The Vegetarian Advantage: Its Potential for the Health of Our Planet, Our Livestock, and Our Neighbors!

Although vegetarianism has existed for thousands of years, the motivation originally came from philosophical and religious practices and traditions. Beginning about 200 years ago (particularly in the U.K., Germany and soon after the USA) there were prominent advocates for the positive effect of vegetarian diets on physical, and possibly mental health [1]. More recently there have been greater concerns about animal rights, in the last few decades the increasing focus on global warming, and the effects of modern society on the planet that have highlighted the predicted ecological benefits of vegetarian diets [2]. Consequently, motivations are now varied and often mixed.