The human being is a natural herbivore for the following reasons -
1. Our ancestors, the monkeys are predominantly herbivores and our digestive
system is the same as theirs. We have long intestines like other herbivores
and when we eat animal products which decay fast we absorb toxins. Our
intestines are 12 times the length of our spines, distinctly different from
the intestines of carnivores which are 3 times the length of theirs. Our
digestive system is designed to absorb energy from complex carbohydrates
only found in plants. Animal products are so difficult to digest that they
give us a heavy feeling which some people wrongly associate with fullness
2. Carnivores also have teeth which help them kill an animal, tear it apart
and eat the flesh raw. We do not have such teeth, even if we say we have
canines. Can we kill, tear and eat our prey¹s flesh without the help of a
knife and fire?
3. True carnivores kill their prey, eat it and then do not eat for a few
days after. A herbivore eats all day. Today we eat animal products but we
still eat 3 several times a day like all herbivores.
4. Only animals produce cholesterol and we too, being animals produce
cholesterol but we get excesses from the animal products that we eat, and
this is the cause of heart disease and hypertension ­ the number one killer
in the world today.

There are many more distinctions between herbivores and carnivores and a
scientific, non emotional study will show that we are on the wrong path with
our animal eating culture.

Today when we have a global warming crises we should also remember that
animals raised for food produce more greenhouse gases than all the vehicles
on the planet. (UN and FAO¹s report ­ Livestock¹s long shadow ­ a 400 pg
report on the threat of animal consumption to global warming, 29th Nov
2006).

Our own human population of 6.6 billion (already threatening the planet)
pales in comparison to the population of land animals slaughtered each year
for food ­ 56 billion (yes, not 5.6 billion but 56 billion)! These animals
compete with the human population for land, water and food.

It is said that one billion humans could be saved from starvation if
Americans ate just 10% less meat.

60 million people die of starvation each year. Is it because of the meat we
eat?

I hope this gives some food for thought. I am available to answer more
questions on the subject and point you to references should you be
interested to study this for yourself.

Dr Nandita Shah
SHARAN