The over-consumption of animal products has a detrimental effect on the human body. Commercially-raised animals are injected with steroids with the intent of putting weight on these animals. Steroids are hormones. When we eat these steroid-injected animals, these hormones are passed on to us and then we gain weight as though we were injected with steroids.
Commercially-raised animals are also fed large amounts of grain and synthetic fillers. Animal feed increases bulk by loading cholesterol and saturated fat into muscle tissue, so the cholesterol and saturated fat is passed on to us every time we eat these animals.
When we consume animal products the cholesterol, hormones and chemicals in their tissues disrupt our endocrine system. In women, high-cholesterol diets enriched with steroid residue cause estrogen levels and progesterone levels to fluctuate. This causes a serious metabolic disturbance that forces the body to store fat. In addition, these same women suffer more bone loss, severe premenstrual syndromes (PMS) and higher rates of breast cancer.
We do not need to consume extra cholesterol. Dr. Walter Willet, a Harvard scientist, concurs that every cell in the body makes cholesterol. He and many other well-known researchers believe humans should not ingest large amounts of cholesterol. The research shows that you can limit cholesterol rich food in the human diet and not develop a cholesterol deficiency. Ironically, cholesterol is found only in animal products. Plant-based foods have absolutely no cholesterol, even fat rich foods such as nuts, vegetable oils, avocadoes, olives and coconuts.
The body has severe allergic (inflammatory) reactions when exposed to some animal products. Milk forces the immune system to release prostaglandin 2. Prostaglandin 2, triggers inflammatory reactions throughout the circulatory system causing vessels to constrict and blood flow to decrease. As blood flow dwindles the body is starved of oxygen. This leads to gradual organ damage and inhibits our ability to burn fat. Remember inflammation can cause your leptins to be ineffective and your appetite to be out of control.
Animal products are extremely protein concentrated. Proteins are composed of amino acids. Meat is a block of acid. As meat is broken down in the stomach a large volume of acid is released into the blood stream. This leads to an imbalance that forces the body to dump calcium into the urine as a protective measure, ultimately causing kidney damage and bone loss. Calcium is replaced in the blood stream from the bones. Over-eating animal products literally and figuratively forces us to “pee” our bones away.
Animal products do not contain fiber. In the person lacking fiber in their diet, it can take months for a steak to be completely eliminated. It sits in the intestines and slowly decays releasing benzopyrines and nitrosamines into the cellular tissue. These are proven carcinogens that cause colon cancer. In 1968, the Journal of the American Medical Association reported that 90% of all cases of colon cancer could be traced to the ingestion of fried meat.
Animal products are very low in the essential enzymes needed to assist in their digestion. Lipase is an enzyme that is vital in the digestion and removal of fats from the body tissue. Animal products do not contain a functional form of lipase requiring the body to use its reserves. When lipase is deficient, in the body, fat is stored. Tufts University researchers found that 90% of obese people were deficient in lipase, an enzyme critical to the breakdown and removal of stored fat.
Non-organic animal products are fatty, hormone laden, chemical-laced blocks of acid. It is clear that these substances disrupt physiologic functions and should be limited. Losing weight and gaining health is an up-hill battle unless animal products are limited or eaten in moderation.
For most, our eating habits were determined by social factors, not by studying health books. Much of the planet eats primarily a plant-based diet. The over consumption of animal products is destroying our health. Sure there are many things that contribute to disease, but few are ingested three times a day.
We recommend consuming more plant-based foods. These are foods from the plant kingdom. There are tasty plant-based alternatives on the market for everything from steak, hotdogs, and ice cream to cheesecake. Check your local health food store. Many of the super market chains also feature a large array of plant-based options.
A gradual transitional towards more plants and less animals will make the process easier. Whenever possible try to eat only animal products from organically-raised animals. It is in your interest as the commercial-raised animals are not fit to eat and can make losing weight more difficult as they have been injected with steroids. Here are some suggestions that may make your transition to less animal products easier.
Limit all red meat, pork and lamb to no more than 4-6 ounces once a day. These are extremely acidic foods. They cause blood chemistry imbalances in every cell of the body. The highest concentration of fat is found in the muscle of the animal. It contains excessive amounts of protein and iron. The sulfur-containing proteins in meat are converted into uric acid producing a caffeine-like rush of energy and the iron overload seems temporarily to relieve anemia. Take note of how meat is prepared fried meats are extremely harmful to the health. Grilling, baking, sautÇing, and boiling are much healthier alternatives. Organic, grass-fed animals are much higher in omega-3 fatty acids.
Limit chicken, fish, turkey, duck, eggs and other forms of poultry to no more than 4-6 ounces once a day. Poultry contains the same concentration of fat and cholesterol as red meat. Eating skinless chicken will not decrease your chances of getting heart disease or cancer. Remember, the poultry and farmed fish populations are often fed or vaccinated with steroids.
Eating fish in moderation still applies, as fish is still a source of concentrated protein, cholesterol and saturated fat. Fish are swimming filters. They cycle the waste that we spill into the oceans through their bodies. They are magnets for toxic chemicals. According to a Consumer Report, fish account for a main source of exposure to PCB’s and mercury poisoning. The EPA estimates that fish concentrate 900 million times the level of chemicals from the water in which they live. There can be more mercury in a can of tuna than is considered acceptable in the work place.
Unfortunately, today, most fish and shellfish contain traces of mercury. Mercury can cause neurological problems and can be particularly dangerous during pregnancy and for small children.
Here is information on mercury levels in fish from the Natural Resource Defense Council:
LEAST MERCURY
Anchovies, Butterfish, Catfish, Clam, Crab (Domestic), Crawfish/Crayfish, Croaker,_Flounder, Haddock, Hake, Herring, _Mackerel, Mullet, Oyster, Perch, Plaice, Pollock, Salmon (Fresh water), Sardine, Scallop, Shad, Shrimp, Sole (Pacific), Squid, Tilapia, Trout (Freshwater), Whitefish, Whiting
MODERATE MERCURY
Do not eat more than six servings per month:
Bass (Striped, Black), Carp Cod, Halibut, Lobster, Mahi Mahi, Monkfish, Perch (Freshwater), Snapper, Tuna (canned chunk light)
HIGH MERCURY
Do not eat more than three servings per month:
Bluefish Grouper, Mackerel (Spanish, Gulf), _Sea Bass (Chilean), Tuna (Canned Albacore), _Tuna (Yellow fin)
HIGHEST MERCURY
Avoid eating: Mackerel (King), Marlin, Orange Roughy, Shark, Swordfish, Tilefish, Tuna_(Big eye, Ahi)
Also eating farmed Salmon should be limited as they may contain PCB’s, chemicals with serious long-term health effects.
http://www.nrdc.org/health/effects/mercury/guide.asp
Eliminate non-organic dairy products. Commercially-raised dairy cows are fed a consistent diet of steroids and antibiotics. They are the main ingredient in most processed foods and are caustic. The body produces mucus as a protective mechanism to limit the harmful effects produced by milk, cheese, butter and eggs.
Mucus blocks the absorption of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients in the gut causing you to overeat. If you are going to continue to have dairy products, try to consume only organic and limit your daily intake to no more than four ounces daily.
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