equal nutritional value.

Animal products contain more nutrients per calorie than vegetarian products. Therefore, it is very important to choose the right diet, especially for the more than two billion people suffering from malnutrition.

"The shift to a vegetarian diet on a global scale can lead to a dramatic deterioration in the health of people in developing countries, because they will not receive vital nutrients," says Benton.

Everything needs a measure

Fortunately, you don't need to be vegetarian to the full world to reap the full benefits and minimize negative effects. The most important thing is to eat meat less often and in smaller portions.

One study found that people in the UK only need to adhere to the WHO dietary guidelines to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by 17%.

And if you give up animal products and harmful "snacks", this figure will decrease by another 40%.

"These changes in diet will not be painful for people. All that is needed is just a little less meat," says Jarvis. "This is not a complete transition to vegetarianism."

Springman said that due to certain changes in the food system, we will choose healthy foods that do not harm the environment as much.

For example, you can increase the price of meat while making fresh fruits and vegetables cheaper and more affordable.

In addition, we need to be more responsible about the food we eat, because today only 50% of the calories we produce are effectively used. This is due to the loss of food, food waste and overeating.

“There are low-capacity systems that provide good conditions for the animals and minimize the environmental impact, but at the same time generate high returns,” says Benton.

“Farmers can earn the same income by producing meat as a delicacy rather than as a daily product. This is done with completely different ways of raising animals,” he explains.

In fact, clear measures already exist to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from livestock production. What is missing is the desire to put them into practice.

The topic sooner or later becomes relevant for anyone who practices yoga in any serious way. For some, this is a matter of healthy eating, for others - morality. Some people refuse meat (or even any food of animal origin) quite easily. Others put themselves on a vegetarian diet with an effort of will - because it is necessary, because the principle of nonviolence, or ahimsa, is one of the main principles in yoga. Some people make vegetarianism or veganism a lifestyle and even propaganda, like Sharon Gannon and David Life. And someone, with passion giving up meat at the beginning of the yogic path, a few years later begins to introduce fish or, say, mutton into their diet. There are a lot of options, and choosing your own path can be difficult, especially if eating habits do not change in the "right" direction over time (which also happens).

So should a yogi be a vegetarian? And most importantly, should a domestic yogi be a vegetarian, living in latitudes, where most of the time it is dark and cold outside, and the variety in vegetables, fruits and cereals compared to hot countries, to put it mildly, is small?

Classics of the genre*

The history of vegetarianism in India dates back to the Vedic period, which dates back to various origins, usually between the fourth and second millennia BC. The four sacred texts known as the Vedas are considered the cornerstone of early Hinduism. The thought that gave impetus to the ideas of vegetarianism in subsequent centuries, arises in Vedic songs and hymns, praising the miraculous forces of natural elements. “The concept of soul transmigration is first introduced, albeit in passing, in the Rig Veda,” British journalist and writer Colin Spencer explains in his book A History of Vegetarianism. “The totemistic culture of the ancient Indian civilization was already characterized by a sense of the unity of all Creation.” Adherence to these views, according to Spencer, further inspired the development of vegetarianism.

In later texts, including the Upanishads, the concept of rebirth comes to the fore. According to the editors of the anthology "Religious Vegetarianism" Kerry Walters and Lise Portmess, "the gods take the form of animals, people in past births can be animals, and animals - people." There is a divine principle in all beings, while life is considered not as a single given, but as a stream that changes forms. In particular, Spencer notes that the cow was revered as Kamadhenu - a sacred creature in which 330 million deities live, and killing her was equivalent to killing a mother or a brahmana. In general, the idea that meat on a plate has a history of past births and could once walk on two legs did not at all contribute to the popularization of meat-eating.

As Walters and Portmess point out, later in The Laws of Manu, a text written between 200 BC. and AD 100, a clearer approach to the ethical standards of vegetarianism was formulated. The ancient sage Manu denounces not only those who eat meat. “Those who allowed and committed the act of murder, butchered, sold, cooked, served and devoured the meat of an animal - they are all guilty of its death,” he writes.

The Bhagavad Gita is perhaps the most authoritative scripture in Hinduism, written between the 6th and 1st centuries. BC, contains practical nutritional guidelines that tip the scales in favor of vegetarianism. In the Bhagavad-Gita, food is subdivided into sattvic (milk, butter, fruits, vegetables and cereals) - “which strengthens vitality and endurance, strengthens health, gives pleasure and ensures longevity”; bitter, salty and sour rajasic (including meat, fish and alcohol), "causing pain, disease and various ailments," and tamasic, which includes "stale, over-processed and unclean" foods. This interpretation determines the eating habits of yogis to this day.

