Archives for March 2013

Appetite

 

EATING TO GOD’S GLORY AND HONOR

Appetite: Wikipedia “describes the term as the desire to eat food, felt as hunger. Appetite exists in All higher life-forms, and serves to regulate adequate energy intake to maintain metabolic needs. It is Regulated by a close interplay between the digestive tract, adipose tissue and the brain. Appetite has A relationship with every individual’s behavior. Appetitive and consummatory behaviors are the only Processes that involve energy intake, whereas all other behaviors affect the release of energy When Stressed, appetite levels may increase and result in an increase of food intake.”  

man eating

We are often made sick by the overindulgence of our appetites. We usually eat what suits our taste, not what’s good for us. Thus we weaken the digestive organs, and injure the power of the digestive system to assimilate the food that is fundamental in sustaining a healthy mind and body.

Thus our delicate bodies become deteriorated by improper eating habits. But let’s never fool ourselves. Sin and Satan’s desire that we all lose sight of Christ saving grace, lies at the door. Thus allowing the door to become our mouth and what we consume in it each and every day.

So if we allow appetite to Rule our mind and body then the final result will be the disintegration of the spiritual part of what God intended for us from the beginning. One of the strongest temptations that we will ever have to face is probably upon the point of appetite.

As our first parents lost Eden by the gratification and indulgence of appetite, our only hope of regaining what was lost byTemptation our first parents in the beginning, is through the firm denial of one’s inappropriate eating habits, If only we as Christians could conquer on this point, then we would have the moral power through Christ to gain the victory over every other temptation that Satan tries to attack us on.

But those who remain slaves to appetite will forever fail, in perfecting Christian character. So as we near the close of this life’s history, Satan’s temptation of the flesh, and the passion of improper eating habits, will be more powerful and more difficult to overcome. But Satan can only attack our weakness and infirmities when we allow the affairs of this world to outweigh our relationship with God and the amount of time we spend each day in studying His word and doing His will.

Remember Christ was also tempted in appetite, But His words to Satan are one’s we as Christians should all use as Christ prepares our character for His pure and holy kingdom “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word (and not just the words we deem appropriate for our lifestyle) but every word of God” While allowing the power of His word to dictate our appetite through His Holy Spirit.

2_jesus-temptationSo learn for yourselves what you should eat, and what kinds of food best nourish the entire mind and body, and then follow the dictates of reason and conscience through the renewal of Gods Spirit each and every day.

Remember “We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against, the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places, Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand…

Above all, taking the shield of faith…And  the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God…Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit… Eph.6:12-18 So Remember those who will not eat and drink from principle, will never regulate there mind and body by principle, in other areas of their lives.

Our eating habits should always and forever, be regulated from a moral and religious standpoint, that is based on Christ example. So we are to be temperate in all things, because an incorruptible crown, and eternal life, is before us. So just eat that which is best to sustain a proper physical, mental, and spiritual fortitude in all you do in the sight of God, as we race for that eternal crown remember, Paul states in 1 Cor. 10:31 “Therefore whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

And in the end as John states in 1 John 3:2 “Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when he is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” And l will tell you today, that we must be like our Savior in all things that pertain to our Mind and Body, as we allow the Spirit of Christ, to transform our character to be like Christ.

So remember Christ began His work of redemption by reforming the physical habits of man. He says, “Beware; restrain, deny, unnatural appetite. If we create a perverted appetite, we violate the laws of our being, and assume the responsibility of abusing our bodies, and bringing disease upon ourselves.”(White) God knows that we need not more of what this world has to offer in the flesh, but more of Him, and His word. 

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By attempting to fill that inner emptiness with improper eating habits, we will never bring a lasting satisfaction in our lives. For we can only become conquerors in all areas of our life through Him that loved us enough to go to Calvary on our behalf.

Why No One Listens?

 

WHY IS NO ONE LISTENING, SHOULD I JUST GIVE UP

A young man trying to share the Bible with two young women.

When we as Christians think simplistically about saving souls, especially in regards to our family, friends love ones, and co-workers we set ourselves up to always expect simple solutions recognizable answers, and precise results even under insurmountable situations and circumstances.

But as Christians, we all need to come to terms with the actuality that Satan still exists and he is as strong as ever. But my friends the story does not end there. But through Christ, he whose heart is fixed to serve God will always find the opportunity to be a witness for Him, because the more we can focus on the character and love of Christ the more we come to realize that we must follow Him all the way to Calvary by being A humble servant to others as we carry out Christ mandate to go into all the world and tell everyone of His love, grace, and mercy.

As a story is told about the duke of Wellington who was once present where a party of Christian men were discussing the possibility of success in a missionary effort among the heathen. They appealed to the duke to say whether in his judgment such efforts were likely to prove successful, proportionate to the cost, the old soldier replied:

images“Gentlemen, what are your marching orders, Success he said, is not the question for you to discuss. If I read your orders, they run thus, ‘go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.’ Gentlemen, obey your marching orders.’ So the secret to every Christian’s success as to his or her mandate from God will be found in the harmonious and daily workings of all Christians, along with the Holy Spirit in the finishing up of Gods work regardless of what this world deems as success.

Remember success as a Christian for Christ is not Him asking us to devote ourselves to His cause: but for us to yield ourselves to His will. Every excuse in word and action, with every element of fear and faithlessness to continue witnessing for Him was challenged and answered on the cross.

Therefore, in the sense of one’s faith, genuine heartfelt obedience, and invincible courage, may we prepare each and every day, to hear these words repeated to us, as we stand before Christ at His soon return. “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of the Lord.

While much of the fruit of our labor will not be apparent in this life, God’s workers have His sure promise of ultimate success. As our example, the world’s redeemer was constantly confronted with obstacles each day. He seemed to do little of the work which He longed to do in uplifting, and saving souls, because the forces of Satan were constantly working to obstruct His every move. But He would not be discouraged.

For He would forever stay focused on His goal, which was the cross, and our salvation. So He who does all things according to the will of His Father will always place men under various situations, and circumstances, in order to instill upon Them, duties that will be peculiar to the times in which they live, and the various conditions under which we as Christians are placed.

