Health

Love

by

Love is a many-splendored thing until it becomes ugly. I will always love you until I don’t. Love will keep us together, but not always.

Sin has had a devastating effect on mankind’s nature and in this world. Selfishness rules everything, and even the love that we experience is based on selfish feeling and emotion. What drives us to desire a loving relationship and to feel good when we think we have found it?

How exactly do I fall in love?

“I love you with all my heart.” Well, not exactly. We don’t love anything with our hearts. The heart’s job, in tandem with other systems in the body, is to keep blood flowing throughout our bodies keeping us alive. In reality, we love someone “from the depths of [our] ventral tegmental area, hypothalamus, nucleus accumbens, and other vital areas of the brain.”

Love feels so nice.

The limbic system gets fired up when we fall in love, resulting in a positive mood and increased dopamine and noradrenaline production. The increase in dopamine motivates us to pursue our love interest. Noradrenaline gives us a feeling of euphoria, causing the heart to race, increasing energy, and exciting the stomach butterflies.

Love is blind.

However, this increase of dopamine and noradrenaline also deactivates other areas of the brain, specifically those that control negative emotions and judgment. This explains why we are initially willing to overlook a new love’s faults. While we feel less judgmental, our cortisol level increases, and we experience feelings of insecurity early in the new love relationship.

That’s when the body sends the hormones oxytocin (the love hormone) and vasopressin to help us feel safe and secure. Oxytocin helps us form social connections and reinforces attachment. Later, as the relationship grows, our bodies release oxytocin and vasopressin over time, fostering love and commitment between us and our beloved.

I don’t love you like that, but I still love you.

Oxytocin is vital in all types of love. The oxytocin the body releases as we interact with others strengthens romantic love and other positive social relationships—such as those with family, friends, and even pets.

Love makes us healthier.

Love lowers blood pressure and decreases the risk of heart disease.

Love strengthens the immune system, so we are less likely to get sick, and helps us recover more quickly if we do. This is possible because the feeling of love helps nurture and support your gut microbiome, which defends your body against harmful bacteria.

People who experience true love live longer.

Love decreases stress, anxiety, and depression, so we can sleep better.

Love improves problem-solving skills and cognitive function.

Looking at the one you love can reduce pain levels.

Ultimate love.

Love isn’t just the right chemical cocktail of very intricate and complex behaviors and emotions. Science can’t figure it out, but we know where true love comes from. The One who marvelously made the human body and gave it the capacity to nurture love is the One who manifested love in the flesh. His life was one of continual and ultimate sacrifice, and He promises that we, too, will be enabled to make the ultimate sacrifice of self for the benefit of those He loves.

“In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” 1 John 4:9, 10

Sources: clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22566-hypothalamus; verywellhealth.com/the-brain-in-love; theconversation.com/what-happens-in-our-brain-and-body-when-were-in-love; uthealthaustin.org/blog/health-benefits-of-love, accessibility: February 2025

Salt of the Earth

by

Salt processing dates back thousands of years. Salt was extracted by boiling spring water. China had salt works dating back to that same period. The ancient Hebrews, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Hittites, Egyptians, and American Indians prized salt. It was important in trade as “currency” and was transported by boat across the Mediterranean Sea, camel caravan across the Sahara, and along specially built salt roads. Wars were waged over its scarcity and universal need; it was used to raise tax revenue and in religious ceremonies and other cultural traditions.

Salt is a mineral composed primarily of sodium chloride. It is made into table salt and rock salt. Salt is essential to life because it supplies the vital dietary minerals sodium and chloride. Saltiness is one of the basic human tastes. As one of the oldest food seasonings, it can give an otherwise unpalatable food an acceptable flavorful. Salting, brining, and pickling are essential methods of preserving food. Not only does salt flavor and preserve food, but it is also a good antiseptic.

Processed from salt mines, the evaporation of seawater, and mineral-rich spring water, salt is most commonly used to produce chemicals, plastics, and paper pulp. It is also used for de-icing highways and airplanes and used in agriculture. The annual global salt production is three hundred million tons, of which humans consume only a small portion. Salt is found in almost all processed foods.

Did You Know? Salt mines worldwide are located in Canada, Pakistan, Romania, Chile, Poland, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Peru, Columbia, Germany, and even the United States.

Essential for human health, sodium is an electrolyte. In liquid form, potassium, chloride, calcium, magnesium, and phosphate are also electrolytes. Electrolytes help to maintain the balance of various fluids in the body. Electrolytes help keep the body hydrated and maintain a balanced blood PH level. Blood pressure is under the control of our electrolytes. Insufficient levels of critical electrolytes can result in muscle weakness or severe muscle contractions. Serious electrolyte disturbances, such as dehydration or over-hydration, leading to too many or not enough electrolytes, can cause cardiac and neurological complications, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Did You Know? A 1-teaspoon serving of table salt contains about 2,400 mg of sodium.

