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Just one soft drink per day increases risk of metabolic syndrome. Sept. 10, 2007 Drinking just one soft drink a day, whether diet soda or regular, increases the risk of middle age adults developing adverse metabolic traits associated with the metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome consists of having 3 or more of the following risk factors, excessive waist circumference, high fasting blood sugar levels, high blood pressure, elevated triglycerides (fats), or low HDL cholesterol levels. Diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart attacks are just a few of the consequences of the metabolic syndrome. Scientists do not know why diet drinks appear to be just as high risk as regular soda, but people who drink soft drinks also tend to eat more calories and more dietary fats and refined foods. This report gives us just one more excuse to drink just plain water, and plenty of it each day - enough to keep your urine clear or light yellow most of the time. And don't forget to get your exercise too! (Click here to read more about healthful life style practices) Obesity! It's a virus! Sept. 10, 2007 It's a virus that causes obesity! At least that is what some researchers at the Pennington Center in Louisiana are posing. The research, let by Dr. Magdalena Pasarica, suggests that adenovirus-36 that causes many colds and eye infections apparently has the ability to produce fat cells in experimental animals. In other experiments, exposing human stem cells extracted by liposuction to the same virus resulted in these stem cells becoming fat cells. While it is far to early to conclude that this evidence proves that a virus is the cause of obesity, not a few obese people would like to believe it. Even if this were true it is unlikely anyone could become obese without eating - nor is it likely a vaccine against the virus would change our eating habits and keep us healthy. No! Obesity cannot occur unless the number of calories one takes in exceeds the number used in one's daily activities - irrespective of whether or not a virus chooses to turn some stem cells into fat cells. Furthermore, life style practices that keep one from becoming overweight might also be expected to protect one from becoming infected by the adenovirus to begin with - thus reducing the likelihood of becoming obese on both counts. Nor does the Pennington research change the fact that we are an indulgent society, doing those things that appeal to the senses in preference to the things we know to be promoters of both personal and community health. But though we live in and are a part of the society, we need not be victimized by it. Health and happiness are available to those willing to connect with the source of all wisdom, strength and love, Jesus Christ himself. (Click here to read more about health) Conscience bound health-care professionals clash with patients. Sept. 3, 2007 It used to be that health-care professionals vowed to care for all patients coming to them for service as their duty to society. No more! Today, many ethical issues are creating major clashes between conscience-bound health-care providers and their patients. Does a patient have a right to such demands as abortion, the morning-after pill, infertility therapy for lesbians, vaccines derived from human embryos, etc.? And must every health-care giver provide those services, though conscience convicted that to do so is WRONG? The dilemma is exemplified by the example of two doctors that refused to artificially inseminate a lesbian woman who then claimed unlawful discrimination since they did artificially inseminate other "married" women. While we do not know how the California Supreme Court will rule on the case, we see here a direct conflict developing between the power of the State and the individual rights of its citizens. And while most of us are not party to this debate, it may be well to remember that this further bit of erosion of personal freedom in America is occurring in fulfillment of Bible prophecy describing the worship of the "beast" power connected with Sunday worship. (Click here to read more) Baby's future determined in the mother's womb. July 23, 2007 Researchers sharing their findings at the annual meeting of the American Diabetes Association in Chicago recently presented data suggesting that long before a baby is born, the level of sugar and insulin in its mother's blood also affects the level of sugar and insulin in the baby's blood, and in turn programs the baby for obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and other high risk health problems. Whereas it has been known for some time that uncontrolled blood sugar levels in diabetic mothers adversely affected the babies in their wombs, this study indicated the even in the absence of maternal diabetes or gestational diabetes (that that occurs only during pregnancy) elevations that have until now been considered normal and acceptable, are indicating that even these "normal" levels are dangerous to the health of the subsequent child as he/she grows and matures. The bottom line is this! If you are a woman and expect to bear a healthy child with the least possible health risks, you will carefully seek to follow diet and life style practices that will assure that your own