Do This and Live Healthy: 10 Simple Keys that Cure

By Don VerHulst

 Real Health for Real People

A happy, healthy life is easier than you think

 

Good health is vitally important if we hope to enjoy the abundant life God promises. No matter what frustrations you have faced with poor health, weight gain, or hereditary diseases, you can enjoy the good health Scripture talks about--and it is easier than you may think.

 

When studying the Bible from a physician’s perspective, Dr. Don VerHulst discovered keys to health that are modeled throughout both the Old and New Testaments. Even Jesus followed them in His daily routines. In Do This and Live Healthy, he explains these easy-to-follow basics, giving you God’s blueprint for achieving and enjoying good health.

Focusing on simple things you can do rather than a complicated list of restrictions, Do This and Live Healthy encourages and inspires with a simple approach that works. Discover how easy great health can be! 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Siloam
• Release date: Jun 5, 2012
• ISBN: 9781616388270

Book preview

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Do THIS AND LIVE HEALTHY by Don VerHulst, MD

Published by Siloam

Charisma Media/Charisma House Book Group

600 Rinehart Road

Lake Mary, Florida 32746

www.charismahouse.com

This book or parts thereof may not be reproduced in any form, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise—without prior written permission of the publisher, except as provided by United States of America copyright law.

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture is taken from the New King James Version of the Bible. Copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc., publishers. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked AMP are from the Amplified Bible. Old Testament copyright © 1965, 1987 by the Zondervan Corporation. The Amplified New Testament copyright © 1954, 1958, 1987 by the Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are from the King James Version of the Bible.

Scripture quotations marked NAS are from the New American Standard Bible, copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org)

Scripture quotations marked NIV are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, International Bible Society. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked NLT are from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL 60189. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked THE MESSAGE are from The Message: The Bible in Contemporary English, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

Scripture quotations marked TLB are from The Living Bible. Copyright © 1971. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL 60189. All rights reserved.

Copyright © 2012 by Don VerHulst, MD

All rights reserved

Cover design by Justin Evans

Design Director: Bill Johnson

Visit the author’s website at www.DrDonMD.com.

AUTHOR NOTE: Dr. Don VerHulst completed his doctor of medicine degree at Wayne State University. Feeling called by the Lord to be a health educator rather than a practicing physician, Dr. Don chose not to become licensed to practice medicine.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data:

An application to register this book for cataloging has been submitted to the Library of Congress.

International Standard Book Number: 978-1-61638-826-3

E-book ISBN: 978-1-61638-827-0

Portions of this book were published as Ten Keys That Cure by Don VerHulst, MD, ISBN 978-0-98209-080-0, copyright © 2008.

This book contains the opinions and ideas of its author. It is solely for informational and educational purposes and should not be regarded as a substitute for professional medical treatment. The nature of your body’s health condition is complex and unique. Therefore you should consult a health professional before you begin any new exercise, nutrition, or supplementation program or if you have questions about your health. Neither the author nor the publisher shall be liable or responsible for any loss or damage allegedly arising from any information or suggestion in this book.

People and names in this book are composites created by the author from his experiences as a medical doctor. Names and details of their stories have been changed, and any similarity between the names and stories of individuals described in this book to individuals known to readers is purely coincidental.

The statements in this book about consumable products or food have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The recipes in this book are to be followed exactly as written. The publisher is not responsible for your specific health or allergy needs that may require medical supervision. The publisher is not responsible for any adverse reactions to the consumption of food or products that have been suggested in this book.

While the author has made every effort to provide accurate telephone numbers and Internet addresses at the time of publication, neither the publisher nor the author assumes any responsibility for errors or for changes that occur after publication.

DEDICATION

To the one, true, living God

in whom we live and move and have our being!

—Acts 17:28; Jeremiah 9:23–24

CONTENTS

FOREWORD BY DUANE VANDER KLOK

INTRODUCTION GOD WANTS YOU TO ENROLL IN HIS PERFECT HEALTH PLAN

TAKE CARE OF YOUR EARTH SUIT

What do you believe in?

The scientific Bible

Good health in God’s Word

Why do the dos?

