Health Ministries
Welcome to Health MinistriesSouth Atlantic Conference Health Ministries is dedicated to improving the health of the constituents and communities of the conference through health education and church sponsored health outreach and evangelism programs. SAC sponsored activities include:
-
Level 1 Health Certification Training
-
Certified Lifestyle Advisors Training
-
Health Emphasis Days & Weekends
-
Annual Health Conditioning Retreat
-
8 Weeks to Wellness Seminars
-
Others
Find initial articles and information for this website. We trust this website will be beneficial!
For more information use the contact information listed.
Healthy Congregations & Communities 2011Healthy Congregations and Communities 2011 Manual Click here or on the book cover to download

Soy Compound May Halt Spread of Prostate Cancer A compound found in soybeans almost completely prevented the spread of human prostate cancer in mice, according to a study published in the March 15 issue of Cancer Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.
Researchers say that the amount of the chemical, an antioxidant known as genistein, used in the experiments was no higher than what a human would eat in a soybean-rich diet.
Investigators from Northwestern University found that genistein decreased metastasis of prostate cancer to the lungs by 96 percent compared with mice that did not eat the compound in their chow — making the study the first to demonstrate genistein can stop prostate cancer metastasis in a living organism.
“These impressive results give us hope that genistein might show some effect in preventing the spread of prostate cancer in patients,” said the study’s senior investigator, Raymond C. Bergan, MD, director of experimental therapeutics for the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University.
“Diet can affect cancer and it doesn’t do it by magic,” Bergan said. “Certain chemicals have beneficial effects and now we have all the preclinical studies we need to suggest genistein might be a very promising chemopreventive drug.”
Bergan and his team have previously demonstrated in prostate cancer cell cultures that genistein inhibits detachment of cancer cells from a primary prostate tumor and represses cell invasion.
A compound found in soybeans almost completely prevented the spread of human prostate cancer in mice, according to a study published in the March 15 issue of Cancer Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.
Researchers say that the amount of the chemical, an antioxidant known as genistein, used in the experiments was no higher than what a human would eat in a soybean-rich diet.
Investigators from Northwestern University found that genistein decreased metastasis of prostate cancer to the lungs by 96 percent compared with mice that did not eat the compound in their chow — making the study the first to demonstrate genistein can stop prostate cancer metastasis in a living organism.
“These impressive results give us hope that genistein might show some effect in preventing the spread of prostate cancer in patients,” said the study’s senior investigator, Raymond C. Bergan, MD, director of experimental therapeutics for the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University.
“Diet can affect cancer and it doesn’t do it by magic,” Bergan said. “Certain chemicals have beneficial effects and now we have all the preclinical studies we need to suggest genistein might be a very promising chemopreventive drug.”
Bergan and his team have previously demonstrated in prostate cancer cell cultures that genistein inhibits detachment of cancer cells from a primary prostate tumor and represses cell invasion. It does this by blocking activation of p38 MAP kinases, molecules which regulate pathways that activate proteins that loosen cancer cells from their tight hold within a tumor, pushing them to migrate. “In culture, you can actually see that when genistein is introduced, cells flatten themselves in order to spread out and stick strongly to nearby cells,” he said.
In this study, investigators fed genistein to several groups of mice before implanting them with an aggressive form of prostate cancer .The amount of genistein in the blood of the animals was comparable to human blood concentrations after consumption of soy foods, Bergan said.
The researchers found that while genistein didn’t reduce the size of tumors that developed within the prostate, it stopped lung metastasis almost completely. They repeated the experiment and found the same result.
They then examined tissue in the animals, measuring the size of tumor cells’ nuclei to determine if the cells had flattened out in order to spread. “Within a tumor, it is hard to tell where the borders of cells stop, so one way to measure adherence is to look at the size of the nuclei in cells and see if they are wider due to cell spread,” Bergan said. “And that is what we found, demonstrating that the drug is having a primary effect on metastasis.”