blood and insulin levels are well within the "normal" range - a live style best characterized by simplicity, moderation, and governed by self-renouncing love for one and all. (Click here to read more about such a lifestyle) Flaxseed, good for prostate cancer prevention! June 25, 2007 Flaxseed, as a supplement to a regular or low fat diet slows the growth of cancer cells in prostate cancer. The effect was greatest when a low fat diet and flaxseed supplement were used together. Flaxseed alone was more effective than a low fat diet alone, and a low fat diet alone was better than controls of patients eating the usual American diet. According to Dr. Demark-Wahneafried and colleagues of Duke University, flaxseed is one of the richest sources of lignans known. Lignans are known to affect androgen and estrogen metabolism, affect cell division, reduce angiogenesis (growth of blood vessels to tumors) and have antioxidant properties. Flaxseed is also one of the highest known plant sources of omega-3 fatty acids, compounds that affect cell membrane formation, levels of natural killer cells, and metabolism of protein kinase C and tyrosine kinases. Other studies have demonstrated evidence that cruciferous vegetables (cabbage family) are also beneficial in preventing prostate cancer, while animal protein, especially milk and dairy products have a negative effect on prostate cancer. While there is no guarantee that dietary changes to a plant based, low-fat diet with flaxseed supplementation will prevent prostate cancer, the evidence is certainly suggestive - while at the same time it is reducing the incidence of coronary heart disease and improving mental depression. (Click here to read more about health) It's the doctors again - or is it?! June 4, 2007 It's the doctors that are to blame for 225,000 unnecessary deaths every year in the United States - if an article by Joseph Mercola, D.O., appearing in a recent issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association is correct. Mercola, sighting the December '06 report of the Institute of Medicine authored by Dr. Barbars Starfield of the Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health, suggests that even these numbers may be an underestimate of the real facts. These 225 thousand deaths are claimed to occur as a result of unnecessary surgeries, medication errors in hospitals, negative effects of medications, hospital infections and other hospital errors - and do not include complications of outpatient care. Mercola suggests that 20% to 30% percent of patients are receiving inappropriate care - a figure that might be tolerable if ultimately it resulted in better health for America's citizens, he notes. Unfortunately, that does not seem to be the case. The World Health Organization recently ranked quality of health care in the U.S. as 15th among 25 industrialized nations - this at a time when Americans pay more than any where else for their health care. While Mercola is correct in pointing out some of the deficiencies in American health care, the problem is much broader that this article suggests. Physicians are to a large extent victims of the larger culture - a culture demanding miracles to correct consequences of their indulgences, a litigious society demanding diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, a people dependent upon pills and shots and "experts" for the management of even minor health problems. While Mercola describes himself as one who practices "natural medicine," this article makes little reference to its wide application for Americans, and fails to describe a means by which to convince them of it's relative merit, or of a way to teach Americans to use it. (Click here to read more about health) Mediterranean diet improves allergies! May 7, 2007 A Mediterranean type diet high in fruit, vegetables and nuts tends to prevent or reduce the problems of allergic rhinitis, asthma and skin allergies in children. Fruits and vegetables contain good sources
of antioxidants that reduce inflammation. Consumption of high levels of margarine, on the other hand, doubled the risks of rhinitis and asthma. This study done by researchers at the National Heart and Lung Institute in London looked at children aged 7 to 18 on the Greek Island of Crete, is interesting in view of recent trends demonstrating a rapidly escalating incidence of these allergies in much of the world and recent reports of much higher average pollen counts apparently associated with increasing levels of CO2 in our atmosphere. For this, if for no other reason, parents would be well advised to encourage their children to avoid junk foods, and to replace them with abundant fruit, vegetables and a modest amount of nuts - the same foods recommended by nutritionists to reduce the incidence of heart attacks, strokes, diabetes and cancer. A word to the wise, …! (Click here to read more about health) State of Illinois goes "smoke free!" May 7, 2007 Illinois Senate bill 500, the Smoke-free Illinois Act, passed by the Illinois House of Representatives prohibits smoking in all work places, including restaurants and bars. The bill, supported by Illinois health care givers under the direction of doctor Clement Rose, president of the Illinois Division of the American Cancer Society, has already been passed by the Senate. A favorable