There are many religions that specifically forbid the consumption of pork. The meat is considered “unclean” and non-kosher. Is there a reason for this? Is there more to this religious teaching that we should all be aware of?
It seems as though the religions that condemn pork consumption are on to something, in fact there are many scientific claims to back this up.
Pigs are scavengers by nature, which means that they will eat almost anything, including rotten food, feces, urine, carcasses and even cancerous growths. Unfortunately the digestive system of a pig is incapable of effectively removing these accumulated toxins from the body because a pig will digest its food entirely in about 4 hours. This is simply not long enough to remove the excess toxins that were ingested, these toxins are then stored directly in the fat cells and organs of the pig itself.
“Sweating like a pig” yet? Ironically enough, that statement isn’t true -pigs do not have sweat glands which means they are unable to remove excess toxins by sweating (like we do).
According to an investigation by Consumer Reports, 69% of all raw pork samples tested (of about 200 samples) were contaminated with a dangerous bacteria known as Yersinia enteroclitica. This bacteria can cause fever, gastrointestinal illness, diarrhea, vomiting and cramps.
Ground pork was more likely to be contaminated than pork chops. This pork also tested positive for other contaminants including a controversial drug called ractopamine, which is banned China and Europe. Many of the bacteria that were found in the pork were actually resistant to multiple anti-biotics, which makes treatment problematic and potentially lethal if you were to get sick.
According to the report:
“We found salmonella, staphylococcus aureus, or listeria monocytogenes, more common causes of foodborne illness, in 3 to 7 percent of samples. And 11 percent harbored enterococcus, which can indicate fecal contamination and can cause problems such as urinary tract-infections.”
Pigs are a host to a number of parasites, viruses and other organisms, many of which can be directly transmitted to humans, some include:
- Taenia solium -an intestinal parasite that can cause tissue infection and loss of appetite.
- Menangle virus –a virus that can cause fever, chills, rashes, headaches and sweating.
- Trichinella –A parasitic roundworm that can cause edema, myalgia, fever and malaise.
- Hepatitis E –A viral inflammation that can cause fatigue, nausea and jaundice. More severe cases can lead to liver fibrosis and cirrhosis.
The scary part is, there is no guaranteed safe temperature to cook pork in that guarantees that these parasites and other organisms will be killed. Even skillfully prepared pork products often contain live parasites and viruses.
If The Pressing Health Concerns Aren’t Enough…
It’s a sad fact that 97 percent of all pigs in the United States today are raised in factory farms. This means that these pigs will never get to run on grass, breathe fresh air, or play in the sun. They are cramped and crowded into huge warehouses and fed a diet largely consisting of drugs and anti-biotics to keep them alive and to encourage rapid growth.
Many people believe that pigs are highly intelligent creatures. Some say they are smarter than dogs, and others say they are smarter than your average 3 year old. Pigs can form complex social networks and they also have excellent memories.
If pigs were given the sufficient space that they need, they wouldn’t be soiling the areas where they sleep and eat, but in the factory farms the pigs have no choice but to live in their own feces, urine and vomit. Because of this, many (about 1/4) of pigs suffer from mange, an extremely itchy painful rash that doesn’t go away.
Sadly, because of the conditions the pigs are forced to live in they are inhaling toxic gas such as ammonia that comes from the urine and feces, this gas irritates the animals lungs to the point where over 80% of the pigs raised in the U.S. have pneumonia at the time of slaughter.
The horrors that these creatures have to endure on factory farms goes on and on, what was mentioned here is just the tip of what is actually going on behind closed doors.
What About Organic Pasture Raised Pork?
While this pork is obviously going to be much better for you to consume, it is very hard to find, and still poses certain health concerns. Pasture raised pork is very susceptible to Trichinella spiralis infection, also known as the “pork worm.” Trichinella is one of the most widespread parasites in the whole world, it has the potential to cause some very serious health concerns.
What Can We Do?
If you insist on eating pork, do so extremely sparingly, and if you can, make sure that it is raised without the use of anti-bitoics, hormones and other chemicals, that it has been raised on a pasture and fed a healthy diet. You have a right to choose, so choose wisely. Every single day you make a choice of what you are putting onto your fork.
On a happy note, check out this video below!
Sources are embedded within this article.
Much Love
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