As essential as salt is for human health, we must monitor how much we consume. Excessive consumption increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases like hypertension, kidney disease, and stroke. The recommended daily consumption for an adult is 2,000 mg of sodium. Reducing your sodium intake by 1,000 mg daily can significantly lower your risk of cardiovascular disease by as much as 30 percent, and maintaining a low-sodium diet will lower blood pressure. African Americans, middle-aged, and older adults should limit consumption to 1,500 mg per day and meet the recommended amount of potassium (4,700 mg daily) with a healthy diet of fruits and vegetables.

For the ancient Jews, salt served as a preservative, was used to remove blood from meat, and symbolized the eternal covenant between God and Israel.

Did You Know? The word salary comes from the Latin word salarium (sal is Latin for salt) and means “salt money.” The sayings “not worth his salt” or “not worth his weight in salt” come from using salt as currency. A Roman soldier’s salary was often paid, in part, with salt; if he didn’t do a good job, his salary (salt) would be cut. The Greeks and Romans bought slaves with salt, but if he wasn’t a good slave, they would say that he wasn’t worth the salt paid for him.

The Bible uses salt to symbolize several things.

Covenant of Salt – perpetual and not to be broken (2 Chronicles 13:5; Leviticus 2:13).

Long-Lasting Friendship and Loyalty – Immutable, God’s everlasting love for us (Psalm 136).

Adds Flavor – Jesus tells us that we are the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13). He means that we are to enhance the beauty of the world around us, to uplift and glorify God in a world in darkness. As the salt of the earth, we are to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ so that God’s grace and love can be experienced.

As a Preservative – Just as salt preserves the freshness of food, it represents Jesus who preserves and sustains life and faithful in keeping His promises to us.

Sources: wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrolyte; wikipedia.org/wiki/Salt; americanmineservices.com/top-10-largest-salt-mines-in-the-world; time.com/3957460/a-brief-history-of-salt; thebiblicalnutritionist.com/salt-in-the-bible

Gratitude

by

“God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say thank you?”
William Arthur Ward

“Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever”.
1 Chronicles 16:34

“It is impossible to feel depressed and grateful at the same moment.”
Naomi Williams

 

Gratitude affects the brain and body in amazing ways
•   Decreases heart rate, cardiac disease, inflammations, neurodegeneration, and releases toxic emotions so that we feel calmer and happier, and keeps us healthier.

•   Improves our sleep and enhances our mood.

•   Helps us overcome substance abuse and eating disorders.

•   Strengthens and enhances the brain’s emotion-related and motivation-related activity. This allows us to better appreciate what we have and pursue our goals.

•   Reduces pain, improves our quality of sleep, and aids in regulating stress, thus reducing anxiety and depression and improving our physical and mental health.

•   May have lasting effects on the brain, enabling us to be more sensitive to the experience of gratitude.

•   Practicing daily gratitude reduces negative emotions and is a natural detox for the mind and body.
Benefits of gratitude
•   When we feel and express gratitude, stress cannot control us.

•   Gratitude touches our physical, mental, and social well-being.

•   We begin to view the world through a lens of thankfulness.

•   We have a fuller appreciation of our family, friends, jobs, nature, and the Almighty.

•   We learn that nothing should be taken for granted.

 

“The hearts of those who reveal the attributes of Christ glow with divine love. They are imbued with the spirit of gratitude. … Lift up Jesus. Lift Him up, the man of Calvary, with the voice of song and prayer. Seek earnestly to spread the gospel. Tell the precious story of God’s love for man.

“If we will consecrate heart and mind to the service of God, doing the work He has for us to do and walking in the footsteps of Jesus, our hearts will become sacred harps, every chord of which will send forth praise and thanksgiving to the Lamb sent by God to take away the sins of the world. …

“Christ would have our thoughts center upon Him. … Look away from self to Jesus Christ, the life of every blessing, every grace, the life of all that is precious and valuable to the children of God. …

“Filled with gratitude, we communicate to others the blessings that have been freely given us. Thus receiving and imparting, we grow in grace; and a rich current of praise and gratitude constantly flows from our lips; the sweet spirit of Jesus kindles thanksgiving in our hearts, and our souls are uplifted with a sense of security. The unfailing, inexhaustible righteousness of Christ becomes our righteousness by faith.

“Let the fresh blessings of each new day awaken praise in our hearts for these tokens of His loving care.

“When you open your eyes in the morning, thank God that He has kept you through the night. Thank Him for His peace in your heart. Morning, noon, and night, let gratitude as a sweet perfume ascend to heaven.” My Life Today, 170, 171

“The language of the soul should be that of joy and gratitude. … Cultivate only those thoughts and those feelings which will produce gratitude and praise. …

“Contemplate the better land, where tears are never shed, where temptations and trials are never experienced, where losses and reproaches are never known, where all is peace and joy and happiness. … These thoughts … will fill you with joy and hope in believing and will abide with you as a comforter forever.” In Heavenly Places, 36

Sources: positivepsychology.com/neuroscience-of-gratitude/#stress; psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/comfort-of-gratitude/202009/gratitude-and-its-impact-on-the-brain

The Tongue

by

The tongue is a muscular organ in your mouth. It has many nerves and blood vessels, which make it sensitive to touch and temperature. Its soft covering is called a mucous membrane. It weighs between 3 and 3.5 ounces and is typically just short of four inches long.

