WORD OF TRUTH RADIO - Your Lifestyle: Does it Really Matter?

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Your Lifestyle: Does it Really Matter?

For the most part, our health basically depends upon two main factors: (1) what we put into our bodies and (2) what we do with our bodies. Or in other words: our lifestyle.

Many people believe that inherited traits (genetics) are primarily responsible for their quality of health, but Dr. Murdoch of Loma Linda University School of Medicine explains that "faulty genetics loads the gun, lifestyle pulls the trigger".

Sometimes it seems that people today are taking better care of their cars than they are their bodies. We never hear anyone say "God has a plan for when my car is going to die, so I don't need to worry about it. What difference does it make if I change the oil or what type of gas I use?" We all know that if we want our cars to keep running and to last, then we need to take proper care of them. Our bodies are much more sophisticated than an automobile; Wouldn't it stand to reason that they require even more attention? This is especially true when we consider that our loving God has carefully designed each of us in order that we may serve Him with all that we are.

The leading "killers" in our nation today are heart disease and cancer. But what are the factors that are causing death in the U.S.? Not too long ago, researchers McGinnis and Foege performed a study to find out what the root causes of death are in America. The nine leading causes or factors were largely related to lifestyle choices:

1. Poor diet, inadequate exercise *

2. Tobacco *

3. Alcohol *

4. Infectious Disease

5. Toxic Agents

6. Firearms *

7. Sexual Behavior *

8. Motor Vehicles

9. Illicit Drugs *

All of the factors with asterisks (*) are directly impacted by lifestyle choices. The amount of deaths caused by these factors is about 1.25 million: this is over half of the total amount of deaths in the U.S. every year!

Prevention is the Key!

The good news is that scientific research has proven that these deaths are preventable. Here's the evidence from C. Everett Koop, the former Surgeon General:

1.) Diet has a vital influence on health

2.) 5 of the 10 leading illnesses and conditions that lead to death are associated with diet (coronary heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes, and atherosclerosis)

3.) Another 3 of these conditions have been associated with excessive alcohol intake (cirrhosis of the liver, accidents, and suicide)

4.) These 8 conditions accounted for about 70% of the total deaths each year

5.) Dietary excess or imbalance also contribute to other problems such as high blood pressure, obesity, dental disease, osteoporosis, and gastrointestinal diseases

6.) It is now clear that diet contributes in substantial ways to development of these diseases and that dietary changes can help prevent and control these illnesses

Health Factors That Will Help You Live Longer!

Drs. Belloc & Breslow conducted a classic study of 7000 individuals and they found that there were 7 lifestyle factors that influence how long people live:

Sleep 7 to 8 hours each night

No eating between meals

Eat breakfast regularly

Maintain proper weight

Regular Exercise

Moderate or no use of alcohol
(although the health research by Belloc & Breslow makes this recommendation, a lifestyle that contains no alcohol is far better due to the negative affects of alcohol consumption)

No smoking

If you live you're life by these principals, chances are, you're not only going to be around longer, but you'll also enjoy a better quality of living as well.

God wants each of us to glorify Him with the gift of life that He's so graciously provided. But we're all only here for what is really a pretty short period of time compared to eternity! The Lord wants everyone to live with Him forever in all the joys of His heavenly Kingdom:

"And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son."
1 John 5:11

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