Going vegan the secret to a happy life
- Former genetic scientist Matthieu Ricard shared a video for PETA via Facebook
- He insists the psychological benefits of sparing animals matches the health pros
- Previously, the World Health Organisation has linked meat and dairyto sickness
James Draper For Mailonline
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It’s considered the trendy lifestyle choice of millennials and hipsters.
But, despite its reputation as a mere affectation, a world expert in human happiness claims that going vegan is the key to a happy, fulfilling existence.
Former genetic scientist Matthieu Ricard, who’s now a Tibetan monk and respected scholar of western religion, made the assertion in a campaign video for PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) on Friday.
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Enlightened: Matthieu Ricard insists the psychological benefits of sparing animals matches the health pros and should be adopted by all
The 71 year-old – who’s also a close confidante of the Dalai Lama – said in Friday’s Facebook post: ‘I am extremely concerned by the fate of the 8 million other species who share this world with us, and who, like us, wish to avoid suffering and live out their lives.
‘When you ask people if they are in favour of justice and morality, everyone will say yes. Do you think you could then ask that it’s just and moral to inflict unnecessary suffering on sentient beings? Everyone will say no.
‘And that’s exactly the case, because today this suffering is not necessary. If you love animals, watch and take action.’
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He then referenced a World Health Organisation study which linked a diet of meat to a number of poor health conditions, such as heart disease.
They’ve also previously advised that eating meat can increase the risk of developing colorectal cancers.
‘The animals suffer, the environment suffers and we suffer,’ he adds.
‘True happiness can only be attained when we avoid causing pain to others, so please become vegan like me.’
Popular: There are 521,000 vegans and 1.68million vegetarians in Britain – more than ever
His warnings come shortly after French researchers claimed asthma sufferers could be at greater risk of problems if they eat too much processed meat.
Scientists believe the nitrites used to process cured meat such as salami may trigger inflammation in the airways – a typical feature of asthma.
Paul Brousse Hospital, Paris, experts tracked 971 people and monitored diet and asthma symptoms such as ease of breathing, chest tightness and shortness of breath.
Among those who ate ham, sausage or dried sausage no more than once a week, 14 per cent saw their asthma symptoms worsen over four years. Among those eating cured meat one to four times a week, 20 per cent saw their symptoms get worse.
And those who ate cured meat four or more times a week, 22 per cent had worsening asthma.
Guidance: The World Health Organisation has previously advised that eating meat can increase the risk of developing colorectal cancers
VEGANS BY NUMBERS
There are 521,000 vegans and 1.68million vegetarians in Britain – more than ever.
The dramatic rise in those sticking to the strict no-meat, fish or dairy diet – up 247 per cent from 150,000 a decade ago – has been put down to more people trying for a healthy lifestyle and growing concerns about the treatment of animals by the food industry.
Young people were largely behind the increase, with 42 per cent of all vegans aged 15 to 34, according to the research by Ipsos MORI and The Vegan Society.
SOURCE: Ipsos MORI
Ricard’s reputation for being happy comes after 2012 research saw neuroscientist Richard Davidson wire-up the monk’s skull with 256 sensors.
The University of Wisconsin study was measuring the brain activity of hundreds of advanced practitioners of meditation.
The scans showed that when meditating on compassion, Ricard’s brain produces a level of gamma waves – those linked to consciousness, attention, learning and memory – ‘never reported before in the neuroscience literature’.
The scans also showed excessive activity in his brain’s left prefrontal cortex compared to its right counterpart, giving him an abnormally large capacity for happiness and a reduced propensity towards negativity, researchers believe.
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