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Opposing View Points of Vegetarianism Carla Redden, Tina Terrill, Thomas Owens English 111 Christina Forsyth Ivy Tech Community College February 23, 2011

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We consume many foods throughout our daily lives ranging from grains, such as bread and rice to proteins including chicken and steak. As soon as we wake up in the morning the right breakfast food must be chosen to supply energy for our bodies to last us until the next meal. Will it be pancakes or sausages, a garden salad or a turkey sandwich, vegetable soup or chicken ala king. A decision must be made every day about what we are going to eat. However, out of all these foods, are there certain foods which should not be included in our diets? This Opposing Viewpoints article will discuss how our diets affect us. Vegetarianism will be related to each of the ways presented. Vegetarianism involves a diet only consisting of wheat grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds while excluding any form of meat. Is a vegetarian diet unhealthy for most people or is meat the unsuspecting culprit? Is it simply morally wrong or not wrong to allow certain foods into our diets? How does vegetarianism impact the environment? Each of these ideas will be discussed as well as other alternative solutions. Nutrition What does it mean for a person's health to become or not become a vegetarian? Let's not talk about morals and ethics or environment and how the animal is treated. Only think about food in a way relating to our own bodies and health; let's be selfish and push everything else aside. How does eating or not eating meat affect us? First, lets discuss the pros of vegetarianism. Know the meats typically eaten in America are fish, poultry, beef and red meats. If anyone has lived up to the standard of not swallowing these meats then congratulations on becoming a thoroughbred vegetarian. Let's look at the prizes the vegetarians have won. Assuming the vegetarian has an adequate, nutrient rich diet, and has replaced the protein lost from meat with other protein rich provisions than the vegetarian has won a great deal of health benefits.

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The first perceived health benefit the vegetarian has won is the chance to experience not being obese. Studies have shown vegetarians less likely to become obese, than non-vegetarians. This benefit comes with a lower body mass index, reduced blood pressure, and the chance to live much longer (Winston Craig, 2008). Another health benefit vegetarians have won is protection from cancer. Vegetarians typically include many fruits and vegetables high in whole grain in their diet. Fiber is a form of whole grain that binds to cholesterol, estrogen and other cancer causing agents to pull them out of the body so they are not re-circulating into the blood (Craig, 2008). Those same fruits and vegetables are also rich in phytochemical cancer blocking agents. These chemicals include carotenoids, phenolic acids, and sulfide compounds, which change metabolic pathways and hormones associated with cancer development (Craig, 2008). The grand prize rewarded to healthy vegetarians is a decrease in chances of obtaining ischemic heart disease. This troublesome disease normally results in the reductions of one's blood supply. The chances of obtaining ischemic heart disease increase with age, but chances can also increase when one has high cholesterol levels and hypertension. If one becomes a healthy vegetarian, than both levels of cholesterol and hypertension decrease; thereby decreasing the chances of obtaining any cardiovascular disease by over 26 percent (Craig, 2008). However, despite all these pro health benefits of vegetarianism many cons still exist. Vegetarians should be warned that these healthy prizes are only supplied to those with nutrient and protein rich diets. In fact, every health benefit will disappear if adequate supplies are not taken in and may cause eating disorders. In this case, it is best to simply stay eating meat. If a vegetarian does not maintain a healthy diet the vegetarian will become malnourished. This

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malnourishment can lead to weight gain or severe weight loss, an increase in chances of getting specific cardiovascular diseases and lead to many other health problems. In children a vegetarian diet is not recommended. It is absolutely vital for children to have a great intake of both Vitamin D, Calcium and Protein (Natasha Mann, 2008). Children need these key ingredients to maintain their body structure and ensure proper growth. Iron, vitamin B12 and zinc are also among the list of important nutrients children must absorb. All of these key nutrients are more readily absorbed in meat verses high quantities of leafy green vegetables ( Mann, 2008). While eating meat may be okay for children, adults may not be so lucky. Remember, as stated above, eating less meat and more fruits and vegetables will lower cholesterol and hypertension levels, reduce chances of cardiovascular disease and decrease obesity rates. Likewise, eating more meat will increase these levels. Many meat substitutes exist if one is worried about the effects meat can cause. Protein bars, fat free milk, egg whites, whey, soy products, nuts and tofu are all great sources of protein. Remember, the recommended daily intake of protein for most adults is .8 grams of protein per 2.21 lbs of body weight each day (Dr. Melina Jampolis, 2010). This means one should take their weight in lbs and divide it by 2.21 lbs and then multiply by .8 grams and this is the amount of protein in grams one should take in each day. Another key ingredient vegetarians typically do not eat is Omega 3 fatty acid. It is best to replace this fatty acid found in fish by taking an Omega 3 fatty acid supplement containing EPA and DHA. Not maintaining this fatty acid in one's diet can cause heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, and diabetes (Dr. Jampolis, 2010).

