Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Doctor Water

A continuous supply of water is needed for all living things. Man can live up to six weeks without food but only a few days without water. Every cell of the body needs water. Water makes up about 70 percent of our total body weight. "In health and in sickness, pure water is one of heaven’s choicest blessings. Its proper use promotes health. It is the beverage which God provided to quench the thirst of animals and man. Drunk freely, it helps to supply the necessities of the system and assists nature to resist disease.” E.G. White, Ministry of Healing, page 237.

The body's water requirements
The body purifies and recycles most of the 40,000 glasses of water that it requires each day. Approximately 10 glasses of water are lost through the urine, through the breath, perspiration, and in the stool.
The body also takes in water each day, about three glasses through food and 1 1/2 glasses through the body’s metabolism. This leaves a net loss of about 5 1/2 glasses of water that must be replaced each day. However any of the following conditions increase the daily water requirements:

· High fever, hard physical work, or any other activity that increases body sweating.
· Illnesses such as the common cold, which results in increased upper respiratory tract secretions.
· Dry air (either as very hot desert air or very cold winter air).
· Vomiting or diarrhea.
· Nursing mothers (breast milk production).
· High protein diet, high salt or sugar intake, and vitamin/or mineral supplements--all these increase the work of the kidneys in handling wastes.

The body requires at least one-third more water than thirst indicates. The following routine will help meet the body's water needs. Drink 2 glasses (1/2 liter) of water upon arising, 2-3 glasses (½ to 1 liter) mid morning and 2-3 glasses (½ to 1 liter) mid afternoon. Drink enough water to keep the urine pale. Remember that conditions resulting in increased water loss will need to be balanced by increased water intake.

Internal uses of water
The body prefers slightly warm to cool water. Very cold water shuts down the digestion (if taken at mealtime) and diminishes the body’s thirst signals. The best time to drink water is between meals. Avoid drinking water within 15 minutes before a meal and for 1-2 hours after mealtime. Drinking with meals dilutes the enzymes (that digest the food) and delays digestion.

If the body lacks water, the bloodstream becomes sluggish and the entire body suffers.

· Water is essential for efficient circulation of the blood, which is 90% water. The bloodstream carries oxygen and nutrients to every body cell and transports the cell’s waste products to the kidneys, lungs, and skin for removal. The bloodstream transports the “soldiers” (white blood cells) that fight disease-causing germs in the body.
· Water is necessary for saliva production in the mouth.
· Water is needed for the eyes to produce tears.
· Water keeps the body temperature within a healthy range. It helps to bring down fever.
· Water lubricates the joints and muscles.
· Water helps prevent and relieve body fatigue and exhaustion.
· Water helps prevent and relieve mental fatigue. This is not surprising as the brain is 85% water. Many headaches can be relieved by drinking 1 glass of water every 10 minutes for 1 hour.
External uses of water
“The external application of water is one of the easiest and most satisfactory ways of regulating the circulation of the blood.” E.G. White, Ministry of Healing, page 237.

Water treatments
There are many ways in which water can be applied to relieve pain and check disease. All should become intelligent in its use in simple home treatments. ” E.G. White, Ministry of Healing, page 237.

Saturday, February 23, 2008

Secrets for Good Health

1. Drink two cups of very warm water soon after rising in the morning

2. Drink a total of two to three liters of water every day, more if the weather is hot. Drink some water 10 minutes before eating or after about one hour after eating, but never during meals. During cold weather, drinking warm water is often best. Make sure the water is pure that you drink. Boil your drinking water if needed.

3. Eat a big breakfast between 6 am and 8 am. Your body needs lots of energy for your work.

4. Do not eat even one bite between meals. Save treats or snacks to eat with your meals. Only eat at regular mealtimes. Try to keep the meals the same time every day. Regularity is very important for your health.

5. Allow 5-6 hours between meals to allow the stomach to empty completely and have time to rest before putting anything more in the stomach.

6. Eat breakfast "like a king," dinner "like a prince," and supper "like a pauper (poor person)." In other words, eat the first meal as your biggest meal; eat a very good dinner, but a small evening meal, if anything.

7. Eat the last meal of the day 3-4 hours before going to bed. The stomach needs to rest when you rest. All the food should be out of the stomach before you sleep.

8. Eat only easily digested foods for the last meal of the day, such as fruit and toasted bread or puffed rice (not fried foods, peanuts, etc.). Eat rice, dal and vegetables at the first or second meal, not in the evening.

9. Chew your food thoroughly. Many people only chew a large mouthful of rice, dal and curry about 6 or 7 times, then swallow most of it whole. The digestive enzymes from the mouth need to be mixed thoroughly with the food so it can digest properly. Each particle should be chewed to a fine paste. (Your stomach doesn't have teeth!)

10. Eat your food with thanksgiving and rejoicing. It is not good to eat while angry, worried or upset.

11. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains (such as brown rice, whole wheat flour, whole corn or millet) and some nuts are the best foods. White rice and white flour have plenty of calories (energy foods) and protein, but most of the vitamins and minerals have been robbed from these grains, so are not best for health.

12. Exercise is very important for good health. Daily active work in the garden or yard for at least 30 minutes is the best. If that is not possible, a 30-60 minute brisk walk is also very good.

13. Bathe at least two times per week. If the weather is cold, bathing with warm water is fine, but should be finished with a brief cold-water pour. Otherwise, chilling may result.

14. Keep the hands and feet always warm. Do not put more layers of clothing on the chest and abdomen than on the arms, legs and feet. If the hands or feet are cold, warm them 1) by the fire, 2) by drinking hot water, 3) by putting more clothes on the legs and feet, 4) by putting a hot bottle of water at the feet or hands or 5) by exercise.

15. Sleep at night with fresh air coming into the room through an open window or ventilator. Do not cover the face at night. Use a mosquito net if insects are troublesome.

16. Make sure all the bedding and clothing is free of mustiness. Put them in the sunshine frequently. Make sure the quilts, blankets, pillows, and mattresses do not gather moisture (humidity). Dry them by a fire if necessary before sleeping in them. Many aches and pains and life threatening diseases can be prevented.

Do Not Use:

-Tea, coffee, cola drinks, chocolate - These foods contain caffeine, methylxanthines, theobromine and other stimulants. They do not provide energy (unless sugar is added). It is like whipping a tired cow to make it plow the field faster.
-Tobacco, chewing tobacco - This leads to many kinds of cancers, emphysema, heart disease, strokes and paralysis, high blood pressure, to name some of the illnesses.
-Pan and Betel nut - This is also addictive and stimulating, like tea. It discolors the teeth and can result in mouth, throat and stomach cancer.
-Alcohol, Beer, liquor, etc. Every drink destroys thousands of brain cells. It causes diseases of the liver, pancreas and immune system. Alcohol leads to quarrels fighting, spouse and child abuse, to name a few.

Avoid:

-Sugar - This leads to diabetes, tooth decay, and a weak immune system which results in many more sicknesses.
-Animal products - Many animals are sick or diseased. Many of these diseases are transferable to humans. Meat is a stimulating food, like tea or coffee. TB (tuberculosis), cancers, diarrhea and many other diseases are acquired this way. Fish especially carry tapeworms and cancers. Pork (pig meat) should be avoided, actually it should never be eaten, even though it may taste very good.
Your good health is mainly up to you ;)