Good for the Heart

While going vegan may seem like it is good for the heart in terms of being kind to animals, it is also a healthier option than eating a diet consisting of meat.  When people discover they are at risk or diagnosed with heart disease, one of many doctors’ recommendations is reducing meat intake in the diet.  Why is this so?

According to WebMD, Harvard’s Health Blog, Cleveland Health Clinic, and many others, eating meat has a direct correlation to the development of heart disease.  A diet consisting of meat typically includes higher amounts of cholesterol than a plant-based diet, which is a direct cause of heart disease.  Cholesterol exists in the arteries, and gradually builds up over time.  This eventually narrows the arteries, making blood flow more difficult.  However, this cholesterol can be eliminated over time – if the consumption of such products is eliminated.  The body will work to reduce the amount of cholesterol, and ones’ risk of heart disease can decrease.

Red meat specifically, including lamb, beef, and venison, contain carnitine.  Carnitine is a protein building block converted by bacteria in the large intestine, which thickens the walls of arteries.  Typically, the redder the meat, the more carnitine it contains.  Carnitine triggers a certain reaction which can be dangerous for our health, if it occurs excessively.  Research shows that carnitine may also be found in energy drinks, egg yolks, and fatty meats.  Many doctors agree that deciding the eliminate meat from ones’ diet is a personal choice, however it is a choice that may assist in reducing problems of the heart.  It is also important to consider that ones’ family history plays a very important part in how heart disease may affect a person.  Additionally, vegans tend to be more health-conscientious than the typical meat eater, so the overall lifestyle may also have an impact on health.

Check out the following site for more information regarding vegans and diseases:

http://www.veganhealth.org/articles/dxrates