SpecialHealthSection
CONTINUING EDUCATION Light for Living Part I A Study of the Seventh-day Adventist Health Message
BY JOYCE W. HOPP AND CHRISTINE NEISH
HOW IT WORKS After you have studied the content presented here, send for the test, APPROVED using the form on page 46. Upon successful completion of the test, you will receive a FOR 0.5 report on the Continuing Education Units you’ve earned, and the certi¿cation registrar CONTINUING of your union conference of¿ce of education will be noti¿ed. The credit can be applied EDUCATION toward denominational recerti¿cation (North American Division only). UNITS* OBJECTIVES When you have completed your study of this section, you should be able to 3. Describe two areas in which scienti¿c support is available for Spirit of 3roph- ecy counsel on health. 1. Give two reasons why Seventh-day Ad- ventists have a health message. 4. Cite and describe a minimum of two re- sults that accrue from following the 2. Quote a minimum of ¿ve Bible texts message of health. that form the basis for the church’s health message. 5. List the eight ³true remedies,´ and show how each may be both preventive and therapeutic. Why a Health Message? thors of this article, ³What’s so different about Adventist The Seventh-day Adventist health message has been an in- health from anyone else’s health" Why do they need spe- tegral part of church beliefs and practice since the denomina- cial health textbooks"´ My answer to him, given quickly and tion’s beginnings as an organized entity. It is signi¿cant that without much thought, was, ³For the same reason we write the ¿rst message on health given through the Lord’s messen- science books We believe in God as Creator.´ While he dis- ger, Ellen G. White, came the same year as the organization agreed with my belief, he readily saw that all current science of the church, 1863. or health textbooks were based on the theory of evolution. Al- While other denominations also teach certain aspects of though often subtle, this philosophy permeates these books, healthful living, no other has the broad, all-encompassing and is dif¿cult to weed out when teaching from secular text- emphasis that Seventh-day Adventists do. Not only is there an books. emphasis on health care, as illustrated by the worldwide chain Belief in God as the Creator underlies all of our educa- of hospitals and clinics, but also on health promotion and dis- tion about health. If, for example, we are counseled to return ease prevention. Why" as nearly as possible to God’s original diet for humankind of A public university professor once asked one of the au- fruits, grains, nuts, and vegetables,1 this would be meaning- ______*Approved by the North American Division Of¿ce of Education for 0.5 Con- less if one did not believe in a Creator-God who instituted tinuing Education Units Credit or 5 contact hours. a good nutritional program in the Garden of Eden. Lacking
36 The Journal of Adventist Education U December 2009/January 2010 http://jae.adventist.org such a foundation, we would mitted diseases.7 Evidence of be left to drift with the whim many ancient diseases have of every nutritional fad. Al- been discovered through the though Adam and Eve bene- science of paleopathology, the ¿ted from their access to the study of disease in ancient fos- tree of life while they were in sils. 3aleopathologists have the Garden of Eden, a privi- autopsied 36,000 mummies.8 lege we will not share until From these autopsies and we reach heaven, we can still more recently, X-rays of mum- choose the most healthful foods from what is available to us mies,9 they have discovered that ancient Egyptians suffered now. A safe guide for health and diet can be found in both the the same diseases as people today heart disease and arterio- Bible and the writings of Ellen White. sclerosis, cancer, polio, tuberculosis, cirrhosis of the liver, Our message of health and healing is also revealed and il- gallstones, kidney stones, smallpox, malaria, tetanus, gout, lustrated by God’s Son in His arthritis, osteoporosis, pneumonia, diabetes, dysentery, iron- earthly ministry. Christ de- de¿ciency anemia, dental decay, and goiter. Some of the rul- voted more time to healing ing class were extremely obese, as revealed by the mummies than to preaching.2 We have of kings Thutmoses II, Ramses III, and Amenhotep III. a responsibility to share and The counsel given through Moses to the children of Israel model this message ³The would have prevented many of these diseases. Although many world needs today what it people consider illness to be merely fate or bad luck, David needed nineteen hundred years reminds us, ³Some were sick through their sinful ways, and ago—a revelation of Christ.