Tuesday, July 08, 2008

• My Views On Veganism

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  I have done a little bit of research about vegetarianism, and have even experimented it on myself for 1 year. It may vary from person to person, but what I am talking about here is veganism (a vegan does not touch anything from animal sources, including eggs and dairy products). I am not talking about monks and Buddhism here although they are one of the earliest vegetarians.

  One of my friends wants to become an environmentalist and he encourages people to become vegetarians (while he ironically is not a vegetarian himself). He says that this is good for the environment.

  My personal experiences showed me that veganism does not work on me. I felt weak and tired, but I didn't lose weight and was as fat as I was. I looked uglier and drier.

  I do believe that all life forms should not hang on the judgement of one species. Christianity tells me (and many others) that all life forms are created by God, and He permitted us to exploit them according to our liking. Yet, this may be a test. While we have the right to do something, it doesn't mean that it is the right thing to do.

  I am not a vegan myself. Why? Because it doesn't work on me. And because if all people become vegans, we are forcing livestocks to extinction. This is tragic, but farmers and scientists made the initial mistake of selectively breeding them to weaken certain animals, making them unfit for survival on their own. Also, some of my favourite foods are eggs, fish, cheese and milk.

  I was once an Anarchist and a vegan, though for a brief period of time. I once thought that veganism and anti-civilisation will lead to liberation of all species. Yet, now I realise that the reality cannot be reversed, many livestock and pet species have become as pathetic as we are (though some may be sturdy enough, they lack some forms of basic reflexes and survival skills). They are selectively bred and genetically modified to suit our needs. If you call this symbiosis, so be it. If this was indeed symbiosis, they were willing to sacrifice their freedom to become a weakling, relying on the tyranny specie (Homo sapien) who claim to be democratic and liberal. They were willing to be ruthlessly slaughtered rather than skillfully killed by specialised predators outside, isn't that silly? It seems that their death in slaughterhouse are much more tormenting and painful than the death of wild creatures out in the wilderness. Now, whether they regret this or not, their future will continue to be doomed.

  A fundamental question is raised: Are plants, fungi and microbes considered life forms or not? If veganism is a philosophy of life that upholds the preservation of life, then they are just contradicting themselves. We have to eat. Can we eat inorganic foods like rocks? Or must they rise to another level where they only consume nutritional supplements?

  The reason for traditional nutritionalists, dietitians and food scientists to disdain the use of nutritional supplements is clear. It will upset the natural balance of human body. Let me elaborate this further. The science of food and nutrition is still (unfortunately) undergoing rapid development. There are many unknown substances and health effects in all food products and natural foods that remain unknown to humanity. Balanced diet is considered a safe choice unless strange things happen due to deficiency of certain nutrients.

  Vegans have to rely on fortified plant products, genetically modified crops and nutritional supplements. Some of the vegans (especially religious ones) are against the idea of consuming GM crops. For instance, if a human gene has been added to a tomato plant, some vegans may not want to eat a fruit from it because it contains a gene from an animal source. Obviously, I do not understand why it is a problem, but then it is a problem for them and so be it. This is a subjective matter and people should always have the freedom to choose to avoid things they do not like unless it hurts other people. If no one wants to consume that sort of plant, then their fruits cannot be sold. The farmer will earn lose money on that particular type of plant. They will starve. Well, of course, normally, there are always other people who wish/won't mind to buy GM food products, so that's okay.

  Meat usually taste better than veggies, surveys have been done on this. Bitter melon and spices are veggies, and I do not find them tasty. However, that doesn't mean veggies taste bad, though they may taste plain without salt (excluding sugar-containing fruits). Taste is a minor issue and can be tolerated (or even enjoyed). Again, this is a subjective matter. I do find veggies pretty delicious in general. Let me remind you that cocoa and tea are of plant origin to.

  It is alright to say that people can live without meat, but cannot live without veggies.

  From an economical point of view, producing meat is more costly than producing food crops and growing microbes and fungi.

  From a biological point of view, we are not designed to digest very well. Our caecum and alimentary canal aren't designed for digesting plant products. Cellulose, for example, cannot be digested and must act as roughage. Roughage (or dietary fibres) may be good for our health, but it may reduce our ability to absorb IRON and synthesise BIOTIN. Our jaws are even weaker than many fellow herbivores and our teeth aren't designed to eat meat either. Our teeth are designed for grinding, even our canine teeth aren't that sharp either. Our saliva is slightly alkaline, therefore, does not aid in digestion of meat as well as other omnivorous and carnivorous species like wolves. Our intestines are longer than carnivorous species like tigers, that means the meat has to travel a further distance. Overall speaking, we are not adept at digestion, that's why cooking is a necessity (maybe that's another tragedy created by our ancestors).