He said that the study also found that mice fed genistein expressed higher levels of genes that are involved in cancer cell migration which, Bergan says, at first might not make sense in light of the study’s conclusion that genistein almost completely blocked metastasis.
“What we think is happening here is that the cells we put in the mice normally like to move. When genistein restricted their ability to do so, they tried to compensate by producing more protein involved in migration. But genistein prevented those proteins from being activated,” he said. “This is really a lesson for researchers who depend on biomarker studies to test whether a treatment is working. They need to be aware that those biomarkers might be telling only half of the story.”
Bergan cautioned that much is unknown about use of genistein in preventing cancer spread. For example, it may be that the effects of the compound in people who have eaten soy all their lives is stronger than benefit seen in patients who have only started to use genistein.
“The problem we have faced is that epidemiology studies that found men who eat soy are at reduced risk of prostate cancer death are all associative. They don’t prove anything,” he said. “The only way we will find out how promising genistein is will be from conducting clinical trials.”
Cancer PreventionCancer - a group of diseases characterized by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells which can occur in any tissue or organ of the body.
Causes - most cancers have a combination of causes including:
-
Genetic predisposition.
-
Immune system compromise.
-
Certain lifestyle habits.
Preventions and Treatment-
While we cannot do anything at this point about genetics, we can do something about lifestyle habits and the improvement of our immune system’s functions. “Cancers, tumors, and all inflammatory diseases are largely caused by meat eating. From the light God has given me, the prevalence of cancer and tumors is largely due to gross living on dead flesh.” (CDF:388)
The first approach in any cancer program must include a VEGETARIAN DIET. It is interesting to note that the original diet given man was vegetarian. Dairy products should also be eliminated. Soy products may be used as a substitute for dairy products. (See Genesis 1:29)
The diet should especially include at least 3-6 servings of CRUCIFEROUS and other vegetables daily; which include broccoli, kale, brussels sprouts and cauliflower which has been shown to protect against certain forms of cancer.
Cancer - a group of diseases characterized by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells which can occur in any tissue or organ of the body.
Causes - most cancers have a combination of causes including:
-
Genetic predisposition.
-
Immune system compromise.
-
Certain lifestyle habits.
Preventions and Treatment-
While we cannot do anything at this point about genetics, we can do something about lifestyle habits and the improvement of our immune system’s functions. “Cancers, tumors, and all inflammatory diseases are largely caused by meat eating. From the light God has given me, the prevalence of cancer and tumors is largely due to gross living on dead flesh.” (CDF:388)
The first approach in any cancer program must include a VEGETARIAN DIET. It is interesting to note that the original diet given man was vegetarian. Dairy products should also be eliminated. Soy products may be used as a substitute for dairy products. (See Genesis 1:29)
The diet should especially include at least 3-6 servings of CRUCIFEROUS and other vegetables daily; which include broccoli, kale, brussels sprouts and cauliflower which has been shown to protect against certain forms of cancer. Yellow and orange vegetables are also very important elements of a good diet.
We should eat largely of whole grains including: whole wheat, barley, rye, oats, brown rice and corn.
Fruits are also important to eat: the more the better.
Legumes or beans will help to eliminate toxins from the body through there high fiber content. The amino acid compositions of beans are also important in the function of the immune system.
Eating fats (fried foods, butter and margarine) should be avoided. Certain forms of cancer are associated with a high fat intake. These include breast, colon and prostate cancers.
Ways to improve our immune system’s functions:
-
Get 7-8 hours sleep every night.
-
Do mild/moderate exercising daily such as walking, gardening or other light yard work.
-
Deep breathing with exercise is also very important.
-
Eliminate soft drinks which contain large amounts of sugars or artificial sweeteners which can adversely affect our immune defenses. Restrict sweets to natural products and eliminate white sugar. Sucanat may be used as a sweetener.
-
Drink plenty of PURE WATER! (at least 6-8 glasses each day.)