´3 because of their iniquities endured afÀiction´ (3salm 107 17, The Seventh-day Adventist NRSV).10 health message also helps us The bene¿t of God’s health counsel was not to be limited prepare for the second com- to the Israelites ³That thy way may be known upon earth, ing of Christ. Ellen White asserts that as we draw nearer to thy saving health among all nations´ (3salm 67 2, KJV). All the close of time, we shall have to rise higher and still higher that was required was obedience. ³My child, be attentive to on the subject of health reform.4 God gave special health in- my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them es- structions because of His love for us. Sometimes we may be cape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they tempted to think of our health message as restrictive (³can’t are life to those who ¿nd them, and healing to all their Àesh´ eat this,´ ³can’t drink that´), when in reality those very ³re- (3roverbs 4 20-22, NRSV). strictions´ preserve our health, lengthen our lives, and en- hance our ability to serve. Prohibition Against Consuming Blood If we follow God’s health message, we will develop clearer An important aspect of God’s dietary plan for the Israel- minds to understand His truth for this time and stronger bod- ites was the prohibition against consuming animal fat and ies to carry out His will. The quality of our health affects ev- blood. ³It shall be a perpetual statute throughout your gen- ery dimension of our lives mental, emotional, physical, and erations, in all your settlements, that you must not eat any spiritual. fat or any blood´ (Leviticus 3 17, NRSV). The prohibition, of course, had religious connotations; blood represented the Benefits to Ancient Israel life of God’s own Son, offered as a sacri¿ce for the sins of After bringing them out of Egypt, God promised the Israel- the human race. But mere symbolism and ceremony alone do ites ³If you listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God not explain this strong restriction against the use of blood for and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his food. commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you Modern science indicates that both human and animal any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the blood contain waste products urea, amino acids, creatine, Lord, who heals you´ (Exodus IV).15 26, N 5 creatinine, uric acid, carbohydrates, organic acids, citric acid, What were the diseases of Egypt from which God’s health ketoglutaric acid, malic acid, succinic acid, acetoacetic acid, message was to save the Israelites" The Bible records some of lactic acid, pyruvic acids, lipids, plus all the hormones se- the health problems of those people Leprosy (this generic creted by the endocrine glands. Many of the substances found term includes a number of skin disorders such as psoria- in blood are also found in urine, since both carry waste prod- sis and vitiligo, as well as true leprosy),6 and sexually trans- ucts destined for excretion from the body. http://jae.adventist.org The Journal of Adventist Education U December 2009/January 2010 37 SpecialHealthSection
The law against eating animal fat makes good medical was reminding us of God’s original gifts and counsel found in sense. Atherosclerosis, heart disease, and stroke were ram- the Bible pant around the ³Àesh pots´ of Egypt, and God was trying to 1. Fresh air (Genesis 2 7); spare His people these maladies. ³Speak to the people of Is- 2. Sunlight (1 16); rael saying, µ 38 The Journal of Adventist Education U December 2009/January 2010 http://jae.adventist.org About one-third of this is below 10,000 feet, and 75 percent of 3osture and exercise are also important to good breathing it is below 29,000 feet. ³Among the ¿rst things to be aimed at should be a correct po- Air consists of about 78 percent nitrogen, 21 percent oxy- sition, both in sitting and in standing . . . .The one who sits gen, 0.93 percent argon, and traces of carbon dioxide, helium, and stands erect is more likely than others to breathe prop- and other rare gases. Water, in the form of vapor, is present erly. . .Show how the healthy action of the respiratory organs, in differing amounts, depending on location, time, and sea- assisting the circulation of the blood, invigorates the whole son. Humans and animals breathe in oxygen and give off car- system, excites the appetite, promotes digestion, and induces bon dioxide. sound, sweet sleep, thus not only refreshing the body, but Tens of millions of fossil-fuel-powered vehicles, and thou- soothing and tranquilizing the mind.