signature is expected by Governor Blagojevich. It is estimated that 8 people die every day as a consequence of second hand smoke in the State of Illinois, or 2900 annually. Nearly six decades ago, Dr. Wayne McFarland and Pastor Elman Folkenberg, recognizing the harmful effects of smoking decided to do something about it. Five-day plans to help people quit smoking rapidly became very popular in New England and soon spread across the nation and around the world and spawned a new era of tobacco research and anti-smoking campaigns. Surely they would be pleased to see the passage of Illinois Senate bill 500 as a natural outcome of those early endeavors. (Click here for help for tobacco addiction) Gonorrhea resistance on increase. April 30, 2007 Gonorrhea, a sexually transmitted disease that is now the second most commonly reported infectious disease in America (next to chlamydia), is rapidly becoming resistant to the available antibiotics. Fluoroquinolones, once the antibiotics of choice, are rapidly losing their effectiveness, and are no longer recommended as the treatment of choice. Only certain of the Cephalosporin class of antibiotics continue to have efficacy in the treatment of gonorrhea. Nor is this a matter of little importance. Gonorrhea is responsible for severe and protracted pelvic pain, abscess formation and infertility in women and obstructed urinary flow in men - as well as the cause of many other health problems. Though once a disease of prostitutes and those serviced by them, today's pervasive promiscuous life styles account for the present uncontrolled epidemic. It is the price one elects to pay when ignoring the principles by which our Creator designed for us to enjoy life, health, and happiness. (Click here to read more) Natural "birth control!" April 30, 2007 Sons of women who consume large amounts of beef while pregnant are three times more likely to have fertility problems than other men born of non-beef eating women. 25% lower sperm counts in these men are likely contributed to by the presence of anabolic steroids used by the cattle industry to prepare cattle for market - though other environmental chemicals probably also have an effect. Neither are women free of the effects of these hormones and environmental chemicals. Girls grow bigger, faster, mature earlier, and are more likely to develop polycystic ovarian syndrome with reduced fertility. Furthermore, beef is not the only hormone "tainted" meat arriving at the market. Incompletely metabolized hormones are also present in poultry and most other meats and animal food products. While the University of Rochester Medical Center report in the journal, Human Reproduction, looked only at fertility, one must wonder if these same hormones and chemicals may not also contribute to a myriad of other health and social problems, including such things and gynecomastia (breast enlargement in males) or predisposition to homosexuality. (Click here to read about optimum health) Everyone a universal blood donor! April 23, 2007 People with type O negative blood are known as universal donors - meaning that their blood can be transfused into any other person. This is in contrast with people who have A, B, or AB blood type whose blood must be matched with the one receiving the blood lest it cause a serious and sometimes fatal reaction. All this may soon change if blood scientists have their way. Scientific work out of Copenhagen, and reported in the journal, Nature Biotechnology, describes a technique by which the offending molecules present on the cells of A, B, and AB negative blood may be destroyed by enzymes produced by certain bacteria (germs), thus giving the blood the universal donor qualities of type O negative blood. (It will not correct A, B, or AB positive problems.) Certainly, this could be a major boon helping to resolve the present shortage of blood. But lest one gets one's hopes up too soon, the research is still in early stages - and similar hopes have been dashed in the past. At best, it is anticipated to be several years before wide clinical application may be expected. (Click here to read more about health) Breastfeeding saves baby's lives. April 23, 2007 Babies that are fed exclusively on breast milk during the first six months of life are at a significantly reduced risk of contracting HIV from infected mothers than those that are given foods other than, or in addition to breast milk. Furthermore, they are also protected from diarrhea and other mortal infections of infancy. While one might be tempted to withhold breast milk from babies who's mothers are HIV infected for fear of transmission of the disease, evidence reported by the Africa Center for Health and Population Studies at the University of KwaZulu Natal suggest something just the opposite. It is theorized that other food proteins may alter the cells lining the digestive track in ways that permit the virus to pass through the wall and infect the baby. Of course, where too many babies too close together exhausts the mother's ability to produce adequate amounts of milk, other sources of nutriment must be utilized, even though perhaps not the ideal. (Click here to read more) Binge drinking, destroying our best and brightest? April 9, 2007 Roger Vaughan, A Columbia bio-statistician involved in work on the report of