Do you know how amazing your body is? We often overlook the miracle of everyday life. Made up of an intricately connected network of systems, your body works every moment of the day to keep you going. Because so much of what happens is automatic, you don’t even notice it.

 

Some of the many amazing parts of your body include the circulatory system, the respiratory system, and the brain.

 

 

Circulatory System

The circulatory system keeps blood circulating through your body. Blood is essential to life as it transports oxygen to different parts of your body,¹ regulates body temperature² to ensure you don’t freeze or overheat, and also contains a defense system which fights things like cancer cells and viruses that could make you sick.³ At the center of the circulatory system is the heart, a powerful organ that is slightly bigger than your fist. Your heart is a muscle which works to circulate blood through your body. Your heart is very important. If your heart stops working, you will die within minutes.

 

 

Respiratory System

Another important and amazing part of your body is your respiratory system. This complex system is responsible for the intake of oxygen and expulsion of carbon dioxide. Your respiratory system is made up of various parts, such as the sinuses, trachea, lungs, diaphragm, and more.⁴ This system has a powerful filtration system⁵ and is even part of your body’s immune system.⁶ Your lungs take in oxygen which is received and distributed by the circulatory system.⁷ The process of breathing also expels carbon dioxide, a waste by-product created in your body.⁸

 

 

Brain & Nervous System

One of the most incredible things in the world is the human brain. Your brain is an organ made up of various parts that cooperate harmoniously together. A sort of command center, the brain works with the nervous system to dictate activities, regulate processes, think and solve problems, and register and act upon messages transmitted by parts of your body.

 

The nervous system is an important part of the body that’s responsible for controlling daily thoughts and actions^,9 and is used for the transmission of messages throughout the body. Some of the things that the nervous system controls or influences include thoughts, actions such as sleep, stress response, and regulation of body temperature.¹⁰ Neurons or nerve cells are an important part of the brain¹¹ and are used to send and receive messages through the nervous system via electrical and chemical signals.¹²

 

The average brain weighs about three pounds¹³ and is made up of almost 60% fat.¹⁴  The brain is highly active, using approximately 20% of your body’s¹⁵ oxygen.

 

 

Disease

Our body is amazing, but unfortunately it can become overwhelmed with disease, causing us to experience a host of uncomfortable symptoms, a lower quality of life, or even death.

 

Non-communicable diseases such as cancer or heart disease are a major problem around the world. In 2020, approximately 10 million people died from cancer.¹⁶ Non-communicable diseases account for approximately 71% of global deaths.¹⁷ Almost a third of these were caused by cardiovascular disease.¹⁸ Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the US¹⁹ and worldwide.²⁰ In addition, 11% of Americans have diabetes, and it’s estimated that 38% of American adults have prediabetes.²¹

 

If the body is “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14), and possesses the capability to work around the clock, processing information, restoring itself, and fighting disease, why are so many people sick? Why are there so many deaths worldwide²² from disease and other health-related issues? Are you doomed to succumb to or die from a heart attack, diabetes, or cancer? Is there anything you can do to prevent disease from overtaking your body?

 

 

 

While occasionally you may get sick for no reason at all, the majority of the chronic non-communicable diseases that plague our world today can be prevented, treated, or can often be reversed through lifestyle changes. Diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease are often largely influenced by lifestyle choices.

 

Genetic susceptibility is “an increased chance or likelihood of developing a particular disease”²³ due in large part to your family history. However, this is not a guarantee.²⁴ Just because your mother or uncle had heart disease or cancer doesn’t mean you are guaranteed to also contract these diseases.

 

While it’s true that genes may give you a predisposition towards contracting certain diseases, there are many factors that can influence the development of disease. Environment can influence gene expression.²⁵ For example, a diet that’s primarily made up of whole fruits and vegetables can have an anti-cancer effect, discouraging cancer-causing genes from turning on. This means that you can take preventative measures to avoid the onset of disease. While genes are not a guarantee of your health outcomes, understanding your family’s health history can help you alter your lifestyle to give your body the best chance at total health.

 

One of the things we often inherit from our parents which we do have the ability to change is lifestyle. Eating rich or processed foods, not exercising, and other lifestyle choices that are suboptimal or harmful to our health are often established as patterns during our childhood. But it’s never too late to take control of your health and change your lifestyle habits. 

