Sweet and Weak
| It is not good to eat too
much honey. Prov. 25:27, NIV. |
A few years
ago a nutrition student, Judy Reeser, conducted a study in the laboratory
of Dr. Benjamin Lau at Loma Linda University looking into the effect of
sugars on the ability of neutrophils (a type of white blood cells) to engulf
bacteria. Her subjects ate different kinds of refined sugars, one at a
time, on different days. She had blood samples taken to determine neutrophil
activity. Her research found that 10 teaspoons of white sugar, equivalent
to that in one can of soft drink, decreased neutrophil activity by 50 percent,
and it persisted for five hours. After 30 teaspoons of white sugar the
neutrophils completely lost their ability to engulf bacteria. On the other
hand, starch (a complex carbohydrate) had no effect on neutrophil activity.
We now know that sweets of
any kind lower our resistance and make us vulnerable to all types of common
infections. Children often catch colds after eating rich desserts or candy.
When we eliminate sugar from their diet, youngsters no longer suffer frequent
colds. Many mothers have learned that the best treatment and prevention
for colds is a good diet with no junk food and sweets.
The Loma Linda researchers
also studied the effect of fasting on neutrophil activity. They found that
fasting (subjects ingested only water but no food) enhances neutrophil
activity at least up to 60 hours. Furthermore, the research discovered
that fasting with fresh fruit or vegetable juice enhances the activity
of both neutrophils and natural killer cells for several days. Ellen White
wrote in 1905: "In many cases of sickness, the very best remedy is for
the patient to fast for a meal or two, that the overworked organs of digestion
may have an opportunity to rest. A fruit diet for a few days has often
brought great relief to brain workers" (Counsels on Diet and Foods,
p. 189).
The bottom line message is
this: When you don't feel good, don't force yourself to eat. A juice fast
may well be just what your body needs.
| What could you do to increase your
neutrophil activity? Is it time to consider reducing the amount of sweets
you eat? |
|