I enjoy highlighting and re-publishing stories about scientific validation of the Word of Wisdom, the official health code of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They show that not only is our Heavenly Father, who went through his own mortal probation, smarter than the rest of us, but that Joseph Smith, who revealed the Word of Wisdom to the world, was truly a Prophet, Seer, and Revelator, notwithstanding his human weaknesses and imperfections.
The Daily Mail and Newsmax Health reveal the completion of a Swedish study which indicates that women who smoke incur an elevated risk of arthritis. The study, carried out by Karolinska Institute in Stockholm (choose from the Swedish-language version or the English-language version), analyzed 34,101 women aged between 54 and 89; of those, 219 suffered with the condition.
Findings: The study found that women who smoked between one and seven cigarettes daily were more than twice as likely to develop the disease as those who had never smoked. It also found that women remained twice as likely to develop the disease even 15 years after giving up smoking. Data also showed that the risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) increased with the length of time the woman had been smoking; for example, smoking for 25 years raised the risk 1.6 times compared with smoking for just one year. The Karolinska Institute published their own summary of the findings, which indicates that they've also been published in the science journal Arthritis Research & Therapy.
On the other hand, the Daily Mail reports in the same article that the Karolinska Institute also discovered that drinking five or more glasses of wine or beer a week can halve a person’s chance of developing RA. But this should not be interpreted as invalidating the Word of Wisdom proscription against drinking alcohol, since alcohol contributes disproportionately to so many other problems. Instead, it merely indicates that there is a specific benefit to alcohol within this particular context, and the idea is to isolate and market that specific beneficial aspect rather than denigrate the Word of Wisdom. Section 89, verses 5-7 of the Doctrine & Covenants still states "That inasmuch as any man drinketh wine or strong drink among you, behold it is not good, neither meet in the sight of your Father, only in assembling yourselves together to offer up your sacraments before him. And, behold, this should be wine, yea, pure wine of the grape of the vine, of your own make. And, again, strong drinks are not for the belly, but for the washing of your bodies"; Joseph Smith's successors, in accordance with the principle of continuing revelation, have further restricted alcohol consumption, removing it as a Sacramental emblem. The Doctrine & Covenants Student Manual also provides more background on the interpretation and history of the Word of Wisdom.
You can read all posts on this blog about scientific validation of the Word of Wisdom at this link.
Showing posts with label WOW validation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label WOW validation. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Monday, April 8, 2013
LDS Word Of Wisdom Restrictions On Meat Partially Validated By Red Meat Study From University Of Washington Documented In Nature Medicine And A Harvard Study
Although the proscription against alcohol, tobacco, coffee, and tea is the part of the Word of Wisdom that receives top billing, primarily because it affects LDS temple access, the Word of Wisdom also counsels against the excessive consumption of meat. From Doctrine & Covenants Section 89:12-13:
Note that the Lord did not impose a blanket prohibition; He merely said that meat ought to be consumed sparingly. It is up to each individual, with guidance from the Holy Ghost, to determine what is "sparingly".
But now a study which has been published in Nature Medicine implies there are also health reasons for limiting consumption of meat. According to a report from KSL Channel 5, the study, performed at the University of Washington, suggests that red meat can create conditions in your belly that can facilitate heart disease and the hardening of veins throughout the body. This is in addition to conventional wisdom, which still holds that red meat can elevate fat and cholesterol levels.
How It Works: Bacteria in your intestines can either be good or bad. Good bacteria help digest and break down food and drink. Red meat promotes a kind of bacteria that consume carnitine, a chemical often consumed as a dietary supplement and found in high levels in red meat. The only problem is that the bacteria that love red meat turn carnitine into TMAO, a chemical that hardens veins and contributes to heart disease. The more red meat you eat, the more TMAO in your system, and the greater your risk.
