News -Girls with a high meat diet more likely to start periods early AND increase risk of breast cancer and heart disease

Girls with a high meat diet more likely to start periods early AND increase risk of breast cancer and heart disease

By Daniel Martin
Last updated at 3:20 AM on 12th June 2010

Research: Girls who start puberty early are believed to be at higher risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer and heart disease

A diet high in meat may put girls at higher risk of breast cancer and heart disease by bringing on early puberty, according to scientists.

A study of 3,000 girls found that girls with higher intakes of meat and protein were more likely to have started their periods by the time they were 12 and a half.

Girls who start puberty early are believed to be at higher risk of a number of diseases - including breast cancer, ovarian cancer and heart disease.

The study, carried out at the University of Brighton in East Sussex, found that 49 per cent of girls eating more than 12 portions of meat a week at the age of seven had started their periods by 12 and a half.

This compares with just 35 per cent of girls who ate fewer than four portions a week.

And three year olds who ate more than eight portions of meat a week were also more likely to have early periods.

A portion is defined as the normal amount of meat a child would eat in a full meal. A portion is therefore smaller for a 3 year old child than for a 7 year old one.

A small meat-based snack such as a ham sandwich would only be around half a portion, but a Sunday roast would include a full portion.

However study author Dr Imogen Rogers, a senior lecturer at the university's school of pharmacy, cautioned parents cutting meat out of their daughters' diets.

'Meat is a good source of many important nutrients including iron and zinc and there is no reason why girls should adopt a vegetarian diet or that meat in moderation cannot form a valuable part of a balanced diet for children,' she said.

Zinc and iron were both needed in high quantities during pregnancy, she said, which suggests a diet rich in meat could prepare the body for pregnancy. 'A meat-rich diet could be seen as indicating suitable nutritional conditions for a successful pregnancy,' she said.

She said the findings needed repeating in other populations before firm recommendations on diet can be made.

But she added: 'These results add to the evidence that it is healthiest to avoid diets containing very high amounts of meat.'

The research, funded by the World Cancer Research Fund, was published in the journal Public Health Nutrition.

The average age at which girls start puberty fell dramatically over the 20th century: perhaps reflecting easier access to meat. While the average is now 12, although the average is now levelling off.

Obesity is also a factor in the declining average age, but Dr Rogers said it could not be the only one because the average age was now no longer falling even though child obesity was on the rise.

Early periods could be linked with breast cancer - possibly because women are exposed to higher levels of oestrogen over their lifetime.

Dr Ken Ong, paediatric endocrinologist at the Medical Research Council, said there had been 'vast shifts' in the timing of first periods over the past century.

He told the BBC that the link with meat consumption was a 'plausible' one.

'This was not related to larger body size, but rather could be due to a more direct effect of dietary protein on the body's hormone levels.'

Stuffed Anaheim Chilies with Mole Sauce

All I can say is "Wow!" I'm in love with chiles!!! they are so good!!!

Stuffed Anaheim Chilies with Mole Sauce

makes 4 servings

Chiles

4 Anaheim Chili peppers

4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 batch black pepper cheeze

Mole Sauce

1/4 teaspoon dried chi

potle

1 tablespoon pitted dates

1 1/2 tablespoons carob powder

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

1 1/2 stalks celery,chopped

1/2 tomato, chopped

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

2 tablespoons water, as needed

To make chiles, slice an opening into your peppers lengthwise. Remove seeds. if you like it spicy, leave a

few of the seeds in the peppers.

Coat inside and outside of

each pepper with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Then stuff each pepper full of black pepper cheeze.

To make mole sauce, blend all ingredients until smooth.

Optional: Dehydrate stuffed peppers 1 to 6 hours at

104° F until desired softness. Serve warm with Mole Sauce.

Black pepper cheeze

makes 4 servings

2 cups cashews

juice of 2 lemons, about 4 tablespoons

3 cloves garlic

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 teaspoon sea salt

1/4 cup water

Process cashews, lemon juice, garlic, pepper, and salt until smooth, adding only enough water as needed to make smooth, creamy texture.

Will keep for four days in the fridge

Go veggie, cut fossil fuels to aid planet: Study

An overhaul of world farming and more vegetarianism should be top priorities to protect the environment, along with curbs on fossil fuel use, a UN-backed study said on Wednesday.

Photograph by: File, CNS

By Alister Doyle, Reuters June 2, 2010 4:02 AM

BY ALISTER DOYLE, REUTERS- Jun 2, 10

OSLO - An overhaul of world farming and more vegetarianism should be top priorities to protect the environment, along with curbs on fossil fuel use, a UN-backed study said on Wednesday.

The report said food production and fossil fuel use caused pollution, greenhouse gases, diseases and forest destruction.

"How the world is fed and fuelled will in large part define development in the 21st century," said the 112-page report by the International Panel for Sustainable Resource Management.

"Agricultural production accounts for a staggering 70 per cent of the global freshwater consumption, 38 per cent of the total land use and 14 per cent of the world's greenhouse gas emissions," said Achim Steiner, head of the UN Environment Program.

The report said consumers could help by cutting down on meat consumption and use of fossil fuels in heating or travel. "Animal products are important because more than half of the world's crops are used to feed animals, not people," it said.

"A substantial reduction of impacts would only be possible with a substantial worldwide diet change, away from animal products."

Researchers said it was no surprise fossil fuels were a top concern.

