The posting below is extracted from my book The Biblical Foundations Of Wellness. The Creator provided the optimum lifestyle diet from the very beginning, and it can’t be improved upon. Moreover there is abundant evidence that supports the original nutritional plan given to mankind by their Creator. Science is simply man’s way of explaining God’s laws.

Keith Henry,  N.D.

The Bible principles of health also lay out a guideline for overall nutrition. This guideline begins in the book of Genesis as do the other principles that were introduced by the Creator, and seen to be necessary to preserve and sustain life on the planet earth.

The original diet/nutrition plan given to man was what is called today a vegan or strict vegetarian diet. The biblical record says : “And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.”  After the fall of Adam and Eve the record says, “cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field.”[1] Thus prior to the fall the diet given to mankind was composed of fruits, nuts, and grains, after the fall  of mankind  vegetables were added to our diet. See Genesis Chapters 1 and 2.

It should also be noted that when the Israelites were delivered from Egypt, they were given a similar nutritional plan, as the Genesis nutritional plan in that it included no flesh. This nutritional plan was given to them, and the “mixed multitude” that was with them, as opposed to the nutritional plan of  Egypt which included the eating of flesh. However they were not pleased with this nutritional plan. The record of their displeasure with this nutritional plan is recorded thus: “And the mixed multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat?   We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlic: But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes.[2]

It should also be noted that the biblical book of Daniel records a 10 day test/study with Daniel requesting the original nutritional plan, together with the 10 day test to establish that the original nutritional plan was superior to the Babylonian diet that obviously included flesh. The original nutritional plan had as its foundation fresh wholesome foods that were high in fiber vitamins, minerals and nutrients. The wisdom in such a nutritional plan has played itself out with the emergence of various studies over the years that establish the overwhelming importance of eating these  types of foods and abstaining from the foods that are  more refined, artificial and largely depleted of their nutrients. It has become common knowledge that fruit and vegetables are rich in a range of nutrients, including fiber and antioxidants such as vitamins C, E and A (in the form of carotenes).

These vitamins and minerals etc. help the body use the energy provided by foods, help repair and maintain cells and tissues etc. For example Vitamin C helps boost the body’s immune system, it can also help heal wounds faster and it is also an antioxidant. Additionally fruits and vegetables contain essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber that help protect the body from chronic diseases. Compared with people who consume a diet with only small amounts of fruits and vegetables, those who eat more generous amounts as part of a healthful diet are likely to have reduced risk of chronic diseases, including stroke and perhaps other cardiovascular diseases, and certain cancers. Fruits and vegetables contain irreplaceable combinations of powerful phyto-nutrients that are essential to good health and the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables on a daily basis has its foundation in the biblical foundations of health starting as early as Genesis.

The importance and effectiveness of such a foundation can be seen in one study that was conducted by researchers from the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo. They discovered that eating just three small servings of raw cruciferous vegetables per month, such as broccoli and cabbage, has been found to decrease the risk of developing bladder cancer by a full 40 percent.  ” In this study, researchers conducted a survey on the dietary habits of 1,100 people, 275 of whom had bladder cancer. They found that among both smokers and non-smokers, those who ate three or more servings of raw cruciferous vegetables each month had a 40 percent lower risk of developing bladder cancer. Compared with smokers who did not eat that amount, non-smokers who ate three or more servings of raw cruciferous vegetables per month had a 73 percent lower chance of developing bladder cancer.”[3]

The high fiber content of the original nutritional plan is also important. The importance of fiber over recent years has become clearer. Fiber is the structural component of plants, it is the material of the plant cell wall that gives plants their rigidity. It is a type of carbohydrate that cannot be digested in the stomach or small intestine but passes through to the large intestine. Fiber is important to the body because it helps with the proper functioning of the intestinal tract as it speeds the elimination of waste products. It is a natural laxative and alleviates constipation.