In the course of researching the Web to find out what thresholds of red meat consumption might be considered "safer", I found a link to a second study published on March 12th, 2012 in the Harvard Gazette. This study, conducted by Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) researchers, found that red meat consumption is associated with an increased risk of total, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality. They found that one daily serving of unprocessed red meat (about the size of a deck of cards) was associated with a 13 percent increased risk of mortality, and one daily serving of processed red meat (one hot dog or two slices of bacon) was associated with a 20 percent increased risk. They conscluded that red meat, especially processed meat, contains ingredients that have been linked to increased risk of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and cancer. These include heme iron, saturated fat, sodium, nitrites, and certain carcinogens that are formed during cooking. It should be noted that the American Society of Animal Science disputes these findings, though.
But the Harvard study went one step further -- it showed that substituting other healthy protein sources, such as fish, poultry, nuts, and legumes, was associated with a lower risk of mortality. Specifically, replacing one serving of total red meat with one serving of a healthy protein source was associated with a lower mortality risk: 7 percent for fish, 14 percent for poultry, 19 percent for nuts, 10 percent for legumes, 10 percent for low-fat dairy products, and 14 percent for whole grains.
The bottom line -- one does not necessarily need to cut meat out of the diet; if one is concerned about the effects of red meat, one can switch to poultry or fish to reduce the risk and still enjoy the effects and taste of meat products. It is unnecessary to become a vegetarian or a vegan, although there's nothing illegitimate about those alternatives. I personally restrict myself to ground beef, chicken, and fish, with occasional sausage. Fortunately, I never acquired much of a taste for steaks or roasts. But what these two studies show is the wisdom of our Heavenly Father when He counseled us to eat meat sparingly, although the Prophet Joseph Smith was not told at the time that it was red meat that would be the greatest concern. Oftentimes we're asked to accept divine wisdom primarily on faith and wait until later for the "scientific proof".
Other scientific validation for the Word of Wisdom is published on this blog and is accessible through these posts. Amazing how much "smarter" our Heavenly Father becomes the more scientific research we do, isn't it?
12 Yea, 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;
13 And it is pleasing unto me that they should not be used, only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine.
Note that the Lord did not impose a blanket prohibition; He merely said that meat ought to be consumed sparingly. It is up to each individual, with guidance from the Holy Ghost, to determine what is "sparingly".
But now a study which has been published in Nature Medicine implies there are also health reasons for limiting consumption of meat. According to a report from KSL Channel 5, the study, performed at the University of Washington, suggests that red meat can create conditions in your belly that can facilitate heart disease and the hardening of veins throughout the body. This is in addition to conventional wisdom, which still holds that red meat can elevate fat and cholesterol levels.
How It Works: Bacteria in your intestines can either be good or bad. Good bacteria help digest and break down food and drink. Red meat promotes a kind of bacteria that consume carnitine, a chemical often consumed as a dietary supplement and found in high levels in red meat. The only problem is that the bacteria that love red meat turn carnitine into TMAO, a chemical that hardens veins and contributes to heart disease. The more red meat you eat, the more TMAO in your system, and the greater your risk.
In the course of researching the Web to find out what thresholds of red meat consumption might be considered "safer", I found a link to a second study published on March 12th, 2012 in the Harvard Gazette. This study, conducted by Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) researchers, found that red meat consumption is associated with an increased risk of total, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality. They found that one daily serving of unprocessed red meat (about the size of a deck of cards) was associated with a 13 percent increased risk of mortality, and one daily serving of processed red meat (one hot dog or two slices of bacon) was associated with a 20 percent increased risk. They conscluded that red meat, especially processed meat, contains ingredients that have been linked to increased risk of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and cancer. These include heme iron, saturated fat, sodium, nitrites, and certain carcinogens that are formed during cooking. It should be noted that the American Society of Animal Science disputes these findings, though.