Especially as we enter into the final days of this life’s history, while constantly studying the word of God and seeking His Spirit daily, as we sustain a heartfelt prayer Life, while allowing the light of Gods Spirit to be open before those we witness to. But remember truth is no more desired by the majority today than it was when Christ was on this earth.

So we must not get discourage as we use Christ as our example forever enduring to the end so never give up, continue the fight to spread the word of God, in this immoral world we live in, and endure, and never give up until the race is over, and you have reach the finish line. So each follower of Christ will most likely have a series of victories, that will not be seen as victories on this earth, but will only be recognized as such in a pure and holy society.

Oh the gratitude of souls that will meet us in the heavenly courts, to thank us for our efforts in presenting the gospel of Christ to them, and at that time they will finally come to understand the sympathetic, and loving interest which was taken by the faithful workers of Christ, so that they may have salvation.

And then, on one accord, in adoration, throughout the heavenly courts, we will victory1all give God the praise, glory and honor, for we will forever recognize, without Satan telling us otherwise, the Love grace and mercy employed in the salvation of mankind on this earth that were ready to parish, until God sent His only Begotten Son, to die on a cruel cross, so that we may all be saved from the penalty of sin.

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: For it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that

believeth…..Romans 1:16 

And now my friends that is how the story ends.

Diabetes, Are African Americans Disproportionately Affected?

Compared to the general population, African Americans are disproportionately affected by diabetes:

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  • 4.9 million, or 18.7 percent of all African Americans aged 20 years or older have diabetes.
  • African Americans are 1.8 times more likely to have diabetes as non Hispanic whites.

Diabetes is associated with an increased risk for a number of serious, sometimes life-threatening complications, and

certain populations experience an even greater threat. Good diabetes management can help reduce your risk; however,

many people are not even aware that they have diabetes until they develop one of its complications.

  • Blindness
    African Americans are almost 50 percent as likely to develop diabetic retinopathy as non-Hispanic whites.
  • Kidney Disease
    African Americans are 2.6 to 5.6 times as likely to suffer from kidney disease.
  • Amputations
    African Americans are 2.7 times as likely to suffer from lower-limb amputations.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes mellitus is a group of diseases characterized by high levels of blood glucose. It results from defects in insulin

secretion, insulin action, or both. Diabetes can be associated with serious complications and premature death, but

people with diabetes can take measures to reduce the likelihood of such occurrences. Most African Americans (about 90

percent to 95 percent) with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. This type of diabetes usually develops in adults and is caused

by the body’s resistance to the action of insulin and to impaired insulin secretion. It can be treated with diet, exercise,

diabetes pills, and injected insulin. A small number of African Americans (about 5 percent to 10 percent) have type 1

diabetes, which usually develops before age 20 and is always treated with insulin. Diabetes can be diagnosed by three

methods:

  • A fasting plasma glucose test and a value of 126 milligrams/deciliter (mg/dL) or greater.
  • A nonfasting plasma glucose value of 200 mg/dL or greater in people with symptoms of diabetes.
  • An abnormal oral glucose tolerance test, with a 2-hour glucose value of 200 mg/dL or greater.

Each test must be confirmed, on another day, by any one of the above methods. The criteria used to diagnose diabetes

were revised in 1997.

How Many African Americans Have Diabetes?

imagesThe proportion of the African American population that has diabetes rises from less than 1 percent for those aged

younger than 20 years to as high as 32 percent for women age 65-74 years. In every age group, prevalence is higher for

women than men: overall, among those age 20 years or older, the rate is 11.8 percent for women and 8.5 percent for men.

About one-third of total diabetes cases are undiagnosed among African Americans. This is similar to the proportion for

other racial/ethnic groups in the United States. National health surveys during the past 35 years show that the percentage of the African American population that has

been diagnosed with diabetes is increasing dramatically. The surveys in 1976-80 and in 1988-94 measured fasting plasma glucose and thus allowed an assessment of the prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes as well as of previously

diagnosed diabetes. In 1976-80, total diabetes prevalence in African Americans age 40-74 years was 8.9 percent; in 1988-94, total prevalence had increased to 18.2 percent–a doubling of the rate in just 12 years.

Prevalence in African Americans is much higher than in white Americans. Among those age 40-74 years in the 1988-94 survey, the rate was 11.2 percent for whites, but was 18.2 percent for blacks–diabetes prevalence in blacks is 1.6 times the prevalence in whites.

What Risk Factors Increase the Chance of Developing Type 2 Diabetes?

The frequency of diabetes in African American adults is influenced by the same risk factors that are associated with type 2 diabetes in other populations. Two categories of risk factors increase the chance of developing type 2 diabetes. The

first is genetics. The second is medical and lifestyle risk factors, including impaired glucose tolerance, gestational diabetes, hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance, obesity, and physical inactivity.

Genetic Risk Factors

The common finding that “diabetes runs in families” indicates that there is a Non-Profit Provides Home Health Care For Underinsured And Uninsuredstrong genetic component to type 1 and type

2 diabetes. Many scientists are now conducting research to determine the genes that cause diabetes. For type 1 diabetes,

certain genes related to immunology have been implicated. For type 2 diabetes, there seem to be diabetes genes that determine insulin secretion and insulin resistance.

Some researchers believe that African Americans inherited a “thrifty gene” from their African ancestors. Years ago, this gene enabled Africans, during “feast and famine” cycles, to use food

energy more efficiently when food was scarce. Today, with fewer such cycles, the thrifty gene that developed for survival may instead make the person more susceptible to developing type 2 diabetes.

Medical Risk Factors

Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT)

In some people, their blood glucose level after a meal or after an oral glucose test rises higher than is considered normal but not high enough for them to be diagnosed with diabetes. These individuals are described as having impaired glucose

tolerance (IGT). IGT may be an early stage of diabetes, and people with IGT are at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes than people with normal glucose tolerance. Rates of IGT among adults age 40-74 years in the NHANES III survey were similar for black (13 percent) and white (15 percent) Americans.2

Gestational Diabetes (GDM)

About 2 to 5 percent of pregnant women develop mild abnormalities in glucose levels and insulin secretion and are considered to have gestational diabetes. Although these women’s glucose and insulin levels often return to normal after

pregnancy, as many as 50 percent may develop type 2 diabetes within 20 years of the pregnancy.