the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, in commenting about the increase in binge drinking on college and university campuses said, "If it keeps going, we're going to destroy our best and brightest." Drinking and substance abuse on college campuses is not new. What is new is the increase in the frequency and excessiveness of binge drinking, not only at private parties, but in public venues as well. No longer are young people drinking just to feel good, but more and more are drinking just to get drunk. Authorities are concerned - concerned about the trends, concerned because it seems there is no way to curb those trends, and concerned for the health a society so set on self destruction. Yes, it might be possible, as some suggest, to tighten up the rules at college campuses, but its not likely that it is the rules that are the problem. Even God has struggled with His attempts to protect individuals and society by giving them unsurpassable rules (Ten Commandments), and then watching as His precious creation blames Him for bad rules even while refusing to allow Him to write them in their hearts and in their minds. Until society "sees" the destructive effects of ignoring the rules, and the benefits of having them etched within their very thought processes, it is limited in its attempts to prevent the baleful effects of lawlessness. (Click here to read more about the law of God) Scientists offer New hope for conquering malaria. April 1, 2007 Scientists working at John Hopkins University in Baltimore have succeeded in creating a transgenic mosquito that is resistant to the microscopic parasite that causes malaria. This "green-eyed monster" is said to be more vigorous than normal mosquitoes, creating the possibility that it will be able to replace the malaria carrying "natural-born" brothers, and thus, in time, eliminate the disease. Malaria remains one of the major public health problems in much of the world, infecting an estimated 3 hundred million and killing 1.5 million people every year. While we might rejoice at this apparent scientific marvel, we do not at this time have any good idea of the risks involved in releasing such an organism into the wild. It is one thing to rule over the earth as God designed from the beginning, but quite another for human "intelligent design" to interfere with the "intelligent design" of our Creator. To do so is certain to have its consequences. (Click here to read more about genetics) Brain injury may turn patient into a killer! April 1, 2007 Research at the University of Iowa led by Dr. Michael Koenigs, a brain scientist at the National Institutes of Health, has revealed that people who have sustained injuries to a particular portion of the brain known as the ventromedial prefrontal cortex may be deprived of a very specific form of emotion-based moral judgment. Patients so injured lose certain social feelings of guilt, embarrassment, compassion, etc., thus making them more likely to sacrifice the life of one for what might appear to them as a greater good. This study looked at a specific, identifiable injury to this particular area of the brain, but we also know that alcohol and certain drugs affect the brain cortex, as does lack of sleep, overeating, and many other common practices we humans do to ourselves. When combined with the socially negative "programming" of our brain computers that occurs naturally when we spent long hours watching sex and violence on television and other media, it becomes very suggestive that we are ourselves responsible for many of the negative social changes that are occurring around us today. (Click here to read more about health) Christa Lilly comes back to life! Mar. 26, 2007 Christa Lilly, comatose since suffering a cardiac arrest in November of 2007, has awakened and come back to life - for awhile! Christa's mother, who has cared for her during these years of "persistent vegetative state," has claimed that on five previous occasions Christa has awakened for a few hours at a time before lapsing back into coma - a claim doubted by her doctor. On this occasion, Christa is reported to have been lucid and actively engaged with family and friends for three days. Her physicians are, to say the least, unable to explain Christa's response. Without access to the studies that have or have not been done to determine Christa's brain status, it is impossible to speak in reference to her story other than to advise readers not to get their hopes up too high. There are many possibilities to account for her story - and all are related to the quantity and quality of brain that was damaged by the cardiac arrest. One possibility is that Christa has had minimal brain damage, but sufficient to alter her ability to remain awake, or perhaps it has triggered a psychological effect at one time known as a "conversion reaction" resulting in a coma-like state. If Christa has truly suffered extensive brain damage as is normally present in the "persistent vegetative state," it is perhaps remotely possible that intermittent reduction of chronic brain swelling or biochemical abnormalities might account for her intermittent waking. Spontaneous regeneration of brain cells following damage is unknown to occur, but, it is true, science is still learning about brain physiology. Last of all is the possibility of a true miracle