Everyone knows that what you eat affects how long and how well you can live. Read on to discover how the question of meat factors into your longevity goals.
Vegetarian Benefits
Becoming vegetarian has more rewards in store than ethical integrity; it can also offer some wonderful health benefits. In general, vegetarians suffer from fewer degenerative diseases than their carnivore counterparts.
It has been estimated that one third of all cancer patients developed their disease because they did not include a sufficient amount of whole plant fibers in their diets. Studies have also shown that vegetarians - when following a well-balanced, low-fat, high-fiber vegetarian diet - often have lower incidence of coronary artery disease, hypertension, and obesity.
Save the Meat for the Weekend
The recent Western obsession with protein diets is turning out to have potentially fatal results, namely osteoporosis and kidney failure. During protein metabolism, your kidneys must excrete the excess components of protein, known as amino acids.
To complete this process, the kidneys neutralize the acids by binding them to calcium, which in turn, depletes your body's store of this essential mineral.
The rate in the U.S. of osteoporosis is strikingly higher than China, where almost everyone eats a lower protein vegetarian diet. Evidence has also been found that excess protein weakens the kidney function. But you don't have to give up meat entirely to attain longevity.
In studies of animals with chronic kidney failure, simply reducing their intake of protein extended their lifespan by up to 50 percent! Take this advice: limit your meat eating to only the weekends, and you will be taking a balanced and healthy approach to your diet.
Choose Fish
If you do decide to eat meat, you will want to make educated decisions about the meat you choose. Of all animal products, fish is the healthiest choice because it is high in protein and low in fat. The omega-3 fatty acids that are found in fish protect your blood vessels from plaque, prevent high blood pressure, reduce inflammation, and help you maintain good respiratory health.
Populations that eat a diet consisting of mostly fish, vegetables, and local fresh fruits experience practically no cardiovascular disease and have a high percentage of healthy seniors.
Broiled Salmon with Lemon and Mango Salsa
Serves 3
Ingredients:
- 1/2 lemon
- 1 (1 lb) salmon fillet
- 1 cup mango salsa
- 1 cup diced fresh mango
- 1/3 cup peeled cucumbers, drained & diced
- 1/3 cup diced red bell pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh mint, chopped
- 2 tsp fresh limejuice
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 475 degrees F. and arrange rack in the center. Line a baking pan with foil. Squeeze lemon juice into pan. Rinse salmon and pat dry. Cut into three pieces.
- Place salmon, skin side down, over lemon juice and spoon mango salsa over top. Bake until salmon is cooked through, 10 to 12 minutes.
I hope you take some healthy steps toward improving your diet! I invite you to visit often and share your own personal health and longevity tips with me.
May you live long, live strong, and live happy!
-Dr. Mao
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To learn more about Dr. Mao and other natural health tips, go to askdrmao.com.
To purchase Dr. Mao's book, "Secrets of Longevity," click here.