The health equation

Waging war on disease

SECTION 1: TEN KEYS THAT CURE

KEY 1: LEARN TO RELAX LIKE THE LORD

FOUR-SIX IT!

JOY EQUALS STRENGTH

LAUGH UNTO THE LORD

KEY 2: GET TO BED ON TIME: SLEEP AND THE GREAT HEALER

GETTING ADEQUATE SLEEP

GOD TOOK TIME FOR R AND R

Jesus got to bed on time

He got exercise and prayed

He breathed fresh air and enjoyed the sunshine

SIMPLE YET PROFOUND: WHY CAN’T YOU SLEEP?

Menopause, sleep apnea, and restless legs

Mind over matter

Mellow out with melatonin

The half-night sleep

Medications and illnesses

KEY 3: FAITH IS A MOVING EXPERIENCE: EXERCISE!

WALKING FOR FITNESS

IT’S NEVER TOO LATE

THE ASTONISHING BENEFITS

EXERCISE AND THE HEALTH EQUATION

THE W WORD

SIMPLE YET PROFOUND: WORKING IN A WORKOUT

On the phone

While watching TV

Cleaning for health

Morning and night

Proactive parking

KEY 4: GREAT HEALTH IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS: BREATHE FRESH AIR

IT KEEPS GETTING BETTER

First, practice the following:

For quick relaxation, try the following technique:

SIMPLE YET PROFOUND: GO SMOKE FREE FOR GOD

KEY 5: GREAT HEALTH IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS: SUNSHINE

AFFECTED BY THE SEASONS

LIMITING EXPOSURE

SIMPLE YET PROFOUND: BROCCOLI FOR SUNSCREEN?

EAT, DRINK, AND BE HEALTHY!

KEY 6: BRING FORTH FRUIT

CHOOSE WISELY

FOLLOW THE OWNER’S MANUAL

BANANAS AND MORE

EVERYTHING IN MODERATION

SIMPLE YET PROFOUND: HOW SUSAN GETS MORE FRUIT INTO OUR DAY

Buy it

Snack on it

Add it to water

Cook with it

Shake it up

Bring it along

Midnight snack it

KEY 7: VEGETABLES KEEP YOU FRESH

TRAINING YOUR KIDS TO EAT VEGGIES

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SIGNATURES

WHAT'S THE BIG IDEA?

BE CREATIVE!

SIMPLE YET PROFOUND: RESURRECT YOUR APPETITE

KEY 8: BREAD FROM HEAVEN

WHOLE GRAINS

SIMPLE YET PROFOUND: READ THE LABEL

KEY 9: WHITE IF YOU EAT MEAT

DIETARY LAWS

WHERE’S THE BEEF?

ARE EGGS EGG-CEPTABLE?

SIMPLE YET PROFOUND: GET HOOKED ON FISH

KEY 10: WATER OF LIFE

HOW MUCH WATER DO YOU NEED?

WHAT KIND OF WATER?

DO OTHER DRINKS COUNT?

YOU’RE FEELING BETTER ALREADY

SIMPLE YET PROFOUND: SING A LITTLE SONG

11 YOUR HEALTH IS YOUR CHOICE. CHOOSE LIFE!

WHAT ABOUT SEEING A DOCTOR?

TO SUPPLEMENT OR NOT TO SUPPLEMENT

WHAT ABOUT CHOLESTEROL?

A SELF-CHECK HEALTH CHECK

REAPING LIFE ABUNDANT

ONE MORE KIND OF WATER

SECTION II: DR. DON'S EASY REFERENCE GUIDE FOR COMMON HEALTH PROBLEMS

12 DR. DON’S EASY REFERENCE GUIDE FOR COMMON HEALTH PROBLEMS

ACHIEVING IDEAL WEIGHT: LEAN ON THE LORD

L - liquids

E - exercise

A - add and avoid

N - nutrients

ADHD : DIET OR DRUGS?

ALKALIZE YOUR DIET AND KISS THE FAT GOOD-BYE

Eat slimming alkaline foods!

Very high alkaline foods

Avoid processed foods!

How processed foods impact your pH

It’s what you eat, not how much you eat

Include exercise!