Hyperinsulinemia and Insulin Resistance

Higher-than-normal levels of fasting insulin, called hyperinsulinemia, are associated with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Hyperinsulinemia often predates diabetes by several years.

Among people who did not have diabetes in the NHANES III survey, insulin levels were higher in African Americans than in whites, particularly African American women, indicating their greater predisposition for developing type 2 diabetes. Another study showed a higher rate of hyperinsulinemia in African American adolescents compared with white American adolescents.

Obesity

Overweight is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes. The NHANES surveys Obesity-photofound that overweight is increasing in the

United States, both in adolescents and in adults. Figure 2 illustrates these data and also shows that African American

adults have substantially higher rates of obesity than white Americans.

In addition to the overall level of obesity, the location of the excess weight is also a risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Excess

weight carried above the waist is a stronger risk factor than excess weight carried below the waist. African Americans have a greater tendency to develop upper-body obesity, which increases their risk of diabetes.

Although African Americans have higher rates of obesity, researchers do not believe that obesity alone accounts for their higher prevalence of diabetes. Even when compared with white Americans with the same levels of obesity, age, and

socioeconomic status, African Americans still have higher rates of diabetes. Other factors, yet to be understood, appear to be responsible.

Physical Activity

Regular physical activity is a protective factor against type 2 diabetes and, conversely, lack of physical activity is a risk factor for developing diabetes. Researchers suspect that a lack of exercise is one factor contributing to the high rates of

diabetes in African Americans. In the NHANES III survey, 50 percent of black men and 67 percent of black women reported that they participated in little or no leisure time physical activity.

How Does Diabetes Affect African-American Young People?

African American children seem to have lower rates of type 1 diabetes than white American children. Researchers tend to agree that genetics probably makes type 1 diabetes less common among children with African ancestry compared with children of European ancestry.

How Does Diabetes Affect African American Women during Pregnancy?

Gestational diabetes, in which blood glucose values are elevated above normal during pregnancy, occurs in about 2 percent to 5 percent of all pregnant women. Perinatal problems such as macrosomia (large body size) and neonatal hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) are higher in these pregnancies.

The women generally return to normal glucose values after childbirth. However, once a woman has had gestational diabetes, she has an increased risk of developing gestational diabetes in future pregnancies.

In addition, experts estimate that about half of women with gestational diabetes develop type 2 diabetes within 20 years of the pregnancy. Several studies have shown that the occurrence of gestational diabetes in African American women may be 50 percent to 80 percent more frequent than in white women.

How Do Diabetes Complications Affect African Americans?

Compared with white Americans, African Americans experience higher rates of diabetes complications such as eye disease, kidney failure, and amputations. They also experience greater disability from these complications. Some factors

that influence the frequency of these complications, such as high blood glucose levels, abnormal blood lipids, high blood pressure, and cigarette smoking, can be influenced by proper diabetes management.

Eye Disease

Diabetic retinopathy is a deterioration of the blood vessels in the eye that is caused by high blood glucose. It can lead to impaired vision and, ultimately, to blindness. The frequency of diabetic retinopathy is 40 percent to 50 percent higher

in African Americans than in white Americans, according to NHANES III data. Retinopathy may also occur more frequently in black Americans than in whites because of their higher rate of hypertension.

Although blindness caused bydiabetic retinopathy is believed to be more frequent in blacks than in whites, there are no valid studies that compare rates of blindness between the two groups.

Kidney Failure

African Americans with diabetes experience kidney failure, also called end-stage renal disease (ESRD), about four times more often than diabetic white Americans. In 1995, there were 27,258 new cases of ESRD attributed to diabetes in black

Americans. Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure and accounted for 43 percent of the new cases of ESRD among black Americans during 1992-1996. Hypertension, the second leading cause of ESRD, accounted for 42 percent of cases.

In spite of their high rates of ESRD, African Americans have better survival rates after they develop kidney failure than white Americans.

imagesAmputations

Based on the U.S. hospital discharge survey, there were about 13,000 amputations among black diabetic individuals in 1994, which involved 155,000 days in the hospital.12 African Americans with diabetes are much more likely to undergo

a lower-extremity amputation than white or Hispanic Americans with diabetes. The hospitalization rate of amputations for blacks was 9.3 per 1,000 patients in 1994, compared with 5.8 per 1,000 white diabetic patients. However, the

average length of hospital stay was lower for African Americans (12.1 days) than for white Americans (16.5 days).

Does Diabetes Cause Excess Deaths in African Americans?

Diabetes was an uncommon cause of death among African Americans at the turn of the century. By 1994, however, death certificates listed diabetes as the seventh leading cause of death for African Americans. For those age 45 years or older,

it was the fifth leading cause of death. Death rates (mortality) for people with diabetes are higher for blacks than for whites. Figure 3 shows death rates for whites and blacks with diabetes in a national survey of people first studied in 1971-1975 whose mortality was confirmed

through 1992-1993.13 In every age group and for both men and women, death rates for blacks with diabetes were higher than for whites with diabetes. The overall mortality rate was 20 percent higher for black men and 40 percent higher for black women, compared with their white counterparts.

Points To Remember

  • In 1993, 1.3 million African Americans were known to have diabetes. This is almost three times the number of African Americans who were diagnosed with diabetes in 1963.
  • For every white American who gets diabetes, 1.6 African Americans get diabetes.
  • The highest incidence of diabetes in blacks occurs between 65 and 74 years of age. Twenty-five percent of these individuals have diabetes.
  • Obesity is a major medical risk factor for diabetes in African Americans, 8987142-largeespecially for women. Some diabetes may be prevented with weight control through healthy eating and regular exercise.
  • African Americans have higher incidence of and greater disability from diabetes complications such as kidney failure, visual impairment, and amputations.
  • If African Americans can prevent, reverse, or control diabetes, their risk of complications will decrease.
  • Healthy lifestyles, such as eating healthy foods and getting regular exercise, are particularly important for people who are at increased risk of diabetes

Source: National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, National Institute of Health Sep. 1998

 

Is Flesh A Necessity For Our Survival Or Not?

