The Bible and your health (2)

God warned His people about the dangers associated with animal fat. If you’re hooked on fried or fatty foods, check out this scripture: “Give the following instructions to…Israel. You must never eat fat, whether from cattle, sheep, or goats. The fat of an animal found dead or torn to pieces by wild animals must never be eaten, though it may be used for any other purpose” (vv. 22-24 NLT). While polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats found mostly in plant-based foods and oils promote dietary health, the kind of fat in many of the foods we eat are saturated and trans fats, which raise dietary cholesterol, a major risk factor for coronary disease, which leads to stroke and heart attacks. In reference also to prostate cancer, a study by the University of Pennsylvania cancer centre stated, “The fourth most common cause of cancer among men may be related to saturated fat consumption.” God also gave His people laws of hygiene. “When he who has a discharge is cleansed of his discharge, then he shall…bathe his body in running water” (Leviticus 15:13 NKJV). In the eighteenth century, three out of ten mothers died following childbirth, even though they seemed healthy. Why? Because back then doctors routinely examined the bodies of corpses, then without washing their hands, moved on to the maternity ward where they examined expectant mothers. “Microscopic disease” was unknown until 1845, when Ignaz Semmelweis, a Viennese doctor dubbed “the saviour of mothers,” introduced hand washing in “running water” with chlorinated lime solution, and the death rate from childbed fever plummeted. Bottom line: living by the principles of scripture will keep you healthy.