"More surprising was food production — agriculture, fishing and pasture," Edgar Hertwich, lead author at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, told Reuters.

Reform "will be a titanic task, but one that is essential for our future prosperity and quality of life", Janez Potocnik, European Environment Commissioner, said in a statement.

Increasing wealth in developing nations could mean more damage, such as more demand for meat.

"Meat consumption per capita in China rose by 42 per cent over eight years from 1995 to 2003," said Sangwon Suh of the University of California, Santa Barbara.

The study also said that the world should focus on improving use of materials such as plastics, iron, steel and aluminum .

Janet Salem of UNEP said the report should remind people in urban areas that clearance of distant forests — making way for farmland and destroying habitats of animals and plants — could be traced to their choice of food in supermarkets.

"Faraway environmental impacts are related to people in cities," she said.

© Copyright (c) Reuters

Trust In Divine Power

The national mental status in the U.S. appears to be shaky. Depression, despair, stress, anxiety, anger, revenge, prolonged grief, jealousy, and apathy abound. Many others could be listed. These can be powerful disease triggers. The results of a national survey by the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare indicated that 25 percent of the population admitted to being under a major degree of stress. One source estimated that perhaps one-third of Americans could be considered mentally healthy.

Mental state influence on physical problems

If a partial list were to be composed of physical diseases with apparent psychological components, it would look something like this: allergies, asthma, angina, arthritis, back pain, cancer, hair and scalp problems, headaches, heart disease, hypertension, insomnia, impotence, irritable bowel syndrome, skin problems, and ulcers. It has been estimated that 75 percent of all complaints that patients present are stress related.

How does our mind contribute to disease? Negative emotions trigger the release of certain hormones and stimulate the nervous system in such a way as to put stress on the various organs in the body. As these organs are subjected to this stress over long periods of time they become weakened. Once weakened they are more susceptible to disease processes invading from without or being triggered from within. Which organs are affected first, and to what degree, depends upon the person's heredity, constitution, environment, and lifestyle. By the time symptoms of disease occur it is often difficult to trace them from cause to effect and to know for sure which risk factors played the primary role in the disease process.

God's remedy for mankind's problems

The third chapter of Genesis in the Bible tells us the origin of mankind's problems and God's remedy for our situation. Genesis, chapter 3, begins with Eve being led into disobedience. She was deceived, yet the decision was hers to go against what God had said. She then proceeded to involve Adam in disobeying God. Adam was not deceived, yet he, too, chose to join his wife in disobeying his Creator.

Immediately they sensed a change in themselves. It was not the change for the better that their deceiver had promised. Instead, it was a change for the worse. For the first time they felt shame and guilt. They tried to cover themselves by making aprons out of fig leaves. They hid themselves from God and were afraid. When God found them and started questioning them, they began shifting the blame. They would not admit any personal responsibility.

The desire to escape guilt

Does this little scenario sound familiar? It should. Feelings of guilt, fear, and inadequacy accurately portray the sad condition of humanity. These feelings lead us to want to escape. We blame others, all the while seeking to cover up our own deficiencies. Our futile attempts at escapism and coping do not always degenerate to the lowest levels of physical combat, tongue lashings, promiscuity, or criminal behavior. They may assume an air of respectfulness—a little pride, a little self-indulgence, a white lie, a cutting remark that we really didn't mean to be taken seriously.

Just like Adam and Eve, our disobedience to God's will has broken our peace with Him. Unless we are at peace with God we can never be at peace with ourselves or with our fellow human beings. The worst deception that could befall a person then, would be to think he is at peace with God when he is not, to think he has the solution to life's problems when he really doesn't. Many do not recognize it, but they themselves, along with the whole human family, have repeated our first parents' failure and are terminally ill. The Bible defines this illness as sin, but many seem not to be interested in the Remedy.

But for those who do recognize that they have a need and who desire the remedy, God has just the solution. The solution is contained in a promise. In Genesis, chapter 3, God said that He would plant within us a hatred of evil, and that one day good would win over evil. He appointed toil and suffering as a means of developing self-discipline in us so that the evil results of sin already set in motion might be curtailed to some extent. And finally God did an interesting thing. Out of animal skins He made Adam and Eve a suit of clothes and dressed them Himself.

The inadequacy of fig leaves

Wouldn't fig leaves work just as well as animal skins for clothes? Not too many people would think so today. God wanted them (and us) to realize that what they (we) had lost could not be replaced by anything of their (our) own design or devising. They (we) needed a covering crafted by God Himself. In sinning they had lost their righteousness. They had sold out their integrity. A divine plan, rather than a human plan, was needed to resolve the problems.

Now, recall that it was God who created Adam and Eve in the beginning. Therefore everything they had originally came from God, including their righteousness or goodness—a pure, untainted, heaven-inclined mind with no gap between knowing what should be done and doing it. Since what they had lost had been put in them by God, it is clear that only God could put it back. They could no more recreate their minds than they could call a world into existence. They were totally helpless and dependent upon God to restore them.

A conditional restoration

And God did restore them on the spot. No sooner was there an emergency than God was there with the remedy. However, this restoration was conditional upon two things. First, faith in a Redeemer that was to come, and second, their own willingness to render continuing obedience in the future. Every person ever born would have to meet these same two conditions laid down for Adam and Eve in order to be restored. This restoration cannot be inherited; it must be accepted by each person individually.

