Fit For Eternal Life, by Kevin Vost, a Catholic psychologist who went from 230 pounds to a size 32 waist by regulating diet, exercising (his expertise is weight-lifting, which he discusses in detail), and following the hidden precepts of Christianity in which we are told to be fit and told on to do it! Good advice for all! CLICK HERE

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CHRISTIAN DOCTOR LISTS NATURAL REMEDIES HE CLAIMS HELP IN WIDE RANGE OF ILLS AND DISEASE

A key to anything in life is balance and this pertains in a special way to our health. For example: how much should we rely on claims to natural, alternative healing?

In the news recently was the case of Apple founder Steve Jobs, who recently died from pancreatic cancer that some now say could have been halted by surgery early in the diagnosis. Instead, it's said Jobs -- a devout Buddhist -- delayed surgery for nine months, initially choosing herbal cleansing and other methods over conventional care. "He tried a vegan diet, acupuncture, herbal remedies and other treatments he found online, and even consulted a psychic," reports the Associated Press about a new biography of him. "He also was influenced by a doctor who ran a clinic that advised juice fasts, bowel cleansings and other unproven approaches, the book says, before finally having surgery in July 2004."

When it was too late.

While there are obvious problems -- and real crises -- with the way modern medicine currently conducts itself, we must realize that conventional care is often, and perhaps more often than not, the proper path.

One should determine what one should do through prayer (since every case is different, even with a similar disease).

In many cases chemotherapy seems to send cancer into permanent remission. It "cures" cancer.

In other cases, injecting such harsh chemicals all but fatally weakens the body.

People may die from the "treatment."

Every disease -- and body -- is different: thus the crucial need for prayer. Make decisions based on faith not fear (including fear of the treatment).

That said, let us discuss a book by a surgeon named Walter C. Thompson that compiles works from more than thirty professionals and touts the advantages of both faith and natural medications.

It is for us to consider as an accompaniment to conventional care. (Pray for a good doctor, and when you find one, listen to him!)

But don't think all the "natural" stuff is quackery.

As Dr. Thompson points out, the Bible says that God "caused the grass to grow for the cattle, and the herb for the service of man" (Genesis 1:29-30).

Moreover, many conventional medicines are derived from plants -- are basically extracts -- to begin with. Why not get it directly from what God sows?

The cherry in kids' cough medicines? Indians used to use wild cherry bark tea for colds and coughs. Stomach acid? Mint was the ancient cure and is an ingredient in Tums and Milk of Magnesia.

A good place to start good health is our diets (especially good water and food that is not laden with chemicals; read labels!). Why not get vitamins from good, organic, fresh plants instead of  vitamins or artificial substitutes?

"Ample scientific studies now confirm the wisdom of the original diet given by God to man," writes Dr. Thompson in his book, Smart Health. "Those who utilize a diet composed of a wide variety of natural, mostly unrefined plant foods have been demonstrated to suffer from less frequent and severe disease, and to live nearly ten years longer than their contemporaries who use an abundance of refined foods of both plant and animal origin."

It is indeed hard to visualize Jesus eating a TV dinner.

Or the Blessed Mother whipping up instant potatoes.

Food for thought.

What did Jesus eat?

As for water, the surgeon points out the remarkable finding by one researcher at Loma Linda University that drinking an average of five glasses of pure water daily is about equal to the benefits experienced by those who never smoked tobacco!

Living waters indeed -- until we contaminate them.

It's never too late, he says, to start a healthy style of eating. Dark green vegetables (especially to prevent cancer and macular degeneration). Whole wheat products. More vegetables than meat.

What about those alternative cures?

"Herbal medicine is safe because it's natural," argues the doctor, a board-certified cardiologist and co-founder of the Lawndale Christian Health Center in Chicago. "After researching the literature, one can truly say, that at the very least, herbal medicine is safer than conventional drugs."

And he recommends what?

For relief of pain, omega-three fatty acids, frankincense, green tea (you see green tea recommended so frequently!). Also, ginger root. And turmeric [see: Indian food].

Herbs for the nerves? Lettuce, valerian, chamomile tea, rose petals, St. John's Wort.

Female problems: basil, parsley, goldenseal, turmeric again. Allegedly.

To fight fatigue: cinnamon and peppermint.

To relieve itching: aloe vera, witch hazel, and jewelweed.

To fight parasites: garlic. There are few things as good for so many things as garlic, especially when it comes to the immune system. Also, onions, ginger root, pumpkin seeds (which also help in prostate health).

Bake those seeds after you carve the Jack-o-lantern (if you practice that custom).

Did you know that cabbage and dill and licorice can also help with stomach acid? Or that oregano and garlic and turmeric have antibiotic qualities (and in the case of turmeric, also, allegedly, anti-viral ones)?

For a cough, thyme.

For the throat, hot sage tea.

To fight infection -- and many other things: honey (especially local honey for allergies). "Honey has been recognized since time immemorial for its healing qualities," Thompson notes: It's antibacterial. It's anti-fungal. It even helps, he says, with urinary tract infections.

"Many herbs (foods and medicinal herbs), too numerous to list, are effective in preventing and fighting cancer," the doctor further states. "In the laboratory, lung cancer cells are inhibited by isothiocyanates, sulfur-containing chemicals found in cruciferous plants, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, turnips, collards, brussel sprouts, cabbage, rutabaga, Chinese cabbage, bok soy, horseradish, radishes, and watercress."

And apples: of course.

They purify (after you wash them).

Amazing, isn't it: all those things your grandmother said!

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