The advert shows a runner in mid-stride, training for his next marathon, and reads, “Fauja Singh: Age 93/Champion International Marathon Runner/Father of Six/Grandfather of 13 … Vegetarian”. Fauja Singh, the man who, at age 81, rediscovered his passion for distance running and, at 93, shows no signs of slowing down, has joined forces with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) to caution Asians and others about the perils they face if they clog their arteries with meat.

The ad will make its debut along the route of the 2004 Great Scottish Run on Sunday, 22 August 2004, and will also appear at the Toronto Waterfront Marathon on 26 September 2004. [Singh is competing in both events.]

Why does eating meat leave so many South Asians finishing at the back of the pack when it comes to health, with the highest rates of heart disease in the world? According to an alarming BBC report, although genetic predisposition is believed to play a minor role, poor diet and lack of exercise are huge offenders. Consumption of meat and other animal products is conclusively linked to heart disease, strokes, obesity and several types of cancer, as well as diabetes – which is also on the rise among South Asians.

People who consume a low-fat, vegetarian diet typically have much lower cholesterol levels than meat-eaters, and heart disease is uncommon in vegetarians. Vegetarian meals are typically low in saturated fat and usually contain little to no cholesterol. Since cholesterol is found only in animal products such as meat, dairy products and eggs, vegans consume a cholesterol-free diet. Also, studies show that replacing animal protein with plant protein lowers blood cholesterol levels – even if the amount and type of fat in the diet stays the same. These studies show that a low-fat, vegetarian diet has a clear advantage over other diets.

The latest studies on diabetes show that a diet high in complex carbohydrates (which are found only in plant foods) and low in fat is the best dietary prescription for controlling diabetes. Since diabetics are at high risk for heart disease, avoiding fat and cholesterol is the most important goal of the diabetic diet, and a vegetarian diet is ideal. Although all insulin-dependent diabetics need to take insulin, plant-based diets can help to reduce insulin needs.

“Fauja Singh is living proof that South Asians can fight life-threatening illnesses and enjoy a long energetic life by adopting a delicious vegetarian diet”, says PETA UK’s Poorva Joshipura. “Eating meat is deadly for humans, as well as for animals.”

For more information, please visit GoVeg.co.uk and PETAIndia.com.

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