-
Take a short cold shower or bath is beneficial as an immune stimulant. Start with the temperature around 90 degrees for 5-15 minutes and gradually decrease the temperature over several weeks to 75 degrees for 5-15 minutes.
Herbs have been suggested as being helpful. Red Clover, Fennel, Gotu Kola, Astragalus and Echinacea are very good as immune stimulants.
Activated charcoal can also be used beneficially. Making slurry water for drinking and for enemas to absorb toxins will do no harm and is very helpful. You may also use charcoal capsules or tablets.
All tobacco, alcohol and caffeine must be stopped.
REMEMBER! GOD IS THE GREAT PHYSICIAN AND ALL HEALING IS FROM HIM!!
Psalms 103:1-3 “Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul and forget not all of His benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases.
Guidelines for a Healthy DietEating at regularly scheduled times is very important. Allow 5-6 hours between each meal! EAT NO BETWEEN MEAL SNACKS OF ANY KIND. The smallest meal should be the last meal of the day! OMIT THE THIRD MEAL IF YOU ARE TRYING TO LOOSE WEIGHT!
WHAT TO EAT:
GRAINS: Use whole grain products. 100% whole wheat or other whole grain bread is best. Use brown instead of white rice. The quick cook 10 minute brown rice is excellent and is not a gummy are traditional brown rice. Use other whole grains such as oats, corn, barley, rye, and millet.
FRUITS: Choose fresh, dried, frozen or canned fruits (in it=s own or other fruit juice.) Eat 5 servings each day!
NUTS: Use nuts in moderation. Do not eat them alone, but make them a part of your meal. Almonds, pecans, walnuts and other unsalted nuts are all very good. Avoid nuts with added oils or salt.
OLIVES: Olives are an excellent food. They soothe the stomach and are helpful in the treatment of gastritis, ulcers and other digestive problems. Soak olives in plain water overnight to remove the excessive salt. Use canned black or green olives.
VEGETABLES: You should eating 3-5 servings of vegetables each day. Fresh or frozen vegetables are generally not high in sodium and are excellent for you. Eat a wide variety over the course of the week. Seek to eat different colors of vegetables because each color contains nutrients which are beneficial to your body. Eating at regularly scheduled times is very important. Allow 5-6 hours between each meal! EAT NO BETWEEN MEAL SNACKS OF ANY KIND. The smallest meal should be the last meal of the day! OMIT THE THIRD MEAL IF YOU ARE TRYING TO LOOSE WEIGHT!
WHAT TO EAT:
GRAINS: Use whole grain products. 100% whole wheat or other whole grain bread is best. Use brown instead of white rice. The quick cook 10 minute brown rice is excellent and is not a gummy are traditional brown rice. Use other whole grains such as oats, corn, barley, rye, and millet.
FRUITS: Choose fresh, dried, frozen or canned fruits (in it=s own or other fruit juice.) Eat 5 servings each day!
NUTS: Use nuts in moderation. Do not eat them alone, but make them a part of your meal. Almonds, pecans, walnuts and other unsalted nuts are all very good. Avoid nuts with added oils or salt.
OLIVES: Olives are an excellent food. They soothe the stomach and are helpful in the treatment of gastritis, ulcers and other digestive problems. Soak olives in plain water overnight to remove the excessive salt. Use canned black or green olives.
VEGETABLES: You should eating 3-5 servings of vegetables each day. Fresh or frozen vegetables are generally not high in sodium and are excellent for you. Eat a wide variety over the course of the week. Seek to eat different colors of vegetables because each color contains nutrients which are beneficial to your body. Raw salads are always excellent. Dark green leafy vegetables are an excellent source of calcium, iron, B-vitamins and vitamin K.
LEGUMES: These are the beans, peas and lentils. They are excellent sources of dietary fiber, protein, and complex carbohydrates. They contain very little fat and are also beneficial in reducing cholesterol.
DAIRY: Dairy products are totally unnecessary. Use soy or rice products instead.
