Eight Secrets of Health

The Eight Secrets of Health

Health is precious and proper care upon it is our greatest need. It is very expensive. It becomes expensive if it’s abused because to get healed costs a lot of dollars.

“Too little attention is generally given to the preservation of health. It is far better to prevent disease than to know how to treat it when contracted. It is the duty of every person, for his own sake, and for the sake of humanity, to inform himself in regard to the laws of life and conscientiously to obey them. All need to become acquainted with that most wonderful of all organisms, the human body. They should understand the functions of the various organs and the dependence of one upon another for the healthy action of all. They should study the influence of the mind upon the body, and of the body upon the mind, and the laws by which they are governed.

Every person should have a knowledge of nature’s remedial agencies and how to apply them. It is essential both to understand the principles involved in the treatment of the sick and to have a practical training that will enable one rightly to use this knowledge. The use of natural remedies requires an amount of care and effort that many are not willing to give. Nature’s process of healing and up building is gradual, and to the impatient it seems slow. The surrender of hurtful indulgences requires sacrifice. But in the end it will be found that nature, untrammeled, does her work wisely and well. Those who persevere in obedience to her laws will reap the reward in health of body and health of mind.

Pure air, sunlight, abstemiousness, rest, exercise, proper diet, the use of water, trust in divine
power - these are the true remedies.” Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing, p.32, emphasis applied.

Considering what Mrs. White says about the true remedies which are the eight secrets of health, we will tackle them one by one. We will make it into something that is easy to remember. We give it an acronym, “NEWSTART”.

N – Nutrition

Many people think that choosing good nutrition is difficult, and understanding it even harder. Both tasks, however, are really very simple. Let’s start with the “understanding” part.          Our bodies get the nutrients we need from the food we eat as the food is digested and assimilated in a fantastic process that begins in the mouth, moves to the stomach, then to the small intestines, and finally to the large bowel. The nutrients our bodies need include:

Carbohydrates: The largest portion of our diet should come from these in as unrefined a form as possible. Whole grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables are rich in these. There are approximately 4 kcal (a unit used to express the amount of energy contained in food) per gram in carbohydrates.     

Proteins: Every cell in the body contains proteins. Tissue repair and growth require them. While almost all foods contain some protein, particularly good sources are milk, eggs, and other animal products. Legumes are excellent plant sources. Each gram of protein yields 4 kcal.            

Fats: These are a concentrated source of energy. We often get too much fat in our diet because we like the flavor it imparts to foods (e.g., boiled or baked potatoes versus French fries).         

Vitamins (fat soluble and water soluble), minerals, and trace minerals: These are essential for growth and health.  Antioxidants and phytochemicals: These substances protect the body from disease and some of the effects of aging. They are found primarily in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and nuts.

E – Exercise

Exercise is a form of physical activity that is planned, structured, repetitive, and performed with the goal of improving health and fitness. So, although all exercise is physical activity, not all physical activity is exercise.

Studies show that people who are physically active for approximately seven hours a week have a 40-percent lower risk of dying prematurely than those who are active for fewer than 30 minutes a week. There’s even substantially lower risk of premature death when people do two and a half hours of at least moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity a week.

Heart disease and stroke are two of the leading causes of death worldwide. Studies show that a significant reduction in the risk of cardiovascular disease occurs at activity levels equivalent to two and a half hours a week of moderate-intensity physical activity. The evidence is strong that greater amounts of physical activity up to one hour per day result in further reductions in risk of cardiovascular disease.

Physical exercises are generally grouped into three types⁴ and have different effects on the body:

1. Flexibility exercises, such as stretching, improve the range of motion of muscles and joints.⁵
2. Aerobic exercises, such as cycling, swimming, walking, skipping rope, rowing, running, hiking, or playing tennis, focus on increasing cardiovascular endurance;⁶ however, weight-bearing aerobic exercise, such as walking, climbing, and jogging, increases bone density.
3. Resistance exercises, such as weight training, increase muscle strength⁷ and lower or prevent bone loss associated with menopause.⁸

More than 150 years ago Ellen G. White said, “Walking, in all cases where it is possible, is the best exercise, because in walking, all the muscles are brought into action.”⁹

W – Water

One can lower the risk of heat-related illness, such as heat stroke, by drinking plenty of liquids, particularly water and fruit and vegetable juices. Next to air, water is the most vital element needed for survival.

