The hazards of eating meat and the nourishment of a vegetarian diet         Vegetarianism is a healthy, natural practice that involves all aspects of daily life (“¿Que es un vegetariano?”, Ana Moreno, 2002), and its most important aspect is maintaining a balanced nutrition (“Equilibrar su alimentacion”, UK Vegetarian Society, 1995). Many controversial factors, such as the importance of basic nutrients, where to get them in the vegetarian diet and health risks of consuming animals will be discussed in this essay.         To begin with, the key in maintaining a healthy lifestyle with a vegetarian diet is keeping a balanced nutrition. But, the question that troubles most people is: how can you achieve a balanced nutrition? To answer this, you must know which nutrients are necessary in the vegetarian diet and where to get them. In a nutshell, a healthy diet consists of a varied nutrition that is low in fat, high in fiber and organic- not refined- products. Reducing the intake of saturated fats, sugars, salts and consuming many fruits and vegetables, cereals and grains help the body to maintain a balance, which is the benefit of the vegetarian diet. This personal compromise requires much discipline, but when you can feel that by keeping a natural diet you’re giving back life to nature, your life will be more calm, enjoyable and healthy. Although it’s a very rewarding experience, one must be very careful in making sure that the diet contains all vitamins and nutrients necessary for the body.          The basic elements for nutrition- carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins, minerals and fiber- are the basic components of a healthy vegetarian diet. Although many people argue that meat provides most nutrients necessary for the body, many other alternatives provide every nutrient essential, and maintaining a varied diet makes it almost impossible to not receive a complete nutrition. Carbohydrates are the fuel source for the body because they provide the sugars needed for the function of the body. They can be found in fruits, cereals (rice, bread, pastas) and a variety of vegetables. A crucial element- protein- is present in all fruits and vegetables and not exclusively in meat, as it is commonly believed. It is almost impossible to miss in a vegetarian diet of you consume enough vegetables, beans, nuts and soy products- tofu, tempeh, etc. Another needed element is fat, found in nuts and avocado, whose purpose is to provide flavor, help digestion and transport vitamins A, D, E and K. But, fat must be consumed in moderate quantities because it could be risky for health.          Another component, vitamins, can be found in foods proceeding from plants- with the exception of two vitamins- vitamin D and B12. Vitamin D is a hormone that accumulates in the body, whose source is sunlight. Vitamin B12, essential for the nervous system and cell function, is only present in animal products or supplements. This last vitamin is very important for body function, and those with vegan diets (not including dairy products in their diet) should be extra careful. A long-term effect of a deficiency of B12 could result in the disintegration of the spinal cord. Another vital component- minerals- help the body maintain a balance of acids, keeps the blood at the right level, assists in nervous transmitions and muscle contraction. All minerals can be found in vegetables with dark leaves, soy products, beans and fruit; and some concentrated sources of minerals can be found in cereals. Fiber, a nutritional component essential to avoid colon cancer, constipation, heart problems and artery complications, can be found in oatmeal, wheat, cereals, beans, fruits and vegetables. Therefore, all nutrients necessary for a healthy lifestyle can be found in vegetable products, making it completely possible to have a healthy, nutritional diet without consuming animals.          Consuming animal products, such as meat and dairy, contributes to many health risks, such as cancer, diabetes and higher risk of cardiovascular problems. Animal products contain saturated fat, which makes cholesterol levels in the blood higher, blocks arteries and makes the person more susceptive to heart attacks. High cholesterol levels cause fat to deposit itself in the body tissue and doesn’t break down. It has been found that vegetarians have a very low level of cholesterol because mostly all the fat in their diets is unsaturated, which lowers risks of heart disease and cancer. Also, it has been found that consuming smaller quantities of calcium actually helps the body because the intestine can absorb that mineral easier. In addition, very extensive research found that consuming concentrated portions of protein, such as meat, promotes the development of some degenerating diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes.          Additionally, studies have found that meat has many components that are harmful for health and could be the cause for many health complications. Animals are fed with growth hormones, pesticides, antibiotics, steroids and other chemical ingredients. Meat eaters consume all these toxic ingredients. They are decomposed with the acids in the process if digestion, creating a venom that goes to the bloodstream. This toxic waste makes the body more susceptible to viral infections. Moreover, research finds that poorly digested meat rots in the colon, creating a toxic waste that accelerates the metabolism and causes degenerative diseases. Also, the National Institute of Cancer found that the ingestion of red meat and poultry is related to colon and rectum cancer. Furthermore, fat and animal proteins combine with the bacteria in the intestine, forming an acid that is related to the formation of breast, pancreas, ovary, prostate and kidney cancer.          In conclusion, there are many things that can influence in making the decision of becoming a vegetarian. The vegetarian diet is a healthier, more natural practice that eliminates from the body many toxic and unhealthy components present in meat products. It also helps the body prevent the potential risk of many deadly or debilitating diseases, promoting a healthier lifestyle and more enjoyable quality of life. Making the decision of changing a diet is a very important decision, and should be made having all the adequate information necessary. I believe that vegetarianism is beneficial not only for our body, but also for the environment and for the animals. We should try to harmonize with nature and be more at peace with the world by adapting our lifestyle and becoming more peaceful, tranquil and human. After all, we all have a right to live, and humans have no right to take that very principal and privilege from others.