Foods high in fiber are rich in other phytonutrients, some which are bound within the matrix of the fiber itself. Some foods high in fiber are or whole fruits and vegetables, including skin and pulp, whole grain cereals, whole grain bread, and bran.

The original nutritional plan also boasts an amazing amount of enzymes.  Enzymes are energized protein molecules found in all living cells. They catalyze and regulate all biochemical reactions that occur within the human body and, like all proteins, they consist of amino acids. Enzymes are found in abundance in raw fruits and vegetables. When God created fruits and vegetables He  packaged the necessary enzymes to digest the particular nutrients in that fruit or vegetable.

The original nutritional plan was a diet full of complex carbohydrates. Complex carbohydrates are found in nearly all foods of plant origin: fruits, vegetables, grains and legumes.  Because carbohydrates are commonly found in whole plant foods they are also often high in vitamins and minerals. These foods, especially when they are only slightly refined, are often high in “nutrient density.” This term compares the overall nutritive value of the ingredients found in the food to its energy (calorie) content. Carbohydrates, especially complex carbohydrates are the most efficient fuel source for muscles and brain. Carbohydrates that are digested by the body in a longer period of time (called complex carbohydrates) have a smaller chance to be stored as fat and usually contain many food fibers. When Daniel requested the original nutritional plan, he was simply returning to the biblical foundation of health given by the Creator.

Keith M Henry, N.D. is a traditionally trained naturopath and the staff naturopath for phase 3ministries, based in Orlando FL. He is also a medical missionary herbalist,  Download your free copy of his report,—>> Emergency Herbal Medicine It may very well save your life.

Wellness

Get Healthy With These Simple Nutrition Tips

Have you always wanted to improve your nutrition but didn’t know how? There is no need to look any further. The following article is going to explain things to you about nutrition that you may have never known. Using these tips may have you to improve your overall way of living.

Vegetarian

Rice and beans, when combined together, create a near perfect protein source. If you are a vegetarian, this can be especially important. Simply make these two things ahead of time and add a little cheese for added flavor. It is a cheap and easy way to get the good nutrition that you need.

Whether or not you are vegetarian or a meat eater, protein is a very important part of your diet. You should eat protein at every single meal to keep your blood insulin or blood sugar levels balanced. Eating too many carbohydrates and not enough protein, can give you an energy high, now and an energy crash, later.

Vegan

If you are a vegetarian or vegan, it’s very important to make sure that you take a vitamin B12 supplement. Diets that are low in animal products are often low in this vitamin, and it’s not found in many vegetables. A B12 deficiency can cause some serious health issues, so be safe and take a supplement regularly.

If you are on a vegetarian or vegan diet, you need to find plenty of ways to incorporate protein into your diet. Protein is an important building block for muscle development, and it is very easy for vegetarians to loss muscle mass when they reduce the meat and animal products from their diet.

Fruit

There are healthy alternatives to many of the food products that we all eat. For example, try using a balsamic vinaigrette for dressing, instead of something fattening like Italian or Caesar. You can avoid cake and ice cream by substituting other sweet treats, such as yogurt, fruit or even a combination of the two, in the form of a parfait.

Start replacing all your regular snacks for healthier options. Instead of eating chips and cookies replace them with fruit or yogurt. You will not only notice the difference after a few weeks when you do this but it will also help give you more energy when you exercise, remember you are what you eat.

Vegetables

To protect your skin from damaging free radicals eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. The antioxidants found in berries, beans and other plant based foods help the body suppress inflammation and protect skin cells from damage. Antioxidants also help your skin retain its elasticity, which prevents wrinkles and stretch marks.

The humble cabbage family (including kale, collard and mustard greens), provides us with an especially good buy, nutritionally. If you haven’t yet added these to your diet, you should. These dark green leafy vegetables are renowned providers of phosphorus, calcium, iron and carotenoids. Also, they are inexpensive!

When eating at a salad bar, you can make yourself a wonderful nutritious meal. Load up on the dark leafy greens, add some carrots and peppers along with other vegetables that look tasty. Don’t pile on thick creamy dressing, or it won’t be healthy for you to eat at all.

