Meat and dairy products contribute to many forms of cancer, including cancer of the colon, breast, prostate, and other organs. Colon cancer has been directly linked to meat consumption. High-fat diets also encourage the body's production of estrogens, in particular, estradiol. Increased levels of this sex hormone have been linked to breast cancer. One recent study linked dairy products to an increased risk of ovarian cancer.
Animal products are the main source of saturated fat and the only source of cholesterol in the diet.
Vegetarians avoid these risky products. Additionally, fiber helps reduce cholesterol levels6, and animal products contain no fiber. These results were evident regardless of the sodium levels in the vegetarian diets. Because such a diet is low in fat and high in fiber and complex carbohydrates, it allows insulin to work more effectively. The diabetic person can more easily regulate glucose levels.