Acidosis puts you at risk

ALLERGIES & SWEETS : SUGAR IS NOTHING TO SNEEZE AT

Where is it hiding?

Sweet seduction

Artificial sweeteners are not the answer

More sugar dangers

Other sugar facts

Some helpful guidelines

ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE: STRATEGIES TO REMEMBER

Avoiding Alzheimer’s

Brain exercises

Supplementation

In conclusion

ASTHMA: FOODS THAT SOOTHE, FOODS TO AVOID

Detoxify your world

Detoxify your body

Better brEAThing

Foods that relieve and prevent asthma

Why organic?

Help your foods help your body

BLADDER INFECTIONS: COMMONSENSE CARE

What you eat and drink

What you don’t drink

What you wear

Hygiene

CANCER AND SELF-CARE

Basic lifestyle guidelines

Detoxify

Fortify

Science and supplementation

Christ is the cancer answer

CHRONIC FATIGUE AND FIBROMYALGIA: SYNDROMES WITH SOLUTIONS

Sharing a common cause?

Mike O’ Who?

CFS and FMS may share other common causes

Drug dangers

CHOLESTEROL: FINDING BALANCE

Does high cholesterol exist?

Achieving balance

EAR INFECTIONS: COMMONSENSE CARE

ENDOMETRIOSIS: END IT ONCE AND FOR ALL

Nutrition

Detoxification

Exercise

Remedies

FLU AND COMMON COLD: COMMONSENSE CARE

Shorten and win the fight!

Influenza

GOUT AND THE FOODS THAT SOOTHE IT

Life is a bowl of cherries

Drink to your health

A word of caution to dieters

Herbal wonder food remedies

Build good health with good nutrition

Pressure points

HEARTBURN AND ACID REFLUX HELP

Fooling your body never fixes anything

Acid reflux

Eating

Body mechanics

Helpful supplements

Avoid the following

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE POINTERS

What is high blood pressure?

What causes high blood pressure?

What does high blood pressure cause?

Take the pressure off

Drug dangers

IBS: A PERSONAL AND SOCIAL NIGHTMARE

IBS : the cause

Finding relief

INSULIN RESISTANCE, DIABETES, AND SYNDROME X

What is insulin resistance?

Signs of insulin resistance

Fueling weight gain, foiling weight loss

Syndrome X: the disease link

Reversing insulin resistance

MENOPAUSE AND NATIVE AMERICAN HERBAL REMEDIES

An herbal renaissance

What causes menopausal symptoms?

OSTEOPOROSIS: NO BONES ABOUT IT!

Exercise

Nutrition

A final step

PULSE TESTING FOR FOOD ALLERGIES

SINUS PROBLEMS: A REAL DRAIN!

Prevent swelling

Promote drainage

Avoid antibiotics, antihistamines, and nose sprays

THYROID HEALTH: COMMONSENSE TIPS

Use a proper diet

Daily habits

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I DRINK CERTAIN BEVERAGES?

What about soft drinks?

What about diet soft drinks?

What about cow’s milk?

What about coffee?

What about alcohol?

Leading alcohol-related causes of death

Get wet!

YEAST INFECTIONS: A CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER

Symptoms of Candida fungal infection

Common signs of Candida overgrowth

Oral thrush

Vaginal yeast infections

The yeast epidemic

Are you at risk for Candida overgrowth?

Dangers of Candida overgrowth

Overcoming Candida overgrowth

NOTES

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

FOREWORD

I HAVE KNOWN DR. Don VerHulst for well over twenty years. At one time an atheist, after making the decision to follow Christ he caught fire for God. He and Susie have been members of our church for many years; we have ministered in the States and overseas together.

Dr. Don’s approach to biblical health is sound and is very easy to incorporate into your life and family. His book Do This and Live Healthy is filled with biblical principles that have been a blessing to me, my wife, Jeanie, and our family. I know they will bless you and your family as well.