The tongue has two parts: the oral (at the front) and the pharyngeal (at the back). You see the front of the tongue when you stick it out, and you see the back when the doctor says, “Open wide and say Aaaaah.” The line down the middle of your tongue is called the median sulcus.

The tongue is a combination of intrinsic and extrinsic muscles, making it very strong and capable of moving around. The four tiny intrinsic muscles help alter the shape of the tongue but are not attached to bone. The four extrinsic muscles are attached to bone in pairs, allowing the tongue to change position. So, both are necessary to help the tongue move around, making it an important part of the digestive system. Assisted by the intrinsic and extrinsic muscles, the tongue also plays an essential role in man’s ability to speak.

The tongue begins to develop in the fourth week of embryonic development.

The body of the tongue is located in the central part between the front and the back of the tongue. It helps us talk, eat, and taste. It is covered with tiny taste buds, 2,000-8,000 of them, and approximately every 10 days, you get new ones. The taste buds help us discern between sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami (savory, a rich meaty taste). The tongue helps us move food around to thoroughly chew and swallow it. It is also a natural way of keeping our teeth clean.

Did You Know? Dogs have only 1,700 taste buds on their tongues, but they are able to taste water. Whole-dog-journal.com/food/do-dogs-have-taste-buds

 There are a number of diseases that affect the tongue including oral cancer, thrush, canker sores, and black hair tongue—a harmless, but particularly disgusting-looking condition. Then there is that white film. It appears when food and bacteria are caught between the tiny bumps on the surface of the tongue. It can mean that your tongue is dry because the body is dehydrated from an inadequate intake of water, poor hygiene, not flossing or brushing your teeth properly (yes, there is a right way), certain medications, and acid reflux.

As with all the parts that make up man’s anatomy, the tongue is a marvel. And it is also a curse.

“And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.

“For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind.

“But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God.

“Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren these things ought not to be so.” James 3:6–10

“Guard well the talent of speech, for it is a mighty power for evil as well as for good. You cannot be too careful of what you say; for the words you utter show what power is controlling the heart.” In Heavenly Places, 174

“The tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity … it defileth the whole body and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.” Manuscript Releases, Vol. 19, 33

Sources: humanbodypartsanatomy.com/tongue-anatomy-parts-names-functions-diagram; Wikipedia.org/wiki/Taste_bud

Mitochondria Strengthened

by

In the September issue of LandMarks, we Iearned that Mitochondria, though very small—about the size of 1 to 3 grains of sand—are found in most of the cells of the body, and are primarily known for the vital role of producing the energy needed by our bodies to work, but they do so much more.

Unfortunately, our modern lifestyle and common health issues tend to magnify problems that damage our mitochondria and lessen the benefits that help them.

What damages or weakens mitochondria?

Let’s look at some of the worst things for well-functioning and healthy mitochondria.

  • Fried foods, many commercially baked goods, some vegetable oils, microwave popcorn, frozen pizza, commercially made and refrigerated bread, biscuits, and rolls are prevalent in the American diet. All these foods contain high levels of trans fats, which enhance mitochondria’s production of reactive oxygen species, increasing cell death.
  • Americans live fast-paced, non-stop lifestyles full of stress.
  • Alcohol and smoking both affect the whole body and, in particular, these tiny, delicate mitochondria. Mitochondria become diseased, and the structure and function of these little giants are altered with regular consumption of these two health destroyers.
  • Mold and mitochondria are closely linked. Certain species of mold produce mycotoxins which can damage mitochondria and interfere with other cellular processes. This can result in a range of health problems, including allergic reactions and respiratory issues. It is important to prevent mold growth in the home and workplace.
  • Exposure to heavy metals, such as lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium, and thallium, also affects the structure and function of mitochondria, including its ability to remove diseased mitochondria. These metals are found in our environment and in the foods we eat.
  • The American on-the-go lifestyle affects the quality and quantity of our sleep. In addition, our circadian rhythm becomes confused by the lack of sunlight and the artificial lights illuminating our homes. The blue light emanating from computer screens, televisions, and cellphones damages the mitochondrial DNA, increasing free radicals that can cause photochemical damage to the eye’s retina.
  • Americans today are very sedentary. Lack of exercise, fresh air, and plenty of water leaves us sleep deprived.
  • Americans consume too much sugar, which weakens and damages mitochondria and negatively stresses our bodies.
  • Overconsumption of sugar and fat, along with stress and inadequate sleep, lead to cardiovascular issues and diabetes, both of which are rampant in our society. High blood sugar inhibits the liver’s ability to metabolize fat and increases the body’s insulin resistance. It can also result in fatty liver. High blood sugar also impairs mitochondrial energy metabolism by triggering the “cell danger response.” The mitochondria then switch from energy production and its many other functions to concentrate on determining what is endangering the body and protecting it from the danger.
  • Our consumption of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids has drastically changed. During the early history of man, these fatty acids were consumed at a ratio of 1 to 1. However, today, most people consume a larger quantity of omega-6, and while it is necessary for good health, too much increases inflammation and inflammatory diseases. Problems develop in the outer membrane of the mitochondria, reducing energy production and activating the cell danger response. Obesity impairs the mitochondria, and studies now show that an imbalance of omega-6 to omega-3 increases the risk of obesity.
  • Consistent irregularity in meal times—though not to be confused with intermittent short-term fasting (Matthew 6:16-18, Esther 4:16)— and exposure to extreme heat or cold also damage mitochondria.