The Bible evidence

This beautiful truth about God's rescue efforts in our behalf is recorded all through the Bible. Prophets have seen it in vision and poets have written about it.

"And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. And the Lord said unto Satan, the Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with a change of raiment. And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the Lord stood by." Zechariah 3:1-5

"I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment was a robe and a diadem." Job 29:14

This same truth, that God restores us to moral uprightness, is illustrated in the New Testament Scriptures as well. In the Gospel of Matthew there is recorded a parable Jesus told about a king who sent his servants out to invite everyone they could find to come to his son's marriage.

"And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he said unto him, Friend, how comest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless." Matthew 22:11-12

The parable may seem absurd until one realizes the reason for the king's displeasure. There was no excuse for the guest not to have a wedding garment on because the king himself had provided wedding garments for all the guests. The only thing they had to do was to put them on. There was no excuse to neglect the gift.

"Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Matthew 22:13. Just as the ungrateful guest was excluded from the king's wedding, so all those who neglect to put on Christ's righteousness, and instead depend upon their own fig-leaf garments, their good deeds, will meet with similar tragic consequences.

The righteousness of Christ . . . for us

All of the human inventions to make us better people are insufficient to remake one soul into the image of God, much less save an entire planet. Only Christ's righteousness, the covering crafted for us by God Himself, is able to heal the wounds caused by sin and to change the course of our life.

There is one other aspect of God's act in clothing Adam and Eve with skins that must be mentioned. It is the crux of the whole transaction. In fact, it is the center and focus of the whole Bible. You see, in order for God to obtain those skins, some animal must die. An innocent creature had to give its life so that Adam and Eve could be clothed. What did it mean? The lamb was a symbol of God's Son, Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul describes it simply:

"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

In order to be able to forgive our sins, to clothe us in His righteousness and to provide us the grace necessary to keep God's law, Christ had to become a man, live a perfect life of obedience on this earth and then suffer the punishment for our sins. Christ succeeded in His mission, just as the Old Testament prophecies said that He would. Christ's victorious life means that we also can have victory over sin by exercising faith in Him. Christ's resurrection is the Christian's assurance of receiving immortality and a perfectly whole body at the resurrection of the just when Jesus returns in the near future.

Anciently these truths were taught by means of a system of sacrificial types and symbols. These "shadows" pointed forward to Christ's incarnation, life, death, resurrection, and heavenly ministry. Now our faith can he based on the reality of an accomplished fact, not just a shadow of something to look forward to.

Shall we trust Him?

There are many questions that come to mind, such as "Why?" To answer them all here would not be possible. If you have questions, write to us. We'd love to hear from you. The answers are in the Bible. What we have dealt with here, in a small way, is the issue of trust. Trusting God enough to surrender your life to Him. Trusting Him with your fig-leaf, bandaid, do-it-yourself, patchwork of human inventions and self-help theories, and letting Him place upon you His perfect royal robe of His own righteousness.

Being thus clothed means we have His mind in us. We have His power to overcome sin, and all the problems that sin causes. The gap between knowing and doing is bridged. We can carry out our good intentions. Positive thoughts and emotions replace the negative.

"Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." Galatians 5:19-25

Christ's sacrifice and reward

God's Son suffered intensely, more than we can know, so that He could have the joy of seeing us clothed in His righteousness. His entire life was one of self-sacrifice. Finally, He was tortured and crucified on a cruel cross. What reward does He want for this sacrifice? All He ever desired was the joy of providing a way for us to live new lives now and at last to be reunited with Him on that brighter shore of eternity. Then God's original plan in creating Adam and Eve will be realized. We with them will enjoy the heavenly reward unhindered and uninterrupted forever.

It is not too late

Perhaps some will think it is too late for them, or that their problems are too complicated, or that they could never be Christians. Away with such thinking. Trust Him all the way and see the salvation of your God. "Let Him take hold of my strength, that he may make peace with me; and he shall make peace with me." Isaiah 27:5

"And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst . . . . All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." John 6:35, 37

"And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." Revelation 22:17

Water

"And God said, let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear and it was so. And God called the dry land earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he seas: and God saw that it was good." Genesis 1:9, 10

The earth's reservoir of water

We have about 326 million cubic miles of water covering 70 percent of our planet. There is in addition an untold amount of ground water and water vapor in the atmosphere. For the last 6,000 years of earth's history this same water supply has been recycling itself through an endless process of evaporation, condensation, and precipitation. All along the way it services and nourishes every form of plant and animal life. It unselfishly brings its blessings, lingers until its job is done and then departs, many times carrying a load of waste materials which it kindly delivers to some other life form down the line as useful food.

Water in the human body

Water is the most common molecule in the human body. Adults are about 45-75 percent water, depending on the percentage of body fat—fat cells contain less water than muscle cells. Muscle tissue, about 50-70 percent water, contains approximately ½ of the water found in the body. No wonder one feels weak when short of water. Blood is up to 80 percent water, brain grey matter 70-85 percent and bones 20-33 percent. Approximately five eighths of the body water is inside the cells and three eighths is outside, between the cells and in the circulation.

Respiration, digestion, circulation, glandular secretion, temperature regulation, waste elimination, and virtually every body function, require water. Water helps to lubricate, insulate, protect, and give flexibility to the muscles, ligaments, and joints.

Water for the outside of the human body

We also need water on the outside. The days of the "weekly bath, whether needed or not," are gone. Even if we do not get obviously dirty from manual labor outdoors, our pores are constantly at work secreting perspiration, body oils, and wastes. Thus our skin is benefited and our overall health improved by daily bathing, either in a tub or shower. Even washing the body with a washcloth while standing at the sink will do.