EGGS: Eggs are also unnecessary and because of their high cholesterol content, you should avoid them. If eaten, make sure you eat no more than 1-2 per week. Eating eggs whites are more healthful than the yoke because it is the yoke that contains cholesterol.
SALT: Americans are eating entirely too much salt. Use only small amounts of salt in cooking and keep the sodium intake between 1250 to 2500 mg. per day. PLEASE READ THE FOOD LABELS FOR THEIR SODIUM CONTENT. Canned and processed foods (frozen dinners, etc.) are very high in sodium. Try to keep the sodium content of foods you eat below 200 mg. of sodium per serving.
HOW TO PREPARE FOODS:
Prepare foods as simply as possible, yet as attractive and appetizing as possible. BOIL, BAKE OR BROIL! DO NOT FRY! Avoid shortening, or hard fats. Use only small amounts of vegetables oil. Avoid animal fats, hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated vegetable fats, and spices, and condiments that irritate the delicate stomach lining. Use non-irritating herbs like parsley, thyme, sweet basil, sage, onion, garlic, and others.
PROTEIN:
Proteins are essential for life. They are made up of amino acids. Your digestive system breaks down the following food combinations to provide the body with what is called a complete protein, one that contains the eight essential amino acids. Whole grains and legumes. Whole grains and nuts. Legumes and nuts. These foods may be eaten as much as 13 hours apart and will still be assimilated by the body to produce a complete protein.
HOW TO EAT:
Chew your foods thoroughly. Do not wash your foods down with water or a large amounts of juice. Eat enough food to satisfy your hunger, and not your desire. Overeating is a great enemy to optimal physical and mental health.
WHEN NOT TO EAT:
Don’t eat right after or before strenuous physical or mental effort. Mild physical exercise, like a short walk after a meal is an aid to digestion. Don’t eat a full meal when you are rushed, tense, anxious or worried. Eat less or skip that meal.
WATER:
Water is the best beverage to quench the thirst and is the best liquid to cleanse the body tissues, inside and out. DRINK 6-8 GLASSES EACH DAY, preferably a little before or after meals. It is best not to drink water with your meals. Drink it between meals.
REMEMBER!
Ecclesiastes 10:17 - “...Eat for strength and not for drunkenness.” May God bless you!
Sixty Years Promoting HealthIn 1945 new discoveries were being made in the medical arena. An
American zoologist and geneticist, Thomas Hunt Morgan, conducting
experiments with the common fruit fly established the chromosome theory
of heredity and showed that genes are responsible for hereditary traits
being passed from parents to children.
James Herrick, MD an American cardiologist first described
sickle-cell anemia in 1945.
Penicillin, discovered some 20 years before was being used
extensively and saving hundred of thousands of lives throughout the
world in 1945.
New medications were being produced including diphenhydramine or
Benadryl which has been used by millions to prevent and halt allergic
reactions.
Also in the year 1945 the South Atlantic Conference was established
by God for the proclamation of the Three Angels Message. He introduced
at the very inception of this work the health message for the purpose of
preparing a people for the coming of the Lord mentally, spiritually and
physically.
This message of health has been directed in the South Atlantic
Conference by consecrated and devoted men like Elders: George Timpson,
Charles Cunningham, Samuel Gooden, V. J. Mendinghall, Richard Long, D.
M. Jones and others, who have proclaimed this message by precept and
example.
And even though multitudes of scientific discoveries have been made
since 1945, none have diminished or contradicted the message of health,
which God has entrusted to His people. The 8 Laws of Health, God's
message of health for a dying world, have stood the test of time and the
investigation of a skeptical scientific community. It is my hope that
we, as God's remnant people, will embrace and share with others this
wonderful message of health as never before, glorifying God in our
bodies and spirits which are His.
May we determine by the lives we live that we will do everything we
can so that another sixty years will in no wise elapse before we all
experience the eternal health and happiness that will be a part of the
earth made new.