Life after death

Oleg Torsunov, the most famous interpreter of the Vedas in our country, speaks about the unconditional, not even benefit - the need for vegetarianism - and not only for yogis, but for everyone in general. However, he focuses not so much on karmic consequences, but on the mental aspects of nutrition and how food affects the subtle body. “In medicine, the theory that meat is the healthiest food has been established,” says Torsunov. - But doctors study food from the standpoint of chemical composition, they have not even tried to approach this issue from the standpoint of the psyche. They do not understand that it is important that a person's mental state ultimately affects health more than the chemical composition of foods. " How does meat affect the psyche? “According to the Vedic scripture,” explains Torsunov, “after death, in the subtle body of the mind, a person is next to his gross body, because he is very strongly attached to it - just like to relatives, children, home, and for about forty days is next to his body, until the process of decomposition begins. " “The same happens to animals,” Torsunov develops. - As long as the meat is fresh (and in this case it is considered fresh until it begins to rot), the animal in the subtle body is very strongly attached to it, that is, attached to its body. An animal, like a person, in a subtle body can be both there and here. It doesn't matter how many honors his physical body is divided into - in the thin body it is always next to the piece of meat that lies in your refrigerator. And when you cook this piece of meat, when you eat it, the animal experiences terrible suffering because you eat what belongs to it. This can be compared to eating next to someone who dislikes you a lot. It is for this reason that meat is considered food that brings misfortune - it destroys our psyche. "

Science

Of course, not everyone is ready to accept such a radical point of view. If only because it is very closely correlated with religious beliefs. Actually, for the same reason, doctors, whom Torsunov accuses of narrow-mindedness, do not consider such aspects of food in their practice. For science, only what can be verified by scientific methods matters. Moreover, this is true even for the ancient sciences, including Ayurveda, whose postulates do not cause doubts among yoga practitioners.

“Ayurveda is often associated with vegetarianism, because beef is not eaten in India - everyone knows that a cow is considered a sacred animal. But these are all religious concepts. Ayurveda is a science, a logically built medical system. Religion and science have different approaches. Science always chooses the middle path, there are no categorical judgments and radical views. Any extreme path is harmful to health. " It was with this arrangement of dots over the "i" that Dr. Naushad, the Ayurvedic doctor, to whom I came to talk about "Vegetarianism: pros and cons"... We talked, however, rather about the benefits of animal food - Dr. Naushad literally refuted with every phrase the stereotypical notion “Ayurveda is equal to vegetarianism” prevailing in the West.

“There are many Ayurvedic medicines based on animal substances. Some of them are based on broth. Horns, hooves, etc. are used. These ingredients are found in any ancient medicine - in Chinese, for example. This is due to the fact that animal products are a rich source of minerals and neurotransmitters that improve metabolism, explains Naushad. - In the ancient texts on Ayurveda, such as Ashtanga Hrdayam or Sushruta Samhita, all types of food, including meat, are described in great detail, their beneficial properties and how these properties change depending on processing. At the same time, you will not find any prescriptions for vegetarianism there.

In Ayurveda, we say that any kind of food brings certain benefits to a healthy person. But before we give recommendations on nutrition, we take into account a lot of nuances. Including geographical location: where the person lives now and where he lived before; we are definitely interested in his food preferences. In Russia, for example, people eat a lot of meat. These preferences are habit, and habits cannot be changed dramatically and radically. They appear for a reason - there are certain reasons for each. Of course, the human body, our tissues are arranged in such a way that we don't need a lot of meat. In India, even if a person eats meat, he does it quite rarely - about once a week. But there are a lot of vegetables and other products. In Russia, the choice is much more scarce. "

Of course, a ban on meat in Ayurveda is possible, especially in cases when it comes to health disorders or deep cleansing procedures such as pancha karma. According to Naushad, for certain diseases, some types of meat, and sometimes all, must be excluded from the diet. For example, people with diseases caused by imbalance of kapha, as well as those who tend to increase this dosha, are strongly discouraged from eating pork. And those who suffer from skin diseases like psoriasis are prescribed a vegetarian diet, and first of all it is necessary to exclude eggs, fish, seafood and chicken. “But if animal food is difficult to do without, you can eat turkey or rabbit - these types of meat do not increase any of the doshas,” says Naushad. Lamb, which has recently been considered the healthiest type of meat, actually increases all three doshas, \u200b\u200bespecially kapha and pitta. And if you eat it more often than once every 10 days, it will lead to illness. In general, lamb and pork are types of meat, the effect on the body of which is so intense that it is better to exclude them from the diet altogether. At the same time, says Naushad, cases when they can be useful are possible - there are no strict prohibitions in Ayurveda.