Water is even more than a nutrient and a cleanser. Its many uses externally as a tonic, stimulant, sedative, and healing agent make it nature's elixir, if there ever was one. Warm water is relaxing. A short, cold bath or shower tends to stimulate. Prolonged cold depresses.

Water therapies

Water, in all its forms, (ice, liquid, and steam) can he used to make thermic impressions on the skin. As these temperature changes are sensed by the nerves in the skin, they cause profound reactions all through the body that have a direct effect on health and healing. There are whole books written on the subject of "hydrotherapy" or "water treatment," as it is often called.

One example of such a treatment is the use of ice packs to lessen the swelling of an acute strain or sprain. After the initial trauma has subsided, alternating hot and cold applications to the affected area increase the circulation, thus bringing in fresh blood to repair the damage and to carry away wastes, speeding up the healing process and lessening pain.

Infections and inflammations can also he treated with alternating hot and cold. The hot and cold also stimulates the action of the germ-killing white blood cells, helping them to do their job better.

A congestion headache, or almost any pain caused by congestion or swelling, can be treated by applying cold over the affected area while at the same time immersing the feet in hot water up over the ankles. The cold tends to "push" the congestion away while the heat draws or "pulls" it away, thus equalizing the circulation and reducing the swelling and pain.

The human body recycling effort and making up the gap

The body recycles all but about 10 of the 40,000 glasses of water that it uses every day. About 400 gallons of blood pass through the kidneys each day, and about 50 gallons is actually filtered. Of this amount only about 5-6 cups of water are lost in the urine. Another 2 cups is exhaled through the lungs in the form of water vapor, ½ cup is lost through the bowels and 2 cups are evaporated from the skin through the 2 million sweat glands located there. Of the 10 cups of water lost per day, we gain about three cups in the food we eat and another one and a half is available as a byproduct of energy metabolism. This leaves five and a half cups of water per day that must be replaced by drinking water. Of course this is the minimum requirement. It is a healthful idea to drink more than that to insure that we have all we need.

Several factors can increase our daily need of water. living in a hot, dry climate or at higher altitudes, as well as physical exercise and sickness, can increase our need by 80% percent or more. An excessive amount of salt, sugar, or protein in the diet requires more water to process. Vomiting, diarrhea, lactation, and even a runny nose increase water loss and must be replaced by drinking water.

Symptoms of dehydration (not having enough water) include thirst, dry mouth, lethargy, mental confusion, reduced skin elasticity, sunken eyes, fever, scanty dark urine, accumulation of urea, creatinine and sodium in the blood, thickening of the blood, shock, constipation, kidney and bladder infections and stones, and elevated hemoglobin/hematocrit readings. A 20 percent water loss usually spells death. Thirst is not necessarily a good guide in insuring that we are drinking enough. We usually need more water than we realize.

How to get enough water down

A systematic approach to water drinking is best. Here is one suggestion. Drink 2 glasses (16 oz.) upon arising. This is a good internal cleanser first thing in the morning. Then, another 2 glasses midmorning and 2 more mid afternoon. Another way is to take a quart with you in the morning and sip it all morning and then another quart in the afternoon and do the same. More water than this amount may be needed, depending on the circumstances.

By increasing our water consumption we decrease the work load on the kidneys, whose job it is to cleanse the blood. It's like washing a load of dishes in a full kitchen sink versus doing the job in a small bowl. Much of the so-called tired blood is probably dirty blood in need of a good internal bath.

It is best to avoid drinking anything for 10-15 minutes before eating and for 1-2 hours after meals. This practice improves digestion, as the digestive juices are not diluted. Also, very cold water is not good to drink with meals because it arrests digestion temporarily. Very cold water also deadens the thirst signals so that one would tend not to drink enough. The best water to drink is slightly warm or cool. Hot water just before meals is a good medicine when one is sick.

Plain water alternatives—bad and better

However, drinks like tea, coffee, cocoa, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages, are better avoided, as they contain some unhealthful ingredients and actually increase thirst by acting as diuretics. Many people prefer these beverages to the taste of their drinking water. Bad taste is usually due to algae, minerals, gases, or organic chemicals in the water. However, small amounts of impurities in the water are less harmful than either reliance upon these substitute fluids, or not drinking enough water.

There are healthful herb teas that are much better than regular tea. Cereal beverages such as "Postum", "Pero", and "Roma" have a coffee-like taste and can take the place of regular coffee. 'These products contain no caffeine at all and no caffeol (a stomach irritant) which even decaf coffee still contains.

Carob is a naturally sweet and nutritious substitute for chocolate. It can be made into a hot-cocoa type of drink. Carob candy may or may not be a health treat, depending on the other ingredients added to it.

For alcoholic beverages there are nonalcoholic sparkling fruit juices, or sparkling mineral waters. These drinks will not mar that special occasion as alcohol so often does.

Soft drinks can't win. If you take out the added caffeine, there is still the sugar. Remove the sugar and caffeine, and there are still the acids that contribute to calcium excretion and bone demineralization. How about good old water in place of the pop? An occasional fruit juice may do. But these should not be overused because they are really a refined product. You get a heavy dose of the fruit sugar, and sometimes a lot of added sugar as well, without the fiber. Remember, it takes five oranges to make a glass of orange juice. Watch out for the sodium content of some vegetable juices. Pure water is still the best choice to drink. A little lemon or mint in a pitcher of cool water makes normal tap water quite pleasant to drink.

