Health Is Wealth-2

HEALTH is WEALTH “Live it Today!” November-December 2008 | Volume 1 • Number 1

“G

Nature’s 8 Perfect Physicians

od has ordained laws for the government, not only of living beings, but of all the operations of nature. Everything is under fixed laws, which cannot be disregarded. . . .”—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 52 It is the publishers firm belief that acquiring and maintaining good health has everything to do with lifestyle choices. The daily, consistent application of the eight laws of health introduced herein will reward us greatly with improved health and happiness. These eight laws govern the whole man-socially, physically, and spiritually. If the whole man is attended to, only then can true happiness and abundant health be the result. Even in the case where disease has taken a foothold in the body, the first step in restoring health is through the proper application of the eight laws of health without the use of prescription and over-the-counter “medications”. Only as a last effort should one need to resort to the use of drugs. These would be in such as cases as massive infections, major trauma, or conditions where simple remedies and herbs fail to work. It has been recommended that: “Pure air, sunlight, abstemiousness, rest, exercise, proper diet, the use of water, trust in divine power,—these are the true remedies.”—Ministry of Healing, p. 127. “Nature will want some assistance

to bring things to their proper condition, which may be found in the simplest remedies, especially in the use of nature’s own furnished remedies—pure air, and with a precious knowledge of how to breathe; pure water, with a knowledge how to apply it; plenty of sunlight in every room in the house if possible, and with an intelligent knowledge of what advantages are to be gained by its use. All these are powerful in their efficiency,

Nutrition Exercise Water Sunshine Temperance Air Rest Trust in God and the patient who has obtained a knowledge of how to eat and dress healthfully may live for comfort, for peace, for health, and will not be prevailed upon to put to his lips drugs, which, in the place of helping nature, paralyzes her powers. If the sick and suffering will do only as well as they know in regard to living out the principles of health reform perseveringly, then they will in nine cases out of ten

recover from their ailments.”—Medical Ministry, pp. 223- 224. The following statements were made over a hundred years ago with regards to the eight laws of health. Science is only now catching-up with research to substantiate these statements as quoted from the writings of Mrs. Ellen G. White, one of the foremost health reformers and temperance leaders in her day (18281915). To her credit and God’s glory, this remarkable God-fearing woman is the most translated woman writer in the entire history of literature and one of the cofounders of the Seventh Day Adventist Church. The listing below is merely a sampling to acquaint the reader with some of the wealth of counsels offered by Mrs. White’s writings. The end of this article lists some of her most influential works on health reform with locations where you can locate copies at a very reasonable cost. Nutrition “The eating of flesh meats has made a poor quality of blood and flesh. Your systems are in a state of inflammation, prepared to take on disease. You are liable to acute attacks of disease, and to sudden death, because you do not possess the strength of constitution to rally and resist disease.”—Counsels on Diets & Foods, p. 381 “When we feed on flesh, the juices of what we eat pass into the circulation. A feverish condition is created,

ing the fruit, grains, vegetables, and nuts that God has given us in such abundance?”—Counsels to Parents, p.26. Exercise

because the animals are diseased, and by partaking of their flesh, we plant the seeds of disease in our own tissue and blood. Then, when exposed to the changes in a malarious atmosphere, to prevailing epidemics and contagious diseases, these are more sensibly felt, for the system is not in a condition to resist disease.”—Healthful Living, p. 63

“Many have suffered from severe mental taxation, unrelieved by physical exercise. The result is a deterioration of their powers, and they are inclined to shun responsibilities. What they need is more active labor. This condition is not confined to those whose heads are white with the frost of time; men young in years have fallen into the same state, and have become mentally feeble.”—Christian Temperance & Bible Hygiene, p. 160. “Neglecting to exercise the entire body, or a portion of it, will bring on morbid conditions.