But goat meat (which, however, is not in Russia) is considered very useful in Ayurveda. Moreover, many Ayurvedic preparations are based on goat broth. It reduces vata, normalizes metabolism and is especially effective for female diseases. Beef also has beneficial properties - it has a very beneficial effect on chronic bronchitis, sinusitis, and chronic rhinitis. Another type of meat that is extremely common in the West is chicken. From the point of view of Ayurveda, it has hot properties and can be useful in winter, as it gives the body energy. In addition, it increases libido in both men and women.

“But meat is not the food that Ayurveda recommends to eat every day,” warns Dr. Naushad. - When we eat meat, like any other food, it goes through a certain cycle in our body, which must be taken into account. When we say that Ayurveda is the middle way, we mean that one should not go to extremes. "

In this case, meat every day is the same extreme. The optimal frequency, according to Naushad, depends on the weather conditions. In winter, if you are used to meat, you can eat it more often. Three to four times a week - in winter you need energy, you need to keep the body warm. In summer - maximum once a week. Meat should not be full. “You should only feel half full. This rule applies to any heavy food. If you follow it, food will be digested normally, ”explains Naushad.

The meat eaters must have breathed a sigh of relief now. Rejoice early - bad news lies ahead.

But first, for the sake of completeness, it is worth mentioning fish, which is often viewed by health advocates as a healthy alternative to meat-based diets. “It is believed to be healthier and lighter,” the Ayurvedic doctor agrees with me, “because it is an easily digestible protein, an easily digestible food, it is very good for the heart, rich in Omega-3 and so on. Of course, fish has benefits as well as other foods, but if eaten frequently, it throws pitta and kapha off balance. According to Naushad, fish is more beneficial in winter because we need kapha in winter. At the same time, according to Ayurveda, fish has hot properties, so it is undesirable to eat it in hot summer and autumn, when pitta is active. It is also worth refraining from fish in spring because of kapha.

Well, now the promised fly in the ointment. All of the listed beneficial properties relate to meat produced according to the rules, which are also described in Ayurveda texts in some detail. Some of them are now vigorously discussed in society: for example, an animal should graze on the grass and eat grass, and not mixed feed with antibiotics and hormones. And it must be put to death quickly - it must not be frightened or tormented, and all the blood must be released from it. All this, I repeat, is the point of view of Ayurveda.

It is clear that it is impossible to find such meat in the store. “Ideally, you should look for farmers who produce meat according to all the rules and who can be trusted,” says Naushad. - But people still eat meat pumped with hormones, even knowing about its dangers. And that's why they get sick. If the meat is correct, there should be no diseases. " It is interesting that many of the Ayurvedic rules voiced by Naushad have been observed since ancient times in Russia. “In Russian villages, they never ate meat every day,” says Elena Ulmasbaeva. - First, there were posts. Secondly, the cattle were fed and slaughtered in the fall. There were special people who could kill an animal quickly and with prayer. Meat dishes were prepared for the festive table, and cereals, dairy, vegetables were used for daily meals. In general, the ethnography of nutrition is an extremely interesting thing, it helps to understand a lot. " Not everything is clear with vegetarianism in the context of health, according to the founder of the Yoga Station studio and rector of the Institute of Traditional Health Systems Sergei Agapkin.

“The notorious vitamin B12, the deficiency of which leads to severe forms of anemia, is found mainly in animal products, and quite often its deficiency occurs in vegetarians, and especially in vegans,” explains Sergey. - Iron, despite its large amount in plant products, is absorbed much worse than heme iron from liver or red meat. In most cases, this problem is hushed up, but India, where about 30% of the population adhere to a vegetarian diet, is in fact affected by an epidemic of anemia - 80% of pregnant women, 90% of teenage girls, 50% of children of both sexes suffer from this disease. Vitamin D and calcium are also problematic dietary components, which is why numerous studies show lower bone density in vegetarians. Deficiency of essential amino acids can be detrimental to mental health, especially in childhood. However, speaking of the disadvantages of vegetarianism, one cannot fail to mention its positive aspects, namely, the normalization of fat metabolism and a decrease in the level of cardiovascular diseases. True, this is mainly due to the enrichment of the diet with raw vegetables, fruits and nuts, and not the exclusion of animal products, as is often believed. Examples of the Mediterranean countries or Japan vividly confirm this fact, "Agapkin concludes.