What strengthens or improves the mitochondria?

Now that we have looked at many things that can damage mitochondria and interfere with their proper function, let’s look at the other side of the coin, what improves the health and performance of our mitochondria.

  • A healthy lifestyle that involves early morning sunshine is valuable. Early morning sunshine helps set the body’s circadian rhythm, which then brings the good restorative sleep we need when it becomes dark.
  • The light/dark cycles help establish the production of melatonin and this, too, helps our sleep cycle. In addition, melatonin supports the health of the mitochondria and, if healthy, the mitochondria will make its own melatonin. The mitochondria-created melatonin is kept inside the mitochondria rather than being released into the blood stream, and this mitochondria melatonin “bathes” the mitochondria all night.
  • Melatonin production is hindered by the artificial and blue lights in our homes. To minimize the damage you can wear blue-blocking glasses when using electronic devices or switching to lights that emit red, dim orange, or yellow light at night. It is also important to have complete darkness in the bedroom during the sleep hours. If you are unable to do this, consider an eye mask.
  • Adequate levels of melatonin improve the health and function of mitochondria, decrease the risks of cancer, and increase the ability of the body to fight antioxidant damage. Melatonin is indeed a sleep hormone, but is very much a mitochondrial hormone that helps them do their many jobs so much better.
  • Daily exercise, if possible in the sunshine and fresh air, is also very helpful to your mitochondria. Exercise can increase muscle size and strength. Muscles contain a higher number of mitochondria, more than many other types of tissue in the body. Researchers have shown that high amounts of physical activity in adults ages 65 to 70 can have mitochondrial capacity similar to 25 to 30-year-old adults. Stay active throughout the day; your mitochondria will thank you.
  • Because of our hectic lifestyles, stress is detrimental to our mitochondria; however, some stress generates new mitochondria via mild cold or hot exposure by having a warm bath, a warm and cool shower, or warm and cold mitten friction.
  • Chronic over-breathing—breathing too much or too quickly—caused by stress or anxiety lowers your CO2 levels and hinders oxygen delivery at the cellular level. This, too, is very damaging to mitochondria that needs lots of oxygen to produce the energy necessary to carry out their many functions.
  • Moderation even in good things and avoidance of all hurtful influences such as tobacco and alcohol strengthens our powerhouse cells.
  • A diet that discourages heart disease and diabetes will greatly improve mitochondrial health. Avoiding hurtful kinds and quantities of fat and decreasing sugar intake, consuming good proteins, greens and fresh, crunchy vegetables are all very helpful. A decrease in blood sugar is often achieved by eating greens and the fibrous, crunchy vegetables at the start of a meal. For example: broccoli sprouts when consumed are very neuroprotective, have anti-cancer effects, boost detoxification, and improve mitochondrial health. Supplementing your diet with riboflavin and the other B vitamins, plus coenzyme Q10 and carnitine is also beneficial to mitochondrial health.

Moral of the Story—be good to your mitochondria and they will keep you safe and healthy.

Note: The content of this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any illness or medical condition, nor is it meant to serve as medical advice or as information to facilitate self-treatment. As always, please discuss any potential health-related decisions with your personal physician.

Sources: medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320875#aging; Wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitochondrion; sciencenotes.org/mitochondria-definition-structure-function; btl.science/blogs/news-1/worst-things-for-mitochondria-function; my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15612-mitochondrial-diseases; phys.org/news/2020-03-trans-fats-cell-death.html; “Eat for Energy: How to Beat Fatigue, Supercharge Your Mitochondria, and Unlock All-Day Energy,” by Ari Whitten; TheEnergyBlueprint.com; newhealthadvisor.org/Foods-High-in-Trans-Fat.html; my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23424-heavy-metal-poisoning-toxicity; healthline.com/nutrition/optimize-omega-6-omega-3-ratio#TOC_TITLE_HDR_3; sleepfoundation.org/bedroom-environment/what-color-light-helps-you-sleep; desbio.com/the-mold-mitochondria-connection-why-it-matters-for-your-health

Health – Is Your Life in Balance?

by

The Bible teaches us about spiritual, physical, and mental health. “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be healthy, just as your soul prospers.” 3 John 2. The Bible directs us to what we should eat and drink and what we should not. It also instructs us to work, rest, exercise, get adequate sunshine, and trust God.

