When the Apostle Paul penned these words, society was a lot different from how it is today. The world was not industrialized as yet, and daily living required a lot more in terms of the physical effort involved. Today, however we have motor vehicles to easily transport us over long distances. There are washing machines, and other household and kitchen appliances that make light of tasks that previously would have been very tiring.
The down side of all of this is that our physical bodies are not getting sufficient exercise. With the television and the Internet readily available, lots of folks have become couch potatoes. Not having a modest exercise routine can encourage the on set of today’s Lifestyle Diseases also known as Diseases of Longevity such as:
- Heart Disease
- Type II Diabetes
- Obesity
It would be a lot more convenient to do God’s work if you are not saddled with medical bills and prescription expenses. A stroke or a heart attack can severely hinder your life, if not cut it short altogether. The enemy would like nothing better than to get you off the scene as soon as possible.
Hence it is strongly recommended that everyone that is serious about being an overcomer spend at least 180 minutes per week in an aerobic activity. This is an exercise period of 60 minutes three times per week. Acceptable activities include:
- Jogging
- Aerobics
- Swimming
- Brisk walking
- Bicycle Riding
- The use of Aerobic Gym Equipment
I Corinthians 6:12-13
13 Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but the Lord; and the Lord for the body.
Obesity needs special mention here, because obesity is the leading preventable cause of death worldwide. Obesity is a medical condition where excess body fat has accumulated to the point where it begins to affect a person’s health negatively. Thereby reducing the person’s life expectancy and causing other diseases to develop more rapidly.
A person is considered to be obese when their Body Mass Index (BMI) exceeds 30 kg/m2. This calculation is done by dividing the person’s weight in kilograms, by the square of the height of the person in meters. Obesity is caused by the intake of excessive amounts of Food Energy and the lack of Physical Activity. To battle obesity, will require adjustments in Diet, primarily the reduction of energy dense foods such as those high in fat and sugars, along with an increase of dietary fiber (fruits and vegetables). Additionally, an exercise routine must be incorporated.
Your Diet plays a critical part in your general health and well-being. Each of us must consume less: Fats, Sugars and Salts. And we should eat more Vegetables and Fruits. Below is a table of other Food stuff that may pose as health hazards for us:
| Sword Fish | Swordfish is notorious for its high mercury content. Mercury has a potent neurotoxin that can damage developing children (especially the unborn). This heavy metal can also trigger heart attacks in adults. Other types of fish that may contain high levels of mercury are: Shark, American Eel, and Atlantic Bluefin Tuna.Omega-3 Brain boost can instead be obtained from: wild-caught Alaskan salmon, Atlantic mackerel and Pacific albacore tuna. |
| Imported Farmed Shrimp | Imported farmed shrimp, as opposed to fresh caught shrimp, come with compete array of contaminants: antibiotics and residues from chemicals used to clean the pens. Less than 2% of all imported seafood is inspected before it is sold. |
| Diet Soda | Diet sodas as well as any foods or candies containing artificial sweeteners can cause health related issues and problems. These problems include: metabolism/weight gain, neurological diseases, joint pain, digestive problems, headaches, depression, inflammatory bowel disease, chemical toxicity and cancer. |
| Fast Foods | Fast foods typically rely on genetically engineered corn, food dyes, artificial sweeteners and other bad actors in the food supply. The nature of this business relies on harmful chemicals that not only threaten human health, but also soil health. |
| White Bread | Wheat today is significantly different due to extensive genetic manipulations of the 1960s and 70s. While this has affected all types of bread. White bread has the nutritional content further stripped away. The consumption of bread has been linked to triggering the following: Digestive diseases like celiac, inflammatory bowel disease, acid reflux, obesity, asthma, high blood sugar and skin disorders. |
| Industrially Produced Hamburgers | The cattle used to produce these burgers are raised in filthy conditions, pumped full of growth hormones and fed diets composed of mainly genetically modified corn. Also the producers combine meat from hundreds of animals which increases the risk of contamination. |
| White Chocolate | In general chocolate can be a sweet treat as well as a brain-boosting superfood. This is due to the amazing phytonnutrients that can increase blood flow to the brain, protect blood vessels and boost mood and focus. However, with white chocolate, its health profile is stripped away and left blank. |
| Artificial Sweeteners | As the name implies, these substances are unnatural, nonorganic and can lead to all kinds of bad health consequences. Research have shown that mice fed with the artificial sweetener aspartame ended up with higher blood sugar levels, which can lead to over eating. They also can pose unknown environmental risks in wastewater. |
| Food Dyes | Food dyes are used to make food appear more healthy than they really are. Limited studies have shown a link between food dyes and hyperactivity in children and Red 3 has caused cancer in animals. Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 may also contain cancer causing contaminants |
| Corn | Large scale corn farms use genetically modified plants. This allows these plants to either produce their own pesticide supply or withstand heavy sprayings of chemicals. The seeds are treated with systemic pesticides that are killing bees. These sub-lethal pesticides will eventually also impair human health. |