by which the Almighty God of heaven can but speak the word, and healing occur. All of which is to say, if the diagnosis has been based upon adequate examination, it is not likely that recovery from the "persistent vegetative state" is ever going to become a common and expected event. (Click here to read about health) New miracle drug prevents cancer! Mar. 26, 2007 Gardasil, Merck and co.'s new anti-HPV vaccine, represents but one more miracle of modern medicine, one that is able to prevent one of the most devastating of cancers in women, cancer of the cervix (a portion of the womb). A recent study reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association revealed that 26.8% of women are infected with the HPV virus. This figure is as high as 45% among young women aged in the early twenties. While only 3.4% of these have the strain of virus responsible for causing cancer, this still means that about 15 of every 1000 women aged 22 - 24 will get cancer of the cervix. Given these numbers it is now possible that approximately 3 million young women in America may now be saved from premature deaths due to cervical cancer. For the world, the numbers are in the many millions. It is proper that we rejoice over this scientific miracle. Unfortunately, this is only one of many serious, life-destroying effects of the promiscuous life style - none other of which will be prevented by Merck's new "miracle drug." Human beings were created for lifelong, monogamous, heterosexual relationship. The long-term success of society is dependent upon this type of relationship. That we humans have chosen to ignore the principles by which God planned for us to enjoy the greatest benefits of life accounts for many of our troubles today, both individually and corporately. Unfortunately, while Merck may be making a dent in one of our sorrows, it may actually be setting the stage to aggravate the others as one less worry may actually increase promiscuity. (Click here to read about God's plan for health and happiness) Mouth - mouth resuscitation out! Mar. 26, 2007 Mouth - mouth resuscitation is out! No longer must we feel guilty for our failure to relish kneeling down and placing our lips on the cold lips of a dying patient and breathing our breath into their lungs - and risking contracting their germs. Recent studies strongly suggest that resuscitation is more effective if we concentrate on the external cardiac massage rather that frequently stopping to administer a little air through the nose or mouth. When done well, the process of cardiac massage not only circulates the blood, but also results in some, though minimal, exchange of air within the lungs that is apparently just as effective as artificially breathing for the victim, while maintaining the all-important circulation of the blood. While this is apparently true for resuscitative efforts by the man on the street, where proper equipment is available for effective respiration, it certainly does improve survival over mere cardiac resuscitation. (Click here to read more about health) Bright kid's mothers eat fish! March 19, 2007 Children of mothers that consumed oily fish three times per week (about 12 ounces) during their pregnancy were significantly more advanced in social and mental abilities at age 8 years when compared with children of mothers who ate little or no fish during pregnancy. The study reported in "The Lancet," and completed by U.S. and British scientists indicated that even after taking into account 28 other factors that might have colored the results, kids of women who consumed little or no fish were in the bottom 25% in verbal IQ, and exhibited sub-optimal performance in developmental and social behavior tests. Though unconfirmed, it is believed that the high level of omega 3 fatty acids present in oily fish account for the apparent benefits seen in this study - benefits that significantly exceeded the risk of mercury toxicity often cited as a reason for pregnant women to be cautious with fish consumption. Omega three fatty acids are essential for optimum brain health, and are sometimes recommended for treatment of depression and other mental illness. Fortunately, there are also a number of excellent sources of omega 3 fatty acids in plant foods including such things as walnuts and other nuts, flax seed and many other seeds, soy and many other beans, leafy green vegetables, kiwi fruit, and many other - all of which eliminate the risk of mercury and other sea food toxins. Truly, the diet God gave our first ancestors in the Garden of Eden is still the most health promoting for us today - a diet of natural, mostly unrefined, plant foods with good variety. (Click here to read more about health) Anti-oxidant supplements harmful? March 19, 2007 Studies reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association suggest that some anti-oxidant supplements may not be beneficial, and indeed may sometimes contribute to premature death. While vitamin C and selenium were reported to show slight benefits, beta-carotene, Vitamin A and Vitamin E were associated with increasing the risk of premature death. This is not the first such article to appear in the medical literature in recent years, but before one discredits the benefits of these vital nutrients, it may be worthwhile to consider that there may be a difference