Michael Sauers

January 5, 2026

About 70 years ago the leading culprit of lung cancer was identified as tobacco. Big tobacco did everything to crush antismoking advocates including using doctors in cigarette advertisements. However, tobacco’s culpability was undeniable and the antismoking campaigns succeeded. While people still smoke (duh) its prevalence has dropped by 75%.

Today, our leading killers are heart disease and cancer. These killers are driven primarily by American’s collective ingestion of 1 million animals per hour. Yes, you read that correctly. Meat centered diets laden with cholesterol and fat diminish the heart’s blood supply. Additionally, their carcinogens and hormonal changes advance cancers of the colon, breast, prostate and other organs.

Just as with the tobacco industry 70 years ago, the meat and dairy industries are hard at work raising distractions. The research on the benefits (there are many) of a plant based diet versus a meat/diary based diet has been ongoing for decades. The results are indisputable. The single most important thing you can do for your health is getting the animal products off the your plate. Most plant based foods reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and other conditions.

Of course, that does not mean eating ultra-processed foods, sweet junk food and other crap foods. Do some research. There are plenty of great websites and books that can help. Read labels and choose healthy food products. The diary and meat industries are in panic mode because they can see the writing on the wall. They will spend billions on advertising, give generously to mealy-mouthed politicians and cry like babies as they lose this battle.

Aside from serious health benefits, a vegan diet has huge benefits for climate change, ethical considerations, and land, water and energy use. I understand the aforementioned. I am vegan because the other alternative is cruel, savage and speciesist.