As mentioned in the beginning of the article, the above mentioned tips will help you improve your lifestyle. You may have not known much about nutrition before reading these, but hopefully you are knowledgeable now. Keep these tips in your head and make sure you use them in your everyday life.

Vegetarian

Keith Henry, N.D.

Below I have reprinted the contents of a newsletter that I receive from health educator Danny Vierra. The principles that he has outlined below are excellent and  if followed you will certainly benefit health wise in the upcoming  year.

Here are some wonderful health guidelines for you to practice in 2011. We are closer to Christ’s coming then ever before, and we need to get in the best shape as possible so we can share the health message with the world and the church. There is no better way of convincing people of God’s health program then by living out the principles in your own life. As people notice your health and energy and see the glow of health on your face, they will want to know what you are doing. Here are the guidelines for 2011 that you can share with them.

1. Eat a whole plant food diet with lots of organic fruits and vegetables from the garden. I always say, “Eat rainbows.” Remember that even the color of the plants have healing power. Such as the red pigment in tomatoes known as lycopene can help preventing prostate cancer. My advice for men is to eat many red fruits and vegetables to avoid prostate problems and cancer. Also a plant-based diet is highly alkaline. Acid foods like meat, dairy, and sugar will make you more vulnerable to disease and cancer.

2. Get 60 to 80 percent of your diet from living or live food such as fresh organic fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. There are many great raw cookbooks available with delicious recipes. Another easy way to get plenty of healthy raw food is to start the day with the following Super Energy Breakfast Drink: Start with a good blender or Vita-Mix. Add 1 apple, 1 banana, a handful of grapes, 1 kiwi, or whatever fruit you like, 3 tablespoons of Organic Flaxseed Oil, 2 Scoops of SuperManna, add a few ice cubes or use frozen fruit to give it a little chill but not too cold. I also may add a tablespoon of pumpkin, flax, and sunflower seeds  and perhaps 10 almonds. Add all of the above to 24 ounces of organic apple juice and blend for 30 seconds to one minute. This will make four or five servings. You will get amazing amounts of energy from the 14 Super Foods and the four or five servings of fresh live fruits seeds and nuts first thing in the morning, right when you need it. The Super Energy Breakfast Drink contains all the protein, essential fatty acids, and healthy carbohydrates you need for the a great start for the day. In addition to the breakfast drink, have a big green salad for lunch or dinner with all your favorite vegetables containing even more fiber and protein, vitamins, and minerals. If you will eat 8 servings of fresh organic produce every day you will protect yourself against cancer, heart disease and other major diseases. Eat a high alkaline diet of fresh fruits and vegetables.

3. Try growing some of your own food and plant some fruit trees. Citrus trees are beautiful in landscaping the yard and they are evergreen. Teach your children how to plant seeds and make a garden together. Make it fun. I just started a new garden method called the Square Foot Garden. You use less water, spend less time weeding, and get more produce with less time and energy. I bought 15 raised garden beds and am so excited on teaching this method at BellaVita and our coming Medical Missionary School — R I S E N!

4. Avoid eating animal foods. Animal food is high in protein and fat that increases one’s chance of getting cancer and other chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes. Animal food is void of all fiber making it a major cause of colorectal cancer. It is also high in cholesterol and therefore a contributor of heart disease. Cultures that eat the highest amounts of animal foods have the highest amounts of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, stroke and other diseases. Eating the flesh of animals is not necessary, and in fact contributes to an early grave. Global obesity is plaguing the world and animal foods are a major cause of the increase in overweight people. Obesity is a major cause of disease and diabetes.

5. Avoid all dairy products. Dairy is liquid meat, and any disease in the animal is most likely also in its secretions. Milk is the number-one cause of childhood anemia and allergy. I remember the late Dr. Vigil Hulse once told me that as a Milk and Dairy inspector for 13 years in California, he found 80% of the herds had cows with leukemia and 50% of the herds had cows with Bovine AIDS. This was in the county in which I live. Milk Does A Body Good? Instead, drink water or fresh juices when thirsty. The FDA allows 750 million pus cells per liter of milk.