´19 sands of power plants and industries emit billions of tons When people are sedentary, and in addition, sit, stand, and of pollutants into the air each year. This, along with pollu- breathe incorrectly, the apexes or tips of the lungs do not get tion from other sources, is dispersed into the ocean of air thoroughly aired. surrounding our planet by a mixing process created by al- terations in temperature, wind velocity, terrain, and humid- Sunlight ity. These gases react together under the inÀuence of heat, 3eople get their energy from plants, but that energy was weather conditions, and ultraviolet radiation to produce smog. ¿rst captured from the sun. Sunlight has many bene¿ts. For Research shows that periods of severe pollution result in in- example, solar water disinfection (SODIS) is a simple, low- creased respiratory infections and deaths in the exposed pop- cost technology designed to improve the microbiological ulation.16 quality of drinking water through solar radiation and ther- Indoors, the most common pollutant is cigarette smoke, mal treatment.20 Contaminated water is poured into transpar- which damages the lungs of nonsmokers as well as smokers. ent polyethylene terephthalate (3ET) bottles and exposed to ³Tobacco is a slow, in- full sunlight for six hours (or for two consecutive days if the sidious, but most ma- sky is more than 50 percent cloudy). Sunlight deactivates and lignant poison,´17 Mrs. destroys pathogenic micro-organisms that cause waterborne White wrote in 1905, diseases. This occurs through two synergetic mechanisms, long before the scien- namely, radiation in the UV-A spectrum and increased water ti¿c evidence had accu- temperature. mulated regarding the Sunlight is essential for good health and aids in recovery relationship between from disease. The human body synthesizes Vitamin D, an es- cigarette smoking and sential nutrient, from exposure to sunlight. It can be over- diseases such as lung done, however, especially in light-skinned people. 3rotec- cancer, heart disease, tion from excessive exposure to the sun’s rays can prevent and emphysema. Chil- future problems with skin cancer. In Australia, a country dren reared in homes of sun-and-beach lovers, they have coined a slogan to re- where one or both par- mind citizens to protect against excess sun exposure SLI3, ents smoke have more SLA3, SLO3, or ³Slip on a Shirt, Slap on a Hat, Slop on Sun- respiratory infections.18 Sidestream smoke can be more dan- screen.´21 gerous to the health of non-smokers than the smoke inhaled by the smoker. Legislative action in different countries, as Pure Water well as most states in the United States and provinces in Can- ³From Eden a river Àowed out to water the garden´ (Gen- ada, has prohibited smoking in buildings open to the public. esis 2 10, CEV). Springs, rivers, and lakes provide humans Enforcement of such legislation, however, remains a problem, with fresh water to drink and also water for cleansing their but one that can be addressed through community advocacy. bodies. Dr. Mervyn Hardinge, in his syllabus on Philosophy Clean air, adequately circulated, is important in the class- of Health,22 provides the following information about water room. Schoolrooms should have a means of purifying, ¿l- ³The body of an average-sized man contains some 40 li- tering, and circulating the air. Air conditioning is not nec- ters (42.5 quarts) of water, nearly 60 of his body weight. Of essary in many areas, although dehumidi¿cation may be. If this, 25 liters are present inside the cells while 15 liters ¿ll the classrooms do not have forced-air ventilation, then windows spaces between the cells. We think of bones as being dry, but should be able to be opened both from the top and the bottom even marrow-free bone is 20 to 25% water. More physiologi- to provide for air circulation. A bafÀe should be installed to cally active cells and tissues contain more water. Thus while prevent the air from blowing directly on students. the body as a whole may be from 50% to 70% water depend- http://jae.adventist.org The Journal of Adventist Education U December 2009/January 2010 39 SpecialHealthSection ing on the amount of fat it contains, the his water intake. In a 1942 expedition gray matter of the brain is 85% water. to the desert the endurance of men was . . . tested.23 Men working in the heat were ³Every function of life is carried out found to be especially susceptible to ex- in a water medium. 