Submitted by: David L. Moore, MD Health Ministries
Director
Pearls For Health – July 2010July 3, 2010 – Week 1
EXCESSIVE WORK BAD FOR THE HEART
“Do you regularly work overtime? If so, you might be at increased
risk for heart attack or angina. A new 11-year study of more than 6,000 British
men and women found that regularly working 10- or 11-hour days increases the
risk of heart disease by 60 percent. This association held even after taking
into account 21 known risk factors for heart disease, such as smoking, being
overweight, and having high cholesterol.” (MAKING HEALTHY CHOICES NEWSLETTER – JUNE 2010) No
wonder we have been instructed, “Remember that man must preserve his God-given talent of
intelligence by keeping the physical machinery in harmonious action. Daily
physical exercise is necessary to the enjoyment of health. It is not work but
overwork, without periods of rest, that breaks people down, endangering the
lifeforces. Those who overwork soon reach the place where they work in a
hopeless way.” (Daughters of God, 162)
July 10, 2010 – Week 2
FOUR HEALTH BEHAVIORS AND 12 YEARS OF LIFE
“Everyone would like to live a
longer, healthier life. Results of a new 20-year study show 4 specific ways you
can do this: eating more fruits and vegetables, getting regular physical
activity, not smoking, and not drinking heavily. They sound like simple health
behaviors, but when taken together they could add up to 12 years to your life
expectancy compared to people who don't follow these healthy behaviors. The
study was conducted in England and included nearly 5,000 men and women who were
then followed for 20 years. Researchers identified how many of these healthy
behaviors people were following in their lives, then looked to see who lived
and who didn't. Here are the
specific guidelines for the 4 behaviors linked to a healthier, longer life:
1. Don't smoke. If you do, get help
in stopping.
2. Get regular physical activity.
Aim for at least 2.5 hours weekly (half an hour daily).
3. Eat more fruits and vegetables,
at least 5 servings daily. The new guidelines in the DASH Diet recommend
8-10 servings daily for best health.
July 3, 2010 – Week 1
EXCESSIVE WORK BAD FOR THE HEART
“Do you regularly work overtime? If so, you might be at increased
risk for heart attack or angina. A new 11-year study of more than 6,000 British
men and women found that regularly working 10- or 11-hour days increases the
risk of heart disease by 60 percent. This association held even after taking
into account 21 known risk factors for heart disease, such as smoking, being
overweight, and having high cholesterol.” (MAKING HEALTHY CHOICES NEWSLETTER – JUNE 2010) No
wonder we have been instructed, “Remember that man must preserve his God-given talent of
intelligence by keeping the physical machinery in harmonious action. Daily
physical exercise is necessary to the enjoyment of health. It is not work but
overwork, without periods of rest, that breaks people down, endangering the
lifeforces. Those who overwork soon reach the place where they work in a
hopeless way.” (Daughters of God, 162)
July 10, 2010 – Week 2
FOUR HEALTH BEHAVIORS AND 12 YEARS OF LIFE
“Everyone would like to live a
longer, healthier life. Results of a new 20-year study show 4 specific ways you
can do this: eating more fruits and vegetables, getting regular physical
activity, not smoking, and not drinking heavily. They sound like simple health
behaviors, but when taken together they could add up to 12 years to your life
expectancy compared to people who don't follow these healthy behaviors. The
study was conducted in England and included nearly 5,000 men and women who were
then followed for 20 years. Researchers identified how many of these healthy
behaviors people were following in their lives, then looked to see who lived
and who didn't. Here are the
specific guidelines for the 4 behaviors linked to a healthier, longer life:
1. Don't smoke. If you do, get help
in stopping.
2. Get regular physical activity.
Aim for at least 2.5 hours weekly (half an hour daily).
3. Eat more fruits and vegetables,
at least 5 servings daily. The new guidelines in the DASH Diet recommend
8-10 servings daily for best health. (A serving of fruit is 1 apple, orange, or
banana;1 cup
of fresh fruit; 1/2 cup of cooked fruit; ¼ cup dried fruit; or 6 ounces of
juice. A serving of vegetables is 1 cup fresh
vegetables; ½ cup of cooked vegetables; or 6 ounces of juice. These foods are low in calories and high in protective
nutrients.)