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For anyone who is thinking about becoming a vegetarian for health reasons may not find it worth the trouble, since they will need to replace so many key nutrients often found in meat. Remember, meat is not the enemy. It is perfectly safe to consume meat as long as the meat is not consumed in excessive amounts. Meat contains iron, zinc, Vitamin B12, and vital Omega 3 fatty acids. These nutrients contained within meat demonstrate how healthy meat can be for one's body. It is simply best to consume the meat and foods we eat in moderation. Fruits and vegetables are not exempt from this rule. Too much fruits and vegetables and not enough meat as well as too much meat and not enough fruits and vegetables can both lead to severe health problems. Healthy vegetarians can potentially win many health benefits, but a healthy meat eater has an equal chance of obtaining these healthy prizes. Moral Concerns One of the reasons why someone may switch to a vegetarian diet is because of the moral dilemma a meat based diet presents. One of the facets of this issue is the killing of animals. Depending on ones religious views the killing of a living creature may be taboo, but the meaning behind the teachings of specific religions is not as black and white as do not eat meat. Some Christians may reference the sixth commandment Thou shalt not kill as an argument for vegetarianism. Other Christians may cite the Book of Genesis chapter nine verse three Every moving thing that liveth shall be for food for you; as the green herb have I given you all. as an argument against it. Another part of this dilemma is how animals that are to be slaughtered for food are treated before they are slaughtered and the method in which they are. Many horrors are associated with the mass farming of livestock. An example of one of these horrors is shown in the egg laying industry. In this industry there is a type of farming called caged operation where

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around five hens are put into a single cage that can be as small as forty eight square inches and only goes as big as sixty seven square inches. To give some perspective as to how small these cages are the average wingspan of a hen is roughly thirty two inches; even if only a single chicken was in one of these cages it would not be able to expand its wings fully. On the other side of this argument even if animals were to be released from the cruel conditions in factory farms, nature is not kind. A well stated example of this is offered by Lazare (Lazare 2007) cruel as it is to kill an ox or a pig, nature is even crueler. A tiger or wolf does not knock its prey senseless with a single blow to the forehead and then painlessly slit its jugular; rather, it tears it to pieces with its teeth. Vegetarianism and environmental impact The essential role plants play in the wellbeing of the earths environment as a whole is well known. In the process of photosynthesis, carried out by most plants, carbon dioxide and water are taken from the surroundings and converted into sugar and oxygen. While plants are having a clearly positive effect on the environment, the meat industry is responsible for eightteen percent of our global effect and is polluting our water. Now eating meat presents not only the moral issue of animal rights, but also the issue of increasing global warming as well as polluting water supplies. Greenhouse gases being emitted by livestock play a significant role in global warming today. A common gas found within our atmosphere is carbon dioxide (CO2). CO2 is considered to be a greenhouse gas, which means it has the ability to take in and release radiation resulting in heat being trapped within earth's surface. Eventually this heat will accumulate and form a global warming effect around us. Methane is twenty three times more destructive than carbon dioxide and thirty seven percent of the methane found in our atmosphere is due to livestock. Livestock

