Proverbs 16:24
Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
The prevailing understanding of health is that bad genes cause disease and our only recourse is drugs and surgery. That is far from the truth. Our life choices and environment have an enormous effect on our health. The Bible told us thousands of years ago that even such things as ‘pleasant words’ can affect our health. And in the 21st century, scientists are finally starting to catch up.
In the video Epigenetic transformation – you are what your grandparents ate: Pamela Peeke at TEDxLowerEastSide (see below), Pamela Peeke explains how science moved from genetics to epigenetics in 2007 through an experiment with agouti mice. The effect of the agouti gene in these mice, which made the mice obese and yellow in colour, was changed simply by feeding the pregnant mothers greens. The expression of the gene had been changed through diet.
And it’s not just diet that affects our gene expression. It’s lifestyle, habits, physical movement, laughing, positive thoughts, love etc.
As I’ve mentioned many times, I went from barely able to walk to now running, working out and dancing. I achieved this without any drugs or surgery. I’ve spoken before in this blog about the role of diet, supplementation, and stem cell activation patches in my recovery. Now let’s talk about other factors that have played a part.
I’m a Christian. Christians live in the love of God. We submit our thought lives to the word of God. We put our trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and always try to remain thankful. We seek to follow God’s law and to receive his forgiveness and grace when we fall. So even when I was living in pain, disability, and daily trauma ten years ago, I still walked through it with God. In today’s world, I see plenty to make me sad, sorrowful, angry, frustrated, and afraid. But I see those things through faith, hope, love, and thankfulness in God. I’m sure this mindset has contributed to my recovery.
As a scientist who studies epigenetics, Pamela Peeke would agree that all this ‘positive thinking’ is good for my health. But we didn’t need science to tell us this. It’s all in the book of Proverbs.
Proverbs 3:7-8
Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
Proverbs 4:20-22
My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
Proverbs 13:17
A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health.
Proverbs 14:30
A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.
Proverbs 17:22
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
Watching the video also made me realise that other activities I’m currently doing are contributing to my recovery more than I thought. Things like dancing, practising the piano, and singing.
Diet and nutrition are vital for health recovery but so is everything that we do in our lives. And there’s always room for improvement. I’ve been carefully watching my diet for 30 years, but after listening to the agouti mice story, I’ve ordered some kale.
Epigenetic transformation – you are what your grandparents ate: Pamela Peeke at TEDxLowerEastSide
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