4. Don't drink heavily. If you choose
to drink alcoholic beverages, healthy guidelines recommend limiting intake to no more than 1 drink
daily (for women) or 2 drinks daily (for men).” (MAKING HEALTHY
CHOICES NEWSLETTER – JUNE 2010)
July 17, 2010
– Week 3
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE OFTEN NEGLECTED
“High blood pressure is called a "neglected
disease" in a recent report from the Institute of Medicine (IOM), which
calls for improved emphasis on prevention and control of this too common health
problem. The report reveals that:
- High blood pressure is responsible for 1 out of every 6
deaths in the United States.
- High blood pressure is the greatest single risk factor for
deaths from cardiovascular disease.
- One out of every 3 adults in the U.S. has elevated blood
pressure.
- Deaths from high blood pressure have increased in the U.S.
by 25 percent in the last 10 years.
The
report outlines steps the United States should take to reduce the risk of
hypertension and its serious complications. First, the IOM report recommends
eating less sodium (salt) and more potassium. More than 8 in 10 Americans (87
percent) eat more salt than is recommended (less than 2,300 mg of sodium
daily). Persons age 50 and older, blacks, and those with elevated blood
pressure should be eating less than 1,500 mg of sodium daily. Potassium in the
diet is protective against high blood pressure. New recommendations are to eat
4,700 mg of potassium daily. Potassium is high in fresh fruits and vegetables.
Experts estimate that about 17 percent of all hypertension could be prevented by
everyone getting adequate potassium in their diet. (MAKING HEALTHY
CHOICES NEWSLETTER – JUNE 2010)
July 24, 2010 – Week 4
SOYBEANS REDUCE STOMACH CANCER RISK
“In last month’s Pearls for Health we debunked the idea that
soybeans increased the risk for breast cancer. This month a recent study shows
that soybean, and probably other legumes (beans), also reduce the risk of
stomach cancer. “A study
from Korea found that persons who eat the most soybean products have a
decreased risk of stomach cancer. This is of special interest because stomach
cancer is one of the most common causes of cancer death in oriental nations –
thought to be caused largely from their high intake of salt in the diet. This
new report is a case-control study including 131 cases of stomach cancer
compared to 393 matched controls without cancer. Researchers found that those
eating the most soy products (determined by blood level of genistein, a marker
for soy food intake) had a 46 percent decreased risk of developing stomach cancer
compared to those with the lowest levels of soy intake.” (MAKING HEALTHY CHOICES NEWSLETTER – JUNE 2010) So for better health, make sure you consume soy and other
beans often.
July 31, 2010 – Week 5
REDUCE YOUR CHOLESTEROL WITH THIS TREAT
“Make that heart-friendly bowl of oatmeal even better for
your cholesterol by mixing in some fresh berries instead of sugar. A recent
study showed that too much added sugar in the diet could contribute to high
cholesterol levels. But trading sugar for fresh fruit is a sweet way to cut
back on the white stuff. In a study, people who
averaged about 90 grams of added sugar a day tended to have higher triglyceride
levels and less of the good HDL cholesterol than did the people who typically
ate less sugar.” So be good to yourself
and add blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, or any other berries to your
cereals for better health. (RealAge.com, June 14-16, 2010)
The Health Ministries Coordinator
Health ministries are an integral part of the mission of the Adventist Church.
“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of
God” (I Cor. 10:31). Health ministry is the gospel of Christ illustrated, the
message of God practiced. Without it, the gospel witness is muted; it is merely
a theory, an idea.
The most important objective of health ministry is to help men and women reach
their full potential, mentally, spiritually and physically. To reach full
potential, health principles must be practiced.
The more closely these principles are followed, the better health the person
enjoys. The more active a church is in public health education, the more
effective will be its public evangelism, for health is the most universal
entering wedge.
|