By duty

Let's return, however, directly to yoga and to our main question: is vegetarianism a prerequisite for practice?

“Ayurveda has a concept of mental doshas, \u200b\u200bor gunas - these are sattva, rajas and tamas,” Naushad explains. - Sattva is the purest guna, this is awareness; rajas - fire and movement; tamas - inertia. Dairy products and vegetables, of course, increase sattva. Meat is rajas, aggression. A fish, an animal of water that lives where there is little light, increases tamas. Of course, all gunas play an important role in human life and functioning. However, for someone who strives to achieve more and more heights in yoga, to samadhi, the development of sattva is important. To achieve his goal, such a person must be only a vegetarian. ” It should be noted here that not all experts tend to consider vegetarianism as a yogi's duty. Most consider the elimination of animal products a natural consequence of the practice rather than a mandatory austerity. “It should be borne in mind that by doing yoga, you may become a vegetarian. Let this happen gradually, after the practice of yoga helps you to become aware of your body and habits, including in nutrition, as well as psychological reasons that force you to choose certain foods, one or another taste, - Elena Ulmasbaeva admonishes. "As you practice, the need for more sattvic food increases, but if this does not happen, then something is wrong with the practice."

To Sergei Agapkin, the formulation “a yogi should” also seems dubious. “Yoga is liberation from conventions, not the formation of new ones. It would be correct to talk not about vegetarianism, but about a low-protein diet, which was attributed to a yogi practicing pranayama in India. The fact is that during the practice of pranayama, the metabolism is sharply accelerated and this leads to active heat production, which in India is fraught with banal overheating - the ambient temperature and air humidity impede normal heat transfer. In these conditions, a completely adequate option is to reduce the amount of protein in food, because a protein diet can increase metabolism by 40%! Moreover, according to classical sources, we are talking not only about fish and meat, but also about fermented milk products and legumes. It should be noted that in neighboring Tibet, due to climatic conditions, there were no such problems, and until the end of the 20th century, the use of animal products was everyday even in the monastery kitchen. "

And here is what Charles Eisenstein writes about this in his book Yoga of Nutrition: “There is one serious flaw in the logic of spiritual elevation with the help of sublime nutrition. It is indicated by the saying: "Change one thing - everything will change." To meet our needs and provide health, our diet must match our lifestyle in the world. [...] The diet of monks and the righteous is not a conscious decision, but the result of changed tastes and appetites. " And one more quote from the same book, which does not need comments: “Strict and clean diets are primarily for people who are isolated from our world of huckstering and profit. To enjoy life in the world we are accustomed to, we need a less exalted diet. A hermit who chants God all day requires a completely different amount of energy and different vibrations than people who live in the thick of worldly life. "

Approximately the same thought is voiced by a psychotherapist, a full member of the Professional Psychotherapeutic League Stanislav Viktorovich Potekhin: “The need for meat can gradually disappear as a result of certain practices. This happens because the energy level changes, it becomes more. But first, these practices lead to the disappearance of the need for sweets. "

The first principle

Well, what about Ahimsa, you ask? With her, too, everything is not so simple. “An unconscious fear of one's own death often manifests itself as pity for animals, which in turn becomes the reason for refusing meat,” explains Stanislav Viktorovich. - The source of such compassion is attachment to one's own earthly life, to the temporary, material. And such attachments, as you know, are destructive for those who strive for eternity. "

“Pity is essentially greed,” Potekhin develops. - After all, we pity those who lose something that is valuable for us. We understand that to be in the place of the other is not sweet, because we ourselves are afraid of losing the same or something similar. " Such compassion, according to Stanislav Viktorovich, does not raise the spiritual level, but defends and protects the existing attachment, in this case, attachment to one's own material life. At the same time, he says, pity for animals can help develop mental gentleness, love - but only if you understand the true reason for your pity.

The choice is made

What is the conclusion? I think a dear reader will do it himself. Someone may become a vegetarian. Another will decide that he is in a hurry to exclude animal products from his menu. The third will remain the same. The main thing, in my opinion, is to be honest with yourself, learn to listen and hear yourself and, of course, not judge those whose diet is different from yours.

