Superbugs on Your Plate: The Urgent Case for a Vegan Diet

In 2019, antimicrobial resistance claimed the lives of over 1.2 million people worldwide, with a staggering 5 million deaths associated with this issue. The scale of this menace knows no borders. The sheer scale of antibiotic usage in animal-people factories is staggering, and the drugs are given to chicken-, pig-, cow-, and marine animal-people. In the United States, 70% of antimicrobials are utilized by intensive animal-person raising operations. There is a concerning projection that antimicrobial consumption by the industry globally will increase by two-thirds by 2030. Over 60% of human infectious diseases have their origins in animal-people. Transmission can occur through close interactions with intensively raised animal-folk, animal-people meat consumption, and environmental contamination. In the context of hospitals and healthcare settings, superbugs can cause severe and often life-threatening infections that are extremely tough to treat.

Having learned about the origins of superbugs and their significant impact on human health, the solution becomes evident. To effectively respond to the rise of these pathogens and antibiotic resistance, we must address the issue at its source: the animal-people livestock-raising industry. If nations went vegan, the end of the consumption of animal-people products would substantially diminish the opportunities for bacteria to continuously adapt and develop antibiotic resistance. These drugs that are present in animal-people’s waste, can find their way into the environment, leading to the accumulation of antibiotic-resistant strains and cross-contamination in soil and water. Did you know that choosing a vegan lifestyle can not only benefit the planet and our animal friends but also fortify your immunity against antibiotic resistant bacteria? The researchers discovered that diet can significantly influence the human gut microbiome and potentially reduce antibiotic resistance. Their study revealed that people with diverse diets rich in fiber and low in animal-people protein had fewer ARGs in their gut microbes. Lower ARG levels indicate a higher abundance of beneficial bacteria that promote gut health and reduce inflammation.