By weight, a newborn infant is approximately 75 percent water, and an adult about 70 percent. A man weighing 198 pounds has about 138 pounds of water in his body.

The gray matter of the brain is approximately 85 percent water, blood is 83 percent water, muscles are about 75 percent water, and even hard marrow bones are 20 to 25 percent water.²

Almost every cell and tissue of the body not only contains water but is continually bathed in fluid and requires water to perform its functions.

Water, the liquid of life, is a medium in which metabolism takes place. It is:

•       The transport system within the body

•       A lubricant for movement

•       The facilitator of digestion

•       The prime transporter of waste via the kidneys

•       A temperature regulator

•       A major constituent of the circulating blood

Begin drinking water in the morning, because the body is relatively dehydrated from insensible (invisible) water loss, or perspiration, during sleep. Then continue to drink water at regular intervals throughout the day.

Be sure to drink water that is pure and clean. It is the most healthfully beneficial liquid we can consume because it’s relatively free of electrolytes and diuretic agents such as caffeine. Alcoholic drinks, apart from their other deleterious effects, are also diuretic agents. Most soft drinks are loaded with sugar, contributing to problems of obesity, diabetes, and dental caries.

S - Sunlight

The sun is central to the provision of energy to our planet. Much of its radiation is important to well-being, but overexposure to ultraviolet radiation can be harmful. Such radiation may be stronger should the ozone layers of the upper atmosphere be depleted.

Sunshine maintains the ambient temperature of the earth; it promotes photosynthesis, which is the fundamental food-producing mechanism. Sunlight powers the recycling of water through evaporation of water into the clouds, and its distillation as rain.

Sunshine also converts an inactive form of vitamin D called cholecalciferol into the active form of vitamin D we need for so many bodily functions. While some of us live in situations of adequate sunlight, many of us work indoors and do not get sufficient exposure to the sun. Darkly pigmented skin does not permit the effect of sunlight to the same extent as pale skin, so vitamin D levels may be lower in such people, especially when they live in extreme northern or southern climes.

Dermatologists have noted the association between sunburn and skin cancer, and advocate the avoidance of overexposure. An appropriate amount depends on the pigmentation of our skin, our geographic location, and the season.

On the other hand, vitamin D is probably an important factor in controlling the growth of other cancers, such as prostate cancer. Sunlight exposure, therefore, in an appropriate amount, is essential to health.¹¹ It kills many bacteria, and it’s a healthful practice to let the sunlight stream into our homes.

Sunlight also stimulates the production of serotonin. This is an example of the “external” environment influencing our “internal” environment. The Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) first described in 1984 by Dr. Norman Rosenthal, a neuropsychiatrist at the National Institute of Mental Health, affects many during the winter months when light is diminished. Such people suffer a loss of energy, alteration in appetite, somnolence (drowsiness), irritability, and depression. ¹² They will benefit by exposure to bright light.

T – Temperance

“Temperance” means different things to different people. For some it brings to mind the times of prohibition (when alcohol was legally banned); for others, it relates to childhood and youth instruction on the importance of abstaining from alcohol, tobacco, and recreational drugs. In many cultures and communities “temperance” has become a forgotten (even anachronistic) word—a term from the past. So does it still apply to our lives today?

Webster’s Dictionary defines “temperance” as “moderation in action, thought, or feeling, or moderation or abstinence from intoxicating drink.” This definition includes aspects of behavior and attitude, and specifies that alcoholic beverages be avoided. Is this comprehensive enough? To achieve true balance in life, we need to address all aspects of living; balance in all things is needed.

A definition that may move us closer to this wholeness in our living is: “True temperance teaches us to dispense entirely with everything hurtful and to use judiciously that which is healthful.”¹ This description implies a way of life as opposed to a checklist of certain substances and behaviors, suggesting that in excess even good things may be harmful!¹

               

We can benefit from taking personal stock of our own lives and assets, as to whether we are excessive in eating, working, playing, sleeping, or whatever. It’s easy to do an inventory on those around us—what others eat, drink, weigh, drive, wear, and so forth. In some societies conspicuous consumption is obvious, and we have no difficulty identifying it. It’s more difficult to analyze our personal attitudes and behaviors to determine whether our own lives are in balance.

What makes matters more complex is that many regard certain destructive habits and lifestyle choices as desirable and even beneficial. Tobacco and alcohol are legal and freely available with very few restrictions. As a result, they’ve become entwined in cultures and societies worldwide despite the fact that they are the leading and third-leading causes, respectively, of preventable death! The seduction of advertising as well as the stranglehold of commerce have much to do with this tragic situation, but in reality our personal choices play an important role.