Flesh a necessity for our survival or not

adanIn the beginning God gave our first parents Adam and Eve all the food necessary for a total Physical, Mental, and spiritual lifestyle, a lifestyle that would never cease to bring vitality and endurance to, the perfect. Anatomy that He had created in the likeness of Himself. It was contradictory to His plan at creation to have the life of any creature taken.

There was to be no death, or disease, in Eden. The fruit of the trees in the garden was all the nourishment required for man’s needs. In creating man’s food on the third day when He said and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself after His kind: and God saw that it was good.

The Lord showed what the best diet for his well-being was. Only after the flood did God give man permission to eat animal food. Those individuals, who lived before the flood after man sinned, ate animal food to gratify their sinful lusts, and this continued until their cup of iniquity was full with God, and He “repented that He had made man on the earth and it grieved Him at His heart.”

After the flood God permitted man to continue to eat animal food to shorten their sinful lives. Soon after the flood, mankind began to rapidly decrease in size, and in length of years. It was never Gods will that we should gratify our appetites, by the killing of animals as a means of survival. If we are to be a peculiar people in God’s sight, we must exercise temperance in all things.

Health reform and the elimination of eating animals must be one of our main imagespriorities if we are to endure to the end, and finish this race in preparation to live throughout eternity with our Lord and Savior. The word of God warns us that unless we abstain from fleshly lusts, the physical nature will always be brought into conflict with our spiritual nature.

Thus warfare is forever in battle between our propensities toward the lust of the flesh, imperiled by the indulgence of appetites that is unsanctioned by heaven, and what Gods originally plan for our well-being was intended for us from the beginning in the Garden of Eden.

And If we would always focus on Paul’s words in Romans 12:1,2 “I Beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what that is good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

 

PORK

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The tissues of the swine swarm with parasites. Of the swine, God said, It is unclean unto you; ye shall not eat of their flesh, nor touch their dead carcass. This command was given because swine’s flesh is unfit for food. Swine are scavengers, and this is the only use they were intended to serve.

Never, under any circumstances, was their flesh to be eaten by human beings. One reason for God’s rule forbidding pork is that the digestive system of a pig is completely different from that of a cow. It is similar to ours, in that the stomach is very acidic. Pigs are gluttonous, never knowing when to stop eating.

Their stomach acids become diluted because of the volume of food, allowing all kinds of vermin, Parasites, bacteria, viruses, and toxins to pass into the pigs flesh, because of their overeating. These toxins and infectious agents can be passed on to humans as well when they eat a pig’s flesh. Influenza (flu) is one of the most famous illnesses which pigs share with humans.

This illness is harbored in the lungs of pigs during the summer months and tends to affect pigs and humans in the cooler months. Sausage contains bits of pigs’ lungs, so those who eat pork sausage tend to suffer more during epidemics of influenza. Eating pork can also lead to gallstones and obesity, probably due to its high cholesterol and saturated fat content.

The pig is the main carrier of the taenia solium worm, which is found it its flesh. These tapeworms are found in human intestines with greater frequency in nations where pigs are eaten. This type of tapeworm can pass through the intestines and affect many other organs, and is incurable once it reaches beyond a certain stage.

In the U.S., three of the six most common food-borne parasitic diseases of humans are associated with pork consumption. These include toxoplasmosis, taeniases or cysticercosis caused by the pork tapeworm Taenia solium and trichinellosis.

 

BEEF

Beef can harbor a deadly new germ, called e.coli O157:H7. This new germ is nowimages a major cause of serious food poisoning. Beef and dairy cattle can carry the germ with no apparent adverse health effects. The germ, found in cattle feces, has contaminated beef and produce grown with cow manure.

So far it has killed dozens of people and sickened thousands. In August, 1997, 25 million pounds of beef were recalled, the largest food recall in the world’s history, because of O157:H7 contamination of beef destined to Burger King restaurants.

The precautions against the germ – including cooking to 160º F (71º C) – reveals a disgusting side of beef production – there is no way to prevent fecal contamination during slaughter There are numerous claims today about saturated fat.

Some claim that we do not need any saturated fat to survive, or that all saturated fat is bad, while others tell us to eat freely and that this substance is essential for our health. While not all saturated fat is bad, saturated fat from animal products like meat appears to directly affect the function of our cardiovascular system in many negative ways.

Not only is it linked to putting a strain on one’s heart through possible fat deposits in the arteries, increasing one’s blood pressure and causing artery damage, but it is the major fat responsible for dangerous weight gain. Today’s meat is even higher than ever in fat because of how the animals are raised, with no exercise or natural grazing capabilities.

Hence they sit in a cage and are over fed, which leads to higher than normal unhealthy fat deposits. Besides the increased chances of colon cancer, meat can cause a lot of digestive disturbances for the very same reasons. Meat takes a long time to pass through the intestines, where during this time it putrefies.

Putrefaction produces toxins and amines that accumulate in the liver, kidneys and large intestines, destroys bacterial cultures and causes degeneration of the lining of the small intestine. Over a few years of a regular meat diet, putrefied meat is going to adhere to the lining of your intestines, where it often causes various digestive problems such as IBS, stomach cramps, prolapsed colons, haemorrhoids, constipation and many other problems that are not even directly linked to the intestines.

 

CHICKEN

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Quite simply, chickens are the most abused animals on the planet. Chickens raised for their flesh are packed by the thousands into massive sheds. They are fed large amounts of antibiotics and drugs to keep them alive in conditions that would otherwise kill them.

The antibiotics make chickens grow so large, so fast that they often become crippled under their own weight, bigger is better, This reckless use of antibiotics also makes drugs less effective for treating humans by speeding up the development of drug-resistant bacteria.