* The text uses an excerpt from the article "The Roots of Vegetarianism"
(The Roots of Vegetarianism) Jennifer Barrett translated by Ksenia Stepanenko

As before, and now, the debate about the benefits of vegetarianism does not subside. Having considered the arguments from different angles, everyone can decide for himself which idea he likes best.

Is it beneficial to be a vegetarian

Vegetarianism pros and cons - research work many pundits. Here are all the available arguments about the rejection of meat food.

The benefits of vegetarianism

To begin with, we present the most common types of vegetarianism, which are summarized in the table for convenience, and what they are based on.

Vegetarianism table

Types of food	Meat	Bird	Fish	Eggs	Dairy	Grain sprouts, raw foods	Fruits, vegetables, nuts, berries	Honey
Sprautarianism	—	—	—	—	—	+	—	—
Veganism	—	—	—	—	—	+	+	—
Frutorianism	—	—	—	—	—	+	+	—
Lactovegetarianism	—	—	—	—	+	+	+	+
Ovo-lacto vegetarianism	—	—	—	+	+	+	+	+

Since meat contains a lot of carcinogens, avoiding it will clearly have a good effect on health. After all, fried or smoked meat products are considered one of the causes of cancer of the stomach and other digestive organs. Lovers of plant foods are less likely to have problems with the endocrine system, they are less sick with hypertension and myocardial infarction.

Vegetarian food can help you lose weight. Since plants have much fewer calories, but more vitamins. True, this does not mean at all that becoming a vegetarian can be thin all the time. Sumo wrestlers, for example, do not eat meat, but they are not skinny at all.

People who practice yoga eat a plant-based diet. Because in yoga, refusing to eat meat is considered proper nutrition. All of her styles practice non-violence, that is, oppose the killing of animals.

The harm of vegetarianism

Proponents of this diet claim that this diet increases life expectancy. But this is not entirely true. So, for example, among the inhabitants of the Caucasus there are many people who have reached the centenary. However, meat is definitely present in their diet. The peoples of the far north have to eat almost only meat, since in conditions of low temperatures a lot of energy is spent. And besides, the usual vegetables and fruits do not grow there. However, this does not prevent them from living long.

The vegetarian diet, according to the researchers, is poor in some vitamins. For example, vitamin B12 and iron. If a person does not eat red meat, then there may be problems with the formation of blood cells. Iron deficiency gives brittle nails, impaired hair growth, imbalance in the intestines, a failure in the female menstrual cycle.

Plant foods are also poor in vitamin D, calcium and iodine. Lack of these elements causes problems with the skeleton, teeth and thyroid gland. This state of the body is especially dangerous in old age.

Vegetarianism and digestion

According to research, humans are between carnivores and herbivores in terms of digestion. Since its intestines are shorter than that of cows, but longer than that of a dog and a wolf. And the stomach also has an intermediate size. That is, herbivorous animals must have a large stomach and long intestines in order to digest tough food. And the meat gives off energy faster and if it lingers in the body, the process of decay and poisoning will begin. Hence the conclusion that a person can eat both plant and animal food.

Vegetables and fruits have a cleansing effect on the intestines, as they contain a lot of indigestible fiber. The constant intake of fiber into the body begins to act like emery and this will not always be useful. therefore attitudes of doctors towards vegetarianism positive only if you are not a child, not an elderly person and not suffering from gastrointestinal diseases.

Energy and vegetarianism

Throughout the day, in addition to calories, a person has a consumption of emotions and feelings. And there is food that affects life energy.

Here's what is meant by foods that replenish life energy:

1. Environmentally friendly vegetables, fruits, herbs, as well as berries. They can be either fresh or stewed. This also includes dried fruits.
2. Nuts and various seeds.
3. Dairy.
4. Legumes.
5. Spices and herbs.

If you use these products, then they will take away vital energy:

1. Any meat, as well as fish. Since they are regarded as the consequences of violence and murder. Eggs are also included in this.
2. Narcotic substances and stimulants (tobacco, tea, coffee and chocolate).
3. GMO products and chemical additives.

There is still benefit

It turns out that life without meat is not so sad. There are products that can easily replace it. So here how to replace meat with vegetarianism:

• legumes, including soy and soy products;
• cereals;
• lettuce and seaweed;
• nuts;
• coconut milk.

All these products contain protein plus those vitamins and minerals that are present in meat. So if year of vegetarianism brought only positive results, it will be natural to continue it.