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sa2062au - Food that is good for us.docx

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Food That Is Good For Us

Clean and unclean food

Food can make our bodies sick or healthy. In spite of the advancements of modern medicine, the capacity ofhospitals is stretched to the limit, chronic diseases are increasing and breakdown of health is almost accepted as anormal pattern of life1.

A large part of the reason for this decline in health is the food we are eating. It is typical of the fast-paced westernlifestyle to heat up ready-prepared meals in the microwave, order hamburgers and soft drinks at the drive-through,and consume processed milk, processed sugar, processed bread and various other processed foods.

By eating such food, we fill up our bodies with antibiotics (which are routinely given as growth promoters), colouringagents, flavour additives (because processed food doesn’t look or taste very appealing without it), growth hormonesand preservatives.

Most of these food additives are detrimental to our health. It is degenerative food that leads to degenerativediseases such as cancer, diabetes, arthritis and others, or it can trigger asthma attacks, irrational behaviour, eczemaand a multitude of other diseases2.

This article sets out to explain that by taking good care of our bodies, we can remain healthy and avoid manydiseases, or even restore ourselves to full health, as our bodies are astonishingly resilient.

Obvious measures to promote good health are:

Hydrating the body adequately

Cutting down on processed sugar

Avoiding processed food as much as possible

Exercising regularly

Reducing stress

Avoiding e-numbers and preservatives, or flavor enhancers such as MSG.

Getting enough sleep

There are plenty of excellent books and articles that explain how to get into good health and remain healthy. In thisarticle, however, we want to focus on God’s laws for good health. Even in our environment, laden with radiation,

1 World Health Organization (2002). The world health report 2002: reducing risks, promoting healthy life [PDF]. http://www.who.int/whr/2002/en/whr02_en.pdf?ua=1

2 Polonio, M. L., Peres, F. (2009). Food Additive Intake and Health Effects: Public Health Challenges in Brazil. Cad Saude Publica 8:1653-66.

http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0102-311X2009000800002&lng=en&nrm=iso&tlng=en

Category A2 "FOOD THAT IS GOOD FOR US"


toxins and other health hazards, we can keep or restore our health. God who designed our amazingly resilientbodies promised it!

“And ye shall serve the LORD your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness awayfrom the midst of thee.” (Exodus 23:25).

“And the LORD will take away from thee all sickness… ” (Deuteronomy 7:15)

There is, however, a condition:

“If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wiltgive ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I havebrought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.” (Exodus 15:26)

Follow God’s commandments to remain healthy - how? This is what this article wants to show!

Following are two testimonies, both given by physicians:

Don Colbert: “During the 1980s I began experiencing some occasional irregularities in my heartbeat. This conditionaffected me physically, and every now and then my heart would seem to miss a beat. When that occurred, I wasforced to stop whatever I was doing and catch my breath. As this condition continued, I became increasinglyconcerned about why God had not healed me. It became so severe that my doctor prescribed medication to slowdown my heart rate. This was very difficult for me. Although I was involved in a healing ministry, I was forced to takea pill every day… In prayer, I complained to God about the situation. In total frustration I said, “Lord, I’ve prayed andI’ve prayed and I’ve prayed, and You have not healed me!” To my surprise the Lord rebuked me and said, “Don’tblame Me for what is your own fault.” I was shocked! … I soon came to realize that I was neglecting to do what wasright. I had not taken proper care of my body, and my ongoing neglect began to manifest itself through physicalsymptoms. Remember, faith begins where natural ability stops. I began an exercise program and started eatingcorrectly. As I continued to modify my behavior, I noticed that my heart problem was less noticeable. Before long, itvanished completely.” 3

Rex Russell: “By following these laws, I have not had one carbuncle (abscess) or any arthritis in the last 18 years.What a change! Before applying these laws, the retina in my eyes had deteriorated to the point that I had to havelaser therapy… Now I have 20/20 vision… My doctor, who has a large practice, claims that I’ve done better than anyof her other diabetic patients.”4

Both doctors changed their lifestyles and diets according to biblical laws, and their health improved dramatically.

Before we start to explain, please note two things.

Firstly, as Christians, our salvation does not depend on keeping every law of the Old Testament. However, manycommandments and stipulations are essential for our health and well-being. There are laws relating to rest,nutrition, food preparation, animal care, farming, and personal and environmental health and hygiene - and whilsta Christian is not subject to the penalties and condemnation of the Old Testament covenant under Moses, continueddisregard for God’s law and wisdom (nationally, industrially or individually) may result in ill consequences.Sometimes these follow immediately, sometimes the penalty can be gradual, for example when transgressing God’sfood laws. Many Christians would consider it permissible to eat meat from an ‘unclean’animal in order not tooffend the host; see 1 Corinthians 10:27. This should, however, remain an exception, rather than a habit, be done

3 Colbert, D. (2006). Living in Divine Health, Lake Mary, FL, USA.

4 Russell, R. (1996). What the Bible Says about Healthy Living. Ventura, CA, USA.



“in faith” (rather than in doubts and conflicts of conscience) and always with the view of not offending otherpeople. “And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith issin.”(Romans 14:23).

Secondly, there are always those who go overboard in their desire to stay healthy. Unwittingly believing that low-

fat, high-fibre and, often, vegetarian diets are good for their health, they may be starving their bodies of vital

nutrients (e.g. vitamin B12, which only occurs in animal products such as meat, eggs and milk). Stunted growth in

children and anorexia can be some of the consequences.

The Bible commands us to take care of our body which is the temple of the Holy Ghost. Therefore we have to dowhat we can to keep our bodies clean.

The following sections will study the Bible’s view on

Clean and unclean land animals; with particular emphasis on the pig;

Parts of even clean animals that should not be eaten: blood, fat.

Clean and unclean birds;

Clean and unclean fish; with particular emphasis on shellfish;

Clean and unclean plants; with particular emphasis on mushrooms.



Unclean Land Animals and the Dangers of Eating Pork

In the Bible there are certain foods that God says we should not eat which God calls unclean (Leviticus 11:1-8,Deuteronomy 14:3-8).

Leviticus 11:1-8

‘And the LORD spake unto Moses and to Aaron, saying unto them, Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, Theseare the beasts which ye shall eat among all the beasts that are on the earth. Whatsoever parteth the hoof, and isclovenfooted, and cheweth the cud, among the beasts, that shall ye eat. Nevertheless these shall ye not eat of themthat chew the cud, or of them that divide the hoof: as the camel, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not thehoof; he is unclean unto you. And the coney, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is uncleanunto you. And the hare, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you. And theswine, though he divide the hoof, and be clovenfooted, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you. Of theirflesh shall ye not eat, and their carcase shall ye not touch; they are unclean to you.’

This means that, according to these scriptures in the Bible, land animals we should avoid eating include:

Land animals that are suitable for eating are animals which both chew thecud and have cloven feet; e.g. oxen, sheep, goats and deer.

