It Looks As Though I'll Be Going Vegetarian…

Or rather, Pescetarian that is. I still plan to eat Fish (thank you very much).

Somehow my mind knew this day would come – almost like my body was trying to tell my mind to ‘get it now, will ya?’ as I tapped into the diet lifestyle here and there throughout these past couple of years. It’s so interesting how the Spirit knows what needs to be done, but until your body is ready to receive it through physical awareness, you’ll always be just right at the doorstep.

Here are my thoughts on being Vegetarian/Pescetarian. I don’t affiliate with PETA for this reason:

D&C 89: 12

12 Yea, flesh also of beasts and of the fowls of the air, I, the Lord, have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving; nevertheless they are to be used sparingly;

I believe in the natural way of things. For instance, when a Cat see’s a mouse, it’s natural instinct is to hunt and eat it for survival. For food. Same with any other wild animal, a birds natural instinct is to go after the worm, the bear after the fish, etc etc. When the natural way of things is disrupted, disrespected and harmed – then it is not ok. I believe that people could eat LESS meat, and treat animals far better. There are too many farms where the farmers have the mentality of “Feed ‘em, kill ‘em, cut ‘em and wrap and ship ‘em”. I support free range animals. I respect the Native American mentality of giving thanks to the animal for giving up it’s life for us and thank God (the heaven’s) for providing this animal for us. I believe in eating happy meat. This is why I support Market’s like Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods so much.

Upon all those thoughts of not supporting Farmers who disrespect their animals, and for the reason I don’t fully support PETA – is because I don’t believe in boycotting people/businesses with picketing who don’t know any better. I do support getting the message out there in the form that people would want to listen. Nobody will listen to a person shouting in their face in an angry manner. I feel that handing out the information, and if they don’t respond – don’t fund their business, by not purchasing their meat. There you go.

I see too many PETA picketing groups who throw blood on women wearing fur coats – how is that motivating her to do whatever it is they want her to do? She obviously doesn’t know any better. They don’t know any better. They’d like her to respect animals better, but she likes the fur coat. I personally feel that it’s fine if she wears it if she was thankful for the meat she ate (know what I mean? ).  I disagree with those who kill for sport or for money and throw away the meat. Not cool. Native Americans wore and used the meat and fur from the animals they killed. That is what I feel is the most respectful way to ‘wear fur/ leather’. If you’re going for the fur – at least eat the meat that came with it! But hurting others, stealing from others (I feel that ruining the woman’s coat is a form of stealing) is not the way to educate people on whatever it is you feel is right/wrong.

I believe in peace. Peace and respect for animals, giving thanks for their life which supports ours, and educating people on how to pick the best happy meat. The way that meat is prepared does affect our bodies. I’ll post more about that later.

So, why am I choosing to take on a Vegetarian (Pescetarian) diet?

Why my body has a hormone/chemical imbalance I don’t know as of yet, but I’m sure I’ll come to understand either in this life or the next. But for medical reasons as I see it now, my hormone imbalance is causing pain during my menstrual cycles. In April of this year I was diagnosed with Dysmenorrhea. I believe in self healing, and have found studies that support the Vegetarian Diet as the best proven method in healing the body of this disease.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA. nbarnard@pcrm.org

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that a low-fat, vegetarian diet reduces dysmenorrhea and premenstrual symptoms by its effect on serum sex-hormone binding globulin concentration and estrogen activity.

METHODS: In a crossover design, 33 women followed a low-fat, vegetarian diet for two menstrual cycles. For two additional cycles, they followed their customary diet while taking a supplement placebo pill. Dietary intake, serum sex-hormone binding globulin concentration, body weight, pain duration and intensity, and premenstrual symptoms were assessed during each study phase.

RESULTS: Mean (+/- standard deviation [SD]) serum sex-hormone binding globulin concentration was higher during the diet phase (46.7 +/- 23.6 nmol/L) than during the supplement phase (39.3 +/- 19.8 nmol/L, P < .001). Mean (+/- SD) body weight was lower during the diet (66.1 +/- 11.3 kg) compared with the supplement phase (67.9 +/- 12.1 kg, P < .001). Mean dysmenorrhea duration fell significantly from baseline (3.9 +/- 1.7 days) to diet phase (2.7 +/- 1.9 days) compared with change from baseline to supplement phase (3.6 +/- 1.7 days, P < .01). Pain intensity fell significantly during the diet phase, compared with baseline, for the worst, second-worst, and third-worst days, and mean durations of premenstrual concentration, behavioral change, and water retention symptoms were reduced significantly, compared with the supplement phase.

CONCLUSION: A low-fat vegetarian diet was associated with increased serum sex-hormone binding globulin concentration and reductions in body weight, dysmenorrhea duration and intensity, and premenstrual symptom duration. The symptom effects might be mediated by dietary influences on estrogen activity.

As others will agree, most medical Doctors (including mine) will prescribe a pain killer to help with the pain – but are leery of suggesting ‘natural remedies’. Understandably so, as they would lose money if they did! Unfortunately the ‘band aid’ pain meds don’t cure the hormone imbalance. Only diet and herbs will.

Diet has always been the mainstay of healing within the naturopathic world. Addressing the consumption of foods most likely to aggravate existing conditions is the basis of optimal healing. In the case of menstrual cramps, eliminating foods high in arachidonic acid is the key to dealing with cramping. This fat produces a type of prostaglandin (specifically PGE2) that increases inflammation within the body. Dairy products, beef, pork, chicken, and turkey are all high in arachidonic acid. While decreasing PGE2 production, increasing healing prostaglandins will help. PGE1 and PGE3 are anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic. These are found in fish such as salmon, tuna, and sardines. Many nuts and seeds such as flaxseeds and pumpkin seeds can help in the production of the “good” prostaglandins.

Specific nutrients have also been shown to help in relieving menstrual cramps. Vitamin B3 (niacin) has been proven to help ease pain in 87.5 percent of women involved in one study. Women were given 100 mg of niacin twice a day for one month and then every few hours during menstruation. The mechanism of action is believed to increase blood flow to the uterus thereby relieving the pain. (Please note that the study used niacin and not niacinamide; therefore, one may experience the “niacin flush” when using high doses of vitamin B3.) Adding vitamin C and rutin (a bioflavanoid) each day seemed to increase the effectiveness of the niacin in relieving cramping.

Eliminating Meat like beef, pork and chicken, but consuming Fish Oils and fish like Salmon, tuna and sardines are said to help aid the hormone imbalance and this is why I am taking on the Vegetarian Diet, but eating Fish = Pescetarian.

In conclusion, I believe strongly that it is OK to eat meat – but not everyone [for medical reasons] can. Just as it can easily be confusing as to why not all women are able to bear children – I believe that everything in life is given to us for a divine purpose. We’re here to learn and to be strong no matter what obstacle is brought before us.

Quote Sources:

NCBI – Pub Med – Low Fat Vegetarian Diet reduces Dysmenorrhea

Alive – Dysmenorrhea – The Naturopathic Alternative

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