Sources of drinking water

There are four sources of water: precipitation (rain, snow, et cetera), groundwater (underground reservoirs and springs), surface water (lakes, rivers, et cetera), and sea water. Only about 3 percent of the earth's water is fresh, but most of it is frozen in glaciers and icecaps. There is plenty of fresh water up in the sky—about 326 million cubic miles of it. Little drinking water is obtained directly from the sky or the oceans. We get about half from surface sources and half from ground sources. We are almost entirely dependent upon precipitation filling our rivers and lakes. It is estimated that around 4.2 million million gallons of rain fall on the United States each year, only 6 percent of which is used by man; 70 percent evaporates or is used where it falls, and 24 percent returns to the sea.

Surface water tends to have more suspended matter, plants and microorganisms; but fewer minerals than ground water. Ground water is usually more potable than surface water, and there is much more of it—twenty times more, the equivalent of 20 years of solid rain on this country. About 30 percent of the surface water comes from ground water percolating up to the top. Although only about 2 percent may be currently considered polluted, most of it is near population centers, where it is used for drinking. And when it does get contaminated, it takes much longer to cleanse itself due to the lack of oxygen, sun, and movement.

Sources of water pollution

About half of the water pollution problem stems from leaking gasoline storage tanks, storm sewers, sewage treatment plants, septic tanks, and industry. The rest comes from parking lot runoff; lawns, agriculture, and construction sites. These sources not only affect surface water, but solvents and pesticides are also able to slowly trickle down through the ground to the aquifers deep beneath the earth's surface.

The age-old pollutants, viruses, bacteria, and other microbes are still with us, producing polio, colds, flu, hepatitis, cancer, typhoid, salmonella, cholera, amebic dysentery, shigella, myelitis, and other diseases. Many of these organisms get into the water supply through public bathing, cesspools, outhouses, septic leach, inadequate water treatment, and the lack of good sanitation. Most of the time these can be controlled by proper sanitation and chlorination. Chlorine, for all the good it has done in controlling microorganisms, may facilitate later chronic ailments. The chlorine combines with various organic chemicals, producing chloroform and trihalogenated methanes, which may promote atherosclerosis and cancer of the rectum, colon, and bladder. The risk-to-benefit ratio of adding fluoride to our water (to prevent tooth decay) is still being debated.

In view of the sheer volume of contaminants now being introduced daily into our water supply, nature is overwhelmed in her purification efforts. Our efforts toward cleaning up our water have not kept pace with our polluting.

Purification—small scale and large

Hopefully, we will see more innovative solutions to the water-pollution problem. At least there are methods of insuring pure drinking water with home-treatment units if these are needed or desired. But how long can we survive if we continue to pollute at the present rate? Whatever the answer to that question and whichever way we decide to go with our management of earth's resources, we do have this assurance from God: Our abused earth is going to undergo a colossal remake in which the polluted oceans will be a thing of the past, and only pure, clear water will flow through it.

"And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. . . . And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb." Revelation 21:1; 22:1

Proper Diet

"And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat." Genesis 1:29

Why do we eat? Because we enjoy it. And we enjoy it enough that very few would want to give up the habit if they could. Thank God He created us with the ability to taste and smell and that He put such delightful flavors and aromas into the food He has appointed for us to eat. But even if we didn't enjoy it, we would still have to eat. Food is needed to furnish fuel to supply energy to the body, to provide material to repair and build tissues, and to supply substances that act to regulate body processes.

Any chemical substance found in foods that functions in one or more of these ways is known as a nutrient. The seven basic classes of nutrients are carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals, fiber, and water.

Only carbohydrates, fats, and proteins provide energy or calories. Sugars and starches are both carbohydrates. Carbohydrates and proteins yield about four calories per gram, and fats yield about nine calories per gram. As these figures show, fats are a much more concentrated source of energy. Fiber, long regarded as a nonessential, is now recognized as an important body regulator. It helps to control blood sugar and cholesterol levels, and also aids in colon hygiene. A low-fiber diet is associated with increased risk of colon cancer, as well as other bowel diseases.

When food is properly selected and prepared, so that the basic nutrients are consumed in the correct ratios and amounts, we can be assured of good nutrition. All natural foods contain all seven essential nutrients. However, the different amino acids (the building blocks of proteins), fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals are found in varying amounts in different foods. So we need to eat a variety of food to get all the nutrients in sufficient quantities.

Malnutrition means we are not getting the proper intake of nutrients, or in some cases that the nutrients are not utilized as they should be in the body. Undernutrition means there is a lack of certain nutrients. In under-developed countries the most common problem is simply not getting enough food to eat or not enough

variety. Starvation is a tragic health problem for millions of people in the world. less frequent, but equally serious, are the problems of protein or vitamin/mineral deficiency diseases. Usually, as long as people are getting enough unrefined calories to eat, these diseases are not common.

Overnutrition means too many nutrients. In developed countries it is usually related to the excess consumption of refined foods. For millions of the well-fed people of the world overnutrition is the root cause of much premature death and disease. The top three killer diseases in the U.S. each have strong contributing dietary factors. They are heart disease, cancer, and strokes. Hypertension and diabetes also have strong dietary links. The specific dietary excesses that tend to promote or cause these diseases involve cholesterol, animal fat, too much total dietary fat, too much sugar, too much protein, and too much salt. Basically, just too many calories in general. It is possible to get a toxic overdose of specific vitamins or minerals. Usually one would have to be taking vitamin/mineral pills or highly concentrated foods for this to happen.