At first glance, the distinction into clean and unclean animals seems arbitrary.Why should the horse, for example, be unclean, just because it doesn’t fulfillthe criteria of parting the hoof and chewing the cud? After all, doesn’t it eatthe same food as a cow?

The difference lies in the digestion: the cow’s stomach contains fourrumination compartments (rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum). Ineach compartment, various kinds of bacteria help to digest grasses and grains. Harmful bacteria, parasites and

Animals which go on allfours that are flesh andcarrion eaters e.g. dogs,cats, wolves, lions, etc.(Leviticus 11:27)

Creeping things and scavengers,e.g. lizards, snakes, moles, snails,mice, etc. (Leviticus 11:29-31)

Animals that do notchew the cud -chameleon, tortoiseand pigs, hares, etc



toxins are broken down more completely and have a smaller chance of reaching the flesh of the cow5. Horse meatoften contains more viruses and parasites6.

Why are rabbits, for example, listed under unclean animals and why does the Bible say that they chew their cud?In fact, rabbits do not regurgitate cud as cows do, they do eat part of their feces (special droppings calledcecotropes) and are often carriers of the tularemia bacteria that can be transferred to humans7.

A Closer Look at the Pig

Did you know that pork is the most consumed meatin the world?8 But according to Dr. Axe, a CertifiedNutrition Specialist, pork meat contains more toxinsthan any other meat.9

Why is pig meat toxic?

Firstly, pigs are scavengers; they eat any food theycan find including waste products such as feces, deadcarcasses and their own young which makes them anundesirable meal, as ‘you are what you eat’10.

Health Risks linked to eating pork

There are several areas of danger concerning the consumption of pork. There are risks from how the pigs are fedand raised, the diseases the pig may carry, and the negative effects of eating the meat. An example of this is in theU.S. where pigs are fed ractopamine in order to increase the rate of growth by 60-80%. This is an additive which isbanned in 160 countries such as China, Taiwan and all of Europe because of the health problems it causes such asrestlessness, anxiety and an elevated heart rate11.

Antibiotics are also fed to pigs (and other animals) in order to fatten them up. By feeding pigs antibiotics, over timethe bacteria in the animals will become resistant to them. This means that a person who becomes affected by theantibiotic resistant bacteria could be resistant to any antibiotic treatments if they become ill. This has become suchan issue that the World Health Organization issued a statement showing their intention to "reduce the overuse andmisuse of antimicrobials in food animals for the protection of human health."12 These antibiotic resistant bacteriaare becoming more common. For instance, in the Organic Consumers Association an article was published in 2006recounting the findings of a study by the University of Minnesota where they found antibiotic-resistant bugs in 7.1%of 113 swine veterinarians. The University of Iowa also found the same bacterial strains in 147 of 299 pigs which

5 Orr, A. I. (2014). How Cows Eat Grass. http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/ResourcesforYou/AnimalHealthLiteracy/ucm255500.htm

6 Lund, B., Baird-Parker, T. C. (2000). Microbiological Safety and Quality of Food. Norwich: Aspen. p. 3797 Colorado State University (2015). How to avoid tularemia, rare ‘rabbit fever’reported in northern Colorado. http://source.colostate.edu/how-to-avoid-tularemia-rare-rabbit-

fever-reported-in-northern-colorado/8 Choe, Jee-Hwan, Yang, Han-sul, Lee, Sang-Hoon, Go, Gwang-Woong (2015), Characteristics of pork belly consumption in South Korea and their health implication. Journal of

Animal Science and Technology, Vol 57.

9 Axe, J. (2016). Why You Should Avoid Pork. At: http://draxe.com/why-you-should-avoid-pork/

10 Oregon State University (2015). Pigs: Home on the Range? http://smallfarms.oregonstate.edu/sfn/w15pigsonrange

11 Ibid.

12 World Health Organization (2001), WHO Global Strategy for Containment of Antimicrobial Restistance.



had been tested with nasal swabs13. The report also notes that ‘there have been serious infections reported in theNetherlands related to these strains… [and] since an estimated 18,650 deaths a year in the U.S. are estimated to becaused by a range of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, researchers have encouraged U.S. and Canadian authorities topay attention to the findings’14. This shows that there is an increasing concern about antibiotic resistance throughfeeding pigs antibiotics and the dangers it poses to health.

Consumption of pork has also been linked to the deadly superbug virus MRSA. One study by Polish scientistspublished in BioMed Research International investigated oxacillin resistance of the pathogen staphylococcus aureusfrom pig and pork meat in South-West Poland. Oxacillin is a penicillin antibiotic used to treat the pathogenstaphylococcus aureus which is a life-threatening disease treated through antibiotics. It is the same class of drug asmethicillin which is linked to Methicillin-resistant S. Aureus (MRSA) and it is responsible for 20,000 deaths in theU.S. with 90,000 cases in total, which the MRSA Research Centre reports is more than the number of people dyingfrom AIDS15. The study determined that MRSA from livestock has been 'repeatedly isolated from pigs' inNetherlands, Europe, Canada and the USA16. This is dangerous because it is readily transferred from animal toanimal and animal to human. Moreover their results concluded that up to 48% of animals were found to have S.Aureus and 40% in pork meat17.

Pork is linked with cancer; for example, physicist and author Michael Greger, M.D. wrote 'cured meats such as baconand ham are loaded with carcinogenic nitrosamine producing nitrates and should be avoided'18. He also warnedthat pan fried pork chops contain carcinogens. Moreover, in 2006 the American Journal of Clinical Nutritionpublished findings that eating bacon five or more times a week can result in a 59% increased risk of bladder cancer19.

Other health concerns aside from cancer include liver failure from Hepatitis E20 and possible arsenic contamination.Arsenic is deliberately fed to pigs and is dangerous to humans21. Furthermore, a case study from Consumer Reports2006 reported some serious findings concerning pork chops and ground pork. They found that ‘yersiniaenterocolitica, a bacterium that can cause fever, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, was widespread’and was found in69% of the 240 tested pork samples22. They also described how they discovered salmonella, staphylococcus aureusand listeria monocytogenes in 3 to 7% of samples and enterococcus in 11%. One of the largest salmonella outbreaksin Germany came from people eating raw minced pork; ‘the outbreak was traced back to contaminated raw porkproducts’ in 201323. The presence of enterococcus indicates potential contamination from feces resulting inpotential urinary tract infections24.

