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Dear Friends and Family,
I believe that outside of the condition of spiritual poverty, the greatest contributing factor to poor health is a poor diet and irregular eating habits. I am not an expert on nutrition, but I have to share what I have learned in the last couple of months and my experience with a change of diet (I don't like that word, I would rather call it a "livet", as in "live it") that I honestly think has helped me feel a whole lot better and have more energy, not only physically, but mentally too.
A couple of months ago, I was introduced in a new way to an essential part of good health through nutrition: Essential Fatty Acids (EFA's). Recently I learned that not only are EFA's essential for good physical health they are essential for good mental health too.
You may have already heard of the wonderful effects that Omega~3 Fatty Acids can have on your body in preventing and treating heart disease and cancer. A German doctor, Dr. Johanna Budwig, did extensive research back in the 1950's and discovered a definite link between low levels of Omega~3 and physical illnesses, disease, and cancer. Now, new research strongly indicates that this wondrous fat also greatly benefits the mind as well.
Did you know that an astounding 60% of our brains are made up of lipids (fats) and it has been discovered that the brain requires more Omega~3 Fatty Acids than any other part of the body? The problem is that our bodies do not manufacture Omega~3 Fatty Acids and we must obtain them in the food we eat. So it's easy to figure then, that a diet low in Omega~3 (which is the case with the diets of the great majority of Americans) will portend trouble with one's mental faculties.
"Omega~3 fatty acids constitute a major part of brain and nerve lipids. They are vital to the proper function of brain and nerve tissues," says Louise Peck, Ph.D., R.D. (registered dietitian), of Purdue's department of foods and nutrition.
New studies of the diets of large populations and their blood levels of Omega~3 have shown a strong correlation between low levels of Omega~3 and Depression, Schizophrenia, and Hyperactivity. They show that the greater the depletion of Omega~3, the greater the severity of Depression, Schizophrenia, and Bi-Polar Disorder.
Low levels of Omega~3 are being indicated even in Post-Partem Depression of mothers after childbirth. A baby during the last trimester of pregnancy takes in and accumulates Omega~3 at an accelerated rate and if a pregnant mother has not supplemented her intake of Omega~3 during pregnancy the baby will deplete much of the Omega~3 in the mother's brain where much of the DHA (Omega~3) is stored.
Two months ago, because of personal things beyond my control, I was struggling with over-eating and mood swings bordering on depression. My weight was around 200 pounds (about 25 pounds overweight) and I hardly ever felt like exercising (even though I always wanted to and knew I should); it almost took an act of Congress to get me to do so. Today my weight is 185, I am finding it a joy to exercise regularly, I have a much better mental outlook and a greater sense of well being than I have had in years and I am in better physical condition than I have been for a long time.
There are two reasons for these changes in my life I believe. The first is because the Lord has shown me the answers to what I believe are the three most important questions of Life (those questions are on my web page for those of you who are Spiritually minded), and the second is because the Lord has shown me "the need to" and "the how to" of substantially increasing my intake of Omega~3 Fatty Acids and of substantially reducing my intake of saturated fats and saturated fat look-alikes in the form of hydrogenated oils in shortenings, margarines, salad dressings and such. (These oils have a lot of Omega~6 Fatty Acids that greatly diminishes the effects of Omega~3 Fatty Acids especially when these oils are heated and used in frying and deep-frying (Olive oil is the best oil for frying). We need Omega~6 in our diets, but in a proper ratio, otherwise they work against the benefits of Omega~3.)
You may know that some fish are a source of Omega~3, but the trouble with fish is that the government has gone on record stating that the highest levels of pesticide consumption and mercury (which is also a toxin that can cause depression) comes from fish. Flax seeds and Flax seed oil are much superior alternatives and are, by far, the highest sources of Omega~3. I have been so impressed with my own results of Omega~3 supplementation I have added a couple of pages of information regarding it to my web site and I encourage you all to read about it there via the links below and try experimenting for yourself with Omega~3 oils and even Flax seed itself, which I buy in bulk. Flax seeds grind up easily in a blender and can be sprinkled on or mixed with salads or with just about any food (Flax seeds have a kind of nutty flavor). It seems as if almost everyone who has taken seriously the changes in their "livet" advocated on those pages has experienced increased feelings of well-being in a matter of just three or four days. I can testify that this has been my experience also.
Also, it should be noted that nutritionists have targeted a lack of Folic Acid as a major problem in this country. A lack of Folic Acid is also a cause of depression and anti- depressant medications cannot clear up this type of depression. A lack of Folic Acid is typical of a diet based largely on animal products, all of which have very little, if any, folic acid. A sufficient daily natural supply of Folic Acid (400 mcg) can only be obtained through certain plants, the best sources being okra (269 mcg), lentils ( 831 mcg), black-eyed peas (1057 mcg); other vegetables have Folic Acid, but you have to eat a lot more of them to get the minimum daily requirement. Arteriosclerosis (hardening and thickening of artery walls) is also a cause of depression, and even though it may not be enough to cause a heart attack or stroke, it oftentimes is enough to cause decreased circulation in the brain and hence depression. The food that is number one in being most toxic to the arteries is custards and the number one custard in America is ice cream. The second most toxic is pancake mix, followed by parmesan cheese and lard being tied for number three as the most toxic to the arteries. One who wants to be healthy would be wise to cut back drastically on these and many other processed items (it's hard to call them foods) if not eliminate them altogether.
The Lord deserves all the praise and glory for making available to us all the knowledge we have of healthful eating and living habits. As one scientist has said about the need of increasing our intake of Omega~3: "If this were a synthetic medicine with unknown toxicity or side effects, it would be different", but the best source of Omega~3 is from God's good seeds ~ all natural creations with supernatural benefits ~ a substance not created by man, but by Christ Jesus for the benefit of His children and all the effects, side or otherwise, are good and positive; there are no bad side effects in supplementing Omega~3 in your "livet". "Then God said, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the surface of the earth, and every tree which has fruit yielding seed; it shall be food for you." Genesis 1:29.
For more information on "the need to" and "the how to" of supplementing your "livet" with healthful Omega~3, please visit the web pages below. At the end of the article at the first link I have listed the main plant foods that contain Omega~3 Fatty Acids. I hope this is helpful.:
Click on:
Fatty Acids: Essential for Life
Fatty Acids: Essential Information
A. N.E.W. S.T.A.R. : God's Eight Laws of Health
The Test of Your Life : Life's Three Most Important Questions
I pray that this information may help at least one person to lead a healthier and more prosperous life.
"Beloved, I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers." 3John 2.
Yours in Christ's Love,
Jon Zwayer
Source:... Heart Communications Entered -- April 12, 2002