40 The Journal of Adventist Education U December 2009/January 2010 http://jae.adventist.org public-health authorities to monitor and maintain safe wa- heart, and blood vessels to take in oxygen, transport it to the ter supplies. The Adventist Development and Relief Agency muscle cells, process it, and carry off the waste products. (ADRA) has been active in many parts of the world in provid- Aerobic exercise uses the large muscle groups (the lower ex- ing wells and other safe supplies of water for villagers. tremities contain the largest muscle groups in the body), is Most people are aware of the need for washing the outside rhythmic, continuous (not the stop-and-start type), and in- of their bodies frequently, but many fail to pour enough wa- tense enough to get the heart rate up to a target. Jogging, run- ter inside themselves to also cleanse their insides. It should ning, cycling, swimming, cross-country skiing, and brisk be just as automatic as washing your face in the morning to walking—all are aerobic activities. To be effective for weight drink a glass or two of water to ³wash your insides,´ then fol- control, at least 20 minutes of strenuous activity is needed low with ¿ve or six more glasses during the day. twice a day. (Watching children play during recess or physi- Hand washing is one of the best means of preventing the cal education period does not count as vigorous activity for spread of germs from one individual to another. Every class- the teacher!) room should have facilities for hand washing, and teachers ³There is no drug in current or prospective use that holds should insist that children use them often during the day. as much promise for sustained health as a lifetime program of Classrooms are perfect environments for spreading germs, physical ¿tness.´31 3hysical education should be a regular part and as most teachers know by experience, the teacher is a fre- of each child’s school program from kindergarten through quent victim. Hand washing is the ¿rst and most important high school. Athletic programs do not suf¿ce, since often the preventive measure. Classroom surfaces (doorknobs, com- children who need activity the most are the ones who fail to puter keyboards and mice, desks, etc.) should regularly be participate in it. The statement ³the good get better and the cleaned and sanitized with an antibacterial agent. poor drop out´ is too often true of athletic programs. Exercise Proper Diet The way many people avoid exercise, you would think the In a 20-year study reported in Preventive Medicine, Drs. human body was very frail. Just the opposite is true; it was Belloc and Breslow identi¿ed health habits that led to longer designed for vigorous activity. ³The Lord God took the man life. They came up with the following list and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it´ (Gen- 1. No smoking; esis 2 15, NRSV). ³Action is a law of our being. Every organ of the body has its appointed work, upon the performance of which its development and strength depends . . . . Inactivity is a fruitful cause of disease. Exercise quickens and equal- izes the circulation of the blood.´28 At rest, the heart circulates about ¿ve liters of blood per minute in both the athletically trained and the untrained person. The average human heart beats about 70 times per minute, pump- ing about two to three ounces with each beat.29 However, when a highly trained person’s heart beats 50 times per minute, it moves 100 ml of blood with each beat. This is called the ³stroke volume.´ During exercise, the blood increases in proportion to the intensity of the activity. Seden- tary males increase this volume from about 5 li- ters per minute at resting to 20-22 liters during strenuous exercise. World-class athletes can cir- culate 35-40 liters of blood per minute. Types of Exercise ³Walking is preferable to riding or driving for it brings more of the muscles into exercise.´30 Aerobic ¿tness enhances the ability of the lungs, http://jae.adventist.org The Journal of Adventist Education U December 2009/January 2010 41 SpecialHealthSection 2. Moderate use or abstinence from alcohol; lished by the United States departments of Agriculture, and 3. Regular physical exercise; Health and Human Services in 1980 4. Seven to eight hours’ sleep per night; Eat a variety of foods. 5. Maintenance of proper weight; Maintain ideal weight. 6. Eating breakfast regularly; and Avoid too much fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol. 7. No eating between meals. Eat foods with adequate starch and ¿ber. Each of these factors individually affected length of life; Avoid too much sugar. when combined, their effect increased in direct proportion Avoid too much sodium. to the number of good health habits practiced by each indi- If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation.40 vidual.32 Note that three of the seven habits fall in the area of The government pamphlet goes on to point out that peo- proper diet, although maintenance of proper weight includes ple need 40 different nutrients to stay healthy. No single food physical activity as well. ³The misuse of our physical powers item supplies all the essential nutrients (not even milk, con- shortens the period of time in which our lives can be used for trary to advertising!). Milk contains very little iron or Vi- the glory of God. And it un¿ts us to accomplish the work God tamin C. Human beings therefore need to eat a variety of has given us to do.