13 Burton, T. M. (2006). Are There Deadly Superbugs in your Pork? The Wall Street Journal, via Greenchange.org , https://www.organicconsumers.org/news/are-there-deadly-

superbugs-your-pork

14 Ibid.

15 MRSA Research Centre http://mrsa-research-center.bsd.uchicago.edu/

16 Krupa, P., Bystron, J., Podkowik, M., Empel, J., Mroczkowska, A., Bania, J. (2005). Population Structure and Oxacillin Resistance of Staphylococcus aureus from Pigs and Pork

Meat in South-West Poland. BioMed Research International Volume 2015

17 Ibid.

18 Greger, Michael, Pork (November 2015) at http://nutritionfacts.org/topics/pork/

19 Michaud, D. S., Holick, C. N., Giovannucci, E., Stampfer, M. J. (2006). Meat Intake and Bladder Cancer Risk in 2 Prospective Cohort Studies.

http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/84/5/1177.abstract

20 Berto, A. et al. (2013). Hepatitis E Virus in Pork Liver Sausage, France. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3563277/

21 Center for Food Safety (2013). Factory Farms: Arsenic [PDF]. http://www.centerforfoodsafety.org/files/arsenic_fact-sheet_33897.pdf

22 Consumer reports Magazine (2013). Pork chops and ground pork contaminated with bacteria.

23 Schroeder, S., Harries, M., Prager, R., Hofig, A., Ahrens, B., Hoffmann, L., Rabsch, W., Mertens, E., Rimek D. A prolonged outbreak of Salmonella Infantis associated with pork

products in Central Germany, April-October 2013. Epidemiology &Infection (November 2015) available on CJO2015. doi:10.1017/S0950268815002629

24 Consumer reports Magazine (2013). Pork chops and ground pork contaminated with bacteria



Dr. H. R. Gamble, from the Parasite Biology and Epidemiology Laboratory in the United States Department ofAgricultural Research Service identified three parasites which pose a danger to public health through theconsumption of raw or undercooked pork. These are Trichinella spiralis (a roundworm), Taenia solium (atapeworm) and Toxoplasma gondii (a protozoan) which lead to a variety of problems such as abdominal pain,rashes, coughing and diarrhea.25 Regarding T. spiralis, Gamble notes that ‘prevalence in swine varies from countryto country and regionally within countries’and has become less dangerous in recent years. However, he reportsthat some methods of heating are not sufficient in inactivating the trichinae, especially heating with a microwaveas the temperature is often uneven after cooking, so not all affected areas were dealt with. Likewise with frozenpork, they must be frozen for four days at -10 degrees Celsius before trichinae were killed26.

The larvae of T. spiralis are coiled inside the pig’s muscle cells. They areso small that a single gram of meat can contain more than a thousandof them.27 Rosemary Drisdale, a clinical parasitologist, describes howtwenty-four hours after eating the infested meat, the larvae invade thesmall intestines. Like mobile needles, they pierce through the lining,damaging tissue and excreting toxic waste products. Flu-like symptomsstart to develop: fever, vomiting, diarrhea. The larvae in the meantimegrow to worms, mate with each other and produce eggs. After six days,they turn into larvae that enter the bloodstream, damaging tissue andorgans on their way. By the third week the larvae have done enoughdamage to cause breathing troubles and fluttering heartbeat. Theparasites are particularly numerous around the eyes, the tongue andthe jaw. After about a month, the fever, vomiting and diarrhea subside.Each larva has now occupied a muscle cell, coiled together, so they fittheir home (see picture). They become dormant now, waiting to be eaten by the next host (in the case of a pig).28

T. Solium (cysticirosis) is a tapeworm larva found in the muscle tissueof pigs, often through visual inspection of the livestock. It is dangerousto humans because the larvae of the tapeworm can enter into thecirculation and end up in vital organs including the brain. Othersymptoms include nausea, diarrhea, constipation and abdominalpain. The infection of pork tapeworm larvae is called cysticirosis andcan lead to muscle tissue damage, seizures, mental confusion andbizarre behaviour.

T. Gondii is a parasite. Dr. Gamble notes that ‘[r]ecent evidencesuggests that a high prevalence rate in pigs infers that raw orundercooked meat is a significant source of infection’with a particulardanger to pregnant women; causing birth defects in any infectedfoetuses.29 Although pigs are not the only animal infected with thisparasite, troublingly ‘all pork is potentially infected with T. gondii’. Cooking and freezing can kill the T. Gondii butthere is no conclusive research about its presence in cured meats.

25 Parasites associated with pork and pork products (1997). Scientific and Technical Review of the Office International des Epizooties. p496

26 Parasites associated with pork and pork products (1997). Scientific and Technical Review of the Office International des Epizooties. p498

27 Drisdelle, Rosemary, Parasites. Tales of Humanity’s Most Unwelcome Guests, Berkeley, CA, 2010

28 Ibid.

29 Parasites associated with pork and pork producs (1997). Scientific and Technical Review of the Office International des Epizooties. p501

A cross section of human brain with

numerous cysticerci of Taenia solium. Picture

from Drisdelle, Rosemary

Larvae of Trichinella spiralis inside nurse

cells in muscle. Picture from Drisdelle, Rosemary



Conclusion

God tells us that there are certain animals not fit for human consumption that we should avoid. Pigs are one ofthose animals that are potentially harmful when consumed. They carry parasites and diseases such as tapewormsand roundworms, and their meat is being linked to increased risks of cancer. Based on what some pigs are fed, porkmeat can lead to arsenic poisoning, and the meat itself can contain high amounts of toxins. There is a reason Godcalls the pig an unclean animal.

A Word on Modern Practices of Raising Cattle and other Clean Animals

Meat from clean animals is healthy, containing proteins, iron, zinc and vitamins as well as omega-3 fatty acids. These

omega-3 acids are essential for our bodies and offer strong protection from vascular disease, by fighting clotting in

blood vessels. They also slow the spread of breast cancers, lower blood pressure and relieve inflamed joints in

rheumatoid arthritis patients.30

However, most animals raised for food nowadays never go outdoors, except when brought to the slaughterhouse.

Caged for most of their lives, they are fed growth-promoting hormones, antibiotics and genetically-engineered feed.

Never able to move around and weighing double what they normally would, their leg muscles and brittle bones are

unable to hold their weight.

A word of warning: do not eat meat from animals that are raised that way. The meat may be much cheaper, but it

is not fit for consumption!

30 Udo E. (1994). Fats that Heal, Fats that Kill. Burnaby, B.C., Canada: Alive Books.



Overview - Clean Land Animalschew the cud and have a divided hoof

Antelope Elk IbexBeef (cow, calf, ox, veal) Gazelle MooseBuffalo (bison) Giraffe ReindeerCaribou Goat Sheep (lamb, mutton)Deer Hart

Unclean Land Animals

PigBoar, Pig, hog, bacon, ham,lard, pork

CaninesCoyote, Dog, Fox, Hyena,Jackal, Wolf

FelinesCat, Cheetah, Cougar,Leopard, Lion, Panther, Tiger

EquinesDonkey, Horse, Mule,Onager, Zebra

Other AnimalsArmadillo, Badger, Bear, Beaver, Camel, Elephant, Ferret, Frog, GorillaGroundhog, Guinea pig, Hippopotamus, Kangaroo, Llama, Mole, Monkey,Mouse, Muskrat, Opossum, Porcupine, Rabbit (hare), Raccoon, Rat, Rhinoceros,Salamander, Skunk, Slug, Snail, Squirrel, Wallaby, Weasel, Wolverine, Worm.Reptiles such as Alligator, Crocodile, Lizard, Snake, Turtle.