Obesity is one of the most common side effects of overnutrition. A combination of proper diet and exercise is needed to correct the problem. Briefly, the food in the diet should be low in fat and high in fiber. High-protein diets are no more effective than any other diet except that there is rapid initial water loss. Excess protein is harmful to the body in several ways; in time it weakens the kidneys, heart, bones, and immune system. Instead, eat a regular, balanced diet that is low in fat and sugar and high in fiber. In terms of food this regimen means sticking to mainly fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes. Most people who are obese need to eat less. They probably need to learn to accept being slightly hungry most of the time-at least

until their body adjusts to less food, and they become physically fit through an exercise program.

We can briefly summarize what we have learned about proper nutrition thus: "With a calm, thankful attitude and at proper times, eat a wide variety of mostly unrefined foods, prepared in a simple, attractive, and palatable way, in sufficient quantity to maintain ideal body weight and good health."

Our attitude about the food we eat and our attitude while eating is important. If we are nervous or in a hurry or upset about something, the digestive process is impaired. It is better not to eat at all, unless we can do so in a positive frame of mind and take our time. Hurried eating tends to overeating. Since digestion begins in the mouth, it is important to chew your food slowly and well.

A good breakfast should come early in the day. There is no such thing as "breakfast food" either. Many people enjoy potatoes, or beans, or other vegetables, and a main entree at breakfast. Why not? Such food gives your body the nutrients it needs to restore itself after the night's fast and sets the nutritional tone for the day. Usually, another main meal should be consumed no sooner than five hours later. Most people could get by very well on two meals per day. Those who do not need many calories for their daily occupation or who are overweight should try this two-meal-a-day plan. If a third meal is necessary it should be lighter and smaller and at least two hours before bedtime. Eating big meals late at night or before going to bed is not a good practice. Digestion during sleep is not efficient because the metabolic rate is falling. Sleep can be

disturbed, and often one feels the effects the next morning. The same amount of calories eaten in the evening are more fattening than if they were eaten in the morning. This fact can easily be explained on the basis of the rise and fall in the metabolic rate between morning and evening. Also, most bodies are energy-conservation conscious, meaning that it is easier to store fat than to get rid of it once it is there.

Eating between meals or having too many meals in a day interferes with digestion. Sour stomachs and sour attitudes are often the result. Smaller, lighter meals do digest more rapidly. The rule is that the stomach should be allowed sufficient time to completely empty itself of one meal and rest for maybe an hour before more food is eaten.

Factors that slow the stomach's emptying time are the fat content of the meal, amount of food eaten, liquid drunk with the meal, and sedentary occupations. Fruit or vegetable meals usually leave the stomach in about two hours, whereas higher fat and protein meals take four to five hours.

To prevent overeating and indigestion there should not be too many varieties of food eaten at once. It is true that we should eat a wide variety of food from meal to meal and from day to day, but three or four different kinds of food at one time is plenty.

A good variety of plain, unrefined plant food is more nutritionally balanced than the animal products and manmade processed foods. Whole grains, fruits, vegetables, beans, peas, nuts, and seeds contain high-quality protein, a better fatty-acid profile (thus decreasing the risk of heart disease and cancer), no cholesterol, plenty of complex carbohydrates and fiber, and are rich in vitamins and minerals and water. Animal products and man-made foods are often high in fat, cholesterol, sugar, salt, and harmful additives, and are lacking in fiber. Sometimes we cannot obtain an ideal diet. People shouldn't be made to feel guilty about what they eat if they are doing the best that they can with what knowledge and resources they have. Certainly it is not unhealthful to use some refined products like white flour, sugar, or oil in small amounts to prepare healthful and tasty dishes. A moderate amount of salt can be used by most people. The problem is that the average American taste bud has been conditioned through overuse to expect and demand far too much of these things. It would be well to gradually re-educate people to require much less.

The U.S. Senate Select Committee on Nutrition and Human Needs in 1977 issued these recommendations to all Americans: Reduce salt intake by about 50-85 percent, cut fat consumption by at least 10 percent, slash sugar ingestion by 40 percent, and limit cholesterol to 300 mg. daily (equivalent to one egg).

These guidelines suggest that major changes are in order for the average American diet. The benefits of making such significant changes in the types of food in the diet are amazing. The Adventist Health study has shown that pure vegetarians (no animal products) have only one-third as many deaths from cancer and one-fourth as many deaths from coronary heart disease as non-vegetarians. In these studies other variables such as tobacco and alcohol were accounted for, so that we know that the tremendous health advantage of the pure vegetarian group is due to the fact that they are not using animal products in their diet. These same studies have shown that the vegetarians who do not smoke or drink have only 14 percent as many heart-attack deaths and 9 percent as many cancer deaths and live an average of l2 years longer than the general population.