But the Harvard study went one step further -- it showed that substituting other healthy protein sources, such as fish, poultry, nuts, and legumes, was associated with a lower risk of mortality. Specifically, replacing one serving of total red meat with one serving of a healthy protein source was associated with a lower mortality risk: 7 percent for fish, 14 percent for poultry, 19 percent for nuts, 10 percent for legumes, 10 percent for low-fat dairy products, and 14 percent for whole grains.
The bottom line -- one does not necessarily need to cut meat out of the diet; if one is concerned about the effects of red meat, one can switch to poultry or fish to reduce the risk and still enjoy the effects and taste of meat products. It is unnecessary to become a vegetarian or a vegan, although there's nothing illegitimate about those alternatives. I personally restrict myself to ground beef, chicken, and fish, with occasional sausage. Fortunately, I never acquired much of a taste for steaks or roasts. But what these two studies show is the wisdom of our Heavenly Father when He counseled us to eat meat sparingly, although the Prophet Joseph Smith was not told at the time that it was red meat that would be the greatest concern. Oftentimes we're asked to accept divine wisdom primarily on faith and wait until later for the "scientific proof".
Other scientific validation for the Word of Wisdom is published on this blog and is accessible through these posts. Amazing how much "smarter" our Heavenly Father becomes the more scientific research we do, isn't it?
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
More Word Of Wisdom Scientific Validation: Caffeine Linked To Urinary Incontinence
On February 27th, 1833, the first President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Joseph Smith Jr, warned of the dangers of hot drinks published the Word of Wisdom. Canonized as Section 89 of the Doctrine & Covenants, he wrote "hot drinks are not for the body or belly". Subsequent Church presidents were inspired to further define "hot drinks" as coffee and tea, and made Word of Wisdom compliance a temple worthiness issue. Based on this Dialogue Journal article, the Church began to enforce the Word of Wisdom as a commandment on December 28th, 1915.
Now we have more scientific evidence showing that the Lord and His prophets were ahead of their time. A newly-released report on a survey indicates that the amount of caffeine typically found in two cups of coffee could exacerbate, if not cause, male incontinence. The research suggests men who consume the most caffeine are more likely to have the problem than those who drank the least. The Daily Mail picked up the story, but the explanation published in News-Medical.net is also useful.
The study is the result of an analysis of 3960 men who participated in the National Health and Nutritional Examination Surveys (NHANES) in 2005-2006 and 2007-08, in which it was discovered that a caffeine intake equivalent to just two cups of coffee per day (250 mg) was associated with increased prevalence of moderate-to-severe urinary incontinence (UI). The researchers looked at how many had urinary incontinence and how much caffeine they ate or drank, as well as how much water they took in from both foods and drinks. About 13 percent of the men reported a leaky bladder, but only 4.5 per cent had a problem considered moderate or severe - which is more than a few drops of urine leakage during the course of a month.
Overall, the men consumed an average of 169 milligrams of caffeine every day; the average cup of coffee contains around 125 milligrams.
-- Men in the upper quartile for caffeine consumption (>234 mg/day) were 1.72 times more likely to have moderate-to-severe UI than those in lower quartiles after adjustment for potential confounders. The Daily Mail describes them as being 72 percent more likely to have moderate to severe urinary incontinence. This is not inconsistent, but merely two different ways of describing the same results.
-- Those in the 90th percentile for caffeine intake (≥392 mg/day) were 2.08 times more likely to suffer from moderate-to-severe UI than those with lower intake.
Dr. Alayne Markland, the study's senior author from the University of Alabama, noted that the researchers also found no evidence for an association between water and total moisture intake and UI during the study. This leads to the conclusion that caffeine is the problem, perhaps irritating the bladder in some way.
All posts on this blog discussing scientific validation of the Word of Wisdom can be simultaneously displayed using the WOW Validation label.
Now we have more scientific evidence showing that the Lord and His prophets were ahead of their time. A newly-released report on a survey indicates that the amount of caffeine typically found in two cups of coffee could exacerbate, if not cause, male incontinence. The research suggests men who consume the most caffeine are more likely to have the problem than those who drank the least. The Daily Mail picked up the story, but the explanation published in News-Medical.net is also useful.