Parts of clean animals not to be eaten according to the Bible

In the previous chapter we talked about clean and unclean animals. This chapter describes that not all parts of evenclean animals should be eaten.

The Bible makes mention of certain parts of the animal being “taken away” in the sacrificial process that the priestperformed in the Old Testament. This was due to the fact that all such parts were unclean spiritually and/ornutritionally unfit for human consumption. The book of Leviticus (and other books in the Old Testament) describeshow the priests ate the clean parts of the animal as part of the edible sacrifice, but burnt the rest of the animal,which was unclean for human consumption, as a burnt offering, which was unclean for human consumption. Thereare many parts which are repeatedly mentioned like the kidneys with the fat, the caul above the liver, the head, therump, the innards etc. In this, the Israelites not only learned a spiritual lesson of obeying God, but, as we shall see,benefitted practically from avoiding to eat these parts.

Fat

Leviticus 7:23 'Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, Ye shall eat no manner of fat, of ox, or of sheep, or of goat'.

No animal fat is to be eaten. This is shown throughout Leviticus chapter 11. Toxins and parasites get stored inanimal fat which render it unsafe to eat31. Consuming this fat increases the risk of diabetes and cardiovasculardisease32, 33.

The ratios of stearic acid in the external or cover fat of beef and other animals are such that the acid can cause theplatelets in blood to become sticky, and to form clots. This type of fat is one of the main causes of heart disease34.

Blood

Blood is not to be consumed.

Genesis_9:4 'But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat.'

1 Samuel_14:33 'Then they told Saul, saying, Behold, the people sin against the LORD, in that they eat with theblood. And he said, Ye have transgressed: roll a great stone unto me this day.'

Lev 17:14 'For it is the life of all flesh; the blood of it is for the life thereof: therefore I said unto the children ofIsrael, Ye shall eat the blood of no manner of flesh: for the life of all flesh is the blood thereof: whosoever eateth itshall be cut off.'

Antibodies, bacteria, microbes, viruses and diseases exist in the blood in a manner which makes it very unsafe toconsume and digest35. Blood also has a very high concentration of iron36. The human body struggles to deal with

31 Lim, J. S., Son, H.K., Park, S. K., Jacobs Jr. D. R., Lee, D. H. (2011). Inverse associations between long-term weight change and serum concentrations of persistent organic

pollutants. International Journal of Obesity, (2011) 35, 744–747; doi:10.1038/ijo.2010.18832 Lee DH, Lee IK, Song K, Steffes M, Toscano W, Baker BA et al. A strong dose-response relation between serum concentrations of persistent organic pollutants and diabetes:

results from the National Health and Examination Survey 1999-2002. Diabetes Care 2006; 29: 1638–1644.33 Ha MH, Lee DH, Jacobs DR. Association between serum concentrations of persistent organic pollutants and self-reported cardiovascular disease prevalence: results from the

National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999-2002. Environ Health Perspect 2007; 115: 1204–1209.34 Rusell, R. (1999), What the Bible Says about Healthy Living, Grand Rapids, MI., p. 16, 69

35 WebMD (2016). Heart Health Center. http://www.webmd.com/heart/anatomy-picture-of-blood

36UCSF Medical Center (2016). Hemoglobin and Functions of Iron. https://www.ucsfhealth.org/education/hemoglobin_and_functions_of_iron/



overdoses of iron, and cannot get rid of it easily, making it toxic to the digestive system37.

God has given us a symbolic and spiritual reason: that life is in the blood. He does not want us to consume it. Thatshould be clear to any God-fearing Christian who takes God's word literally.

Leviticus_3:17 'It shall be a perpetual statute for your generations throughout all your dwellings, that ye eatneither fat nor blood.'

Head

Leviticus 1:8 'And the priests, Aaron's sons, shall lay the parts, the head, and the fat, in order upon the wood thatis on the fire which is upon the altar:...vs 12 And he shall cut it into his pieces, with his head and his fat: and thepriest shall lay them in order on the wood that is on the fire which is upon the altar:'

The brain consists of 29% fat, so the reasons to not consume are the same as those found under “fat”38. This doesnot include the neck, as the neck contains muscle/meat and can be consumed. Consuming the brain can result inprion diseases (neurodegenerative conditions) such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease39.

Heart

The eating of heart is not mentioned in the Bible in any prohibition. The heart, of course, is a muscle and wouldthus fall under edible body parts. Arguments against eating the heart are: it also is the organ most connected withthe blood; much fat can be on the heart and would need to be removed if eaten40. Ultimately, however, there isno prohibition in the Bible. Heart is a good source of iron, zinc, selenium, and B vitamins, but especially CoQ1041.

Liver

There is no mention in the Bible of the prohibition of eating of the liver. In the Levitical sacrifice there are severalscriptures mentioning the removal of the 'caul’which translates to 'netting', or 'lobes' of fat above the liver. Exodus29:13, Leviticus 3:10, Leviticus 7:4 “And thou shalt take ... the caul that is above the liver”. This leads to a directdeduction that the liver itself was not considered in the same category as the other parts which were 'separated'and burned. Although the liver is an organ that removes toxins from the body, no toxins remain in the liver.42 Theliver neutralizes toxins but does not store them. Liver contains many nutrients (including vitamin A, vitamin B12,choline, folate)43. Some people, however, consider this organ to be unfit for consumption because it is very difficultto remove all the blood from it.

Kidneys

Kidneys are grouped with fat. According to the scriptures, the kidneys were to be separated, burned and notconsumed. This is logical considering the function of the kidneys, which are linked to the urinary system. The kidneys

37 Iron Disorders Institute (2009). Iron Overload. http://www.irondisorders.org/iron-overload

38 Brain Facts and Figures. http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/facts.html

39Collinge, J. (2001). Prion Diseases of Humans and Animals: Their Causes and Molecular Basis. Annual Review of Neuroscience. 24:519-550. Doi: 10.1146/annurev.neuro.24.1.519

40 Miao et al. (2011). The Association of Pericardial Fat with Coronary Artery Plaque Index at MR Imaging: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). Radiology. 261:1, 109-

115. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3176423/41 Kresser, C. (2013). How to Eat More Organ Meats. http://chriskresser.com/how-to-eat-more-organ-meats/

42 *http://www.nourishingdays.com/2010/06/liver-qa-why-liver-is-not-full-of-toxins-and-where-to-find-good-liver/ (Date Accessed 1/15/2016)

43Kresser, C. (2008). Liver: nature’s most potent superfood. http://chriskresser.com/natures-most-potent-superfood/



remove waste products from the blood. The removal process is very different from the liver: the waste productsare brought through the blood (renal artery) to the kidneys; there they pass through filtering units called nephrons,before being passed out of the body with the urine. This means that parts of waste products and urine will almostalways be present in the kidneys44. There is a reason why God said, “And the two kidneys, and the fat that is onthem… shall he take away” (to burn and not to eat) (Leviticus 4:9).