Only seven weeks after they are born, chickens are crowded onto trucks that transport them to the slaughterhouse. Tens of millions of chickens have their wings and legs broken in the process every year. They are trucked through all weather extremes, sometimes over hundreds of miles, without any food or water.

At slaughter, chickens are hung upside-down and have their throats slit, and they are often scalded to death in defeathering tanks A USDA study found that more than 99 percent of broiler chicken carcasses sold in stores had detectable levels of E. coli, indicating fecal contamination.

In other words, if you’re eating chicken flesh, you’re almost certainly eating poop. Consumer Reports states there are “1.1 million or more Americans sickened each year by undercooked, tainted chicken.” Chicken flesh is also loaded with dangerous levels of arsenic, which can cause cancer, dementia, neurological problems, and other ailments in humans.

Men’s Health magazine recently ranked supermarket chicken number one in their list of the “10 Dirtiest Foods” because of the high rate of bacterial contamination. Both the Center for Disease Control and the World Health Organization say that if the avian flu virus spreads to the United States, it could be caught simply by eating undercooked chicken flesh or eggs, eating food prepared on the same cutting board as infected meat or eggs, or even touching eggshells contaminated with the disease.

Chicken flesh and eggs are packed with cholesterol—a 3-ounce piece of skinless chicken breast meat has as much cholesterol as beef, and just one egg has nearly three times as much! This cholesterol, along with a high intake of animal fats, blocks arteries and causes heart disease.

 

FISH

Due to industrial pollution there are some risks for a buildup of contaminants in imagesyour body. The primary contaminant is mercury. Excess mercury accumulates in waterways and shows up in fish as the highly toxic methyl mercury.

If you eat fish that contains methyl mercury, the toxin can accumulate and remain in your body for up to a year. Fish may also contain other contaminants due to pollution. For most people, the amount of mercury ingested from fish is not a health concern. However, even small amounts of mercury may be harmful to developing fetuses, babies and young children.

In many places fish become so contaminated by the filth on which they feed as to be a cause of disease. This is especially the case where the fish come in contact with the sewage of large cities.

The fish that are fed on the contents of the drains may pass into distant waters, and may be caught where the water is pure and fresh. Thus when used as food they bring disease and death on those who do not suspect the danger.

 

Summary

Flesh was never the best food; but its use is now doubly objectionable, since disease in Animals is so rapidly increasing. There are many in the Christian community who feel that they cannot get along without flesh foods; but if they would place themselves on the Lord’s side, forever walking in the way of His guidance, they would receive strength and wisdom as did Daniel and his fellow companions when they refused to eat the king’s meat.

They would also thru faith in His word realize that God through His Spirit would give them sound judgment in all areas of healthy living. Many would be surprised to see how much more healthy they would be by the self-denial of animal foods as they keep their eyes stayed on the transforming power of Christ.

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We as Christians are all, now being tested, and tried in preparation for the final stretch to the finish line, as we look forward to receiving that ultimate prize, Gods pure and holy kingdom. All of us as Christian have been baptized into Christ abiding love and grace, and if we would act our part as Gods Children, by separating from everything that would diminish our health in the sight of God, and gain strength as we grow in Christ who is the foundation, and center, of our mind and body.

 

 

Daily Text – April 21, 2013

Verse of the Day

“If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?”  Jeremiah 12:5

 

Men’s Health

IMPORTANCE OF MENS HEALTH

“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” 1 Cor. 6:19,20

Our bodies are not our own, so we must treat our mind and bodies in ways that would make it possible to render to God, A perfect service in all we do, no mater what age we are. We are absolutely dependent upon God, because He cares for us every moment of the day throughout our lives. So if we are dependent upon God, our obligation should be to do everything through His grace and Spirit that presents A clean, pure and healthy body as He prepares our character to enter into His pure and holy kingdom.

The top 5 concerns for men who are aging are:

Prostate problems

Male Menopause

Heart disease

Obesity

Alzheimer’s disease

 

PROSTATE: The prostate gland is a small gland which all men have, and it’s a part of the reproductive system in the male body. It’s fairly small, about the size of a walnut, and sits just below your bladder. This is why men who have enlarged or enflamed prostate problems often complain about having to urinate frequently or that they are unable to urinate. The gland can swell causing either additional pressure against the bladder, or it can swell and cause blockage of the bladder. Prostate problems are something that most men don’t like to talk about. But the real facts suggest that prostate issues can put you at a very high risk of health issues late in life if you do not take the proper precautions before it’s too late. So the first things that is recommended that you do is to have your prostate examined, and determine whether you are at risk for any illness. It’s much better not to have a doubt in the matter than to find out when it may already be too late. Typical problems associated with a prostate condition include:

 

1. Passing urine more often during the day 2. Uncontrollable urges to pass urine
3. Overall less urine flow than normal 4. A slight burning sensation when urinating
5. A slight burning sensation when urinating 6.Often waking at night with the feeling of having to urinate

 

If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, it’s a preemptive sign that you may have a problem with your prostate gland, . we ask that if you are experiencing any of these conditions, that you do speak with your doctor and discuss what your treatment options may be in order to correct them. As you grow older the three most common prostate problems are: Inflammation, Enlarged prostate, and Prostate cancer.” None of these conditions are interlinked in any way, meaning that having one will not result in an additional or worse condition. More often than not, a change in the condition or size of your prostate is not a sign that you have cancer. Prostate cancer is the third most common cause of death from cancer in men of all ages and is the most common cause of death from cancer in men over age 75. Prostate cancer is rarely found in men younger than 40.

 

Ways to prevent prostate cancer:

1.Choose a low-fat diet.

2. Eat more fat from plants than from animals.

3. Increase the amount of fruits and vegetables you eat each day.

4. Eat fish

5. Reduce the amount of dairy products you eat each day.

6. Try adding soy to your diet.

7. Drink plenty of water.

 

Mens Health 2

African American Men are at high risk for Prostate Cancer.

