We have heard this Scripture many times, “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?” 1 Corinthians 6:19 (NKJV)
We live in a very busy society. Especially in the United States, it seems we have many choices for food and beverages. Our bodies were not originally designed or intended to digest or utilize many of the products we eat and drink.
Over the years, I have learned some basic principles that I will share with you regarding improving your overall health. These are both personal observations and facts that you may or may not have heard. My desire is to help people feel better emotionally and physically so that they can be effective spiritually. When you don’t feel good it is often a challenge to focus on your relationship with the Lord.
I also know that at times small steps are more likely to bring about lasting change than long lists of rules and regs that are burdensome.
In the medical and holistic communities, it is a well-known fact that too much Acid in your body causes inflammation. Inflammation brings about many different forms of sickness and diseases. This is referred to as being Acidic.
It is equally known that a body that has a more Alkaline environment is healthier and much less likely to struggle with the challenges of the Acidic body.
So, how can you tell which one you are? Pretty simple, check the color of your urine. The clearer your urine color is the less acidic you are. If your urine is gold or almost brown, you are very acidic, and inflammation is a challenge.
For those who take vitamins and supplements, it is common to see a bright yellow color shortly after they have gone through your system. This should not be your all day, everyday color.
What foods and/or beverages cause you to be Acidic and increase inflammation?
• Sugary soft drinks as well as diet soft drinks. Note: the carbonation causes more stomach acid.
• White bread, white rice and white pastas
• Pastries and baked goods
• Pork products
• Fried foods
• Cheese – I suggest cutting your daily cheese intake in half and then go down from there. White cheeses are better for lowering acid.
• Sugary foods of all kinds produce acid and inflammation in the body. Lately, sugar has been found to be a major contributor to obesity, hormone related challenges and diseases like diabetes and coronary heart disease.
• Bottled fruit juices. Most are loaded with sugar. Much better to have fresh squeezed or cold-pressed. Taken with a protein is best. As an example, if you do a fruit smoothie, some protein powder, collagen or bone broth protein would be a healthy addition and would also provide vitamins and minerals you may need.
How do you become more Alkaline?
• Drink more Water than other beverages.
• Eat more raw vegetables, especially the dark green leafy kind.
• Eat lean meats for protein that are baked or grilled not fried.
• Brown rice, brown pasta and whole grain breads.
• Consume more raw nuts.
• Limit refined sugar. Sugar substitutes are stevia and honey (in moderation)
• Fruits – When consuming fruit, eat a protein with it. Fruit and nuts or fruit and yogurt is a great combination. Be careful to limit fruit intake. It can throw your blood sugar out of balance. If you are a diabetic, please follow your doctor’s advice on fruit intake.
• Exercise. This allows your body to release stress and toxins that contribute to being Acidic.
Have you ever considered the importance of water to your everyday health?
According to H.H. Mitchell, Journal of Biological Chemistry 158, the brain and heart are composed of 73% water, and the lungs are about 83% water. The skin contains 64% water, muscles and kidneys are 79%, and even the bones are watery: 31%. (The Water in You: Water and the Human Body)
You may be asking yourself, what’s the big deal?
• We have a mandate from the Lord to take care of His temple, our bodies.
• Our health effects everyone in our sphere of influence. Our moods are dependent upon how we feel physically and that effects how we treat others. This relates to our witness for Christ.
• The more Alkaline our bodies are, the more energy we will have to cultivate a more intimate relationship with the Lord. The closer we are to Him the more effective we become in doing what He created us to be and to do.
Remember: Little Steps! You did not get where you are overnight. If you just start somewhere you will get there. They say the journey of a thousand miles starts with the first step.
Personally, I have been through a process of over 10 years of changing things a little at a time. I am originally from New Orleans, Louisiana in what the world has come to know as Cajun country. Basically, it’s all about the food and culture.
I never say change is easy, but I encourage you to BE INTENTIONAL. Decide to change 3 things in the next week and then take on more.
The important thing is to keep making changes so you can progressively become physically better.
I have been following a Christian Dr. of Functional Medicine for many years now. His name is Dr. Axe. He is my “go to guy” for anything I want to know about Natural Health. His website is like an encyclopedia and his approach is to use the natural resources God has created for healing such as supplements and essential oils. I encourage you to also use his site as a resource. He gives a tremendous amount of background, medical and scientific research and specific remedies. Some of his products are also on my Supplement Suggestions page.
Please be patient with yourself. At the same time, I encourage you to push yourself a bit. You are worth it, and the Lord is waiting for a deeper relationship with you. As you feel better in the natural, you will be better in the Spirit!
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