“Far too much sugar is ordinarily used in foods. Cakes, sweet puddings, pastries, jellies, jams, are active causes of indigestion. Especially harmful are the custards and puddings in which milk, eggs, and sugar are the chief ingredients. The free use of milk and sugar taken together should be avoided. “Sugar is not good for the stomach. It causes fermentation, and this clouds the brain and brings peevishness into the disposition.”—Studies “The bloom of health fades from on Diets & Foods, p. 144. their cheeks, and disease fastens upon “Do not eat largely of salt, avoid the them, because they are robbed of use of pickles and spiced foods, eat an physical exercise, and their habits are abundance of fruit, and the irritation perverted generally. that calls for so much drink at meal- “Continued inactivity is one of the time will largely disappear.”—Coun- greatest causes of debility of body and feebleness of mind. cils on Diets & Foods, p. 311. “Inaction of any of the organs of “The food that we eat has much to the body will be followed by decrease do with the question of temperance. in size and strength of the muscles, Parents should take into account the and will cause the blood to flow slugrelation of food to morals. The use gishly through the blood-vessels.”— of flesh-meat animalizes the nature. Healthful Living, p. 134. There needs to be an awakening on this point. How can anyone desire “Exercise will aid the work of digestion. . . The diseased stomach will to live on the flesh of dead animals, find relief by exercise.”—Healthful when they have the privilege of us-

Living, pp. 169-170. “Invalids should have out-door exercise. That class of invalids, who have made themselves such by sedentary habits, or constant mental labor, should have a change. It is bad counsel that tells these persons to refrain from physical exercise. The brain-weary ones should, in a great degree, let the mental powers rest, while they, and also those whose habits of life have been sedentary, should stir the physical energies. A part of the prescription for every such patient should be light physical labor, pleasant employment out of doors.”—The Health Reformer, July 1, 1868.

Proper use of Water “In health and in sickness, pure water is one of Heavenís choicest blessings. Its proper use promotes health. It is the beverage which God provided to quench the thirst of animals and man. Drunk freely, it helps to supply the necessities of the system, and assists nature to resist disease. “If, in their fevered state, water had been given them to drink freely, and applications had also been made externally, long days and nights of suffering  would have been saved, and many precious lives spared.”—Councils on Diets & Foods, p. 419. “Frequent bathing is very beneficial, especially at night just before retiring, or upon rising in the morning.”— Healthy Living,  p. 192.

“A bath, properly taken, fortifies against cold, because the circulation is improved; . . . for the blood is brought to the surface,  and a more easy and regular flow of the blood through all the blood vessels is obtained.”— Healthful Living, p. 227.

Sunshine “In the building of houses it is especially important to secure thorough ventilation and plenty of sunlight. Let there be a current of air and an abundance of light in every room in the house. Sleeping rooms should be so arranged as to have a free circulation of air day and night. No room is fit to be occupied as a sleeping room unless it can be thrown open daily to the air and sunshine.”—The Adventist Home, p. 148. “It would have been better if from the first all drugs had been kept out of our sanitariums, and use had been made of such simple remedies as are found in pure water, pure air, sunlight, and some of the simple herbs growing in the field. These would be just as efficacious as the drugs used under mysterious names, and concocted by human science, and they would leave no injurious effects in the system.”—The Place of Herbs in Rational Therapy, p. 15

“Thousands who are afflicted might recover their health if . . . they would discard all drugs, and live simply.”

Temperance “In order to reach the highest standard of moral and intellectual attainments, it is necessary to seek wisdom and strength from God and to observe strict temperance in all the habits of life.”—Councils on Diets & Foods, p. 32. “To keep the body in a healthy condition, in order that all parts of the living machinery may act harmoniously, should be a study of our life. The children of God cannot glorify Him with sickly bodies or dwarfed minds. Those who indulge in any species of intemperance, either in eating or drinking, waste their physical energies and weaken moral power.” “But even health reformers can err in the quantity of food. They can eat immoderately of a healthful quality of food.”—Counsels on Diets & Foods, p.136. “There are some who would be benefited more by abstinence from food for a day or two every week than by any amount of treatment or medical advice. To fast one day a week would be of incalculable benefit to them.îóCounsels on Diets & Foods, p. 189. “Recreation is needful to those who are engaged in physical labor, and is still more essential for those whose labor is principally mental.”—Counsels on Health, p. 195 “Thousands who are afflicted might recover their health if, instead of depending upon the drug store for their life, they would discard all drugs, and live simply, without using tea, coffee, liquor, or spices, which irritate the stomach, and leave it weak, unable to digest even simple food without stimulation.”—Studies on Diets and Foods, p. 15. Fresh Air “Those who have the aged to provide for should remember that these