  When it comes to feeding the hungry world, especially in times of population explosion due to technological advancements; vegans are easier to feed than the others. What I imply is that: The same amount of crops used to feed a person who includes meat in his/her diet (including semi-vegetarians that exclude red meat in their diet for health reasons) can be used to feed more vegetarians. This is primarily due to the inefficiency of ruminants in converting plant nutrients into proteins and other

  From an environmental point of view, animals respire so that they produce carbon dioxide and reduce the amount of oxygen in the atmosphere. However, a delicate balance must be maintained. It was because of deforestation and combustion of fossil fuels that the balance has been upset, not livestock raising. Also, if there are too much oxygen in the air, life cannot be supported. If animal and microbial respiration contributes to environmental problems, then, is it right for wild animals to be hunted down excessively, invertebrates to be killed wherever they can be detected and for places to be unnecessarily sterilised? It is silly to say that cows emit methane, so that we should not eat meat. That is a simple-minded, naive approach. There are always people who really like to eat meat and there are people who are naturally anaemic. Who knows?

  From a nutritional point of view, eating meat and animal products excessively can cause many health problems, and increase the risk of suffering from some diseases or conditions such as coronary heart disease. A source states that when a farm animal has been slaughtered, it will produce toxins that can cause damage to our body. I don't know whether it is true or not. However, as I have said, we have not uncovered the identities of all plant and animal food products. Therefore, it is not wise to condemn food from animal sources or deify food from plant sources yet.

  Being a vegan seems to be an ideal choice, but as a person going through puberty, I guess I shall remain non-vegetarian for the time being.

  Below are a list of online sources that I have went through:

  http://kidshealth.org/parent/nutrition_fit/nutrition/vegetarianism.html

  http://www.vegansociety.com/food/nutrition/b12/

  http://www.ivu.org/hkvegan/hk/main.html

  http://vegtomato.org/issue04/traditional/veg%20news04.htm

  In addition, I have read a book called: 吃對營養　疾病遠離你　（簡芝妍著）

  The following quotations are related to the vegan issue:

  "相信很多人都同意吃肉、蛋及乳類品會帶來不少疾病，例如心臟病、腎病、癌病、腸胃病和骨質疏鬆症等。主要原因是人類身體結構不適合吃肉，加上動物被屠宰時，身體所產生的毒素都會對人體造成傷害。人類的牙齒是用作磨碎食物而不是撕裂食物，否則，人類的牙齒理應像獅子的咀牙齒般。此外，對食肉獸來說，人類唾液的酸性並不高，一開始咀嚼食物，唾液裏的酵素便會開始幫助消化。人類和食肉獸的腸也不一樣，人類的腸又長又曲，因要用發酵方法消化食物，食肉獸的腸比較短，能讓肉直通，不會腐爛。
  
  "一個令生態機惡化的因素，可以說是世界人口的迅速增長。雖然人口限制措施可能是必然解決辦法，現在15億人，即世界人口四分之一，營養不良、埃餓或生活極為貧困。美國所出產的榖物，有十分之八以上是用作飼養性畜，而且榖物轉化為動物蛋白質的效率不高，所以要養活一個吃肉者所需的榖物可以養活十個純素食者。拿一畝耕地來說，估計榖類作物的蛋白質比食用肉類的蛋白質多四倍，而種綠葉菜至多能生產多十四倍。"

  "生產肉類比一般農作物還要貴。例如生畜，尤其是牛類，比農作物需要更多的水。世界上大部份的榖物是用來飼養生畜的，水及食物的需求是不會下降。為了補助這些肉類及奶品的工業及一切因吃肉類引致健康問題而要付出的費用，我們需要花費更多的金錢。"

  "The only reliable vegan sources of B12 are foods fortified with B12 (including some plant milks, some soy products and some breakfast cereals) and B12 supplements. Vitamin B12, whether in supplements, fortified foods, or animal products, comes from micro-organisms."

  "Most vegans consume enough B12 to avoid anaemia and nervous system damage, but many do not get enough to minimise potential risk of heart disease or pregnancy complications."

  "If relying on fortified foods check the labels carefully to make sure you are getting enough B12. For example, if a fortified plant milk contains 1 microgram of B12 per serving then consuming three servings a day will provide adequate vitamin B12. Others may find the use of B12 supplements more convenient and economical."

  Below is a diagram that helps vegans to get things right:

   

  

  http://www.nutrispeak.com/Images/Vegan%20Food%20Guide%2070%20dpg%2075pc.jpg

  Here is another nicer-looking, more sophisticated diagram, it depends on one's style:

  

  http://www.veganfoodpyramid.com/vegan-pyramid-800x600.jpg

  A vegan body builder describes his philosophy:

  The reason for some people to become vegans:

  Veganism is a philosophy of life:

  

  http://www.bradleyb.net/images/vegan.jpg

   

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