Christian Vegetarian Association Blog


	CVA BLOG

CVA Blog
Monday, Dec 8, 2008

What Does a Body Good

Welcome to the weekly CVA blog! In it you will find famous quotes, news and commentaries.

1. Red Meat Linked to Colorectal Cancer
2. Famous quote – George Bernard Shaw
3. Video: McDougall’s Program Success
4. Bible verse – John 8:12
5. Foods that Prevent Cancer
6. Western Diet is Linked to Heart Disease

1. Red Meat Linked to Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer affects 160,000 Americans every year and red meat has been linked to this disease by numerous studies in the past. Once again, a recent study from the Ontario Family Colorectal Cancer Registry, established by the U.S. National Cancer Institute, indicated that people who eat the most red meat had a 67 percent higher risk of colorectal cancer, regardless of any genetic factors they may have had. This study compared the diets of people who had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer to the diets of people who did not have cancer.

To read the full article please search online for: Red Meat Linked to Colorectal Cancer

The intake of animal products, in this case red meat, has been shown to cause many of the typical chronic diseases that our society suffers. On the other hand, a plant-based diet, God’s ideal diet for us, has been shown to reduce or even prevent these diseases.

2. A man of my spiritual intensity does not eat corpses. ~ George Bernard Shaw (1856 – 1950), Irish playwright.

3. Video: McDougall’s Program Success

Don Carrier, a life-long vegetarian, who suffered from clogged arteries, shares his story about his healing by switching to a healthy and balanced strict vegetarian diet. Although Don didn’t eat any meat, he grew up as a "cheese-a-tarian" with lots of dairy in his diet, which resulted in his heart and weight problems. However, after following Dr. John McDougall's diet, he regained his health and avoided heart surgery.

To read the full article and watch the video search online for: Don Carrier

4. (RSV) John 8:12

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

Not following Jesus' teachings brings darkness, that is, all the pervasiveness, cruelty, and violence that plagues this world. Following Jesus brings the light of life, that is, the love of God that reflects onto all Creation.

5. Foods that Prevent Cancer

Take a look at this informative chart that shows what kinds of food may help prevent different types of cancer:

Cancer-blocking foods

Food	May prevent	Nutrients	Notables
Beans (such as chickpeas, lentils, black beans, lima beans)	Colorectal cancer	Fiber and phytochemicals (saponins, protease inhibitors, and phytic acid)	Phytochemicals have been shown to slow the growth of tumors, and researchers have identified probable evidence that fiber protects against cancer. Beans are also a great source of vegetable protein, which is helpful if you are limiting red meat intake.
Berries	Skin, bladder, lung, esophageal, colorectal, and breast cancers	Vitamin C, fiber, and phytochemicals like ellagic acid, flavonoids, and antioxidants	Blueberries contain anthocyanosides, possibly the food kingdom's most potent antioxidants, which attack cell-damaging free radicals.
Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, brussels sprouts, bok choy)	Many cancers, including colorectal, breast, oral, gastrointestinal, endometrial, lung, liver, and cervical cancers	Fiber, folate, glucosinolates, crambene, indole-3-carbinol, and isothiocyanates	Studies suggest these veggies fight cancer by regulating enzymes in the body.
Dark leafy greens (spinach, kale, collard greens, Romaine lettuce)	Mouth, pharynx, larynx, stomach, breast, skin, and lung cancers	Fiber, folate, carotenoids, saponins, and flavonoids	Research suggests the carotenoids act as antioxidants, eliminating possible cancer-causing free radicals from the body.
Flaxseed	Colon, breast, skin, and lung cancers	Omega-3 fatty acids, lignans (plant estrogens), alphalinolenic acid	Flaxseed contains more lignans than any other known food. These phytoestrogens seem to mimic the hormone estrogen. Note that flaxseed oil does not naturally contain lignans.
Garlic (and other allium vegetables such as onions, scallions, leeks, chives)	Stomach, colon, prostate, bladder, skin, lung, esophageal, and breast cancers	Allicin, allixin, allyl sulfides, quercetin, and organosulfur compounds	Research shows a “dose-response relationship” with garlic. That is, the more you eat, the higher the protective benefits.
Green tea	Colon, liver, breast, prostate, lung, skin, bladder, stomach, pancreas, and esophageal cancers	Catechins, a type of flavonoid, which are potent antioxidants	A 2007 study by Japan's National Cancer Center showed that men who drank five or more cups a day may reduce the risk of advanced prostate cancer by 48 percent.
Pomegranates	Prostate, lung, skin, and colon cancers	Antioxidants, polyphenolic flavonoids	Researchers say pomegranates, which have high levels of antioxidants, have more anti-inflammatory properties than green tea or red wine.
Red and purple grapes	Lymph, liver, stomach, skin, breast, and leukemia cancers	Resveratrol, a type of polyphenol	Resveratrol has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Although wine contains resveratrol, research also shows a link between alcohol and other types of cancer, so it's not the best choice. Jam and raisins don't contain much; eat fresh dark-colored grapes.
Soybeans (also soy milk, soy yogurt,tofu, edamame, soynuts)	Breast and prostate cancers	Phytoestrogens called isoflavones, saponins, phenolic acids, phytic acid, and protein kinase inhibitors	Researchers believe soy isoflavones mimic hormones in the body, which may translate to cancer-fighting capabilities. Researchers also recommend that because of possible hormone mimicking, women taking anti-estrogen medicines should limit or avoid soy until more is known.
Tomatoes	Most notably, prostate cancer; also breast, lung, and endometrial cancers	Lycopene, an antioxidant	It appears the red fruit's cancer-fighting potential is higher when the tomato is in sauce, juice, or paste form.
Whole grains (such as brown rice, whole-wheat bread, oatmeal, popcorn)	Colorectal cancer	Fiber, antioxidants, phenols, lignans, phytoestrogens, and saponins	The phytochemicals from whole grains appear to protect cells from the damage that can lead to cancer. The disease-fighting nutrients and fiber found in the bran and germ of grains are stripped out in the milling of refined grains like white flour, white rice, and pasta.

6. Western Diet is Linked to Heart Disease

A study led by Dr. Salim Yusuf at McMaster University in Ontario, Canada, surveyed 16,000 patients, 5,700 of whom had just suffered a first heart attack. Dr. Yusuf and their colleagues found that people who ate a "Western" diet based on meat, eggs and junk food were more likely to have heart attacks, while those who ate more fruits and vegetables had a lower risk. In fact, the results suggest that diets heavy in fried foods, salty snacks and meat account for about 35 percent of heart attacks globally.

To read the full article please visit http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N20529136.htm

A balanced plant-base diet is God's ideal for our health, and the rest of Creation. By adopting it, we are honoring and glorifying God.

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