especially need warm, comfortable rooms. Vigor declines as years advance, leaving less vitality with which to resist unhealthful influences; hence the greater necessity for the aged to have plenty of sunlight and fresh, pure air.”—Ministry of Healing, p. 275 (1905). “In the location of sanitariums our physicians have missed the mark. They have not used the provisions of nature as they may. God desires that the places chosen for sanitarium work be beautiful, that the patients be surrounded with everything that delights the senses. May God help us to do our utmost to utilize the life-giving power of sunshine and fresh air. When we as a people closely follow the Lordís plan in our sanitarium work, natureís resources will be appreciated.”—Testimonies for the Church Vol. 7, p. 79. Rest “Sleep, nature’s sweet restorer, invigorates the tired body and prepares it for the next day’s duties.”—Child Guidance, p. 341. “In many cases of sickness, the very best remedy is for the patient to fast for a meal or two, that the overworked organs of digestion may have an opportunity to rest.”—Counsels on Diets & Foods, p. 189.

Eight out of the ten leading causes of death in the U.S. can be prevented, or lessened, by a change in lifestyle.

Cause of Death (ranking)

“God reserved the seventh day as a period of rest for man, for the good of man as well as for His own glory. He saw that the wants of man required a day of rest from toil and care, that his health and life would be endangered without a period of relaxation from the labor and anxiety of the six days.”—My Life Today, p. 140.

1.8% 2.6% 2.9% 3.1% 5.3% 5.9%

0

5

Kidney diseases (9) Influenza and pneumonia (8) Alzheimer’s (7) Diabetes (6) Lung diseases (4) Stroke (3) 22.8% Cancer (2) 26.6% Heart diseases (1) 29% All other causes

10

15

20

25

30

Percentage of Total Deaths in the U.S. (2005) Trust in Divine Power “. . . Since the laws of nature are the laws of God, it is plainly our duty to give these laws careful study. We should study their requirements in regard to our own bodies, and conform to them . . .”—Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 18. “It is impossible for us in our own strength to maintain the conflict; and whatever diverts the mind from God, whatever leads to self-exaltation or to self-dependence, is surely preparing the way for our overthrow. The tenor of the Bible is to inculcate distrust of human power and to encourage trust in divine power.”—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 717

“And said, If thou wilt diligently hearFurther Information and ken to the voice of the LORD thy God, Useful Resources: and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his command- Lost and Found Books ments, and keep all his statutes, I will 254 Donovan Rd. Brushton, NY 12916 put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyp- Phone:  1-800-732-2664  Fax:  1-800-329-8322 tians: for I [am] the LORD that healeth Web:  lnfbooks.com thee.”—Exodus 15:26 Comments:  New and used Ellen “If my people, which are called by White books and other useful health/ my name, shall humble themselves, and cook books. pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from NewLifestyle Books heaven, and will forgive their sin, and 30 Uchee Pines Road will heal their land.”—2 Chronicles Seale, Alabama 36875-5702 Phone:  1-800-542-5695 7:14 Web:  ucheepines.org/books.htm “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and Comments:  Books by Drs. Agatha forget not all his benefits: Who forgiv& Calvin Thrash covering a wide vaeth all thine iniquities; who healeth all riety of health topics. thy diseases;”—Psalms 103:2-3

“Beloved, I wish above all things that We hope that this brief summary of thou mayest prosper and be in health, the eight laws of health has helped you even as thy soul prospereth.”—3 John 2 realized how important they are for the Contacts attainment of optimal health and the healing of our every infirmity. What is Universal Publishing Association, P. O. Box 2722, Hartford CT 06146 remarkable is even though many of us TBA may be afflicted with various diseases as Editor a result of disregarding these laws, God in His infinite mercy offers forgiveness and restortation of our health if we would obey His counsel and claim His promises as revealed in His Word.



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