How can we deal with the stress of this world so that we have peace on the inside, even if there is trouble on the outside? Jesus Himself made promises to us in John chapters 14–16 and Matthew 11:28-30 promises of rest and peace, freedom from guilt and time pressures that are driving so many people to the brink of physical and mental illness and destroying their peace of mind.

The law of balance governs our bodies and minds. This balance is vital because severe consequences can result when the body and mind are out of balance. As long as you live, the blood in your blood vessels must continue flowing under pressure. But sometimes, this pressure becomes too great—because of what we consume, insufficient exercise or sleep, or stress. If not kept in balance, hypertension—high blood pressure—could result in a debilitating stroke or heart attack, problems in the kidneys and eyes, or even death.

A strong life balance will aid in avoiding high blood pressure and even overcoming it. Constant time pressures and stressing agents affect your body, causing an increase in blood pressure. We must also use good judgment, and not overburden ourselves with things that the Lord does not want us to bear.

Even if you have mental and spiritual balance, an imbalance in your body can affect that balance, too, since body, mind, and spirit are all interconnected to make a complete whole. Everything must be balanced if the whole will work right and live in the peace Jesus wants to provide. So, let’s look at some of the most common imbalances resulting from hypertension.

Lack of Physical Activity

It is essential to be active. An inactive lifestyle can cause hypertension, as well as other physical problems. It was, and still is, God’s purpose that man should work (Genesis 2). In the garden of Eden, God gave Adam and Eve the task of tending the garden and naming all the creatures He had made. Eden, in Hebrew, means “delight.” God intended their work to be delightful, pleasant, and healthy for the body and soul. Their work was not affected by anxiety, grief, disappointment, sorrow, and trouble like we have in our work today.

God designed the human body to be physically active. The greatest example of God’s intentions regarding the human body is found in the life of Jesus.

During the first thirty years of His life, Jesus worked in the carpenter shop. In addition, when you study His ministry, you will find that Jesus walked long distances. Because He lived a very active life, He often walked long enough and far enough to get tired.

The apostle Paul was a tent maker, but like Jesus, he was also a traveler. His work as a preacher often necessitated a good long walk.

Today, there are many ways a person can engage in physical activity, and the most effective is walking. However, a regular, rigorous—though not strenuous—exercise program or walking 30 minutes a day can positively affect high blood pressure.

Obesity

Being overweight can cause high blood pressure. Obesity has many causes. Most people think that a person who is overweight eats themselves into obesity, and in many cases, that may be true. However, there can also be medical issues and mental and physical imbalances in the body and mind. Depression, grief, being bullied, and feeling unloved or unwanted can cause a mental imbalance, which then can cause physical imbalances such as obesity.

What can help? Physical activity, a good breakfast and lunch, no snacking in between meals, drinking plenty of cold water in the evening, nothing to eat for eight to nine hours before bedtime, a healthy diet of fruits and vegetables, grains and nuts, and saturated fats. Almost every person will lose weight on a program like this.

Being overweight and the resulting high blood pressure can also be caused by medical problems such as hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. No matter how good your weight loss program might be, sometimes it is necessary to be sure that weight gain, or the inability to lose weight, is not a result of a medical issue. A simple blood test can determine thyroid problems. Once you have ruled out a medical issue and begin following a good health program, the weight, and the high blood pressure should take care of themselves.

Liquor and Tobacco

The Bible is clear that the consumption of liquor is forbidden. While the Bible does not explicitly name tobacco, the principle that our bodies are the temple of God should be sufficient for us to determine that it is not suitable for our bodies for any reason. However, if you have high blood pressure, you must not consume or use either of these substances.

Rest

Seven to nine hours of sleep each night is recommended to keep a healthy blood pressure. In 2017, a study was done to determine if poor sleep habits could affect blood pressure. It was found that those who got the recommended amount of sleep had a lower risk of high blood pressure, obesity, and other cardiovascular threats: 66% lower risk of high blood pressure, 58% reduced risk of Type 2 diabetes, and 73% lower risk of obesity.

Salt

The average American consumes about 4,000 milligrams of sodium daily because most processed foods contain sodium as a preservative. To maintain healthy blood pressure, a person should consume less than 2.5 grams or 2,500 milligrams daily. If a person has high blood pressure, they should consume less than 2,000 milligrams per day. You should consult your physician about how much sodium you can take in every day, particularly if you have congestive heart disease.

Balance is the key. Following God’s original diet, drinking plenty of fresh water, walking or some other form of exercise, getting the appropriate amount of sleep, and being outside in the fresh air and sunshine can result in better health. It all depends on you. It’s your choice.

Sources: Dr. Howard E. Lewine, Harvard Health Publishing Profession; heart.org/2021/11/19/getting-better-overall-sleep-might-be-the-key-to-better-health; “Is Your Life in Balance?”, Optimum Health #6 John J. Grosboll.

