Aug/Sept 2010 Fit4Ever Jimmy Page

Get to the Source

“A little yeast leavens the whole lump of dough.” – Galatians 5:9

If we’re honest, I think this story gets very personal. When I look at any problem in my own life, I have to ask myself if I’m actually stopping it at the source or simply mopping up the mess. Am I dealing with the root issue and finding a permanent solution, or am I repeatedly treating the symptoms as they arise? Observable symptoms are almost never the cause; they are simply results that show up and let us know something is wrong.

From a health perspective, did you know that only five percent of cancer causes are genetic while 95 percent are caused by lifestyle and environment? In other words, an overwhelming majority of cancers are caused by our choices. Some we make consciously (e.g., smoking, unhealthy diets, lack of exercise) while others are subconscious (e.g., internalizing stress, anger and destructive emotions). In either case, we have to get to the source in order to find the solution.

Our bodies contain more than 66,000 miles of blood vessels. If we stretched them out, they would wrap the circumference of the earth twice. These vessels function as supply lines that transport nutrients to every living cell in our bodies. When we are healthy, our bodies naturally regulate the growth of new blood vessels through a process called angiogenesis. A healthy internal environment will stimulate or inhibit this growth as needed. When we have an injury or wound, our body responds and grows new vessels to facilitate growth and healing, and, once those increased demands are done, the blood vessels are reduced.

Almost every major disease has a faulty process of angiogenesis at its root. Excessive angiogenesis occurs in diseases such as cancer, arthritis and diabetic blindness in which blood vessels feed diseased tissues and allow them to grow and spread. In cases such as heart disease and strokes, insufficient angiogenesis occurs and tissues do not receive an adequate supply of blood.

What’s amazing is that it’s the lifestyle choices of most cancer patients that have a significant effect on balancing the process of angiogenesis. Lifestyle and environment, then, would be the root sources of these problems. In fact, the top three sources of disease are diet, stress, and lack of exercise, all of which are within our ability to control. Thus, we must examine these areas in our lives and take steps now to improve them before they become sources of disease.

First, regarding diet, we must focus on eating what God designed for food. This promotes a healthy internal environment. Eating the right foods helps the body starve cancer and feed healthy tissue. Focus on taking in more fruits, vegetables, beans, spices, nuts and essential oils.

The second source, stress, is most effectively handled through a consistent spiritual connection. Review your daily spiritual intake and how connected you are to the Lord. If you find gaps, don’t be afraid to rearrange your schedule in order to prioritize time with Him through prayer, solitude, reading the Word and serving others.

Regarding the final source—exercise—just get moving! Physical activity is the key to maintaining a healthy weight and flushing toxins from your body. Find an activity you like to do that gets your blood flowing and then do it.

The bottom line is that, if we really want solutions, we need to make changes at the root of our problems, otherwise we will continue on a path of insanity. This month, stop mopping up the messes in your life and turn off the faucet!