44WebMD (2016). Incontinence & Overactive Bladder Health Center. http://www.webmd.com/urinary-incontinence-oab/picture-of-the-kidneys



Clean and Unclean Birds and Insects

Here is what the Bible says regarding clean and unclean birds and insects:

Leviticus 11:13-23 “And these are they which ye shall have in abomination among the fowls; they shall not be eaten,they are an abomination: the eagle, and the ossifrage, and the ospray, And the vulture, and the kite after his kind;every raven after his kind; and the owl, and the night hawk, and the cuckow, and the hawk after his kind, and thelittle owl, and the cormorant, and the great owl, and the swan, and the pelican, and the gier eagle, and the stork,the heron after her kind, and the lapwing, and the bat. All fowls that creep, going upon all four, shall be anabomination unto you. Yet these may ye eat of every flying creeping thing that goeth upon all four, which have legsabove their feet, to leap withal upon the earth; Even these of them ye may eat; the locust after his kind, and thebald locust after his kind, and the beetle after his kind, and the grasshopper after his kind. But all other flyingcreeping things, which have four feet, shall be an abomination unto you.”

Deuteronomy 14:11-20 “Of all clean birds ye shall eat. But these are they of which ye shall not eat: the eagle, andthe ossifrage, and the ospray, And the glede, and the kite, and the vulture after his kind, And every raven after hiskind, And the owl, and the night hawk, and the cuckow, and the hawk after his kind, The little owl, and the greatowl, and the swan, And the pelican, and the gier eagle, and the cormorant, And the stork, and the heron after herkind, and the lapwing, and the bat. And every creeping thing that flieth is unclean unto you: they shall not be eaten.But of all clean fowls ye may eat.”

These verses give us a list of birds and insects which are unclean, including a prohibition on eating their eggs. Wecan generalize that the forbidden birds are birds of prey, carrion eaters and some water fowl. We can also generalizethese birds are at the higher end of the food chain; therefore they serve a purpose in balancing biology in nature.Most unclean birds are useful in eating sick animals, carrion, and by attacking pests45. In fact, when Laos had arodent plague in April 2008, local barn owls were used to combat this problem. Rats contaminate food, damagestructures and property, and transmit parasites and diseases to other animals and humans. These rats were causingruthless crop damage causing 50-100% loss in expected rice production in 74% of families and over 50% loss in 43%of families who were producing maize. This caused a drastic decline in income and became a national issue.46 It isalso interesting to note that many of the birds which are considered unclean are protected by national andinternational environmental and migratory acts and regulations because they are recognized to be vital in balancing

different ecosystems. So even if we wanted to hunt and eat certain birds, we couldn’t because itwould be illegal47. It is partly for this reason that God made these birds unclean – to maintainbiological equilibrium. An additional reason is that the meat of certain birds may containnumerous germs, which if not cooked properly could be fatal. Let’s take a closer look at eachgroup of unclean birds and why they could pose a potential risk if consumed.

Birds of prey and owls

Birds of prey hunt and feed on other animals, often sick and dead animals, as well as domesticrefuse. They are extremely useful in ensuring that pests such as rats, mice, and locusts don’t get the upper hand.48

45 Hobrink, B. (2005). Modern Science in the Bible. New York, NY: Howard Books.

46 Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2009). Innovative solution to Lao rodent plague. http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/29491/icode/

47 Tern & Plover Conservation Partnership - University of Nebraska-Lincoln (2016). International Migratory Bird Treaty Act (IMBTA). http://ternandplover.unl.edu/law/imbta.asp

48 Grzimek. Animal Life Encyclopedia, vol. 7, 243, 373, 379, 382.



Crows/ravens

These birds are omnivores. They eat rubbish and relish the meat the large carrion birdsleave on the carcasses. 49

Vultures/kites

In all tropical countries, these birds are protected by the law because they areextremely important in keeping the environment clean50.

Storks, herons, ibises, and bitterns

They not only catch fish, but mice and locusts. Of the fish, they eat predominantlysick and dead specimens. In areas of infestations of mice, storks are found in largenumbers.51

Bee eaters and hoopoes

They destroy locusts and other insects. Hoopoes look for food in rubbish.52

Bats

They are one of the best insect exterminators, thereforevery important in balancing nature. But bats can transmit dangerous diseases, like rabies.53

Swans

There is some controversy whether the swan is clean or unclean. The KJV translates “tanshemeth” or “tinshemeth”as swan, while other translations say owl or water hen. In this instance, it may be a rare time where the King JamesVersion provides an uncertain translation. The Strong’s Bible concordance translates “tinshemeth” as owl orchameleon. The Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia suggests that “swan” is a mistranslation, as does Leeser’s OldTestament English Translation of the Hebrew Bible, the Jewish Encyclopedia, and the Tanakh. Therefore, we willconsider the swan a clean animal.


50 Grzimek. Animal Life Encyclopedia, vol. 7, 243, 373, 379, 382

51 Grzimek. Animal Life Encyclopedia, vol. 7, 243, 373, 379, 382





The birds which are not listed inLeviticus and Deuteronomy areconsidered clean and can be eaten.These birds include songbirds, doves,fowl, and ducks. Since these birds aremostly herbivores, eating them doesn’tdisrupt the biological balance in nature.54

Let’s take a further look at the only insects which are clean. Insects that fly and hop are considered clean.

Locusts and grasshoppers

Grasshoppers and locusts are both herbivores and eat only grass and leaves.They consist of 50-75% protein. The intestines are stuffed with vegetablematter, which is rich in vitamins.55 Locusts can cause great famines. It istherefore very important to have animals which consume locusts, so that theydo not cause devastating catastrophes. It is likely that it is also for this reason that God allows us to eat locusts.56

It is important however that if you want to eat the bugs that you raise them under hygienic conditions, asbackyard insects could be full of pesticides. 57


55 National Geographic (2016). Locust. http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/bugs/locust/; Sifferlin, A. (2013). What’s In a Bug? Lots of Healthy Nutrients.

http://healthland.time.com/2013/08/21/why-eating-bugs-is-good-for-you-its-about-the-nutrients/slide/grasshopper/

56 National Geographic (2016). Locust. http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/bugs/locust/

57 Dicke, M. & Van Huis, A. (2011). The Six-Legged Meat of the Future. http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703293204576106072340020728



Overview - Clean Birds

Clean birds include: Chicken, Dove, Duck, Goose, Grouse, Guinea fowl, Partridge, Peafowl,

Pheasant, Pigeon, Prairie chicken, Ptarmigan, Quail, Sagehen, Sparrow (and other songbirds),Swan, Teal, Turkey

Unclean Birds

Unclean birds are mainly birds of prey andscavengers. They include:Albatross, Bat (not a bird, but included here), Bittern,Buzzard, Condor, Coot, Cormorant, Crane, Crow,Cuckoo, Eagle, Flamingo, Glede, Grebe, Grosbeak, Gull,Hawk, Heron, Kite, Lapwing, Loon, Magpie, Osprey,Ossifrage, Ostrich, Owl, Parrot, Pelican, Penguin, Plover,Rail, Raven, Roadrunner, Sandpiper, Seagull, Stork,Swallow, Swift, Vulture, Water hen, Woodpecker.