The study is the result of an analysis of 3960 men who participated in the National Health and Nutritional Examination Surveys (NHANES) in 2005-2006 and 2007-08, in which it was discovered that a caffeine intake equivalent to just two cups of coffee per day (250 mg) was associated with increased prevalence of moderate-to-severe urinary incontinence (UI). The researchers looked at how many had urinary incontinence and how much caffeine they ate or drank, as well as how much water they took in from both foods and drinks. About 13 percent of the men reported a leaky bladder, but only 4.5 per cent had a problem considered moderate or severe - which is more than a few drops of urine leakage during the course of a month.
Overall, the men consumed an average of 169 milligrams of caffeine every day; the average cup of coffee contains around 125 milligrams.
-- Men in the upper quartile for caffeine consumption (>234 mg/day) were 1.72 times more likely to have moderate-to-severe UI than those in lower quartiles after adjustment for potential confounders. The Daily Mail describes them as being 72 percent more likely to have moderate to severe urinary incontinence. This is not inconsistent, but merely two different ways of describing the same results.
-- Those in the 90th percentile for caffeine intake (≥392 mg/day) were 2.08 times more likely to suffer from moderate-to-severe UI than those with lower intake.
Dr. Alayne Markland, the study's senior author from the University of Alabama, noted that the researchers also found no evidence for an association between water and total moisture intake and UI during the study. This leads to the conclusion that caffeine is the problem, perhaps irritating the bladder in some way.
All posts on this blog discussing scientific validation of the Word of Wisdom can be simultaneously displayed using the WOW Validation label.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
More Word Of Wisdom Validation: Greek Study Reveals Enclosed Exposure To Second-Hand Smoke Can Impair Breathing Within 20 Minutes
In 1833, the Prophet Joseph Smith recorded the following in Section 89, verse 8 of the Doctrine & Covenants: "And again, tobacco is not for the body, neither for the belly, and is not good for man, but is an herb for bruises and all sick cattle, to be used with judgment and skill". Joseph Smith was not told why tobacco was not for the body. But he trusted the Lord and passed the word on to the Saints all the same.
The wisdom of that counsel has been scientifically validated once again. On October 23rd, 2012, the Daily Mail reported that a Greek study revealed than enclosed exposure to second-hand smoke can actually impair breathing within as little as 20 minutes. In the study, led by Dr. Panagiotis Behrakis of the University of Athens, the research team, also consisting of colleagues from the Hellenic Cancer Society in Greece and the Harvard School of Public Health, exposed 15 healthy participants to air heavily concentrated with smoke particles within an exposure chamber -- simulating a bar or moving car -- for 20 minutes. Researchers measured participants' total respiratory impedance, resistance, and reactance with the use of an impulse oscillometry, a noninvasive way of measuring the physical properties of respiratory movement during quiet breathing. Results showed that short-term exposure to concentrated second-hand smoke significantly and immediately impacted participants' airways, making them narrow and reducing the body’s oxygen intake. Dr. Behrakis chose to simulate cars and bars because those places are notorious for accumulating high concentrations of fine particles from smoking; non-smokers end up being forced to inhale extreme amounts directly into their lungs.
The Daily Mail story also referenced an additional study where scientists at Northumbria University reported that non-smokers regularly exposed to second-hand smoke were at risk of damaging their memory. They found that non-smokers exposed to second-hand smoke forgot almost 20 per cent more than the non-smokers who were not exposed. The Northumbria study was discussed in greater detail separately in another Daily Mail article published on September 13th, 2012.
So basically, second-hand smoke increases your chances of losing your lungs and your marbles. Unfortunately, Dr. Behrakis waxed a bit hyperbolic when discussing how governments should respond to the results, saying "Second-hand smoking is the most widespread form of violence exerted on children and workers on a global level. The whole issue needs to be recognised as a global problem of human rights violation". That's the type of "sky-is-falling" catastrophic nonsense that causes people to roll their eyes and immediately turn off. While the problem should be addressed, most people have become jaded by scare tactics. Second-hand smoke is a public nuisance, particularly for kids, but it's hardly a "human rights violation".