´33 foods every day to ensure an adequate diet fruits, vegeta- The principles that should bles; whole-grain and enriched guide us in diet and proper nu- breads, cereals, and grain prod- trition are outlined in The Min- ucts; dried peas, beans, or nuts. istry of Healing, in the chapter In order to meet these guide- entitled, ³Diet and Health.´ Ad- lines, most people should ditional detailed information can Increase their intake of fruits be found in Counsels on Diet and vegetables by 10 percent; and Foods. Increase their intake of ³In order to know what are the whole grains by 30 percent; best foods, we must study God’s Decrease their intake of re- original plan for man’s diet . . . . ¿ned and processed sugars by 50 Grains, fruits, nuts and veg- percent; etables constitute the diet cho- Decrease their consumption sen for us by our Creator. These of fats and foods high in fat, es- foods, prepared in as simple and natural a manner as possible, pecially animal fats, by 20 percent; are the most healthful and nourishing.´34 Use low-fat milk and other low-fat dairy products; ³God has given us an ample variety of healthful foods, and Decrease egg consumption by 25 percent; each person should choose from it the things that experience Decrease use of butter and high-cholesterol foods; and sound judgment prove to be best suited to his own neces- Use less salt and fewer foods high in sodium, e.g. canned sities.´35 soups and chips; ³If we plan wisely, that which is most conducive to health Take nutritional supplements like vitamins and calcium, can be secured in almost every land . . . rice, wheat, corn, and as needed. oats . . . also beans, peas, and lentils . . native or imported 3art II of this series includes more information on the com- fruits, and the variety of vegetables that grow in each local- ponents of a healthful diet. ity.´36 ³Far too much sugar is ordinarily used in foods.´37 Proper Rest ³Grains and fruits prepared free from grease, and in as nat- Hard work, within reason, is good for the human body. The ural condition as possible, should be the food for the tables of body, however, can’t be expected to run nonstop. ³The sleep all who claim to be preparing for translation to heaven.´38 of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much´ ³Do not eat largely of salt, avoid the use of pickles and (Ecclesiastes 5 12, KJV). The diurnal cycle of sleep and spiced foods . . . I use some salt, and always have, because wakefulness is one of the most mysterious and important of from the light given me by God, this article, in the place of brain functions.41 The cyclic period of about 24 hours is main- being deleterious, is actually essential for the blood. The tained whether the person remains in complete darkness or whys and wherefores of this I do not know, but I give you the continuous light. instruction as it is given me.´39 Sleep is a period of physiological unconsciousness from It is interesting to compare these principles with those pub- which human beings, with proper stimuli, can be aroused. 42 The Journal of Adventist Education U December 2009/January 2010 http://jae.adventist.org Kleitman and others have found that of children during an eight-hour night an average person who sleeps eight were charted for three different types hours changes position 40 times dur- of suppers hard to digest, regular, and ing this period.42 That’s ¿ve times an a light meal of cereal and milk. After hour, or once every 12 minutes. The the heavy meal, the children moved ¿rst hour of sleep entails little move- 19 percent more than after the regular ment, but as the night progresses, the supper and 26 percent more than after turning increases. During the last hour or two, the sleeper the cereal and milk meal.44 changes position every two or three minutes. At this stage, ³Many indulge in the pernicious habit of eating just before sounds such as a train going by, a dog barking, or other noises sleeping hours. . . . The sleep of such is generally disturbed can cause a sleeping person to turn. External noises can also with unpleasant dreams, and in the morning they awake un- cause wakefulness. refreshed.´45 Body movement during sleep is very important physiologi- cally, since skeletal muscles are pumps whose contractions The Sabbath Rest force the venous blood back to the heart. Unless the sleeper God knew that human beings need rest, and He provided changes position, he or she will experience little muscle activ- for it on a weekly as well as daily basis. ³By the seventh day ity or stimulation of circulation. Sedation reduces movement God ¿nished what he had been doing and stopped working. and increases the danger of blood stagnation with resulting He blessed the seventh day and set it apart as a special day´ venous clotting. (Genesis 2 2, 3, TEV). The weekly renewal time of the Sab- Deep, refreshing sleep appears to be related to