—DUANE VANDER KLOK

SENIOR PASTOR, RESURRECTION LIFE CHURCH,

GRANDVILLE, MICHIGAN

FOUNDER, RESURRECTION LIFE CHURCH INTERNATIONAL

INTRODUCTION

GOD WANTS YOU TO ENROLL IN HIS PERFECT HEALTH PLAN

EVER HEAR THE story about the scientist who was determined to scale the Mountain of Truth? He acquired all the knowledge humanly possible and struggled mightily through untold hardships to reach the summit, only to find a theologian already sitting on the peak when he arrived. Though he had nearly killed himself with exertion, the theologian looked as if he were enjoying a day at the beach.

I lived that story. I was that scientist. Early in life I decided that through knowledge and yeoman-like effort I could instill meaning in my life and transform others’ lives for the better. Applying myself to medical school, I spent years in intensive study, sacrificing my time and sanity to meet the rigors of a grueling schedule. In 1982 I earned my medical degree. Little did I know that an MD wouldn’t bring me the happiness and fulfillment that I had been seeking.

TAKE CARE OF YOUR EARTH SUIT

God created us as three-part beings: spirit, soul, and body. All three parts were a mess by the time I finished med school. An atheist without any hope, I had stuffed my mind full of medical jargon and tradition. I lived on caffeine, junk food, and adrenaline. Though I never exercised, I looked like a pencil and couldn’t gain weight. Running day and night, I was a living contradiction—a doctor who didn’t take care of his health. Despite my sorry physical and spiritual state, I was convinced that I was well on my way to reaching the pinnacle of life. Then one night my car battery died, and the scientist met the theologian.

What do you believe in?

Cough. Sputter. Cough. At 4:00 a.m. in the freezing cold that had settled over the Detroit Metropolitan Airport, starting my car looked hopeless. That is, until a gentleman approached in his truck, stopped, and offered a jump start. After retrieving his jumper cables, he offered to let me sit in his warm vehicle while he charged my battery. Once the cables were hooked up, he climbed in too. Out of the blue he asked me a question I wasn’t expecting: What do you believe in?

Though that struck me as an odd question to ask in a frozen parking lot in the predawn hours, I thought, Well, this guy’s jumping my car battery, so if he wants to talk about the cost of tea in China, all right then, let’s talk! So I replied, Well, I’ve heard about God and Jesus, but I don’t believe all that. I’m an atheist.

In the past that statement either riled people up or scared them into silence. This late-night theologian acted just like I believe Jesus would have. After listening quietly to everything I had to say after that blunt, introductory declaration, he nodded his head and asked a simple question: Have you ever sinned?

Oh yeah! I’m the grand champion sinner! I said quickly, smiling. (Isn’t it interesting that I was an atheist and I still knew I had sinned? Looking back, I can see now that God had been working in my heart.)

Would you like to be forgiven for your sins? he asked.

You mean every wrong thing I’ve ever done would just be gone? I replied, somewhat amazed by his question.

That’s right, this stranger affirmed. Would you like that?

That’s not even remotely possible, I thought. We’re playing a hypothetical game here, but at least my car battery’s charging . . . .

After debating with myself for a few moments, I responded, You would have to be a fool not to want that! Who wouldn’t want that?

Then ask Jesus to come into your heart and be Lord of your life, he said.

Now, as an atheist, I had no idea how to pray, but suddenly I realized this guy knew the truth I had struggled for years to attain. Though I only said one word—yes—I meant it with every fiber of my being. Without warning it felt like the world had shifted under my feet.

Immediately the God whom I hadn’t even believed in a splitsecond before spoke to me as clearly as I’ve ever heard anyone in my life. Chills ran up and down my spine, as if He had stepped into this truck and were staring me in the eye. Every word of the Bible is true, He said. Even the hairs of your head are all numbered.

Those words reminded me of a Bible verse I had heard as a little boy: The very hairs of your head are all numbered (Matt. 10:30). It was such a revelation that the God of the universe knew all about me (as He does about each of us). I realized that if He knew me this well, He must have a specific plan for me. For the next three years all I wanted to do was study God’s Word and learn more about what He had designed for me to do.

The scientific Bible

The more I studied the Bible, the more particular verses would jump out at me, particularly ones containing divine principles about the physical body, health, and healing. In all my years of medical studies the Bible was certainly the last book I would have considered a leading textbook on