But it does show once again that the Lord knew what He was talking about when He revealed the Word of Wisdom to Joseph Smith. And it also shows that Joseph Smith, by recording it and passing it on, was indeed a true prophet. When a prophet speaks, it's smart to listen and to hearken.
The wisdom of that counsel has been scientifically validated once again. On October 23rd, 2012, the Daily Mail reported that a Greek study revealed than enclosed exposure to second-hand smoke can actually impair breathing within as little as 20 minutes. In the study, led by Dr. Panagiotis Behrakis of the University of Athens, the research team, also consisting of colleagues from the Hellenic Cancer Society in Greece and the Harvard School of Public Health, exposed 15 healthy participants to air heavily concentrated with smoke particles within an exposure chamber -- simulating a bar or moving car -- for 20 minutes. Researchers measured participants' total respiratory impedance, resistance, and reactance with the use of an impulse oscillometry, a noninvasive way of measuring the physical properties of respiratory movement during quiet breathing. Results showed that short-term exposure to concentrated second-hand smoke significantly and immediately impacted participants' airways, making them narrow and reducing the body’s oxygen intake. Dr. Behrakis chose to simulate cars and bars because those places are notorious for accumulating high concentrations of fine particles from smoking; non-smokers end up being forced to inhale extreme amounts directly into their lungs.
The Daily Mail story also referenced an additional study where scientists at Northumbria University reported that non-smokers regularly exposed to second-hand smoke were at risk of damaging their memory. They found that non-smokers exposed to second-hand smoke forgot almost 20 per cent more than the non-smokers who were not exposed. The Northumbria study was discussed in greater detail separately in another Daily Mail article published on September 13th, 2012.
So basically, second-hand smoke increases your chances of losing your lungs and your marbles. Unfortunately, Dr. Behrakis waxed a bit hyperbolic when discussing how governments should respond to the results, saying "Second-hand smoking is the most widespread form of violence exerted on children and workers on a global level. The whole issue needs to be recognised as a global problem of human rights violation". That's the type of "sky-is-falling" catastrophic nonsense that causes people to roll their eyes and immediately turn off. While the problem should be addressed, most people have become jaded by scare tactics. Second-hand smoke is a public nuisance, particularly for kids, but it's hardly a "human rights violation".
But it does show once again that the Lord knew what He was talking about when He revealed the Word of Wisdom to Joseph Smith. And it also shows that Joseph Smith, by recording it and passing it on, was indeed a true prophet. When a prophet speaks, it's smart to listen and to hearken.
Monday, June 25, 2012
University Of Bradford Researchers Further Validate LDS Word Of Wisdom, Find That Smoking Fathers Pass On Damaged Genes To Kids
Yet even more scientific validation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Word of Wisdom health code has been published. On June 24th, 2012, the Daily Mail published an article entitled "Smoking fathers pass on damaged DNA to their children raising the risk of cancer".
Although the headline itself is almost completely self-explanatory, the details are of interest. Researchers at the University of Bradford found that smoking harms the father’s DNA, and these damaged genes can be inherited by his children, increasing the risk of youngsters developing childhood cancers, particularly leukemia. Dr. Diana Anderson suggested that since a fertile sperm cell takes three months to fully develop, fathers should kick the habit 12 weeks before conceiving to avoid the risk.