A - Air

High-quality fresh air is pure and clean. The life-giving oxygen molecules should be unpolluted. Deep breathing of fresh air imparts an improved sense of well-being. It increases the rate and quality of growth in plants and animals. It improves the function of the lung’s protective cilia. These are the microscopic, fine, hair-like structures that help to keep dust and fine particles as well as irritants from entering the lungs. Good oxygenation lowers the body temperature and resting heart rate, and decreases the survival of certain bacteria and viruses found in the air.

Fresh air is often destroyed and polluted. This can occur through inadequate ventilation of dwellings, especially where open cooking fires and stoves are used. In cities, the air in buildings is often recirculated through air-conditioning systems, increasing the pollution from city smog, tobacco smoke, and industrial and other pollutants. On the other hand, good quality air usually can be found in abundance in natural outdoor environments, especially around trees (sometimes called the “lungs of the earth”); green plants; mountains and forests; lakes, oceans, rivers, and waterfalls; and after rainfall. It’s estimated that the algae in the ocean provide almost 90 percent of the oxygen in our atmosphere, with the rest coming from land plants.

Fresh air, when unpolluted, is invigorating! Notice how exhilarated you feel near a waterfall or at the ocean. This may be one of the reasons for the popularity of holiday resorts and vacation areas in the mountain areas and at the seaside.

R - Rest

Sleep science tells us that as in the case of this experienced instructor, tired minds are much more likely to make serious mistakes. In most societies of the world today, a significant percentage of the population is sleep deprived. In the United States fatigue is one of the 10 most common reasons people visit a physician.

When our brains are tired enough we will go to sleep involuntarily. These short periods of rest are called micro-sleeps and generally last from a fraction of a second to no more than a second or two. If we are idly sitting in a chair, this usually causes no problem. Should we be operating a complex piece of machinery or carefully seeking to solve a multifaceted problem, however, these momentary lapses could result in catastrophic outcomes.

Sleep needs vary between individuals. Nearly all sleep experts agree, however, that seven hours of sleep per night is enough to “get by on,” but that most people need about eight hours for optimal cognitive performance. Thomas Edison reportedly believed that sleep was a waste of time, and he set out to invent the electric light bulb in order to extend daylight hours. He reportedly slept four to five hours per night. Yet, those who worked with him in his laboratory reported that he frequently took naps during the day. Adequate nighttime sleep should remove most daytime sleepiness and provide a sense of calm well-being and alertness. 

The need to rest and relax appears to be the greatest when there seems to be no time for it. Without rest and relaxation all humans suffer cognitive impairments. Tired people become inefficient, slower, less safe, and make more mistakes. To remain “at the top of our game” we need adequate sleep every night. There have been many attempts to increase productivity by extending the workweek and daily working hours. They have all failed because we each have a physiological need for rest each day, as well as a day off each week and a restful annual vacation. For peak cognitive performance and abundant energy, we must celebrate the refreshing gift of sleep.

T – Trust in God

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Two people looking out the same window may see different things. The optimist, for example, may see beautiful stars that brighten the night; the pessimist may see mud, which further depresses the mood. Through the eyes of an optimist the glass is seen as half full; through the eyes of the pessimist the glass is seen as half empty. Optimism is the face of our faith, and it is built on hope and trust in God, and belief that He can work things out for our best. This is based on the verses: “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him” (Rom. 8:28, NIV) and “God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it”  (1 Cor. 10:13, NIV).

The optimist may have peace and even joy when things do not turn out the way he or she had wanted. In this life we experience brokenness, sickness, and even death; yet through all this, we may know an equanimity and peace that are beyond human understanding or expectation. By exercising the choice to be optimistic, we can enjoy wholeness even in our human brokenness. (And we all are broken in some way or another, be it physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually.)

Conclusion

If we live with these simple natural remedies, which are the eight secrets of health, we not only prevent health problems and be healthy but get healed if we, as what Mrs. White says, are patient because nature’s process is gradual and if we “persevere in obedience to her laws will reap the reward in health of body and health of mind.”

Special Thanks to:

Health Ministries Department
General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
12501 Old Columbia Pike
Silver Spring, MD 20904

Superscripts denote references listed in the back of the book, “CELEBRATIONS.”