Check your Health IQ

by Dr. Rex Russell Dr. Rex Russell is not connected to New Life Church. He is a board-certified invasive radiologist who practices in Fort Smith, Arkansas. A former Academic All-American in football at Oklahoma State, Dr.

Russell attended medical school at Baylor University College of Medicine in Houston, Texas and completed his residency at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He has practiced at two of the nation's outstanding hospitals, St. Luke's Hospital in Houston and the Regional Medical Centre in Fort Smith, the town in which he and his wife, Judy, make their home. Based on your present view of health, you might enjoy taking the quiz about foods and other aspects of health. If you enjoy treasure hunting, you will want to order the book, "What the Bible Says About Healthy Living," by Rex Russell, M.

D. Mark items that are good for your health with a +. Mark items that are bad for your health with a –. Mark 0 if it doesn't matter. Mark the worst eight items for your health with an * (eight points).

Each correct answer = 1 point. The test is out of 44. 1. __ fiber 2. __ nuts 3.

__ whole-grain cereals 4. __ sunlight 5. __ swordfish 6. __ marriage 7. __ "Type A" personality 8.

__ "Type B" personality 9. __ bitterness 10. __ olive oil 11. __ butter 12. __ margarine 13.

__ safe sex (condom) 14. __wine 15. __ rest 16. __ same-gender sex 17. __ live fruits 18.

__ avocados 19. __ sweating from labour 20. __ sprouts 21. __ live vegetables 22. __ beef 23.

__ pork 24. __ homogenized milk 25. __ soft drinks 26. __ same-spouse sex 27. __ juice 28.

__ smoking 29. __ cover fat on meat 30. __ anger 31. __ blond hair 32. __ sunglasses 33.

__ shellfish 34. __ prayer 35. __ alcohol 36. __ fasting 37. __ forgiveness 38.

__ breast feeding 39. __ large-mouth bass 40. __ catfish 41. __ smiling 42. __ promiscuity 43.

__ hot dogs 44. __ divorce Results: Your Score:____ / 44 = ____ %   Answers to "CHECK YOUR HEALTH IQ" 1. Fiber = +. Fiber is good for your health. The fiber we get naturally in vegetables, fruits and seeds is always covered with great nutrients that protect us from many harmful substances and diseases.

Fiber is also necessary because it "sweeps" the digestive tract clean. 2. Nuts = +. Nuts contain wonderful oils and fats that are essential for your health. In addition, they have the ideal amino acids for building protein and enzymes.

Nuts contain only a small amount of complex carbohydrates and essentially no simple carbohydrates. Processing (adding animal fat and/or too much salt) is about the only thing that would make nuts less healthful. 3. Whole-grain cereals = +. Whole-grain cereals are good, but some may contain too much sugar.

Some whole-grain cereals such as granola have a sugar content as high as 60 percent. Watch for this. If you have to add sweeteners to your cereal, use a small amount of juice. 4. Sunlight = +.

Sunlight is good. Sunlight activates many ingredients in our cells that come from whole foods. Vitamin D, anticancer, antiviral, antiarthritic and insect repellent components are formed from sunlight. Without whole food, sunshine's ultraviolet light has a greater chance of damaging the skin. 5.

Swordfish = +. Biblically, this fish is good for your health in that it does have scales and fins. It also has a good supply of the healthy 3-omega fatty acids. 6. Marriage = +.

Studies have shown that marriage is beneficial to a person's longevity. In the marriage relationship, the husband seems to gain the most as far as longevity is concerned. Except in unusual circumstances, staying married is definitely the healthiest thing you can do for yourself. Often you can do nothing about being widowed or separated. This is not the end of the world.

Many things can improve your longevity and joy of living in both the widowed and separated circumstance. Probably the most important thing to remember is that God promises through the Holy Spirit to be your Counselor and Companion. Many have rested in this relationship and flourished. 7. "Type A" personality = 0 (neutral).

Longevity studies on heart and cancer patients fail to demonstrate any difference between "type A" and "type B" personalities. Caregivers had generally thought that "type A" personalities were more apt to have heart disease, ulcers and other diseases. This has not been proven to be true. Often the "type A" personality will do better in recovery because the personality lends to following the doctor's orders explicitly. 8.

"Type B" personality = 0 (neutral; see number 7). *9. Bitterness = -. The only personality trait that proves to be harmful for our health is bitterness. The origin of bitterness and hostility is usually a lack of forgiveness.