The Bradford Telegraph and Argus provides even more details. In their June 25th story entitled "University of Bradford study highlights smoking risk for dads-to-be", they report that researchers used two sensitive biomarkers to measure single and double strand breaks in the DNA of the paternal blood and semen in the period around conception, as well as maternal and umbilical cord blood at delivery. The families in the study were drawn from Bradford in the United Kingdom and Heraklion on the Greek island of Crete. Information regarding the lifestyle, environmental and occupational exposures of these families, which can influence DNA, was taken from questionnaires. They then used a combined analysis of exposures and DNA biomarkers to help differentiate the role of the various exposures before conception and during pregnancy, which could result in genetic changes in the developing embryo.
Oh, and if you go back to the Daily Mail story, you'll read that scientists at the University of Glasgow have also found that men who drink lots of tea are far more likely to develop prostate cancer. They found that those who drank seven or more cups a day had a 50 per cent higher risk of contracting the disease than men who had three or fewer. The warning comes after researchers tracked the health of more than 6,000 men for four decades.
Actually, the original warning was first revealed by the Prophet Joseph Smith on February 27th, 1833. While Joseph Smith was unlikely to have been aware of any such things as "DNA markers", he was aware of the mind of the Lord, who revealed unto him this counsel subsequently published in Section 89 of the Doctrine and Covenants:
Joseph Smith's successors, acting on continuing inspiration, have subsequently defined the Word of Wisdom as proscribing coffee, tea, alcohol, and tobacco. Abstinence from those four substances is the litmus test of temple access.
Want more scientific validation of the Word of Wisdom? Read my previous post from February 7th, 2012 entitled "More Scientific Validation For The Word Of Wisdom: London Researchers Discover Connection Between Smoking And Early Dementia". And my post of May 19th, 2009, entitled "Why LDS Church Leaders Imply That Cola Drinks Violate The Spirit Of The Word Of Wisdom: New Study Shows Cola Drinks Contribute To Hypokalaemia", reports on a study outlining hazards associated with cola drinks. While cola drinks are not an actionable part of the Word of Wisdom, LDS leaders have discouraged their consumption nonetheless.
Millions of Latter-day Saints chose not to wait upon the word of science. Instead, they accepted the word of a prophet, and as a result, enjoy health in their navel, marrow in their bones, can walk and not be weary, can run and not faint, and find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge. The Lord didn't tell Joseph Smith why we should obey the Word of Wisdom; instead he merely revealed it to him, and promised blessings to those who obeyed it.
As Spencer W. Kimball once said, "Faith precedes the miracle".
Although the headline itself is almost completely self-explanatory, the details are of interest. Researchers at the University of Bradford found that smoking harms the father’s DNA, and these damaged genes can be inherited by his children, increasing the risk of youngsters developing childhood cancers, particularly leukemia. Dr. Diana Anderson suggested that since a fertile sperm cell takes three months to fully develop, fathers should kick the habit 12 weeks before conceiving to avoid the risk.
The Bradford Telegraph and Argus provides even more details. In their June 25th story entitled "University of Bradford study highlights smoking risk for dads-to-be", they report that researchers used two sensitive biomarkers to measure single and double strand breaks in the DNA of the paternal blood and semen in the period around conception, as well as maternal and umbilical cord blood at delivery. The families in the study were drawn from Bradford in the United Kingdom and Heraklion on the Greek island of Crete. Information regarding the lifestyle, environmental and occupational exposures of these families, which can influence DNA, was taken from questionnaires. They then used a combined analysis of exposures and DNA biomarkers to help differentiate the role of the various exposures before conception and during pregnancy, which could result in genetic changes in the developing embryo.
Oh, and if you go back to the Daily Mail story, you'll read that scientists at the University of Glasgow have also found that men who drink lots of tea are far more likely to develop prostate cancer. They found that those who drank seven or more cups a day had a 50 per cent higher risk of contracting the disease than men who had three or fewer. The warning comes after researchers tracked the health of more than 6,000 men for four decades.
Actually, the original warning was first revealed by the Prophet Joseph Smith on February 27th, 1833. While Joseph Smith was unlikely to have been aware of any such things as "DNA markers", he was aware of the mind of the Lord, who revealed unto him this counsel subsequently published in Section 89 of the Doctrine and Covenants:
5 That inasmuch as any man drinketh wine or strong drink among you, behold it is not good, neither meet in the sight of your Father, only in assembling yourselves together to offer up your sacraments before him.