Clean Insects

Grashoppers, Locusts.All other insects are unclean.



Clean and unclean seafood

The Bible distinguishes between two types of seafood. Those with fins and scales are clean whereas those that do

not have these two characteristics are unclean and even described as an “abomination”.

“These shall ye eat of all that are in the waters: whatsoever hath fins and scales in the waters, in the seas, and in

the rivers, them shall ye eat. And all that have not fins and scales in the seas, and in the rivers, of all that move in

the waters, and of any living thing which is in the waters, they shall be an abomination unto you: They shall be even

an abomination unto you; ye shall not eat of their flesh, but ye shall have their carcases in abomination. Whatsoever

hath no fins nor scales in the waters, that shall be an abomination unto you.” (Leviticus 11:9-12)

“These ye shall eat of all that are in the waters: all that have fins and scales shall ye eat: And whatsoever hath not

fins ye may not eat; it is unclean unto you.” (Deuteronomy 14: 9-10)

In the New Testament Jesus talks about “good” and “bad” fish in a parable on the kingdom of heaven: “Again, the

kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: Which, when it was

full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away” (Matthew 13:

47 + 48). As all the fish were freshly caught the bad fish could not possibly have been rotten fish, but might possibly

have been unclean and were not meant to be eaten. One might wonder what exactly makes them unfit for being

eaten?

Most fish labelled as unclean are scavengers or pure carnivores58 and bottom dwellers.59 They were designed for

a very specific purpose and have a crucial role in the eco-systems they inhabit.

Shellfish such as lobsters, crabs, crayfish and shrimp lack both fins and scales. They could best be described as the

“clean up crew” of oceans, lakes, rivers, beaches and bays as they rid their surroundings of debris and carrion60.

Lobsters, for example, are "nocturnal foragers”.61 They are "bottom walkers" and "predatory

scavengers"62 that "scavenge for dead animals" and other bottom-dwelling organisms and

debris.63 They are usually caught in lobster pots baited with dead fish. Lobsters have long

antennae and tiny hair-like sensors all over their bodies "that can detect specific chemical

molecules in the environment (released by decaying organisms), which can help the lobster

58 http://amazingdiscoveries.org/C-deception-unclean_animals_pig_fish_mammals

59 https://www.lcg.org/cgi-bin/lcg/studytopics/lcg-st.cgi?category=Christianity1&item=1116549049

60 https://www.lcg.org/cgi-bin/lcg/studytopics/lcg-st.cgi?category=Christianity1&item=1116549049

61 Encyclopedia Americana, 1993

62 Encyclopedia of Aquatic Life, 1988

63 Encyclopaedia Britannica, 1995



identify and locate food", even in the dark64. Lobsters have been observed to bury a dead fish and then dig it up

later, at intervals, to eat a bit more of it.65

Crabs are referred to as "professional garbage hunters" and as "scavengers" that eat

almost anything. The crab prefers dead fish, but will eat any carrion66. Common shrimp, a

small, delicate relative of crabs and lobsters, live by day in the mud or sandy bottoms of

bays and estuaries all over the world. However, they become active at night as predatory

scavengers and are "bottom dwelling detritus feeders”, which means that they eat dead

and decaying matter"67.

These animals were created with the purpose of cleaning bodies of water as well as beaches and shores.

Clams, oysters, mussels and scallops are also part of unclean seafood as they too have neither

fins nor scales. Their specific role could probably be described as vacuum cleaners or filters. As

stationary filter-feeding molluscs, they pump large amounts of water over their mucus-covered

gills, trapping tiny pieces of food (silt, plant debris, bacteria, viruses), which they then eat68. As

a result, "mussels and other animals feeding on microscopic particles are the ultimate

scavengers of the sea"69.

Are there any risks associated with eating seafood without fins and scales?

Human pathogenic bacteria have been found at high levels in crabs and oysters. Though processing them will get

rid of some of the bacteria, not all of them will die.70 The consumption of raw, pickled or undercooked crabs,

crayfish, snails and shrimp carries a significant risk of parasitic infections like liver flukes. This is also true for raw or

poorly cooked fish like sushi or sashimi, which can transmit several kinds of parasitic tapeworms and flukes.71

Because of their method of feeding, clams, oysters, mussels and scallops collect and concentrate pathogenic viruses,

heavy metals and nerve toxins produced by plankton.72 The American Food and Drug Administration has stated that

"raw oysters, clams and mussels— so savored by gourmets— account for 85 percent of all the illnesses caused by

eating seafood".73 Outbreaks of cholera, typhoid, hepatitis A, Norwalk virus, salmonella and paralytic shellfish

64 New Standard Encyclopedia, 1993

65 International Wildlife Encyclopedia, 1990

66 International Wildlife Encyclopedia

67 Encyclopedia of Aquatic Life

68 Encyclopedia Americana, "Mollusks"


70 Elliot and Colwell, Journal of Fish Diseases, 1982

71 Microbiology, 1993


73 FDA Consumer, June 1991



poisoning are just some of the health problems frequently linked to the consumption of these molluscs.74 Notices

have been published that pregnant women, the elderly and "individuals with immune systems weakened by certain

diseases (cancer, diabetes and AIDS) should... avoid eating or handling uncooked shellfish"75.

Shellfish can be placed in a body of water that is contaminated with cholera bacteria, and they will purify the water.

Shrimp, oysters, crab, scallops and mussels are particularly efficient at this. They filter large volumes of water every

day. Sewage laden with chemicals, toxins and harmful bacteria, parasites and viruses become concentrated in those

shellfish.76

Heavy metals are absorbed by all types of fish. As a general rule,

however, clean fish contain a balanced level of detoxifying agents,

which minimize the impact of heavy metals on human beings.

Unclean species of seafood have these agents too, but at a much

higher level, which makes the agents themselves toxic. Certain

unclean species of fish, such as sharks, generally lack these

counterbalancing agents77.

The prohibition against eating scaleless fish also protects against

the consumption of fish that produce poisonous substances in

their bodies. A U.S. Navy manual comments, "All the important fish

with poisonous flesh... lack ordinary scales.... Instead, these poisonous fish are covered with bristles or spiny scales,

strong sharp thorns, or spines, or are encased in a bony box-like covering. Some have naked skin, that is, no spines

or scales"78.

Catfish caught in rivers and streams are perhaps the most

contaminated of all bottom-feeding fish because they are the first

to ingest the industrial pollutants that sink to the bottoms of

streams and rivers.

Many sea creatures

listed as venomous

(sharks, stingrays, catfish, scorpion fish, toadfish, etc.) do not have true

scales79. Eels— nocturnal predatory scavengers that eat "almost any

74 U. C. Berkeley Wellness Letter Feb. 1994; S.R. Rippel, “Infectious Diseases Associated with Moleskin Shellfish Consumption,” Clinical Microbiology Reviews 7:4 (October 1994):

419-25; Epidemiology of Seafood-Associated Infections in the United States: http://cmr.asm.org/content/23/2/399.full.