Peter asked Jesus how often we should forgive someone who offends us. "Is seven times enough?" he asked, in effect. Jesus' response was, "seventy-seven times" (Matt. 18:21,22). In other words, we are to forgive indefinitely.

It is healthful to forgive, and it is harmful to hold a grudge. Remember the Scripture, "Vengeance is mine;...saith the Lord" (Rom.

12:19, KJV). Dr. Dean Ornish, famous for his methods of reversing vascular disease, agrees that the "most toxic" personality traits to the heart are hostility and cynicism. 10. Olive oil = +.

Years ago, when olive oil was considered bad for health, a study of seven countries showed that the citizens of Sicily had more fat in their diets than all the other countries studied. Yet the Sicilians had less vascular heart disease and other health problems. The primary source of fat they were eating was olive oil. More studies have shown many benefits of olive oil. 11.

Butter = +. Butter is a saturated fatty acid and contains cholesterol, a fact that has resulted in butter's being condemned by most nutritionists. However, butter is a good food, when eaten in moderation. Butter does not raise the levels of cholesterol or harmful fats in the blood. Both olive oil and butter are digested by humans in a way similar to the way complex carbohydrates are digested.

Complex carbohydrates are also healthful. 12. Margarine = -. The processing (hydrogenation of oils) of margarine forms trans fatty acids. This form of fatty acids represent a big problem for our cells.

It increases vascular disease and cancers. It also elevates the bad cholesterol and triglycerides in our blood. Considering all the negative aspects of margarine, butter would be a better choice. *13. Safe sex with a condom = -.

It is not good for your health. The chondyloma virus, which is one of about 30 known venereal disease, is passed in 100 percent of sexual contacts when one partner is infected even when a condom is used. 14. Wine = -. In general, I would rate wine as a negative.

Wine has at least two unhealthful ingredients: sulfites and alcohol. The University of Wisconsin recently reported that bioflavins in wine are good for the vessels and for the heart. That is true; but the wine industry and its advertisers make their reports sound as though bioflavins are found only in wine. The fact is they are found in higher concentrations in juices, fruit and vegetables than in wines. Also, alcohol damages all cells.

Even a small amount of alcohol weakens the heart muscle. Abstinence from alcohol strengthens the heart's contraction ability unless permanent damage has already been done. The alcohol concentrations in wine are increased by adding sugar to juice before fermenting. 15. Rest = +.

Scripture commands one day of rest a week. You probably will get more done in six days of hard work preceded by a day off than you can possibly get done on a nonstop schedule. Efficiency at work is more valuable than time spent at work. Don't think that because God commanded one day of rest a week that you need more time off. It may be nice if you can get it.

Sleep is also positively related to physical and mental health. Again, however, be warned: balance is important: How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest – and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man (Prov. 6:9-11). *16. Same-gender sex = -.

Same-gender sex is devastating to your health. See chapter 4. 17. Live fruits = +. "Live" (or fresh) fruits are those whose seeds are still viable or able to reproduce.

Chemicals, radiation and other processing destroy the seed's ability to reproduce. In general, fruits are excellent for your health, but they are best for you when eaten "live." I still would heartily recommended "raw" fruit, even though now fruits can be radiated and chemicalized to increase storage life, and this is detrimental to their bio-usefulness. 18. Avocados = +.

Surprise! In my opinion avocados are good for your health. It is true they do contain fat, but these are fats that heal rather than fats that kill. Avocados contain fiber and nutrients. They are a well-designed food, when eaten in moderation. Enjoy! 19.

Sweating from labor = +. This is not referring to the delivery of a baby. In this case, "sweating" refers to physical labor such as working as a roofer or furniture mover. Physical exercise and eating good nutrients go hand in hand. 20.

Sprouts = +. Because sprouts are growing and alive, many people think they are especially good for you. Alfalfa seeds, mung beans and so on can be grown in a glass jar for three or four days and used in salads or on sandwiches. Sprouts can be bought in the produce section of your grocery store, and are an easy and painless way to get good nutrients. 21.

Live vegetables = +. Live vegetables are much like sprouts or seeds. They are either growing or have the potential to grow. Buying green beans in the produce section is better than buying canned beans. Be aware that some vegetables may be radiated or chemically altered.

22. Beef =+. Surprise again! Beef is healthy if you eat only the flesh and not the cover fat or blood. Overfeeding and overmedicating with hormones and antibiotics can change the product. The healthy 3-omega fatty acids are altered, causing the beef to be unhealthy.