 

Instead of dismissing potential or existing health problems as “genetic,” take responsibility for your health.  Break away from your unhealthy habits. Even if your family has a history of heart disease, diabetes, or lung cancer, you don’t have to succumb to these diseases.

 

Remember, “In case of sickness, the cause should be ascertained.”²⁶ Even if you’re not sick, think about what may have triggered the onset of disease in your family members and do your best to avoid making those same mistakes. It’s quite likely that your uncle who died of lung cancer was a heavy smoker who didn’t exercise. Maybe your cousin who suffered a major heart attack ate poorly, didn’t drink water or get enough sleep, and had a negative outlook on life. You have a choice when it comes to your health. You can choose to follow principles that are proven to promote wellbeing, or you can shirk responsibility and persist in an unhealthy lifestyle. 

 

 

Self-heal

The body was designed to heal itself. If your body is given the right conditions, it will not only remain free of disease, but can even rid itself of existing issues.²⁷

 

You don’t have to be sick! The body is incredibly resilient. Even if you’ve made poor lifestyle choices in the past, you can change, and begin to enjoy better health.

 

 

 

 

The 8 Laws of Health

Many lives have been unnecessarily lost and ruined through ignorance. Improperly caring for your body can have a detrimental effect on your health and quality of life. Thankfully, God has provided clear instructions on how to care for the amazing human body. If followed, these instructions will greatly reduce the likelihood of disease and unnecessary loss of life.

 

It’s common for a new car, smartphone, or fridge to come with a user’s manual. This manual contains important information regarding the care of the product. Some things, such as submerging electronics in water, or putting diesel in a gasoline-powered car, are obviously a bad idea. But even though you may think you know how to care for something, it’s always nice to be able to consult a manual that was written specifically for the product you just purchased.

 

The 8 laws of health were designed by the Creator of the body. These laws exist to help us care for and protect our amazing bodies. If you want to live a long, healthy life, you’ll want to understand and follow these eight laws!

 

1

Nutrition

How you fuel your body is important. Many of today’s common but deadly diseases are caused by food (in conjunction with other lifestyle choices)²⁸ and can be easily prevented.

 

2

Exercise

 

The body was designed to move. Even if you’re busy, there are ways you can incorporate exercise into your routine. Exercise doesn’t have to be a huge time commitment to be beneficial.

 

3

Water

Your body is approximately 60% water.²⁹ Water is one of the most important elements for life. Keeping your body adequately hydrated helps it work and feel better.

 

4

Sunshine

Sunlight is perhaps one of the most feared natural elements that we’re exposed to. However, sunlight is essential for life. When enjoyed properly in moderation, sunlight is incredibly beneficial.

 

5

Temperance

Even too much of a good thing can be bad. Balance and temperate habits are important for longevity and high quality of life. Abstinence from harmful substances and moderation in good things supports a healthy body and mind.

 

6

Air

You can’t live without oxygen. But did you know that many people today aren’t getting enough oxygen? Some of us are oxygen deprived and we don’t even know it. Getting fresh air and adequate oxygen each day is important for good health.

 

7

Rest

In today’s hyper-connected society, it can be difficult to get proper rest. But our bodies need a full night’s sleep to repair and recharge. In addition to good sleep, we need to take additional time to rest and recharge spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. God set aside one day out of seven each week for us to rest from work and the stress of life.

 

8

Trust

God our Creator loves us more than we can comprehend. He wants to take all the worries of our lives and work them out in His wonderful way. God wants us to trust Him because He knows the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10). He can guide us through life if we allow Him. He also invites us to surrender our lives to Him so that we can spend a blissful eternity with Him, in a place where we will be forever safe from pain, misery, and death.

 

 

 

Our complex body was intricately designed by the Creator. We can live our best possible life if we follow the 8 laws of health. These laws were designed by our Creator to help us care for our bodies. Many deadly diseases exist and claim millions of lives each year because these basic laws are not followed. You don’t have to be sick. If you follow God’s laws of health, you can live a life free from disease and suffering.  This website is dedicated to helping you make the 8 laws of health a part of your life, which will enable you to live a better quality of life.