In the garden of Eden the water was pure, the air was clear, and no animal fats were being consumed. Compare that to our diets today with so many convenience foods laced with preservatives which really are small doses of poison. I overheard a doctor say “If the bugs won’t eat it, neither will I!” Soft drinks surely must be one of the abominations mentioned in scripture.

A seminar currently available to doctors teaches that cancer cannot exist or develop in an alkaline environment. What that refers to is the acid/alkaline chemical balance of our body’s fluids. Raw fruits and vegetables provide the ideal alkaline diet, and along with plant proteins enable our body to maintain the proper pH balance. On the other hand, animal proteins are made up of combinations of amino acids. So, a diet consisting of excess animal proteins, and not counterbalanced with alkaline fruits and vegetables, will tend to produce an undesirable pH balance with an increased susceptibility to various diseases. God’s word recommends that we fast often, and that can be done with fresh raw juices. Very healthy!

Acid substances are derived by adding Hydrogen molecules, so a diet heavy in animal proteins pushes the acid/alkaline balance further toward the undesirable acid state. Isn’t it interesting that someone who has a nasty disposition is spoken of as being an acid personality?

What can we do? My profession as a doctor of chiropractic has the purpose of examining patients to determine whether the nerve system is efficiently controlling all body functions. The nerve system function can be interfered with by misalignments of the movable segments of the spinal column, and related structures such as the Occiput, the sacrum and pelvis. When the D.C. finds a situation of nerve interference resulting in a body system not working properly, the procedure is to reduce (make a correction) the interference to enable the body to return to normal function, which is health.

A word about the nerve system. Most people use pain as an indication of health (headache, stomach ache, etc). Pain involves sensory nerves which tell the brain what condition the body is in.

Sensory nerves are messengers carrying information from the body to the brain (central nerve system). The brain is an immeasurably great computer which analyzes all the information coming in, so that organ systems may be regulated properly. For example, after eating a fine meal and delicious dessert, the sensory nerves tell the brain what the blood sugar levels are. The brain responds by initiating MOTOR nerve impulses to the pancreas to increase the production of insulin, thus maintaining a proper blood sugar level.
Now, this is important for you to understand. Motor nerves do not contain sensory nerve fibers. A person does not FEEL (pain) pinching of motor nerves, and it is the motor nerve system that directs (controls) the function of all the body parts, glands, organs, muscles. The motor nerve system is the KEY system in maintenance of health.

Now back to diet and supplements. Continued dietary abuse can exceed the body’s ability to return to normal. An example of this is seen in people who are grossly overweight. Another example is seen in alcoholics - the extreme situation is the ruined life of the homeless bum in an alley. Today, it is drug abuse and ruined lives. Cocaine often damages the brain so severely that it can never again function normally or express normal behavior.
So, careful attention to the food intake, and avoidance of toxic substances, is essential to maintaining good health. Vitamin and mineral supplements can be very instrumental in helping a body to regain health, and to remain healthy with a proper pH balance.

Natural health can deteriorate so severely, and traumatic incidents can occur, such that medical and/or surgical intervention is necessary. When that is the case, we are thankful for the modern facilities and medical expertise available today.

God has provided multitudes of fruits and vegetables to be used for our good health. An abundant resource of these is found in the Amazon rain forest in South America. The plants in the 1.2 billion acres constantly recycle carbon dioxide into oxygen, meeting more than 20% of the earth’s needs. Thirty seven percent of all medicines prescribed in the U.S. have active ingredients that are derived from, or are analogues of, rain forest plants. Twenty-five percent of all prescribed medicines come from just 40 of these plants. According to the National Cancer Institute, 70% of the estimated 3,000 plants found to be active against cancer cells are found in the rain forest. Just this year, in January, 2005, a company has begun to market a delicious drink comprised of fruits and berries from the Amazon rain forst, combined with a tea. It is called Fruta Vida - the fruit of life.

There are many other topics in the field of natural health maintenance, to be addressed in future articles. I hope this message is helpful.