Janice Payne

Epidemiology project
11/16/2010

Scriptural advice for diet, lifestyle, and health

As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, I believe that in

1833, God revealed very specific instructions as to how we should care for our bodies and

as to the lifestyle we should live. While there are references to diet, lifestyle and health in

several different scriptures, most of the information found in this paper will come from

Doctrine and Covenants, Chapter 89. I have the strong belief that God created our bodies

and that as our creator; he alone would know the best way to keep our bodies and our

minds healthy and happy. Taking a closer look at the advice found in Doctrine and

Covenants will also correspond with information discovered from epidemiologic studies.

First, let’s take a look at the guidelines for what we should eat. In Chapter 89 of

Doctrine and Covenants it states, “Every herb in the season thereof, and every fruit in the

season thereof”. In verse 14 it says that “All grain is ordained for the use of man”. Finally

the chapter recommends that “flesh also of beasts and of the fowls of the air, I, the Lord,

have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving; nevertheless they are to be used

sparingly”. In these verses, God is telling us to eat fruits and vegetables, all types of grains

and to also include meat, though he counsels meat to be used sparingly. Another counsel

given from the Lord in this chapter is that “all these to be used with prudence and

thanksgiving”. Due to epidemiologic studies, health professionals today promote the same

type of diet that the Lord advised years before.

The Center for Disease Control states that “research shows that fruits and

vegetables are critical to promoting good health”. Besides having overall good health, some
 Janice Payne
Epidemiology project
11/16/2010

other benefits of eating fruits and vegetables is that it provides your body with the

vitamins, minerals and fiber it needs to work properly. Eating lots of grains is also vital to

obtaining optimal health. Including fruits, vegetables and whole grains in your diet can

help you lose weight, and most importantly, “those who eat more generous amounts as part

of a healthful diet are likely to have reduced risk of chronic diseases, including stroke and

perhaps other cardiovascular diseases, and certain cancers”. The book states that as much

as “35% of all cancer is attributed to diet”. Eating foods such as fruits, vegetables, and

grains has been advised by the Lord and proven by health professionals to be the best way

to live a healthier and happier life.

Doctrine and Covenants also mentions meat, and that we should eat meat, but to eat

it “sparingly”. Protein is an important building block for our muscles. Our bodies need

protein to be strong; however, eating lots of meat has been proven to be linked with cancer.

A couple reasons for this is that during the cooking process of red meat, certain

carcinogens are formed and then absorbed into our bodies during the digestion process.

Meat also has a high fat content. This and other animal products found within meat

“increases hormone production, thus increasing the risk of hormone-related cancers such

as breast and prostate cancer” [ CITATION TheCancerproject \l 1033 ]