body tem- bath contributes to physical as well as spiritual well-being. perature, noise, and light. Normally, animals sleep when their temperatures are lowest. Humans ordinarily sleep at night Abstemiousness and are awake during the day. This is not just a habit or so- Even though it’s not the simplest of words, abstemiousness cial custom. Our body temperatures are lowest between 2 00 simply means eating and drinking in moderation. The fact and 3 00 a.m. and highest about 2 00 p.m. Humans were cre- that so many people, young and old, are overweight points to ated to be awake when it is light and asleep when it is dark the need for moderation. Right from the beginning, humans and quiet. were expected to practice self-control in regard to their diet. During sleep, as fatigue is relieved, body temperature God said, ³ http://jae.adventist.org The Journal of Adventist Education U December 2009/January 2010 43 SpecialHealthSection to obesity and Type II diabetes are the same. The sweetening Trust in God power of natural sugars such as honey, however, is usually God used to walk in the Garden of Eden in the cool of the perceived as greater, so there may be a tendency to use less of evening to visit with His friends Adam and Eve. Today, we them, thus lowering the total intake of sweets. Good advice is still need that companionship, that trust and con¿dence. Dr. found in the writings of Solomon, ³It is not good to eat much Rosen, a Cleveland psychiatrist, says this about that need honey´ (3roverbs 25 27, K J V, see also verse 16). ³Religion is inescapable, not optional. Those who have Between-meal snacks, if used at all, should be limited to thrown out their religious heritage seem to have some reli- healthful foods, such as celery or carrot sticks, fruit wedges, gion coming in the back door. Communists end up worship- or nuts. The current trend in nutrition is to accept the fact that ping the state; Freud ends up worshipping man and reason, children will snack, and adults should therefore help them which are frail reeds. Others worship pleasure, money, status, pick healthful foods. Many parents, however, object to be- power. If Marx said that religion is the opiate of the people, tween-meal snacking based on the following counsel of the we have lived to see opium become the religion of too many Lord’s messenger ³Regularity in eating should be carefully people.´49 observed. Nothing should be eaten between meals, no con- The relationship between the mind and body is very close. fectionery, nuts, fruits, or food of any kind.´46 Such parents Our thoughts can affect the physical state of our bodies, as should be supported in their convictions, and the school pro- has been demonstrated by studies in biofeedback. By merely gram should not encourage thinking about it, you can between-meal snacking. lower your blood pressure, There is one area in which slow your pulse rate, and in- moderation does not ap- crease the blood Àow to your ply, however, and that is in ¿ngertips. If that seems hard the use of alcoholic bever- to believe, recall what hap- ages. There, the word ab- pened to your appetite after stinence, or not drinking it you received upsetting news, in any amount, applies. The or when you faced an espe- experience of Daniel and his cially dif¿cult ¿nal exami- three friends in Babylon il- nation. 44 The Journal of Adventist Education U December 2009/January 2010 http://jae.adventist.org Risk Reduction Programs Risk reduction is the term used when experts analyze infor- mation from scienti¿c studies, weigh the evidence, and select those which can be modi¿ed by reducing risk factors or mod- ifying behavior. Educational programs concentrate on teach- ing people to change their diet, or behaviors such as stopping (or not starting) smoking or exercise more. Medical interven- tions concentrate on medications, such as those that lower cholesterol or treat depression. Both epidemiological studies, which examine large groups of people, and laboratory studies, which study the effects of diation, exposure to chemicals (as in tobacco smoke), and vi- modi¿ed environments or drugs on animal subjects, yield in- ruses.56 In a comparison of cancer rates in speci¿c body sites formation that may prove helpful in identifying the risks of for the years 1976-1982 in California, Adventists had signi¿- developing speci¿c diseases. For example, ways to prevent cantly lower rates of new cancers at many, but not all, sites. coronary heart disease include lowering cholesterol (through Their rate of invasive colon cancer was lower by 33 percent, diet or medication), stopping smoking (through educational stomach cancer by 59 percent, invasive bladder cancer by 61 programs and/or prescribing medications), losing weight and percent, kidney cancer by 60 percent, lung cancer by 80 per- maintaining