Veganism

Veganism (the abstention of all foods of animal origin including dairy products), provides all the elements and nutrients necessary to maintain vigorous health and vitality. It is highly likely that vegans, living exclusively on plant food and avoiding all the refined and processed foods of modern society, will attain the highest possible degree of health and the greatest insurance against the major diseases of civilisation. It has been suggested that one nutrient that may be lacking in the vegan diet is vitamin B12. Deficiencies do occur though they are more prevelant amongst meat eaters than vegans. Whilst it appears that most vegans do not show any symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency, either because sufficient is obtained from plant food (brewers yeast is the best source) or because the body is capable of sythesizing its own, it may be wise to take a vitamin B12 supplement to assuage any shock to the system which may be experienced when switching from a diet high in animal foods to a vegan diet of plant foods.

Veganism is certainly more morally justifiable than vegetarianism, as it does not necessitate the activities of the dairy industry in producing milk. Even this seemingly innocent activity creates hardship, as cows are kept in a constant state of pregnancy to provide milk and are separated from their calves immediately after birth so that milk can be sold, an action that produces much distress for both mother and calf. In the case of veal production, the calves are then either slaughtered immediately or isolated in crates for many weeks, sustained by an iron deficient diet which produces the white meat demanded by the public.

Veganism is the acid test of humanitarianism and compassion and will surely develop great credibility and a larger number of devotees as time passes and mans consciousness increases.