From: jonh@david.wheaton.edu (Jonathan Hayward)
Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian
Subject: Re: taking care of your body (was Re: where does the bible mention about smoking?)
Date: 3 Sep 92 03:31:22 GMT
Organization: Wheaton College, IL

In article <Sep.1.03.51.28.1992.13724@athos.rutgers.edu> lbarrass@phillip.edu.au writes:
[passage about smoking deleted]
>Another thing to look at in regard to defiling our bodies is what else we put
>them through e.g. Alchohol, Caffeine, Cholesterol (McDonalds etc), excess sugar
>.. the list goes on. I am guilty of more than one in that list!

That is a very important point.  I would like to interject that, for the things
mentioned, the key word is moderation.  Alcohol, caffeine, cholesterol, and
sugar are all things that are not harmless in small amounts, but in larger
amounts cause problems.

Alcohol: Consuming small amounts of alcohol can help some people to relax.
	 It's not a necessity by any means (as a 17-year old whose parents are
	 out of the country and a student at Wheaton, I do quite happily
	 without), but when it is consumed in small amounts - a glass of wine
	 or a mug of beer with dinner - it is not harmful.

	 (note: alcohol should NEVER be the only way a person can relax.  If
	 you need a drink to relax, get help)

Caffeine: This signals the body to wake up.  Thus a morning cup of coffee can	
	  help someone to spend less time groggily wishing (s)he was back in
	  bed.  Habit forming, but not destructive.  I personally don't use
	  caffeine to wake myself up (I do not want to have the choice between
	  being incredibly groggy and using a styrofoam cup to violate God's
	  commandments to non-destructive stewardship of the earth), but enjoy
	  an occasional chocolate bar or mug of hot cocoa.

Cholesterol: Your body _needs_ this.  It becomes a problem when you have too
	     great of a cholesterol intake _and_don't_burn_it_off._ I eat much
	     food, some of which is high in fat and cholesterol, and then
	     exercise.  Exercise is good.  If you spend half an hour a day on
	     exercise, you'll feel better and sleep better (READ: more
	     efficient time awake, the time investment returns itself).  Eating
	     small amounts of cholesterol is important (the reason I eat a lot
	     is that I have a high metabolism, and despite eating like a horse
	     I am still slightly underweight), but exercise is moreso.  Be
	     assured that a high cholesterol diet combined with activity is much
	     healthier than a low cholesterol diet combined with a sedentary
	     lifestyle.

Sugar: Well, if you eat more than a little of this, burn it off too.  I
       personally don't eat too much sweets, but if you do, that is not a bad
       thing so long as it is not compounded by a lack of exercise.

All of the above things are good in moderation and harmful if they exceed
certain levels (cholesterol and sugar level limits increasing with exercise).

And, if you do not exercise already, do try to work it into your schedule.
It'll return amply the time you put into it - by helping you to be more alert
when you are awake, and in good health for a what will likely be a longer
lifespan (there are cases of accident, cancer, et cetera).

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