In this rapidly changing, highly technical world isn't it comforting to know that there are a few things that you are still in control of? In this book "Choose Life" you will explore some of the aspects of nutrition including dietary supplements, alkaline water, the importance of detoxification, and aspects of spirituality all designed to aid you in improving your overall health. "Choose Life" is written to encourage you, the reader, to take some control over your health and to make wise choices regarding the food and water that you consume. You will also be compelled to seek for more knowledge to improve your health since much more information will be unveiled in the years to come, through revelatory insight and research. -Denice D. Cook M.D.
Choose Life
Optimizing your health and functioning toward 100 years old and beyondBy Denice D. CookAuthorHouse
Copyright © 2010 Denice D. Cook, M.D.
All right reserved. ISBN: 978-1-4490-7973-4Contents
PREAMBLE...................................................viiINTRODUCTION...............................................ixDedication:................................................xviiAcknowledgements...........................................xixDefinitions:...............................................xxiMEDICAL DISCLAIMER.........................................xxiii1. Seven Things in the Garden of Eden.....................12. The Importance of Water................................253. Detoxification and Food Additives......................434. Supplements............................................735. Tips for Enhancing Food Nutrition......................856. The Benefits of Exercise...............................937. Simple Changes to Enhance Health.......................978. The Aging Process......................................1099. Spiritual Gifts and Optimal Health.....................11910. The Benefits Of Fasting................................127REFERENCES:................................................135RECOMMENDED BOOKS:.........................................149
Chapter One
Seven Things in the Garden of Eden
God created our bodies to withstand a broad range of hostile internal and external environments. Truly
We are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14
Now, it's time to learn how to enhance our health through proper nutrition. This planet was designed by our Creator to help us function and fulfill our God given destinies while we are on assignment on the earth.
It is imperative that we adopt the attitude of a student. In other words, we want to continuously find ourselves on a journey for knowledge. The God of the universe is forever unfolding and revealing His truths to us through that part of Himself known as the Holy Spirit.
As it is in the spiritual realm, so it is in the physical realm. There is more information on nutrition available to us now than 20 years ago. I anticipate that something as easy as Googling on the internet to obtain information today may be replaced over the next five years with some quantum leap modality to obtain information in a more rapid manner. This is particularly pertinent since nano-technology is now readily available.
There are certain principles which are foundational in the field of nutrition. These principles are analogous to the Bible containing basic principles by which we Christians live our lives. However, as God in His sovereignty has allowed mankind to increase in revelatory knowledge of His written Word, He has similarly allowed mankind to obtain a wealth of knowledge regarding nutrients and their impact on the human body.
Of course, in the future that information will increase exponentially. So we must determine to further our nutritional education not only to enhance our own health, but to enhance the health of our families and all those the Lord brings across our paths in the ministry of this information. After all,
The purpose of science is to seek to understand the mind of God. -Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727).
In the beginning there was God and He created mankind and designed the earth in such a way that it would sustain mankind. Mankind in turn would have authority in the earthly realm and act as God does in the heavenly realm. In the Garden of Eden among every other provision, God provided perfect food.
And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all of the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. Genesis 1:29
What might have been provided in the Garden? First, a variety of fruit bearing trees. Nuts that are grown on trees containing a rich source of proteins for our bodies. Also, remember that avocados are grown on trees and they provide us with an excellent source of good fats for our bodies which assist hormonal health, lubricate our joints, and buffer our systems from acidity. Olive trees provide olives that contain oil which is rich in antioxidant properties when ingested orally, and this oil is also a good lubricant for our skin.
Jesus came to the earth so that we could have life and have life more abundantly. BUT ... how can we live an abundant life when we are chronically tired, suffer from joint pain, early heart disease or cancer and a host of other degenerative diseases?
New products have recently emerged containing a plethora of antioxidants such as pycnogenol, grape seed extract, grape skin extract, resveratrol, alpha lipoic acid (which contains restorative properties for our nervous system and brain) and bilberry extract, just to name a few. It has been discovered that a diet rich in antioxidants may prolong life by improving circulation as well as blocking free radicals.
Free radicals are molecules that cause damage to our cells. Free radicals are a by-product of strenuous exercise and our metabolism. In our bodies, certain free radicals are actually utilized by the body in killing certain viruses, bacteria, and fungi which have invaded the body. However, ungoverned, free radicals can cause major tissue destruction in such a way that cancerous changes may occur.
Free radicals left unchecked lead to premature aging and disease as a result of cellular destruction. If the immune system is working at its best and antioxidants are blocking free radicals from causing cellular damage, then the aging process may be slowed down, and some of the cellular reactions that initiate cancer can be averted all together.
Free radical activity has been estimated by scientists to cause about 10,000 free radical "hits" each day to each cell in our bodies. We have billions of cells in our bodies, so the amount of damage that cells incur depends upon how well the cells are protected by antioxidants. In other words, the higher the level of antioxidants, the greater the amount of protection for your cells.
Antioxidants may also repair cartilage and connective tissues in our bodies. It is now known that OPCs (oligomeric proanthocyanidins)- a group of powerful antioxidant nutrients - bind to the skin proteins, collagen and elastin, to seal leaky capillaries and to protect tissue. The majority of our antioxidants come from a variety of fruits, vegetables, and herbs. In the Garden of Eden there were fruits, vegetables, nuts, and herbs. There were no synthetic pesticides or synthetic chemical fertilizers in the Garden of Eden where the Lord created the perfect food for man.
There was most likely very little oxidation occurring in the physical body after eating this proper diet in the Garden of Eden. A way to understand oxidation is to consider the process in which a piece of metal, after being exposed to the elements, becomes rusty. Likewise in our body's oxidation processes, aging is due in part to the deterioration of internal organ systems and their functions. Sort of like the internal rusting of our bodies' engines, so to speak. For the occasional chemist reading this book, oxidation's medical definition:
Oxidation is the process by which oxygen is added to a metabolite; or the valence of the atomic substance is increased by the adding...
