Christians and Health
by Daniel Valles

While I am no health consultant, specialist, etc., I have noticed that many Christians take their health lightly.  While many can recognize that certain habits such as alcohol, smoking, loose living, etc. are a great detriment to one's health, those same individuals will eat certain foods in a manner that can be just as harmful.  Having the attitude of "I'll eat whatever I want to eat" has caught up with a great number of people.  Heart attacks, diabetes, blood pressure, obesity, etc. are just some of the consequences.

One of my pet peeves is that most people (not just Christians) do little or no research into how or what they should eat.  Also, because of our unique American diet and how it is processed, there are a great deal of mineral and vitamin deficiencies.  An extremely large amount of health failures are vitamin or mineral-deficiency-related!  One of the first areas that you will notice if you do not eat right, is that it can affect your mood, attitude, and general health.  For example, if you eat a lot of greasy foods, you can feel sluggish and in a couch-potato mood.  Maintaining that lifestyle will then cause certain organs to work harder and energy is diverted to help and maintain them.

God has designed our bodies with a complexity that is unfathomable.  It is amazing that a lump of flesh called a body can have so many interdependent and complex organs.  These organs, like any mechanism (organic or inorganic), requires maintenance and fuels.  Our organs can handle high blood sugar levels, low levels etc. as long as they are maintained.  After a time of ignoring the maintenance, the indicator level lights start coming on.  These are called symptoms.  Taking medications to relieve the symptoms does not take care of the necessary maintenance.

Of the first bodily systems (to suffer from poor eating) is the immune system.  It is just like running around in the cold with little wraps does not cause colds and pneumonia, but it weakens the immune systems to make it more susceptible to colds.  Likewise, certain eating and lifestyle habits can also pull down your immune system.  Of course, what do people do when they get a cold or sickness?  Usually the first thing they do is get a prescription for antibiotics.  Think about it - if your immune system is having trouble with a sickness, does getting an antibiotic boost the immune system?  No.  In fact, it may be worse off, because now your body is getting used to chemicals and antibiotics to do what it should be doing.  The same is true for people who pop an aspirin for every headache.  After a while, they need two, three and then stronger pills.

Now, before you think I am against medicines, I am not.  God has given man great knowledge in medicines that can benefit.  However, they are not a replacement for what God has given us.  I, myself, keep a bottle of Ibuprophen in my medicine closet.  That is the only medicine I have in my closet! - and I hardly ever use it!  Why?  Because I strive to keep my body's mineral and vitamin needs met.  I maintain my immune system with herbs - not to replace my immune system, but to keep it at top levels.  I used to have seasonal sinus problems.  Once I found that herbal and natural remedies can heal instead of cover, I switched.  Why do I need cough syrup, cough drops, decongestants, sinus sprays, antibiotics, etc. cluttering up my medicine closet when just a little one ounce bottle of Oregano Oil (I prefer the gel caps) will do?  There are several different herbs that I supplement my diet with.  I can honestly say that I have not been sick anywhere near what I used to be.  Yes, I get sick still, but my immune system is not limping on crutches trying to combat them.

While there are many ways to improve one's health (remember, I am no expert), I strongly urge you to get off artificial sweeteners, diet drinks, carbonated drinks, high-fructose/sugar foods/drinks, and white bread.  This list could be a lot longer, but this is just an essay.  What you should try to get into your diet is more fruit and vegetables, honey instead of white sugar, whole wheat bread instead of white bread, and drink water, juice, or  lightly-sweetened teas.  Definitely seek out your nearest reputable natural health consultant/herb store and ask them questions.  Usually you can tell them that you are having a certain problem.  They can recognize the symptoms and recommend a natural alternative to help correct a situation.

Remember, we are stewards of our body - the temple of the Lord.  We have a lot to give account of, and, on top of that, we live in this body.  Some people act as though they are just renting, and are not concerned about the upkeep.  True, the Lord is coming soon, but He is the landlord.  Why should we be needlessly out of service before our time, simply because we did not maintain what the Lord has given us.

P.S. artificial sweeteners are very detrimental to your health.  Check it out.