1. African-American men, who are also likely to develop cancer at every age

2. Men who are older than 60

3. Men who have a father or brother with prostate cancer

4. Other people at risk include:

5. Men exposed to agent orange exposure

6. Men who abuse alcohol

7. Farmers

8. Men who eat a diet high in fact, especially animal fat

9. Tire plant workers

10. Painters

11. Men who have been exposed to cadmium

 

Male Menopause: Women may not be the only ones who suffer the effects of changing hormones. Some doctors are noticing that their male patients are reporting some of the same symptoms that women experience in perimenopause and menopause. And male menopause may also affect men as they age. This condition is very simple but affects every male differently. It has to deal with the amount of testosterone that your body produces on a regular basis. Testosterone levels gradually decline throughout adulthood – about 1 percent per year after the age of 30 on average. By about age 70, the decrease in a man’s testosterone level can be as much as 50 percent.” This decrease in testosterone levels can have a number of various effects on the male body. Symptoms include 1. A change in sexual function, which include, a reduced desire for sex. 2. A change in your sleep patterns. Lower testosterone levels have been known to cause insomnia and even sleep apnea. As a result of the lower amount of testosterone, which is an added building block factor in producing and maintaing muscle mass, you may also experience 3. An effect on your muscle/fat ratio. The last common symptom which follows a low testosterone level. A lower emotional state. This may include a simple lack of motivation and self confidence, or more serious problems which include depression, and even stem to memory effects such as Alzheimer’s.

Some ways to prevent male menopause:

1. Get enough rest at night.

2. Take multivitamins.

3. Practice good nutrition.

4. Exercise regularly.

 

Once again, we ask that if you are experiencing any of these conditions, that you speak with your doctor and discuss what your treatment options may be in order to correct them.

 

heart disease: When you think of heart disease in men, usually people think of coronary artery disease (narrowing of the arteries leading to the heart), but coronary artery disease is just one type of heart disease. Here are a list of other heart diseases:

1. Coronary artery disease (including heart attack) : (CAD) is atherosclerosis, or hardening, of the arteries that provide vital oxygen and nutrients to the heart.

2. Abnormal heart rhythms or arrythmias: The heart is an amazing organ. It beats in a steady, even rhythm, about 60 to 100 times each minute (that’s about 100,000 times each day!). But, sometimes your heart gets out of rhythm. An irregular or abnormal heartbeat is called an arrhythmia. An arrhythmia (also called a dysrhythmia) can involve a change in the rhythm, producing an uneven heartbeat, or a change in the rate, causing a very slow or very fast heartbeat.

3. Heart failure: The term “heart failure” can be frightening. It does not mean the heart has “failed” or stopped working. It means the heart does not pump as well as it should.

Heart failure is a major health problem in the U.S., affecting nearly 5 million Americans. About 550,000 people are diagnosed with heart failure each year. It is the leading cause of hospitalization in people older than 65.

4. Cardiomyopathy or Enlarged Heart: Cardiomyopathies, also called an enlarged heart, are diseases of the heart muscle itself. People with cardiomyopathies have hearts that are abnormally enlarged, thickened, and/or stiffened. As a result, the heart’s ability to pump blood is weakened. Without treatment, cardiomyopathies worsen over time and often lead to heart failure and abnormal heart rhythms

5. Congenital heart disease: Congenital Heart Disease: Congenital heart disease is a type of defect in one or more structures of the heart or blood vessels that occur before birth.

It affects about 8 out of every 1,000 children. Congenital heart defects may produce symptoms at birth, during childhood, and sometimes not until adulthood.

In most cases scientists don’t know why they occur. Heredity and genetics may play a role as well as exposure to the fetus during pregnancy to certain viral infections, alcohol, or drugs.

6. Pericardial disease: Pericarditis is inflammation of the pericardium, the membrane that surrounds and protects the heart. It occurs in two forms: acute (sudden and short-lived) and chronic (persistent over long periods).

7. Aorta disease and Marfan syndrome: An aneurysm is a bulging or ballooning in the wall of a blood vessel. It is caused when a portion of the artery wall weakens. Like a balloon, as the aneurysm expands, the artery wall grows progressively thinner, increasing the likelihood that the aneurysm will burst. The most common location an aneurysm can develop is within the aorta, the main artery through which blood flows from the heart to the rest of the body, in the segment of the aorta that runs through the abdomen (called an abdominal aortic aneurysm). The second most common site for an aortic aneurysm can develop is in one of the aortic segments that lies very near the heart (called a thoracic aortic aneurysm).

8. Vascular disease (blood vessel disease): Includes any condition that affects your circulatory system, such as peripheral artery disease. This ranges from diseases of your arteries, veins and lymph vessels to blood disorders that affect circulation.

 

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the U.S. It is important to learn about your heart to help prevent heart disease.

Heart disease includes a number of conditions affecting the heart and the blood vessels in the heart. The most common type of heart disease is coronary artery disease, which is the narrowing or blockage of the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart itself. This happens slowly over time and is a major reason people have heart attacks.

A man’s risk of heart disease begins to rise greatly starting at age 45. You can lower your risk of heart disease

By taking certain steps, including:

1. Don’t smoke or use other tobacco products. If you smoke, get help quitting.

2. Get your blood pressure checked at least every two years. If you have high blood pressure, follow  your doctor’s advice on how to lower it and keep it under control.

4. Ask your doctor if you need to have your cholesterol and triglyceride levels tested.

5. Maintain a healthy weight. Learn about your body mass index, or BMI.

6. Eat a heart-healthy diet. Eat plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, and foods that are high in fiber.

7. Limit foods high in saturated fat, cholesterol, trans fat, and sodium.

8. Avoid drinking alcohol, which causes high blood pressure.

9. Make physical activity a habit. Learn more about the amounts and types of activity that can help.

10. Control diabetes, if you have it. Make sure to follow your doctor’s instructions for medications and lifestyle changes.

6:  Cardiomyopathy or Enlarged Heart: Cardiomyopathies, also called an enlarged heart, are diseases of the heart muscle itself. People with cardiomyopathies have hearts that are abnormally enlarged, thickened, and/or stiffened. As a result, the heart’s ability to pump blood is weakened. Without treatment, cardiomyopathies worsen over time and often lead to heart failure and abnormal heart rhythms.