Follow Your Nose

by

The nose is an incredible member of the body. It helps create symmetry in the face and keeps glasses where they belong. It is truly one of the most important parts of the body. It consists of bone and cartilage, including the nasal septum, which divides the nose into two separate cavities. It is part of the respiratory system, which is divided into two parts—the upper and lower. It is part of and the point of entry into the upper part of the respiratory system. In conjunction with the diaphragm and lungs, we inhale and exhale through our nose or mouth. The diaphragm contracts, moving downward, creating a vacuum, and oxygen is drawn into the lungs. As the diaphragm relaxes, oxygen is then expelled from the lungs. This process is essential as it provides oxygen to the brain which keeps it in peak condition as the body’s foreman, keeping the body and all its moving parts functioning properly.

All the cells of the body require oxygen. As oxygen enters the body, the cells release carbon dioxide (known as waste gas). This gas exchange—bringing in clean oxygen and expelling the waste gas—is automatic.

In addition to the process of bringing oxygen into the lungs, the nose has other important functions. Air filtered through the nasal hairs removes debris, allergens, and other large foreign particles. The nasal mucosa lining in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses, using shell-shaped structures called turbinates, is responsible for conditioning the inhaled air by warming and moistening it with each breath. The hollow cavities of the paranasal sinuses, which act as sound chambers, modify and amplify our speech and other vocal sounds, and assist our speech. The nose is also in charge of olfaction, the ability to smell.

Did You Know? With up to 300 million olfactory receptors, a dog’s nose smells up to 100,000 times better than the human nose, which houses only six million receptors. Dogs can also breathe in and out at the same time.

Sneezing is a reflex that expels unwanted particles that irritate the mucosal lining. A sneeze can transmit and spread infections by expelling aerosols that harbor pathogens. Allergens and infections can cause swollen turbinates, and nasal polyps (bumps in the nose) can block airflow and affect normal breathing.

A nosebleed occurs due to an underlying condition, but also when a blood vessel in the nose breaks or it becomes too dry inside the nostrils, trauma, blowing your nose too hard, or picking your nose. They are usually not serious, but if you have a nosebleed lasting more than 20 minutes, you should seek professional help.

To keep your nose in its best possible health:

  • Leave those nose hairs where they are. Don’t cut or shave them off.
  • Drink plenty of water.
  • Keep the house clean, limiting the dust and other allergens you breathe in.
  • Use saline nose spray to keep the nose clean and moist.
  • Use a humidifier at home.

Recently, I was thinking of this scripture:

“Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.” John 12:3

Wouldn’t you have loved to be a nose in that room?

Sources: wikipedia.org/wiki/Human-nose; my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/21778-nose; petmd.com/dog/behavior/5-dog-nose-facts-you-probably-didnt-know; msn.com/en-us/health/in-Nosebleed/in-nosebleed; webmd.com/lung/how-we-breathe

Mitochondria

by

An Introduction

This introduction will just “scratch the surface” on the subject of this very small part of our body. Mitochondria vary in size, commonly between 0.75 and 3 µm (micrometers) in cross section. For comparison, a single grain of fine sand or dust is roughly 1 µm. So these parts of our cells range in size from ¾ the size of a grain of sand up to 3 grains of sand. Despite their small size, the mitochondria are vital to our survival.

Mitochondria are found in nearly all the cells of our body and are considered the “energy factory” of the body. In cells or organs with high metabolic activity and high energy demands, such as muscle and nerve cells—especially the heart, brain, and eyes—mitochondria occur in greater concentrations because energy consumption here is great. Liver and muscle cells can contain hundreds, even thousands, of mitochondria. Because of its critical nature and high demand for energy, the heart contains the greatest concentration of mitochondrial cells in the body. Red blood cells are an example of cells in our body which do not have mitochondria.

Mitochondria were first discovered in 1857 by Albert von Kölliker in the voluntary muscles of insects and named by Carl Benda in 1898. The word comes from the Greek words mitos, meaning “thread,” and chondrion, meaning “granule.” “Powerhouse of the cell” was a phrase adapted by Philip Siekevitz in 1957, describing a primary function of the mitochondria. This phrase stuck and is commonly used today.

Most cells in the body contain organelles, organized or specialized structures or “organs” within a living cell. Mitochondria are unlike other cellular organelles in that they have two distinct membranes—an inner and an outer—and a unique chromosome structure. When genetic material is taken from a human, most strands of DNA represent the genetic chromosomes of both the father and mother. Mitochondrial cells have the majority, if not all, of their genetic material from the mother. The maternal egg cell donates the majority of the cytoplasm, material within the cell membrane, to the embryo. The cytoplasm contributed to the embryo from the father, the much smaller amount, is usually destroyed.

Genesis 1:27, 28, first part, tells us: “So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth.’ ”

Through research of the mitochondrial genes, scientists have confirmed God’s instruction to Adam and Eve. Science has proven that all humans alive today can be traced to a single woman ancestor. They believe that this woman lived among other women, but that her maternal DNA superseded that of all other women.