proper weight (through regular exercise and eat- cent, and pancreatic cancer by 34 percent. For women, inva- ing fewer calories), and preventing or controlling diabetes. sive breast cancer was lower by 23 percent, ovarian cancer by Reducing the risk of stroke includes lowering and maintain- 30 percent, and cervical cancer by 54 percent. For all smok- ing a normal blood pressure (through diet and/or medication), ing-related cancers, there was a 69 percent rate reduction for drinking suf¿cient water daily, losing and maintaining a lower Adventists.57 weight (through exercise and diet). Several studies, including those done at Loma Linda Uni- versity, demonstrate the protective effect of frequent nut con- Advantages of the Adventist Lifestyle sumption.58 This was ¿rst shown by Dr. Fraser’s team in an For the past 50 years, epidemiological studies have demon- analysis of the Adventist Health Study.59 Dr. Joan Sabate’s strated the value of following the Adventist lifestyle, which is studies at Loma Linda University found a risk of coronary described in both the Bible and the Spirit of 3rophecy. Stud- heart disease was 37 percent lower for those consuming nuts ies in several countries (Australia, Norway, and the United more than four times per week, with an average reduction of States) by Adventist scientists have con¿rmed the bene¿ts of 8.3 percent for each weekly serving of nuts.60 His extensive following that counsel. Dr. Gary Fraser, an epidemiologist at studies on nuts led to the students calling him ³the nutty pro- Loma Linda University, compiled a wealth of these studies in fessor!´ Nuts and seeds make a substantial contribution to a his book, Diet, Life Expectancy, and Chronic Disease: Stud- plant-based diet; they are important sources of protein, B vi- 51 ies of Seventh-day Adventists and Other Vegetarians. For tamins such as niacin, vitamin E, magnesium, and iron, as example, studies reveal that California Adventists experience well as a source of unre¿ned healthy unsaturated fat.61 The lower rates of coronary disease than other Californians; the epidemiological studies indicated that the consumption of 1 effect is much stronger in younger persons and in vegetari- ans.52 Fraser reports that ³the Norwegian data suggest that for both sexes, a younger age when joining the Adventist church, or equivalently a longer exposure to the Adventist lifestyle, is more strongly associated with lower cardiovascular mortal- ity.´53 Drinking water may prevent fatal heart attacks.54 Chan’s research, included in the Adventist Health Study, showed that drinking ¿ve or more glasses of water daily had a protective effect, but drinking a greater amount of Àuids other than wa- ter was associated with greater risk, at least in women.55 Cancer is basically a disorder of the control mechanisms for cell reproduction. Flaws in a cell’s DNA can allow it to multiply wildly. DNA can be damaged in varied ways hered- ity plays a small part, while other causes of damage are ra- http://jae.adventist.org The Journal of Adventist Education U December 2009/January 2010 45 SpecialHealthSection to 1.5 ounces of nuts daily accounted for a 40 percent to 50 percent reduction in coronary heart disease risk.62 Thus, in many areas, we see that scienti¿c studies con¿rm the light the Lord saw ¿t to give in the Bible and the Spirit of 3rophecy. It was indeed ³Light for Living.´ ______This article has been reviewed and approved by the Health Ministries Department of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. ______This revised article updates and replaces the one published in the April/May 1984 issue of The Journal of Adventist Education. After both parts are published, the ³Light for Living´ study material will be available online at http //jae.adventist.org. ______JoyceJ W. Hopp, Ph.D., M.P.H.,M C.H.E.S., is Emer- itusi Distinguished Profes- sors at Loma Linda University (LLU)( in Loma Linda, Cali- fornia.f She served as an As- Joyce W. Hopp Christine Neish sociates in Health Ministries ini the General Conference of SeventhSeventh-day day AdveAdventistsnntistsnt from 1954 to 1963, and again from 1997 to 2005, as well as a member of the Science-Health Textbook Com- mittee of the North American Division from 1972 to 1980 and from 1985 to 1995. She continues to teach in the Schools of Allied Health Professions and Public Health at LLU. Dr. Hopp authored 1923),1923) pp. pp 387-451; 387 451; Jurgen Thorwald, Thorwald ScienceandtheSecretsofEarScience and the Secrets of Earlyly thee original Light for Living continuing education articles that ap- Medicine (New 46 The Journal of Adventist Education U December 2009/January 2010 http://jae.adventist.org E. F. Adolph and Associates, eds. (New York: Interscience Publishers, 51. Fraser, Diet, Life Expectancy, and Chronic Disease, op cit. 1947), chapter 13. 