Chemicals in the animal's flesh may have other detrimental effects. I will admit that it's hard to tell which cows have been overmedicated when you are strolling through the meat department of your local grocery store! If possible, find chemical-free, grass-fed beef. Many caregivers classify beef and pork together because they are both red meat. Actually, they are as different as night from day. The Bible describes beef as clean and pork as unclean (see number 23).

Other King James words for "cow" are "ox," "oxen," "heifer," "bullock" and "cow." *23. Pork = -. Scripture mentions pork many times and always having a negative connotation. The pig's flesh is described as "putrid," "filthy" or "unclean.

" Humans classify pork as a red meat, but the Bible groups pork with blood, bowel movements, road kill, buzzards, snakes, rats and roaches. In my opinion, eating pork may be the most damaging item on this list. Give yourself five points for getting this one right. 24. Homogenized milk = -.

The main reason milk is homogenized is so its butterfat does not float to the top. This cosmetic effect is costly for health reasons. The large fat globules are broken down into tiny globules. When broken down (homogenized), these smaller globules can enter the arteries and cause ulcers and plaques. Scripture mentions milk as an item intended for food.

The milk mentioned in the Bible did not derive from animals that were given hormones, antibiotics and other chemicals. Sources of raw, clean, chemical-free milk are available, but they are difficult to find. 25. Soft drinks = -. Americans consume huge amounts of soft drinks.

The phosphorus in cola blocks the absorption of valuable nutrients such as calcium, magnesium and manganese. Drinking soft drinks would be okay occasionally, but not daily. Diet drinks are no improvement. 26. Same-spouse sex = +.

Same-spouse sex is designed and approved of by God for pleasure and procreation. In today's society, sex should be considered a high risk. The only people who can enjoy "safe sex" are those in a lifelong, monogamous relationship. Enjoy. 27.

Juice = +. All juices are good, but freshly squeezed juices have many additional benefits compared to those made from concentrate. Try diluting the juice to keep from absorbing such a high concentration of simple sugar. Sparkling water may be added to the juices to make them more attractive. "Smoothie" recipes are easy to find.

Blend juices, honey, frozen fruits, cinnamon and ice for a healthful and tasty treat. *28. Smoking = -. If you are a smoker, your best protection is to eat large amounts of fresh vegetables, fruits and grains. Another protection might be periodic abstinence.

For those who cannot or will not quit using tobacco, a better choice would be chemical-free, organic tobacco. Tobacco plants are heavily sprayed and many chemicals are added during processing. Your best choice remains to quit! 29. Cover fat on meat = -. Scripture states that we should not eat the fat of the ox, sheep or goat.

This is the layer of fat between the muscle and the skin. Fat that covers the internal organs should be avoided as well. Caregivers have learned that cancer, hardening of the arteries and other health problems are present in people who eat this kind of fat. Remember that although oxen, sheep and goats are clearly declared to be clean, certain tissues in these animals, such as blood and fat, Scripture declares unclean. This fat is often added to ground beef and other products, including wieners and sausage.

30. Anger = 0 (neutral). This is one of our designed emotions. Certainly we have examples of anger demonstrated by both our Creator and by Jesus. Anger, to be healthy, must be controlled.

Some evil in this world needs our wrath poured out on it. Anger can serve to control evil. "Be...

angry, and sin not" (Eph. 4:26, KJV). 31. Blond hair = 0 (neutral). The color of your hair doesn't have any affect on your health.

This item was a "gimme" in the quiz for those who have not scored well so far. 32. Sunglasses = -. Sunglasses are good news/bad news. Sunglasses that block ultraviolet rays can protect the eyes, but others do not.

They can actually inhibit the normal contraction of the pupil when exposed to light. That just allows more of the harmful rays into the eye. Also, some research shows that glasses advertised as blocking ultraviolet rays still allow a rays to enter the eye (see question 4, appendix 2). *33. Shellfish = -.

The Creator defines shellfish as putrid and foul. Shellfish are designed to clean lakes, ponds, oceans and rivers of harmful chemical and bacterial pollution. Many deaths and epidemics can be traced to contaminated shellfish. See also pork, number 23 in this quiz, and chapter 8 about meats. 34.

Prayer = +. Prayer is amazing. Even secular researchers agree that prayer has a beneficial effect on your health. *35. Alcohol = -.

Research and experience have proven overwhelmingly that alcohol is harmful for your health. Many in this world worship alcohol. It is their god. Don't be fooled by isolated reports touting supposed benefits. (