75 Consumer Research, July 1993

76 J. Pekkanen, “Is Your Seefood Safe?” Reader’s Digest (July 1995): 122

77 see Report on Mercury in Fish and Fish Products, Australian Department of Primary Industry, 1979, Australian Government Publishing Service, 1980 and

http://ourfathersword.org/odbpage.htm

78 Survival on Land and Sea, 1944

79 Venomous Animals of the World, 1974

Salmon belong to the number of clean fish

that have a balanced level of detoxifying

agents

Catfish should not be eaten

Eels eat almost any food – dead or alive



kind of food, dead or alive"— would also be considered unclean80. Eel blood contains a toxic substance "which can

be dangerous if it comes "into contact with eyes or another mucous membrane"81.

Taking all of these facts into consideration it becomes clear that unclean fish and unclean seafood are not meant to

be eaten as they were designed for a different purpose than landing on our plates.

The Benefits of Eating Clean Fish

Fish is the only food that directly supplies large amounts of the

omega-3 fatty acids. These are called essential, because our bodies

cannot manufacture these fats directly. We need to acquire them

from food sources. Omega-3s have many health benefits including

cutting the risk of heart attack and stroke, preventing cancer,

reducing inflammation, improving blood sugar control and

neurotransmitter communication. Alkylglycerols as well as

selenium in the lipids of tuna and clean fish pulls out the mercury

from its flesh. When we eat the fish, the alkylglycerols also remove mercury and other heavy toxic metals from our

bodies82.

We should, however, seek out fish from pure waters, rather than farm-raised salmon that has a higher risk of being

contaminated with industrial pollutants if they are grown in waters near industrialized areas. Even the high-fat fish

such as pompano, mackerel, salmon, and herring – if caught in polluted waters such as those common in the

Northeast of America – can be home to fat-soluble pollutants such as pesticides, PCBs, and mercury. Salmon that is

harvested off the coast of Alaska is much less likely to be polluted by industrial waste and PCBs than salmon from

the northern Atlantic. The waters off Mexico, Argentina, and Chile are extremely pure, as are the seas surrounding

New Zealand and Iceland.83

Also, because of so much mercury contamination in the sea, it is today wiser to eat smaller fish like sardines that

are lower in the food chain. Big fish like tuna – in spite of their ability to remove mercury - tend to collect more

mercury from pollution.

80 International Wildlife Encyclopedia, 1990

81 Encyclopedia of Aquatic Life, 1988

82 Erasmus, U. (1993). Fats that Heal, Fats that Kill. Summertown, Tennessee. Alive Books.

83 Colbert, D. (2002). What Would Jesus Eat? Nashville, TN, USA.

Rainbow Trout is a clean fish that supplies

omega-3s



Overview – Clean Seafood

Clean fish have both fins and scales and include: Albacore, Anchovy, Bass, Bluefish, Bonito, Cod,Crappie, Drum, Flounder, Garfish, Grouper, Grunt, Haddock, Halibut, Hardhead, Herring, Mackerel,Minnow, Perch, Pickerel, Pike, Pikeperch, Rockfish, Salmon, Shad, Sheepshead, Skipjack, Smelt,Sole, Sucker, Sunfish, Tarpon, Trout, Tuna, Yellowtail.

Unclean Seafood

Unclean fish include: Abalone, Bullhead, Catfish, Clam, Crab, Crayfish, Dolphin, Eel, Lobster,Mussel, Octopus, Oyster, Paddlefish, Scallop, Sculpin, Seal, Shark, Shrimp, Squid, Stickleback,Sturgeon (Caviar), Swordfish, Walrus, Whale.

bullhead SticklebackSwordfish

Salmon Trout

Carp

PikeBass

Albacore

lobster crab mussels catfish



Plants and mushroomsIn the first chapter of Genesis, God said: “Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed and the fruit treeyielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth and it was so” (Genesis 1:11). Continuing inGenesis 1:12 we read: “And the earth brought forth grass and herb yielding seed after his kind and the tree yieldingfruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind and God saw that it was good.” At the creation of man, notice whatGod stated humankind’s diet would be. “And God said, Behold I have given you every herb bearing seed which isupon the face of the earth and every tree in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat[food]” (Genesis 1:29). The categories of foods can be broken down as follows: fruits, vegetables, herbs, grasses,legumes, grains, and nuts. God created those foods to provide a perfect nutritional balance and help us maintaingood health. God is an amazing Creator and He knew what we needed! Let’s take a closer look at each categoryof food that God has given us to eat.

Fruits and vegetables are a vital part of a healthy diet. They are rich in vitamins andminerals, phytochemicals, antioxidants,and fibre. These nutrients are whatcauses fruits and vegetables to “lowerblood pressure, reduce risk of heartdisease and stroke, prevent some typesof cancer, lower risk of eye and digestive problems, and have a positiveeffect upon blood sugar which can help keep appetite in check”, whichcan be instrumental in weight loss maintenance. 84

Beans and legumes are low in fat; an excellentsource of protein, dietary fiber, and a variety of minerals and vitamins, and phytochemicals.85

They are a source of carbohydrate and have a low glycemic index (GI),which means they are broken down more slowly so you feel fuller forlonger. This makes them a particularly good food for preventing andmanaging diabetes86. The high content of fibre keeps your bowelshealthy, as well as improving your blood cholesterol, the leading causeof heart disease.87 Phytochemicals help prevent cell damage and fightdisease and aging.88

84 Harvard. T.H. Chan. (2016). Vegetables and Fruits. http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/vegetables-and-fruits/

85 Messina, M. J. (1999). Legumes and soybeans: overview of their nutritional profiles and health effects. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 70:3, 439-450.

http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/70/3/439s.full

86 Dieticians Association of Australia. Legumes. http://daa.asn.au/for-the-public/smart-eating-for-you/nutrition-a-z/legumes/

87 American Heart Association (2015). The Benefits of Beans and Legumes.

http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/HealthyLiving/HealthyEating/SimpleCookingwithHeart/The-Benefits-of-Beans-and-Legumes_UCM_430105_Article.jsp#.Vt3uhZwrLIU

88 Dieticians Association of Australia. Legumes. http://daa.asn.au/for-the-public/smart-eating-for-you/nutrition-a-z/legumes/



Grains are a good source of complex carbohydrates and key vitamins and minerals. They are naturally low in fat.Regular consumption of whole grains are linked with low risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and other healthissues. No wonder grain is mentioned also in the Bible as a staple food (Deuteronomy 33:28; 2 Samuel 17:28-29;Ezekiel 4:9; Luke 6:10). The healthiest kind of grains are whole grains. This means that they haven’t had their branand germ removed. Examples include brown rice, buckwheat, and whole wheat in bread.89

If it is possible and not too expensive for your budget, avoid products made with processed grains: cookies, cakes,pies, pastries, noodles, spaghetti and macaroni made with bleached flour or other processed items. The slogan,"The whiter the bread, the sooner you're dead" (Michael Pollen) is not far from the truth.