52. Ibid., p. 31. 24. J. Hunt, The Conquest of Everest (New York: E. P. Dutton, 1954), 53. Ibid., p. 32. pp. 255, 275. 54. J. Chan, S. M. F. Knutsen, G. G. Blix, J. W. Lee, and G. E. Fraser, 25. E. F. Adolph and D. B. Dill, “Observations of Water Metabolism in “Water, Other Fluids and Fatal Coronary Heart Disease: The Adventist the Desert,” American Journal of Physiology (1938), pp. 123, 369. Health Study.” American Journal of Epidemiology 155 (2002), pp. 827- 26. G. C. Pitts, R. E. Johnson, and F. C. Consolazio, “Work in the Heat 833. as Affected by Intake of Water, Salt, and Glucose,” American Journal of 55. Chan, et al. as referenced in Fraser, Diet, Life Expectancy, and Physiology 142:253 (1944). Chronic Disease, op cit., p. 73. 27. Hardinge, Philosophy of Health, op cit. 56. Fraser, ibid., p. 33. 28. White, The Ministry of Healing, pp. 237, 238. 57. Ibid., pp. 39-41. 29. Michael Eisner and Eric J. Topol, Cleveland Clinic Heart Book 58. Ibid.; F. B. Hu, M. J. Stampfer, J. E. Manson, E. B. Rimm, G. A. (New York: Hyperion, 2000), p. 5. Colditz, B. A. Rosner, F. E. Speizer, Ch. Hennekens, W. C. Willett. “Fre- 30. Ibid., p. 240. quent Nut Consumption and Risk of Coronary Heart Disease in Women: 31. W. M. Bortz, “Disease and Aging,” Journal of the American Medi- Prospective Cohort Study,” British Medical Journal 317 (1998), pp. 1341- cal Association 248:10 (Septmber 10, 1982), p. 1203. 1345; L. H. Kushi, A. R. Folson, R. J. Prineas, P. J. Mink, Y. Wu, R. M. 32. N. B. Belloc and L. Breslow, “Relationship of Physical Health Sta- Bostick, “Dietary Antioxidant Vitamins and Death from Coronary Heart tus and Health Practice,” Preventive Medicine (1972), pp. 409-421. Disease in Postmenopausal Women,” New England Journal of Medicine 33. White, Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 49. 334:1 (1996), pp. 1156-1162; R. J. Prineas, L. H. Kushi, A. R. Folsom, R. 34. ______, The Ministry of Healing, pp. 295, 296. M. Bostick, and Y. Wu, “Walnuts and Serum Lipids (Letter),” New Eng- 35. Ibid., p. 297. land Journal of Medicine (1993), pp. 329-359. 36. Ibid., p. 299. 59. G. E. Fraser, J. Sabate, W. L. Beeson, and T. M. Strahan, “A Pos- 37. Ibid., p. 302. sible Protective Effect of Nut Consumption on Risk of Coronary Heart 38. ______, Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 64. Disease,” Archives of Internal Medicine 152 (1992), pp. 1416-1424. 39. Ibid., p. 344. 60. J. H. Keyy, J. Sabate, “Nuts and Coronary Heart Disease: An Epi- 40. Home and Garden Bulletin No. 232 (Washington, D.C.: Govern- demiological Perspective, British Journal of Nutrition, Supplement 2 ment Printing Of¿ce, 1980). (November 2006), pp. 561-567. 41. A. C. Guyton, Function of the Human Body (Philadelphia, Penna.: 61. Fraser, Diet, Life Expectancy, and Chronic Disease, op cit., p. 257. W. B. Saunders Co., 1974), pp. 345-349. Fraser’s study did not include peanuts, which are a legume. 42. N. Kletiman, Sleep and Wakefulness (Chicago: University of Chi- 62. Ibid., p. 71. cago Press, 1963), p. 82. 43. Recommended amounts of sleep for children: 3-6 years old: 10¾-12 hours per day; 7-12 years old: 10-11 hours per day; 12-18 years old: 8¼-9½ hours per day: http://www. webmd.com/parenting/guide/how-much-sleep-do-children- need. 44. D. A. Laird and H. Drexel, “Experimenting With Foods and Sleep. 1. Effects of Varying Types of Food in Off- setting Sleep Disturbances Caused by Hunger Pangs and Gastric Distress—Children and Adults,” Journal of the American Dietetic Association 10:89 (1934). 45. White, Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 174. 46. Ibid., p. 180. 47. Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary (Washing- ton, D.C.: Review and Herald Publ. Assn., 1955), vol. 4, pp. 1166, 1167 [quoting Ellen G. White in the Youth’s Instructor, August 18, 1898]. 48. “The Role of Alcohol on Cholesterol and Cardio- vascular Disease”: http://www.cholesterolcholestrol.com/ cholesterol-alcohol-cardiovascular-disease.html; J. Bruce German and Rosemary L. Walzem, “The Health Bene¿ts of Wine,” Annu. Rev. Nutr. 20 (2000), pp. 561-593, “Concord Grape Juice Has Heart-Health Bene¿ts Like Red Wine”: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/62023.php; “Wine or Welch¶s" Grape Juice Provides Bene¿ts Without Alcohol”: http://archives.cnn.com/2000/HEALTH/ alternative/03/31/wine.heart.wmd/; Martha Grogan, M.D., mayoclinic.com: “Does Grape Juice Offer the Same Heart Bene¿ts as Red Wine"” http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ food-and-nutrition/AN00576. Accessed October 20, 2009. 49. I. M. Rosen, “Some Contributions of Religion to Men- tal and Physical Health,” Journal of Religion and Health 4 (1974), pp. 289-294. 50. White, The Ministry of Healing, pp. 472, 473. http://jae.adventist.org The Journal of Adventist Education U December 2009/January 2010 47