Talk to your doctor about taking aspirin. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that men ages 45 to 79 take aspirin to lower their risk of heart attack when the benefit outweighs the possible harm of gastrointestinal bleeding. Discuss your personal risk of both heart disease and gastrointestinal bleeding with your doctor.

 

Obesity: The prevalence of obesity among American men has doubled in only 25 years, and it’s killing us. A 2004 survey published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that 71% of men 20 years old and over were overweight and 31% were obese. The same survey conducted in the late 1970s had found 47% of men were overweight and 15% were obese.

It’s not healthy to be overweight, but there’s just so much good food and so many ways of entertaining ourselves from a our chair or couch as we prop ourselves in front of a TV. As a result, many health issues linked to obesity threatens us unless we learn how to eat healthy, and to push back from the diner table, and to exercise more. Obesity is hazardous to health. Men pay an crucial price for being overweight, since obesity takes a special toll on male hormones, sexuality, and prostate health.

 

Here are some of the ways that obesity can affect a man’s health:

1. Less testosterone: Obesity lowers testosterone levels, which can affect muscle function and heart health.

2. Erectile dysfunction: Men who are obese are more likely to experience erectile dysfunction (ED) than men with healthy weights. Weight loss can improve erectile function for overweight men.

3. Fertility: Obesity has been linked to low sperm counts and reduced sperm motility, both of which can make a man less fertile.

4. Kidney stones: Obese men are more likely than men with healthy weights to develop kidney stones, which are typically very painful.

5. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate): The prostate gland often enlarges with age. The prostate tends to enlarge more in men who are overweight.

6. Prostate cancer: Obesity changes the metabolism of sex hormones. Some studies have shown that extra body fat increases a man’s risk of developing prostate cancer.

Shedding excess pounds is hard. The best method is to adjust your diet to take in fewer calories and ramp up your exercise to burn off more calories.

 

Once again, we ask that you speak with your doctor and discuss what are your best options for  treatments of obesity.

 

Alzheimer’s disease: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a form of dementia, which is a brain disorder. It damages nerve cells in the brain. This affects your ability to remember things, think clearly, and care for yourself. AD begins slowly, and symptoms get worse with time. Eventually, a person with AD might need help in many areas, including eating and getting dressed. For some people in the early or middle stages of the disease, medicine might help symptoms, such as memory loss, from getting worse for a limited time. Other drugs may help people feel less worried or depressed. Dealing with Alzheimer’s disease can be extremely difficult, but planning ahead and getting support can lighten the load. AD usually begins after age 60, and risk goes up with age. The risk is also higher if a family member has had AD. Scientists are working to better understand AD. Ongoing studies are looking at whether some things can help prevent or delay the disease. Areas that are being explored include exercise, eating omega-3 fatty acids, and keeping your brain active.

Men have a higher risk than women of developing memory problems and other mental impairments that are early signs of Alzheimer’s disease.

Researchers at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., followed 1,450 people ages 70 to 89, and found that 296 patients developed mild cognitive impairment (MCI) over the course of the three-and-a-half year study. People with mild cognitive impairment have memory, language, thinking and judgment problems that are noticeable to themselves and their families, but not serious enough to interfere with day-to-day life. “We found that the incidence was higher in men than in women,” said study co-author Rosebud Roberts, professor of epidemiology at the Mayo Clinic. Of the 722 men in the study, 161 developed MCI, whereas 135 of the 728 women did. The findings counter earlier research that suggests women have a higher incidence of mild cognitive impairment. Researchers re-evaluated study participants with a battery of tests designed to diagnose mild cognitive impairment every 15 months for a median of 3.4 years.

Alzheimer’s Disease: Diagnosis and Treatment:

To diagnose Alzheimer’s disease, doctors will first take a medical history and assess the patient’s overall health. The doctor also will ask about the patient’s ability to manage daily activities and any changes in behavior or personality.

The doctor will then: Put the patient through a series of tests to judge memory, problem solving ability, attention, counting, and language

Perform blood, urine, or spinal fluid tests to rule out other possible causes of the symptoms

Order imaging studies of the brain, using CT scans or MRI testing

While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, some medications can temporarily slow the symptoms of mild or moderate Alzheimer’s in some people. However, these drugs usually only buy an average of 6 to 12 months of improvement — and only work for about half the people who try them — before the disease resumes its destructive path. In general, the best treatment for Alzheimer’s disease comes from a team of doctors, nurses, social workers, and others who help stimulate the patient’s mind and keep them safe and at ease.

Alzheimer’s Disease Prevention: Many researchers have begun to look to prevention as possibly the best “cure” for Alzheimer’s disease. Recent studies have found that by managing 1. heart disease risk factors, 2. modifying one’s diet, 3. and stimulating the mind, a person may be able to prevent Alzheimer’s disease.

Heart health = brain health. The brain depends heavily on its blood supply, and the health of the brain is closely linked to the overall health of the heart and blood vessels. By managing heart disease risk factors like high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and weight, a man may reduce or delay his chances of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

What you eat. Diet may also play a role. A low fat diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables may keep the brain healthy, studies show.

Keep your mind sharp. People who exercise their minds by maintaining an active social life, enjoying intellectual pursuits, and performing mentally challenging activities (such as crossword puzzles and Sudoku) as they grow older may be able to prevent Alzheimer’s or delay its progress.

Once again, we ask that if you are experiencing any of these conditions, that you speak with your doctor and discuss what your treatment options may be in order to correct or delay them.

 

 

Women’s Health

The Importance of Women’s Health

We are Gods handiwork, and His word declares that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made.” He has prepared this living mind and body, as A temple which the Lord himself has fitted, for the indwelling of the holy spirit. This physical organism should have special care, so that the powers of the mind and body may be developed to their full extent in every thing we do, as we honor our Lord and Savior physically, mentally, and most of all spiritually.

It is imperative for women to be healthy as they play a very vital role in maintaining the health of their family and the community as well. Statistics shows that 14 percent of women aged 18 years or older are in fair or poor health- 62 percent of women aged 20 years or older are overweight- 33 percent of women aged 20 years or older have hypertension, Heart Disease, diabetes, and strokes are among the top causes of death among women.