The main function of mitochondria is to generate the chemical energy necessary to power cells. They do this by turning nutrients, such as carbohydrates, fats, and proteins into chemical energy that the body will use to live. This is done through a very complex, 8-step chain of chemical reactions known as the Krebs Cycle. These energy factories supply our body with 90% of the energy we need to function. They generate the majority of this energy from adenosine triphosphate (ATP). They are also involved in other pathways related to our metabolism. But, there is more to mitochondria than just the production of energy.

If you want to age well, you need the mitochondria to work smoothly and efficiently. Research is now showing that strong mitochondria protect your DNA. As the mitochondria are damaged, they frequently steal from our healthy DNA for their repair.

Mitochondria are important in cell repair, so you really wouldn’t want to do things that would cause them harm. They also start and regulate apoptosis, a process of programmed cell death necessary for the removal of poor or damaged cells. This is very important in cancer prevention because cancer cells are abnormal cells that need to be recognized and destroyed. So, the lack of mitochondrial health may be related to cancer development.

Mitochondria are involved in many functions of the body:

  • Help in the regulation of the cell cycle and cell growth,
  • Help to regulate the concentration of calcium in the cell,
  • Produce heat in certain cells,
  • Detoxify ammonia and waste production of protein metabolism in the liver,
  • Are indispensable for proper regulation of brain development as nerve cells develop,
  • Are important in the synthesis of steroids needed by the body.

Without effective communication, our cells could not work harmoniously in our body. Cells constantly send and receive messages that help maintain balance between the different processes that occur within us. Mitochondria have a role in hormone and immune signaling. They also play a vital role in signaling within our cells.

So, what strengthens or weakens the mitochondria? What damages or improves them? Questions for another article.

As we reflect upon all that this little organelle does, no larger than three grains of fine sand, we cannot but proclaim, “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.” Psalm 139:14

Sources: bonecoach.com/ari-whitten-the-energy-blueprint; theenergyblueprint.com; my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15612-mitochondrial-diseases; medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320875#aging; Copilot with GPT-4 (bing.com); webmd.com/a-to-z/mitochondria-what-to-know; sciencenotes.org/mitochondria-definition-structure-function

The Hadza Tribe and Microbiome Health

by

In the June issue of LandMarks, we explored just the surface facts of our microbiome. We learned that it is simply a bustling community of microbes on and within the body that significantly influences the body’s overall wellbeing.

Bacteria are by far the most numerous members of the human microbiome estimated to be between 75–200 trillion individual organisms, while the entire human body consists of about 50 trillion–100 trillion body cells. The area that contains the largest amount of microbiota is the intestinal area, especially the large intestine. Five hundred to 1,000 different species of bacteria may live in the intestine, totaling at least 38 trillion cells. It is said by some that if you could only focus on one aspect of health it should be gut health.

Did you know? Over half of the cells in your body are not even human cells.

We also learned that the microbiota interact with almost every body system, and that the gut microbiome has been called the “second brain” because it interacts so closely with our brain, brain chemistry, and its many functions. The microbiome is very active in the metabolism of our food. Chronic and infectious disease risks are also affected by our microbiome. The gut also is intimately connected to our immune system—70% to 80% of the immune system is in the gut.

We also know that our microbiome affects our mood and behavior. Digestion, sleep, immune health, brain function, mental health, metabolism and cardiovascular health are closely linked to the microbiome, emphasizing its importance in maintaining a healthy living human. The microbiome may help prevent or help fight some forms of cancer, and help prevent or treat some forms of dementia.

Given the importance of a healthy microbiome on the wellbeing of the human body, our question should be, How do I help my gut have a healthy, diverse group of microbiota? To help answer this question, let me share with you the very interesting findings of cultural and health studies of two groups of people, the Hadza tribe from Tanzania and the Yanomami tribe from Venezuela, some of the last hunter-gatherers on our planet.

Approximately 200 of the Hadza tribe stick to a strictly nomadic, hunter-gatherer lifestyle. They survive on foraged plants and animals hunted with handmade bows and arrows and live in temporary grass and stick shelters. It’s believed that the Hadza people have some of the healthiest gut microbiomes on the planet. Their diet consists of about 70% plant foods including tubers that contain a range of indigestible fibers that are ideal gut fuel. They get a huge 150 grams of fiber per day. This results in the Hadza having a greater variety of gut microbes than that of 17 other cultures around the world. Most Americans get just 10-15 grams of fiber per day. The Hadza have about 40% more microbial biodiversity in their gut than Americans. This exceptionally high fiber intake seems to be a main contributor to their very healthy gut microbiomes—fiber is fuel for your gut microbes, allowing them to multiply and produce health-promoting compounds.

Getting fiber from a variety of plants helps to create microbial diversity. Research from 2018 found that people who ate more than 30 different plant types per week had a healthier gut microbiome than those who ate fewer plant types. Our focus should be to eat more whole, fiber-rich plant foods such as leafy greens, berries, cruciferous veggies (broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cauliflower, to name a few), Jerusalem artichoke, avocado, beans, and lentils. Sautés and salads are an excellent way to get many different plant foods into a single meal.