between vitamins obtained from their natural sources in foods and those contained in some pill or supplement. Synthetic Beta-carotene is a classic example. There are many different forms of the chemical compounds in natural foods, any or all of which may have health benefits when taken in the corrects proportions. For this reason, nutritionists encourage the generous use of fruits, vegetable and other natural and unrefined plant foods in the diet. No! Don't stop taking these health-promoting nutrients. Just learn to enjoy taking more of them in their natural form. (Click here to read more) Air pollution causes heart attacks and strokes! Feb. 19, 2007 We have known for years that smoking tobacco, eating a cholesterol and fat loaded diet, and lack of exercise contributes to heart attacks and strokes, and we have known that air pollution may contribute to lung disease, but a recent report in the New England Journal of Medicine now tells us that small particle (less than 2.5 micrometer diameter) air pollution significantly increases the incidence of heart attacks and strokes among older women. 36 metropolitan areas in the U.S. were studied for density of small particles in the air over a period of six years and related to the incidence of subsequent heart attacks and strokes. As the quantity of small particles in the air increased, the incidence of cardiovascular disease and related death also increased. Most recent limits set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of 15 micrograms per cubic meter of air are higher than the mean range of pollution of 13.5 found during the study, suggesting that the EPA limit is set too high. Reported findings were adjusted to take into account the adverse consequences of other known risk factors for vascular disease. While one living in our world today cannot escape air pollution completely, the evidence presented here makes a good case for getting out of the cities and other highly polluted areas. (Click here to read more about health) Highway pollution damages lungs! Feb. 12, 2007 Children growing up near a major highway suffer significant, life-long damage to their lungs as a result of exhaust fumes. Carbon, nitrogen dioxide and ultra-fine particulate matter as found in Diesel exhaust appear to be the guilty culprits subjecting children to a greater risk of asthma, bronchitis and chronic obstructive lung disease. Damage was greatest among those who grew up 500 meters (about 1/4 mile) from the highway, and occurred even in those who had never smoked tobacco products. While there is no place on earth that is absolutely free of pollution any more, many families would undoubtedly find benefit by moving to a quiet rural home far away from the cities and busy highways, especially since air pollution is only one of the many adverse consequences of city life. (Click here to read more about health) Binge eating - tops all eating disorders. Feb. 12, 2007 Binge eating - eating that keeps on even after it gets uncomfortable - is now believed to be the leading eating disorder in the U.S. With an incidence of 3.5% among women and 2% among men, binge eating is more than twice as common as anorexia or bulimia (similar to binge eating, but followed by purging). As might be expected, binge eating usually leads to obesity with all of its attendant adverse medical problems, and is often associated with mood and anxiety disorders. Some authorities are attributing the disorder to genetics - others blame environmental factors. In any event, eating disorders are not going away, but continue an upward trend. In reality, it probably matters very little what is causing the problem since they all arise from a common source - sin! Yes, a "bad" word in today's world, but useful none-the-less to describe that condition of meaninglessness and disarray that exists in the life of a person who lacks a true faith relationship with his/her Creator, God. Only in "knowing" God as one's most trusted friend and source of meaning, hope and power can one truly experience victory over those disorders by which we are victimized in this world of today. (Click here to read more) 1918 flu virus reconstructed and studied in monkeys. Feb. 5, 2007 Scientists at the University of Washington have taken the reconstructed flu virus of 1918 and infected macaque monkeys with it in an effort to determine what about it made it so deadly. Following injection of the virus, all of the monkeys ended up severely ill with lungs filled with fluid and blood, much as occurs with patients infected with the "bird flu" virus, H5N1 presently plaguing the Far East. Dr Michael Katze, co-author of the study, described the illness as "an uncontrolled, unrelenting stimulation of the immune system that couldn't be quieted." Yet to be determined by further study is the mechanism by which the immune system was thrown so out of kilter. Once that can be understood, prevention and treatment may be possible. In the meantime, there is fairly good evidence that elder berries may both prevent and treat infections with the flu virus. Lessons from John Harvey Kellogg at the Battle Creek San ought also be helpful, for with simple hydrotherapy treatments and other simple natural measures, 1918 flu patients experienced a near zero mortality. (For further reading regarding these principles) Health