The idea of proper nutrition relating to better health is a modernly new concept. This is evidenced by a Senate investigation in the early 80’s documenting the average medical school curriculum in the United States offered less than three hours of nutritional training. It has been only in the past twenty years the United States as a population has been addressing diet as it associates with health. The ancient Greeks believed that spirituality, nutrition, and exercise were intertwined with good health. As with the many advancements made by the ancient Greeks, we in modern times tend to rediscover their findings. I guess there is some truth to the fact that history repeats itself.

• During WWI, due to rationing in Denmark all grain was given to people for consumption, not livestock. This was the first mass experiment in vegetarianism with over 3 million subjects. The mortality rate from disease dropped 34% from the average gathered from the preceding 18 years.

• During WWII, the Norwegian government rationed meat, virtually removing it from the diet. The death rate from circulatory disease dropped dramatically. Once resuming the typical Norwegian diet, the death rate rose to prior levels with uncanny precision. Britain and Switzerland experienced similar results.

• Eskimos, Laplanders, and Greenlanders have the highest consumption of animal flesh in the world and the lowest life expectancies (often 30 years).

• Cultures with longest life spans (100 plus years) have the striking similarity of being vegetarian or close to it. Their elderly live active lives into their 90’s and 100’s showing no signs of the degenerative diseases we have in the U.S. (Vilcambas –Ecuador, Abkhasians – Russia, Hunzas – Pakistan)

The above studies link the vegetarian diet to good health. Vegetarianism, historically, has been viewed as a rather substandard diet. Remember, prejudice is often passed as truth when enough people agree upon it When looking at our closest neighbors in the evolutionary chain, the chimpanzee, their diet consists of a modest 5-6% of animal protein (usually in the form of grubs). Don’t worry, I’m not recommending you consume a nice big bowl of grubs. I am just suggesting you look closely at your diet. Mother Nature seems to agree with the chimpanzees. Human breast milk is approximately 5% protein. The fastest we ever grow in our lives is when we are infants, doubling our body weight in 180 days. Across the board a primarily vegetarian based diet seems to be the correct diet for man. We still must take into the account the idea of biochemical individuality, what affects you may not affect me. However most folks claiming they need a huge steak, really just enjoy it. There is nothing wrong with this, but there is a difference between needing something and wanting something.

Like most people, you may conclude that a vegetarian diet will take all of the fun out of living. You might ask if I am a vegetarian. The answer is I try to be, but like most Americans I grew up with meat being a regular part of my diet. I have never been a big meat lover. As a child I would eat a can of kidney beans as a snack. Weird maybe, but what kid isn’t. Lucky for me, it fell in the "good habit" category. When I go to a friend’s house for dinner, I eat whatever is prepared. I consider myself lucky to have someone cooking for me. Many think changing habits has to do with a complete over haul. This action is almost always doomed for failure. The key is to change habits a little at a time, such as adding one or two more vegetarian meals a week. As your habits change, you will feel better and have more energy. Those around you will ask. Let them ask for advice, rather than tell them. Trust me, the information will be much better received.

By John Robbins, Stillpoint Publishing 1987

Paul A. Goldberg, M.P.H., D.C., Certified Natural Hygiene Practitioner

To obtain a copy, call Life University, Marietta GA and ask for the Nutrition Department, (770) 426 - 2741