Why I Don’t Eat Pork:
I am frequently asked about consuming pork and pig products. I grew up no thinking about pork as a bad food, BUT as an adult, I have researched both Biblical practices as
well as nutrition and toxicity.
My personal health philosophy is to consume maximal nutrients and
minimal toxins while honoring God with my body, mind and
spirit. After researching Biblical principles, the nature of pigs and
their poor detoxification systems I have decided not to endorse the use of these animals as food. They are great trash cans as they consume anything that falls their
way, but I don’t believe they were intended for human consumption.
The Hebrews Were Warned About Pork:
The Hebrew people have avoided pork and pig products as a dietary
principle discussed in the bible. Leviticus clearly states that pigs,
because they do not chew their cud, are an unclean meat. Modern science
has shown that pigs carry a very high toxic load making them unsafe for human consumption (
1).
“And the pig, though it has a divided hoof, does not chew the cud; it is unclean for you.” Leviticus 11:7
The bible warns the Hebrews about unclean foods and the rationale for
the uncleanliness. Pigs are a dirty animal that ruthlessly scavenge
anything they come in contact with on the farm. They are known to not
only consume food scraps, insects and their own feces but they will also cannibalistically eat their own dead carcasses. They
have been known to kill and eat their young at times as well.
Bible Health Secrets:
Have you ever wondered what the bible teaches when it comes to
preventing and reversing chronic diseases like cancer and Alzheimer’s?
If we were created by a God that loves us, would you think that He would put information and truth in the Holy Bible to warn us.
Pigs are Scavengers that Harbor Parasites:
Due to their scavenger lifestyle they harbor enormous amounts of
viruses and parasites. Pigs are known to be primary carriers of the
following pathogenic organisms that can create very serious health problems (
2,
3,
4,
5,
6,
7).
Taenia solium tapeworm
PRRS (Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome)
Nipah virus
Menangle virus
Hepatitis E virus (HEV)
A Consumer Reports investigation found that 69% of all raw pork samples tested were contaminated with high amounts of volatile microorganisms such as Yersinia enterocolitica (
8). This bacteria causes fever and gastrointestinal stress and could potentially cause a fatal infection.
Why is Pig Meat so Toxic:
Animals that “chew the cud” as it says in the bible are called
ruminants. These animals hardly chew their food when it is first
swallowed. But they have four stomachs that digest and regurgitate food through a special process that allows
complete digestion. The major ruminants are cows, sheep and goats (
9).
The digestive system of a pig is unique in that it metabolizes food very quickly through one stomach in a process that takes about four hours. A cow takes twenty four hours
to digest what’s eaten and it is able to get rid of excess toxins
during the digestive process. The pig’s digestive system doesn’t allow
for this and the toxins are carried into the fat cells and organs of the
pig itself.
Pigs also do not have sweat glands. Perspiration is a key method the body uses to for detoxification and the pig is not designed to perspire. When we consume pig meat we get all of these pathogenic microorganisms and environmental toxins into our system.
Pasture-Fed Pork Products:
Pasture-fed pork products are much safer as they should naturally have lower parasite loads and a better ratio of omega 6: omega 3 fatty acids and anti-oxidants. However, the animal is just not designed to eliminate toxins effectively.
Many of these toxins are not neutralized even with high heat cooking
methods. The high heat cooking methods produces heterocylclic amine
formation in the meat and damages much of the essential fats which makes
the pork, ham or bacon highly carcinogenic (
10).
From the perspective of minimizing parasite load, the healthiest way to consume pork is to cook it at very high
temperatures. However, from the perspective of limiting free radicals,
cooking at a high temperature is a significant factor in the development
of chronic disease. One really does not win either way.
Was God Giving us a Health Message?
Much of the biblical books of Numbers, Leviticus & Deuteronomy
has to do with health principles designed to minimize infection. This is
very logical as infection was the greatest health threat to entire
tribes and cities in the pre-medical world.
The Old Testament narrative has much to do with seeing the Israelite culture survive and thrive in a hostile world. It is quite logical that God would warn his people
about available animals and their relationship to tribal health.
Was the bible message to avoid consuming unclean meat necessary for
reducing infection and serious health problems? Based on the nature of
the pig and the toxic load they carry it seems to be the best advice for optimal health.
Sources For This Article Include:
- Scientific studies on pork Link Here
- Hermann JR, Brockmeier SL, Yoon K-J, Zimmerman JJ. Detection of
respiratory pathogens in air samples from acutely infected pigs.
Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research. 2008;72(4):367-370.
- Mataragas M, Skandamis PN, Drosinos EH. Risk profiles of pork and
poultry meat and risk ratings of various pathogen/product combinations.
Int J Food Microbiol. 2008 Aug 15;126(1-2):1-12. PMID: 18602180
- What is Nipah Virus? Link Here
- Taenia Solium (Pork Tapeworm) Infection and Cysticercosis Link Here
- Kirkland PD, Love RJ, Philbey AW, Ross AD, Davis RJ, Hart KG.
Epidemiology and control of Menangle virus in pigs. Aust Vet J. 2001
Mar;79(3):199-206. PMID: 11301749
- Kasorndorkbua C, Guenette DK, Huang FF, Thomas PJ, Meng XJ, Halbur
PG. Routes of transmission of swine hepatitis E virus in pigs. J Clin
Microbiol. 2004 Nov;42(11):5047-52. PMID: 15528694
- Pork chops and ground pork contaminated with bacteria Link Here
- The Digestive Tract of the Pig Link Here
- Chemicals in Meat Cooked at High Temperatures and Cancer Risk Link Here