crisis! Jan. 29, 2007 America is experiencing a health crisis! Already at three years old, 35% of children are overweight or obese. That figure rises to 44% among low income Hispanics. While multiple factors undoubtedly contribute to the crisis, excessive amounts of processed calorie-dense foods, an abundance of soft drinks and inactivity associated with long hours in front of the television set appear to be the primary factors. It is true, as many low income families can attest, that many fresh fruit and vegetables are expensive (but not all). On the other hand, so are processed and "fast" foods and drinks expensive. Fortunately, most food staples are still quite economical, making it possible for a wise homemaker who is willing to invest the time and energy into preparing food from scratch, to maintain a health promoting diet for the family. And while it is true that exercise in some low income neighborhoods may be high risk, even there, merely turning off the television would likely encourage kids to find ways to get their needed exercise. (Click here to read more about nutrition) Religion is good for you - if! Jan. 22, 2007 Religion is good for a person - if he/she practices what he/she professes to believe. According to a meta-analysis by Patrick Fagan, a research fellow at the Heritage Foundation, entitled, "Why religions Matter Even More: The Impact of Religious Practice on Social Stability," those who attend religious services regularly (at least once per week), take time for personal devotions, read the Holy Bible and participate in charity are healthier, happier, and live longer. Furthermore, belonging to an organized religion is even more beneficial than practicing one's religion in private. These findings seem to be in conflict with what many statistics suggest and with what many of us observe. The answer to this apparent conflict is found in this study - practice rather than mere profession! (Click here to read more) Vegetarians are smarter! Jan. 22, 2007 Dr. Catherine Gale, an epidemiologist at the University of Southampton, in England, says that children with high IQs are more likely to become vegetarians when they grow up. Of 8,000 thirty year-old men and women that had had their IQs checked at age 10, Dr. Gale discovered that the higher the IQ, the more likely they would be vegetarian. Gale's findings, published in the British Medical Journal, are consistent with other studies demonstrating that more intelligent people tend to eat a healthier diet and to exercise more - and, by the way, have a lower risk of dying with heart disease. A unanswered question one might ask is this. How many of these high IQ kids were vegetarians already when tested at age 10? In other words, did the healthy diet of the families contribute to their intelligence, or is the study saying that intelligent people are more likely to understand life-promoting practices and better able to follow them? Undoubtedly the answer is, both! (Click here to read more about health) Antacids and other drugs cause weak bones. Jan. 15, 2007 Antacids that neutralize the acid in the stomach, and other medicines that reduce acid production in the stomach interfere with the absorption of calcium from the food we eat, a phenomenon that leads to weak bones and an increase in broken bones. Results of studies done at the University of Pennsylviania School of Medicine by Dr. Yu-Xiao Yang, et.al., were published in a recent issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. Drugs such as Nexium, Prilosec and Prevacid, along with Rolaids, Tums, etc. are apparently responsible for the responsible osteoporosis and increased risk of fractures when used for a prolonged period of time. While for many people suffering from stomach ulcers, reflux esophagitis, and related conditions of the upper portion of the gastrointestinal system, these medications are real "life-savors," most of these conditions are completely preventable by health promoting life style practices. If people could only live according to the health promoting practices that are now pretty much common knowledge in today's informed electronic world, they would save both their bones and their pocket books. (Click here to read more about health) It is good to know that Jesus came to forgive our sins - but He also came to give us victory over them - even those sins of indulgence and ignorance that cause many of our ills. Cloned meat and other animal food products receive FDA OK. Jan. 15, 2007 "Meat and milk from cloned animals and their progeny are as safe to eat as corresponding products derived from animals produced using contemporary agricultural practices," according to FDA scientists, Larisa Rudenco and John C. Matheson. A clone is said to be nothing more than a twin. Since no genes have been changed, moved or deleted, a cloned animal is not considered to be a genetically engineered animal. While the scientists may be correct in their assessment of the food products obtained from cloned animals, thinking people cannot help but consider the implications if the same technology were to be applied to humans (as most certainly it will eventually be) - and that technology combined with genetic engineering. Something to think about as we continue to seek to improve upon God's creation! (Click here to read more about genetics) |