Traditionally, most people measure the nutritional status of their diet by the Four Food Group Plan. The four food groups are: Milk and milk products, meat or protein, fruits and vegetables, and bread and cereals. The idea is to eat a certain number of servings from each group every day to ensure balanced nutrition. This plan does ensure that we will meet the daily requirements for all nutrients. Its chief drawback is that it does not guard very well against overnutrition, which is the greatest nutritional problem in the U.S. today. We can easily consume too much protein, fat, cholesterol, and salt on this plan. Do we really need four food groups when we can obtain all our nutrients from just two groups-the fruit and vegetable and bread and cereal group—just as the vegetarians do who are so much healthier than the nonvegetarians? It is an elemental fact of nutrition science that there is no such thing as an essential food. There are only essential nutrients. We can get them all from two groups or four.

The chief concern then should be "What are the best sources available to me to get the nutrients I need?" We now know the answer to that question, "A well-balanced vegetarian diet that includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds."

Although vitamin B12 deficiencies are very rare, even among vegetarians, there is still a question as to whether or not there are any good vegetarian sources of this vitamin. Small amounts of low-fat dairy products or a vitamin supplement would take care of this. But there is evidence that the vitamin is produced in the human body, and vitamin B12 is also found in some drinking water, which may account for the rarity of such vitamin deficiencies.

The case in favor of the vegetarian diet can be summarized by the American Dietetic Association, "The (ADA) affirms that a well-planned diet, consisting of a variety of largely unrefined plant foods supplemented with some milk and eggs (lacto-ovo vegetarian diet), meets all known nutrient needs. Furthermore, a total plant dietary can be made adequate by careful planning, giving proper attention to specific nutrients which may be in a less available form or in lower concentrations or absent in plant foods. The (ADA) recognizes that a growing body of scientific evidence supports a positive relationship between consumption of a plant-based dietary and the prevention of certain diseases."

For people who want a better diet it is better to make changes gradually so that the body has time to adapt. Other family members who are not so eager to change their diet need time to adapt, too. A good strategy would be to start decreasing and eliminating some of the worst junk food first and add in their place more fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Switch to low-fat dairy products and omit fatty and processed meats. Cut out more of the refined, processed foods like instant dinners, pastries, snack foods, and soft drinks. Buy whole-grain breads and cereals instead of the refined ones. Use less of the unnecessary toppings, dressings, and gravies that add so many calories to the meal, and when you do use them look for low-fat or reduced-calorie varieties. Eat at home more often, pack your own lunches and simplify your eating. Get some good health-conscious, vegetarian cookbooks (some are not that healthful, as they overuse cheese, eggs, and nuts) and start practicing and experimenting with new dishes. But keep it simple.

"Blessed art thou, 0 land, when... thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!" Ecclesiastes 10:17

Abstemiousness

"And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." Genesis 2:16-17

The dictionary defines this strange word "abstemiousness" as being sparing or moderate in eating and drinking. We have all heard the motto, "Moderation in all things." Usually it is understood that all "good things" are what is referred to. Surely we cannot endorse the moderate use of heroin, moderation in adultery or being moderately disposed to negative attitudes like hate, bigotry or deceit. A precise definition of abstemiousness would be "moderation (avoiding extremes) in those things that are good, and avoiding or totally abstaining from those things that are harmful."

Basis for Temperance

In the introductory scripture God gives us the principle of abstemiousness upon which the right to enjoy eternal life is based. Adam and Eve were created in the image of God and had no disposition toward selfish self-gratification and so would naturally practice self-control or temperance. They had no tendencies toward the extremes. They were to practice moderation in their free eating of every tree in the garden. But they were not to eat from one certain tree—the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God wanted them to experience only good. Satan suggested that they ought to find out what a little evil would be like, too. They distrusted God and ate of the forbidden fruit. They broke the health principle of abstemiousness and decided to go beyond the moderate use of those things that are good and also throw in a little of the bad. Their disregard caused a change to take place in their very natures. Once giving in to a selfish desire, they had now opened the floodgate of intemperance and eventual death. God had warned them, "In the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die."

If God in His great love and mercy had not intervened, their situation would have been hopeless. God had a plan already in store just in case such an emergency should arise. This plan to save not only Adam and Eve from eternal death, but also all their descendants as well, is the main theme of the entire Bible. It is God's way to restore to the human race perfect self-control, just as Adam and Eve had in the beginning. That way is Jesus Christ, the Son of God. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16. "And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." 1 John 5:11-12. The evidence that a person has received the Spirit of God in Christ is described in Galatians 5:22-23, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."

We can summarize what has been said up to this point as follows:

1. Abstemiousness is the moderate use of those things that are good, while abstaining from those things that are harmful.

2. This abstention requires self-control or temperance.

3. Temperance is a gift from God that comes to us only as we receive Christ.

Balanced Self-control

Temperance, then, is required in order to build a lifestyle that is in balance physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually. After all, without self-control we could not put into practice the knowledge that we have. Unless we have the power to carry out all our good intentions, they are not of much use.

Once we have the power of God working in us, we can practice moderation in those things that are good. We will avoid extremes—the "over/unders."

Overeating leads to stomach-upset and/or obesity. Undereating leads to malnutrition or starvation.

Overwork leads to exhaustion or injury. Underwork leads to atrophy and weakness.

Over-rest leads to weakness and laziness. Under-rest breeds mental confusion and exhaustion.

We also need a balanced intake of air, water, and sunlight-not too much and not too little.