Avoid any product labelled "degerminated" or "denatured." These terms all mean that the product probably retainslittle of its original nutritional value.

So far, the foods we have discussed have all been low in fat. However, fat is an important partof a balanced and healthy diet. This is where nuts and seeds come in. They are full of healthyfats, specifically unsaturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids. Because of this nuts are very goodfor your heart. They lower the level of bad fats and cholesterol, improve the lining of yourarteries, and may reduce the risk of blood clots.90

Herbs and spices have been used for centuries for various health concerns.The use of herbs and spices also encourages variety in food intake, especially fruits and vegetables,making food consumption more enjoyable. Herbs and spices are a healthy alternative to salt.91

What about Algae?

Algae are plant-like in that they use light as an energy source (by photosynthesis) for nourishment on top of all theminerals they get from the water surrounding them. Thus, they convert the inorganic into an organic material.

Seaweeds are plants belonging to the algae family. There arethree types of seaweeds known as red, brown, and green withmore than 10,000 species. They can grow in many types ofseawaters from ice-cold poles to warmer equatorial waters, aslong as there is sufficient sunlight for photosynthesis. Seaweedshave been useful for humans in many ways: as food, medicine,fertilizer, and industrial products. They are rich in vitamins andother nutrients.

89 Mayo Clinic (2016). Whole grains: Hearty options for a healthy diet. http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/whole-grains/art-20047826

90 Mayo Clinic (2016). Whole grains: Hearty options for a healthy diet. http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/whole-grains/art-20047826

91 Tapsell, L. C., Hemphill, I., Cobiac, L., Sullivan, D. R., Fenech, M. (2006). Health benefits of herbs and spices: the past, the present, the future.

http://ro.uow.edu.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2450&context=hbspapers

Sea salad spirulina



Mushrooms

Mushrooms are a seemingly controversial food. Should a Christian eatmushrooms or not? Mushrooms are not plants, so the Bible doesn’tcomment on them one way or the other. Mushrooms are fungi, meaningthat unlike plants, they do not use photosynthesis from light to get energy,instead growing from spores and gaining energy by converting and utilizing thematerial they grow on92.

Arguments against eating mushrooms

As mushrooms are fungi, produce spores and thus don’t fall into the category “seed-producing plants” ofGenesis 1:29, they should be considered unclean.

Another argument is that the most common materials mushrooms grow on are decaying plant matter, butthey also can grow on decayed animal matter and dung93. Because they gain their energy from the materialthey grow on, they have been very effective in absorbing heavy metals from environmental pollutants andcleaning up sites.94 Mushrooms are the scavengers and recyclers of their ecosystems. As such, it can bedangerous to eat them.

Also, not all mushrooms are edible, in fact, some can be poisonous and even deadly. There are also somemushrooms which are psychoactive and can cause hallucinations.

Positive health benefits of mushrooms

Despite these facts, we believe that some mushrooms can be okay to eat. However, this is only the case if they arefarm-grown and don’t come from the wild. The mushrooms that are sold insupermarkets are all grown on farms. There are strict regulations andinspection and enforcement agencies to ensure that the mushrooms are freeof pathogens and are safe to eat. If properly handled, washed, prepared, andstored, there should be no reason that you would get sick from store-boughtmushrooms.95 People have been eating mushrooms for centuries and havebeen using them for medicinal purposes. Mushrooms are rich in B vitamins,minerals, fiber, vitamin D, and antioxidants.96 Recent research suggests thatmushrooms (and mushroom extracts) may have powerful anti-tumour

92 Wilson, N. What are mushrooms? Encyclopedia of Life. http://eol.org/info/45393 Ibid.

94 Carvahlo, M.L., Pimental, A. C., Fernandes, B. (2005). Study of Heavy Metals in Wild Edible Mushrooms under Different Pollution Conditions by X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry. Analytical

Sciences. 21. 747-750. https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/analsci/21/7/21_7_747/_pdf

95 Government of Canada (2013). Mushrooms. http://healthycanadians.gc.ca/eating-nutrition/healthy-eating-saine-alimentation/safety-salubrite/fruits-vegetables-legumes-fruits/mushroom-

champignon-eng.php

96 MushroomCanada (2016). Nutrition and Wellness. http://www.mushrooms.ca/nutrition/default.aspx

Chanterelle Borini

Many medicinal mushrooms such as

Shiitake have strong anti-inflammatory,

antitumor, antibacterial, antiviral and

antifungal properties.



activity, for both breast and prostate cancer.97 Mushrooms also strengthen the immune system and protect thebody’s cells from damage.98 (If you do choose to include mushrooms in your diet, it is strongly advised not to pickwild mushrooms.99)

What makes mushrooms so potent is that they absorb and concentrate whatever they grow in— good OR bad.Ultimately, opinion is divided concerning whether or not eating mushroom is healthy.

Plants as drugs

Although God did create plants and told us to freely eat of them, that doesn’t make all natural things good for us toeat. Take a look at tobacco, marijuana, opium, cocaine, psychedelic mushrooms, and alcohol. All these substancescome from natural sources, but they all have negative health consequences and have a potential for addiction.Many of those substances are also illegal, so that should already be an incentive not to consume, inhale, inject, etc.these drugs.100 Christians are mandated to follow the laws of the land (Matthew 22:21; 23:2-3; Romans 13:1-7). TheBible also says that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) and therefore it is ourresponsibility to take care of them. It is for these reasons that Christians should not partake in drugs, no matterwhat source they originate from.

Conclusion

The Bible says “And God said, Behold I have given you every herb bearing seed which is upon the face of the earthand every tree in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat”(Genesis 1:29). This meansthat we are not only allowed but are encouraged to eat a large selection and variety of fruits and vegetables, grains,seeds, and herbs! Science backs this up and shows that eating these foods can provide us with a well-balanced diet,which will keep us in good health.

97 City of Hope (2016). MUSHROOMS MAY NEED MORE MIGHT FOR THE CANCER FIGHT. http://www.cityofhope.org/research/research-overview/superfoods-research/superfoods-mushrooms

98 Fresh Mushrooms. Benefits. http://www.mushroominfo.com/benefits/

99 MushroomCanada (2016). Nutrition and Wellness. http://www.mushrooms.ca/nutrition/default.aspx

100 Foundation for a Drug Free World (2016). Our Drug Culture. http://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/the-truth-about-drugs.html



Appendix – Study by Dr. David Macht101

In 1953, Dr. David Macht from Johns Hopkins University conducted a study on the toxic effects of animal flesh on acontrolled growth culture. A substance was classified as toxic if it slowed the culture’s growth rate below 75 percent.The lower the growth percentage of the culture, the more toxic the flesh. Note that the flesh of animals and fishgiven to us by God for food are all non-toxic, but all forbidden animals lie in the toxic range.

101 As quoted in: Russell, R. (1996). What the Bible Says about Healthy Living, Ventura, CA, USA.

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