6. Avoid refined white sugar, white flour, and ordinary salt or sea salt. Use Sugar is acid forming and weakens the immune system. It contributes to diabetes and obesity. When using salt, use Celtic Salt or Real Salt instead for they contain all the minerals from the ocean instead of just sodium and chloride.  Regular table salt is a poison to your cells. Learn to eat foods as close to God’s original design as possible.

7. Avoid artificial sweeteners like Nutrasweet that causes lesions in the brain, MS symptoms, diabetes, and painful joints to name a few. Learn to eat food as God gave it in the garden like fresh fruit which I call “God’s candies.” Artificial sweeteners are associated with increase disease and cancers.

8. Exercise at least four or five days a week.  We need all the oxygen we can get. My favorite exercises are racquetball and weightlifting. This gives me the combination of aerobic exercise like racquetball for my heart and circulation and anaerobic exercise like weightlifting for building bone density, strength, and toning the muscles. Both forms of exercise are good and necessary for eliminating toxins through the lymph system. Exercise is wondeful for fighting depression and increasing longevity.  Perfect health comes with perfect circulation.

9. Increase your consumption of pure water and drink 6 to 8 glasses a day or more depending on your size and weight. One rule is a half-ounce for every pound of body weight. Avoid chlorine and fluoride. They can cause cancer, hypothyroidism, and other complications. Use a water filter if necessary.

10. Start drinking fresh organic juices everyday if possible. A combination of carrot, apple, celery, chard and parsley is a great immune-building formula that is high in potassium and phytochemicals. I make a green smoothie in the morning by adding green leafy vegetables like kale to my fruit smoothie. The leafy vegetables with the fruits do not cause indigestion.

11. Cleanse your elimination organs on a seasonal basis. Cleanse the colon, liver, kidney, lung, blood, lymph and skin using organic herbal formulas, saunas, skin brushing, etc. And do not be afraid of cleansing. Remember the old saying: “Death begins in the colon.” I recommend doing a 10-day cleanse like Modern Manna’s Super Cleanse. Many people come to BellaVita for a fabulous cleansing and detoxifying experience like no others. We constantly witness healing miracles at our programs.

12. Have a positive attitude and get moving if you feel depressed. Doing something for someone else that has a need will help heal your own discouragement. My #1 recommendation for depression is exercise! Memorize Scripture promises and claim them when you are assailed with negative thoughts. I recite Isaiah 26:3, 4: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:

13. Breathe deeply several times a day of fresh air. Take a walk in the open air. Walking outside or through a forest is always nice and refreshing. Exercise in the open air is a blessing.

14. Get 30 minutes of sunshine every day on your front and back if possible, but do not burn. The best times are before 11 AM or after 4 PM.

15: Exercise self control and practice temperance. Temperance is a Bible doctrine. It means to abstain entirely from things that are harmful and use judiciously the things that are good. In other words do not overeat or be a glutton. Some Bible verses to review on temperance are: Acts 24:24-26; 1 Cor. 9: 24-27; Galatians 5:22-25; Titus 2:1, 2; 2 Peter 1:6. Try to avoid eating between meals or before bed. Eat at regular intervals so digestion will be thorough and complete.

16. Trust in God, spend time in prayer, and study your Bible every day. Prayer is the key in the hand of faith that unlocks Heaven’s storehouse. Ask for fresh supplies of grace everyday. Make time for morning prayer, devotion and have family worship everyday. I have made family worship a priority and have seen the difference in my children.

17. Love your enemies and forgive those that have wronged you. Remember, Forgiveness is the key to freedom. Don’t delay since Christ is coming soon!

Please forward  email to your friends and family or anyone else who may benefit from it. May God richly bless you as you begin a new year!