Mental and Social Aspects

Abstemiousness should regulate not only our physical health habits, but the mental and social aspects of life as well. Too much reading, too much talking, too much thinking, too much entertainment, too much sports, tea much television, materialism, and fashion—all of these things, if not properly regulated, can overtax the mental powers and even lead to physical breakdown somewhere in the body. It could even be said that they are, in a way, intoxicating when carried to excess. We're familiar with the expressions "glued to the TV" or "sports fan" (short for fanatic). These examples serve to illustrate how one's entire life can become unbalanced and the mind somewhat intoxicated or warped by overstimulation. The Bible teaches us, "Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Philippians 4:8. This antidote would certainly be effective for many of society's mental and social ills.

Common Addictive Substances

Alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine, as commonly used (excluding rare medicinal usages), do no good whatsoever and have been proved to trigger many harmful side effects, depending on the pattern of use. Each one has its place to some degree in the lineup of prime suspects contributing to the epidemic of the degenerative diseases-atherosclerosis, osteoporosis, cancer, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and so on. They also play a role in violent behavior, accidents and fires. There is almost always some degree of dependence involved in their use. Aside from the physical harm done, this dependency is detrimental mentally and socially, as the user is subconsciously conditioned to use them as crutches. The development of important problem-solving skills and everyday coping skills is retarded to the extent that the chemical crutch is used as a substitute. All that the user need do to discover the extent of their dependency is to stop their use.

Legal and Illegal Drugs

Illegal drugs should be rejected for the same reasons. They carry the additional drawback of moral guilt and possible civil punishment. Even over-the-counter prescription drugs should be avoided. They always carry side effects, many times do not work as they should, and usually there are safer alternative remedies that could be used instead.'

Sometimes strong medications are the lesser of two evils, and in such cases their use is justified. Until something better is found, their use may be necessary.

Official Recommendations

While we need to practice moderation in the eating of any food, we need to be more moderate in the use of some foods than in others. The U.S. Senate Select Committee on Nutrition and Human Needs in 1977 issued these recommendations to all Americans:

1. Eat less sugars and sweets. 2. Eat less fat and cholesterol. 3. Eat less salt. 4. Eat more fruits, vegetables and starches. 5. Keep your weight normal.

In practical, everyday language these guidelines mean we need to eat less refined, processed foods, and less animal products of all kinds. A basically vegetarian diet composed mostly of natural, simple foods eaten in quantities to maintain a healthy body weight is ideal.

Some food additives, irritating spices, condiments, vinegar, baking powder and soda should also be avoided, as they are upsetting to the stomach and/or nervous system.

Temperance Fosters Safety

Temperance and abstemiousness foster safety as well. Most accidents are either caused by law-breaking, human error (miscalculation), or unsafe conditions. Almost all automobile accidents and injuries could be prevented if alcohol were eliminated, seat belts worn, laws obeyed, and vehicles maintained. Around the home the main danger areas are gardens, paths and steps, roads, machinery, and water. Inside the home consider toys, flammable clothing, fires, electricity, medicine, chemicals, and kitchen appliances and implements as potential threats. The old adage certainly is true, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

Learning Good Habits

One of the differences between people and animals is the way that they acquire behavior patterns. Most of the things animals do, they do because of instinct. This knowledge and behavior is inherited by the animal. The capacity to learn or be taught anything varies considerably, depending on the type of animal.

In contrast, man has very few instincts, although tendencies are inherited. Most of what we do, we do because we learned it somewhere. Through various learning processes we acquire habits. Habits are convenient, since once we have them, we don't have to deliberate about every little thing we do. They can also be a nuisance if we don't like them or try to change them. Some habits are hard to get rid of. It is easier to learn good habits than to unlearn bad ones.

Every time we do or think something, a specific nerve pathway is activated in the brain. These pathways become permanent fixtures in the brain and are strengthened the more they are activated. In breaking a habit we need to deactivate the nerve pathway. This is done in two ways. By saying "NO" to the habit, inhibitory nerve fibers begin to form on the old pathway which tend to weaken the strength of the habit. Then by substituting something else in place of the old habit, a new pathway is formed which acts as kind of an alternative route over which the strength of the old habit can be directed. Even though it may be deactivated, the old pathway is still there, making it easy to reactivate if we revert back to it even once.

To break a habit, then, one must be decisive. Don't be ambivalent or indecisive. This tends only to excite both the inhibitory and excitatory nerves at the same time. Instead, be firm. Starve that old habit and begin feeding a new one. Concentrate on a positive substitute, and you won't have to expend as much energy fighting the negative one. For example, substitute deep breathing or water drinking for smoking. Every time you have an urge to smoke, do some deep breathing or get a drink of water instead. But the most important thing is to make up your mind. Strengthening any positive lifestyle habit always tends to weaken the negative ones. For example: a good exercise program is one of the best antidotes to smoking. Good habits tend to foster more good habits, and bad habits to promulgate more bad habits. "Birds of a feather..."

When attempting to eliminate a habit, anticipate trouble spots. Be prepared for the time when you are likely to experience that old habit clamoring for attention. Plan ahead. Rehearse in your mind how you will successfully overcome it. Try to avoid situations where the habit will be aroused. Don't make exceptions. Remember, one exception reactivates that dormant habit. Be honest about your weaknesses. Acknowledge them, but do not dwell on them. Dwell on the positive and practice the good habits you wish to keep and strengthen often.

Self-control a Gift From God

It must be remembered that genuine self-control is a gift from God that we can receive only in Christ. Jesus said, "I am the vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." John 15:5. We often in this life find ourselves at the end of our rope. But in God we have an infinite store of resources. So much so that the apostle Paul could say, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:13