Another contributing factor to the Hadza people’s healthiest, most diverse gut microbiomes is that their food source is natural, with no processed foods or agriculturally farmed foods, high in fiber and phytochemicals, and devoid of processed sugars, all of which contribute to the fact that the Hadza experience almost no autoimmune diseases, obesity, diabetes, colon cancer, Crohn’s disease, and other chronic ailments. This is very unlike our modern Western diets which are often low in fiber and phytochemicals, and high in refined carbohydrates, processed foods, unhealthy fats, and contain high levels of sugar.

A third factor in the robust and healthy gut microbiomes of the Hadza people is that they do not live in “sterile environments.” They don’t just admire nature, but interact with it. They are in constant contact with the earth, walking barefoot, working or digging in the ground and with animals when they hunt. So we can increase our contact with our environment by growing indoor and outdoor plants, tending gardens, and through being outside with our families and pets.

A similar study was conducted in Venezuela with the Yanomami tribe. It was found that they had a 50% greater microbial diversity than the average American. They too were hunter-gatherers with a diet high in plant foods. So it seems that the farther away a person’s diet gets from our modern western diet, the more diverse the range of microbes in our intestines. This includes a number of bacteria that are completely missing from the modern American gut. Clearly, a person’s diet plays a major role in the gut microbiome.

The modern Western diet is largely deficient in fiber and high in processed junk, fat, refined sugars, and refined carbohydrates. The research strongly suggests that this diet is effectively wiping out many bacterial species from our digestive tracts.

Surprisingly, the Hadza microbiome fluctuated over the course of the year depending upon the specific season of the year. During the long dry periods, the Hadza people eat considerably more meat, much like a Westerner. Some species of bacteria prevalent during the wet seasons disappeared or their numbers fell to an undetectable level, similar to that seen when analyzing the Western microbiome. During the wet seasons, these missing microbes return.

So cutting the amount of fat, processed food, processed carbohydrates and processed sugars, and having a high fiber diet and interacting with the natural environment may be the vital keys to having a healthy, diverse microbiome that greatly improves the overall health of the microbiome, body and mind.

Sources: vitalplan.com/blogs/blog/the-6-secrets-of-the-hadza-tribe-what-we-can-learn-about-health-and-longevity; ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK154100; Britannica.com/science/human-microbiome#Overview

That Frog in Your Throat

by

“I just can’t seem to get rid of this frog in my throat.” Probably just about everyone, everywhere can admit to having said this or some variety of it at some point in time. For some, this frogginess follows along with a cold or the flu or seasonal allergies. Others may experience it regularly as a result of reflux, a side effect of medication or an autoimmune disorder, hypothyroidism, diabetes, aging, intubation, tracheal stenosis, trauma, post-nasal drip, or cancers/tumor/radiation therapy.

Reflux is a common cause. Acidic and nonacidic matter backwashes from the stomach and hits the bottom part of the throat. This causes irritation to the voice box. Reflux is provoked by triggers like spicy foods, alcohol, caffeine, carbonated drinks, and smoking. As a defense against reflux, the throat lines itself with a mucus coating. However, the more backwash, the more mucus, and this results in excessive throat clearing, persistent cough, or that frog-in-the-throat feeling.

Other symptoms that often follow this mucus build-up are difficulty swallowing, noisy breathing, or even neurological warning signs such as weakness, numbness, slurred speech, or facial paralysis.

The best defense against reflux and the other potential causes of that a froggy throat is to avoid the dietary and lifestyle habits that trigger it. But keep in mind that that frog can also be a warning sign of enlarged tonsils, dehydration, environmental irritants, excessive talking, shouting, or singing in a way that strains the vocal chords.

Keep your voice healthy—the rest of your body, too—by staying hydrated, taking time to rest your voice during times when you must use it a lot, don’t smoke and don’t breathe in other irritants as much as possible. Use a humidifier and avoid medication that causes dryness unless needed. Eliminate caffeine and alcohol from your diet. Avoid eating or drinking within three hours of lying down, lose weight, reduce stress, and remove spicy, fatty and acidic foods, and instead follow a more Mediterranean-like diet, excluding meat.

Most cases resolve themselves over time, but if this frogginess persists for more than four weeks, or if it is not a result of allergies or a virus or diet, it is recommended that a physician be consulted as soon as possible. Chronic throat clearing, regardless of the cause, can damage your vocal chords over time.

Here are some home remedies that might help:

  • Sip water
  • Suck on sugar-free lozenges
  • Swallow twice
  • Yawn
  • Cough

Sources: nbcnews.com/healthmain/ahem-what-frog-throat-anyway; bing.com/copilot/what+causes+the+frog+in+my+throat; wexnermedical.osu.edu/blog/is-that-frog-in-your-throat-a-sign-of-a-serious-illness; healthline.com/health/clearing-throat