The six leading health problems for women are Breast cancer, Heart complications, osteoporosis, depression, colon/rectal cancer, and alcohol abuse. All woman should begin a health program, dedicated to improving diet, exercise, sleep, water intake and regular checkups.

 

BREAST CANCER: Based on current breast cancer incidence rates, experts estimate that about one out of every eight women born today will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some time during her life.

The strongest risk factor for breast cancer is age. A woman’s risk of developing this disease increases as she gets older. Due to the increased use of mammography, most women in the United States are diagnosed at an early stage of breast cancer, before symptoms appear. However, not all breast cancers are found through mammography. The most common symptoms of breast cancer are a change in the look or feel of the breast, a change in the look or feel of the nipple and nipple discharge. “What’s my risk of breast cancer?” is a question many women ask their doctors. Doctors have tools to help estimate a woman’s personal risk. Most women who get breast cancer have no known risk factors besides age. Many women with one or more risk factors never get breast cancer. So it’s impossible to know who will actually get breast cancer.

 

Factors that affect a woman’s risk of breast cancer include:

1. Age. The strongest risk factor is age. Risk goes up as a woman gets older. Most women who get breast cancer are older than 50.

2. Personal history of breast cancer. Women who have had breast cancer in one breast are more likely to get it in the other breast.

3. Family history. Having a mother, sister, or daughter who has had breast cancer increases a woman’s risk. The risk is higher if her family member got breast cancer before age 40. A woman’s risk also is increased if more than one family member on either her mother’s or father’s side of the family has had breast cancer.

 

What can I do to reduce my risk of breast cancer?

1. Lifestyle changes have been shown in studies to decrease breast cancer risk even in high-risk women.  The following are steps you can take to lower your risk:

2. Limit alcohol.

3. Don’t smoke. Accumulating evidence suggests a link between smoking and breast cancer risk, particularly in premenopausal women. In addition, not smoking is one of the best things you can do for your overall health.

4. Control your weight. Being overweight or obese increases the risk of breast cancer. This is especially true if obesity occurs later in life, particularly after menopause.

5. Be physically active. Physical activity can help you maintain a healthy weight, which, in turn, helps prevent breast cancer. For most healthy adults, the Department of Health and Human Services recommends at least 150 minutes a week of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity weekly, plus strength training at least twice a week.

6. Breast-feed. Breast-feeding may play a role in breast cancer prevention. The longer you breast-feed, the greater the protective effect.

7. Limit dose and duration of hormone therapy. Combination hormone therapy for more than three to five years increases the risk of breast cancer. If you’re taking hormone therapy for menopausal symptoms, ask your doctor about other options. You may be able to manage your symptoms with nonhormonal therapies, such as physical activity. If you decide that the benefits of short-term hormone therapy outweigh the risks, use the lowest dose that works for you.

8. Avoid exposure to radiation and environmental pollution. Medical-imaging methods, such as computerized tomography, use high doses of radiation, which have been linked with breast cancer risk. Reduce your exposure by having such tests only when absolutely necessary. While more studies are needed, some research suggests a link between breast cancer and exposure to the chemicals found in some workplaces, gasoline fumes and vehicle exhaust.

 

Heart: More difficult to diagnose in women, heart disease is now number one health risk.Womens Health

Women have smaller arteries less likely to show on standard tests and angiograms. Blocked and clogged blood vessels cause the heart muscle to die. Indigestion and heartburn may be ignored signs of heart problems. Women are more likely to suffer a second heart attack if prevention measures are not implemented

At Risk: Women with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity and diabetes.

Prevention: Diet, exercise, check-ups, also you need to watch caffeine, alcohol intake, and don’t start smoking smoking.

 

Osteoporosis: Bone deterioration is more common. Lack of calcium and vitamin D contribute to lower levels of bone density. Bones become porous, allowing fractures or breakage. Calcium and vitamin D improve structure, strengthen and rebuild bone loss.

At Risk: Elderly, women more than men, sedentary lifestylers with no exercise and have other health factors (diabetes, obesity, lack of exercise, high blood pressure and cholesterol)

Prevention: Add calcium and vitamin D to diet. Begin vitamin routine early, Vitamin stores like a reserve supply as you age. Exercise. Healthy diet. Yearly A bone density test.

 

Colon/Rectal Cancer: A leading death cause in women is colon-rectal cancer. Doctors recommend a colonoscopy and results dictate how often you repeat, usually three to five years. Any change in bowel habits warrants visits to family doctor or gastroenterologists. African and Asian women are in high-risk groups, along with family history of colon or intestinal polyps. At Risk: Poor diets, obesity, lack of exercise, African and Asian women, alcohol, smoking, and family history.

Prevention: Plenty of exercise, plenty of water, green vegetables, high fiber foods, limit sugar and alcohol, eight hours sleep, yearly check-up.

 

Depression: One in four women suffers from depression. Causes associated with hormonal changes, menopause, pregnancy, post-partum, substance abuse and daily and family stress factors. To “feel better”, women turn to substance abuse and alcohol to relieve the underlying cause of depression. See your doctor immediately;

At Risks: Unhealthy women. Depression may exacerbate existing health issues as diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol, obesity, and heart disease.

Prevention: Healthy nutrition, fitness programs, sleep. Visit doctor. Deep

breathing exercises. Relax time. Schedule activities for idle time.

 

Alcoholism: High alcohol levels show higher cancer risks. Alcohol abuse links with esophageal cancer, colon, rectal, pancreatic and liver. Alcohol slowly eats away cells and their ability to fight back. The liver is the body’s filter. Alcohol is depression drug of choice. Some medical experts say women are unhappier than any time in modern day history.

At Risk: Depressed women, poor diets, no exercise, sleep disorders,

Prevention: No alcohol, acquire better diet habits, plan time to exercise, get plenty of sleep and lots of water.

 

We also ask that if you are experiencing any of these conditions, that you do speak with your doctor and discuss what your treatment options may be in order to correct them.