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also account for sixty five percent of the nitrous oxide, another greenhouse gas, in our atmosphere. It is estimated that fifty six percent of emissions, excluding carbon dioxide, are from beef, dairy and pork; this percentage grows each year with increased food production (Wolfson, 2010). The meat industry is adversely affecting the health of local populations too. Due to the close quarters animals keep in factory farms heavy doses of antibiotics are used to keep livestock healthy; this gross over usage of antibiotics causes strains of bacteria that are resistant to these antibiotics to emerge. Not only are these unsanitary conditions producing antibiotic resistant bacteria but the way in which animal waste is handled produces another health concern. Animal waste is often filtered into large designated lagoons; these lagoons have been known to over flow during bad weather conditions and spill into surrounding ground water. Seepage of animal waste into ground waters is an unacceptable health concern, according to Wolfson, the Environmental Protection Agency estimates that chicken, hog, and cattle excrement has polluted 35,000 miles of rivers in 22 states and contaminated ground water in 17 states." Reports about polluted water have been filed by several states across the country including: Maryland, North Caroline, Indiana, Oklahoma, and California. One report of polluted water caused by animal waste run off was in the Gulf of Mexico; an algal bloom almost the size of New Jersey has created a dead zone by sucking all of the oxygen out of the water. Polluted ground water is not only hurting the environment, but the health of the people living in them as well. Animal waste can be ten to a hundred times more concentrated than human waste and it also carried over forty communicable diseases. According to the Natural Resources defense Council, in 1996 the Centers for Disease Control established a link between spontaneous abortions and High Nitrate levels in Indiana drinking water wells located close to

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feed lots (NRDC, pg. 1). This connection between the health of the surrounding population and animal waste runoff brings rise to a demand for change. Currently, little if any legislation is in the works concerning the pollution created by livestock and it is becoming clearer with each passing day that something needs to be done about it. The livestock farm owners should be responsible for properly disposing of the animal waste generated on their respective farms and should minimize the greenhouse gases that are emitted by their livestock. Conclusion This Opposing Viewpoints paper has given various explanations for why vegetarianism is and is not conducive to our health, morale, and environment. The effects of vegetarianism involving nutrition, morality issues concerning vegetarianism, and the global warming cattle effect have all been discussed in this report. Now that these issues have been discussed it is time to decide whether it is best to become a vegetarian or not. Refer to the information brought to you in this report and make the best choice possible. Should you become a vegetarian? The time to decide is now.

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References

Dr. Melina Jampolis. (2010, December 17). Where can a vegetarian get good protein? Retrieved February 19, 2011, from http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2010/12/17/where-can-avegetarian-get-good-protein/.

Jacobson, M.. (2009, June). Livestock's Long Shadow. Nutrition Action Health Letter, 36(5), 2. Retrieved February 21, 2011, from Research Library. (Document ID: 1741177541) Lazare, D. (2007, February 5). My Beef with Vegetarianism. The Nation, Retrieved from http://www.thenation.com/article/my-beef-vegetarianism Natasha Mann. (2008, June 17). A Vegetarian Diet Can Cause Malnourishment, Especially in Children . Vegetarianism. Retrieved from Opposing View Points database

National Resources Defense Council ,(n.d.a) Facts about Pollution from Livestock Farms. Retrieved from ndrc.org website: http://www.ndrc.org/waterpollutin/ffarms.asp

National Resources Defense Council ,(n.d.b) Pollution from Giant Livestock Farms Threatens Public Health. Retrieved from ndrc.org website: http //www.ndrc.org/water/pollution/nspills.asp Winston Craig. (2008). Plant-Based Diets Provide Many Health Benefits. Vegetarianism. Retrieved from Opposing View Points database.

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Wolfson, M. M. (2010). Livestock Agriculture Contributes to Global Warming. In C. A. Bily (Ed.), Opposing Viewpoints.Global Warming. Detroit: Greenhaven Press. Retrieved from http://ic.galegroup.com.indianapolis.libproxy.ivytech.edu.allstate.libproxy.ivytech.edu/ic/ ovic/ViewpointsDetailsPage/ViewpointsDetailsWindow?displayGroupName=Viewpoint s&prodId=OVIC&action=2&catId=&documentId=GALE%7CEJ3010222272&userGrou pName=imcpl45550&jsid=1ef4e5c4de2fc96e9377d160c155f756