6 And, behold, this should be wine, yea, pure wine of the grape of the vine, of your own make.
7 And, again, strong drinks are not for the belly, but for the washing of your bodies.
8 And again, tobacco is not for the body, neither for the belly, and is not good for man, but is an herb for bruises and all sick cattle, to be used with judgment and skill.
Joseph Smith's successors, acting on continuing inspiration, have subsequently defined the Word of Wisdom as proscribing coffee, tea, alcohol, and tobacco. Abstinence from those four substances is the litmus test of temple access.
Want more scientific validation of the Word of Wisdom? Read my previous post from February 7th, 2012 entitled "More Scientific Validation For The Word Of Wisdom: London Researchers Discover Connection Between Smoking And Early Dementia". And my post of May 19th, 2009, entitled "Why LDS Church Leaders Imply That Cola Drinks Violate The Spirit Of The Word Of Wisdom: New Study Shows Cola Drinks Contribute To Hypokalaemia", reports on a study outlining hazards associated with cola drinks. While cola drinks are not an actionable part of the Word of Wisdom, LDS leaders have discouraged their consumption nonetheless.
Millions of Latter-day Saints chose not to wait upon the word of science. Instead, they accepted the word of a prophet, and as a result, enjoy health in their navel, marrow in their bones, can walk and not be weary, can run and not faint, and find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge. The Lord didn't tell Joseph Smith why we should obey the Word of Wisdom; instead he merely revealed it to him, and promised blessings to those who obeyed it.
As Spencer W. Kimball once said, "Faith precedes the miracle".
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
More Scientific Validation For The Word Of Wisdom: London Researchers Discover Connection Between Smoking And Early Dementia
On February 27th, 1833, the first President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Joseph Smith Jr, warned of the dangers of tobacco when he published the Word of Wisdom. Canonized as Section 89 of the Doctrine & Covenants, he wrote "tobacco is not for the body, neither for the belly, and is not good for man, but is an herb for bruises and all sick cattle, to be used with judgment and skill".
But the Lord did not share the technical details of the problems of tobacco with Joseph Smith; He expected the Saints to take it on faith. It wasn't until 1940 that science first discovered the problems with tobacco use after German doctors became the first to identify the link between smoking and lung cancer. Since then, more evidence of the hazards of smoking has been uncovered, including the dangers of second-hand smoke. But it shows that whenever the Lord gives a command based upon faith, objective validation eventually follows.
Now, even more scientific validation has been released. According to the Daily Mail, a group of researchers at University College London have found that smoking in men appears to be associated with a greater and more rapid onset of dementia later in life. Dr. Severine Sabia and her colleagues analyzed data using six assessments of smoking status over 25 years and three cognitive assessments over 10 years. They made four key findings.
-- Smoking in men is associated with more rapid cognitive decline
-- Men who continued to smoke over the follow-up experienced greater decline in all cognitive tests.
-- Men who quit smoking in the 10 years preceding the first cognitive measure were still at risk of greater cognitive decline, although long-term ex-smokers did not show faster cognitive decline.
-- Association between smoking and cognition, particularly at older ages, is likely to be underestimated owing to higher risk of death and dropout among smokers.
But the Lord did not share the technical details of the problems of tobacco with Joseph Smith; He expected the Saints to take it on faith. It wasn't until 1940 that science first discovered the problems with tobacco use after German doctors became the first to identify the link between smoking and lung cancer. Since then, more evidence of the hazards of smoking has been uncovered, including the dangers of second-hand smoke. But it shows that whenever the Lord gives a command based upon faith, objective validation eventually follows.
Now, even more scientific validation has been released. According to the Daily Mail, a group of researchers at University College London have found that smoking in men appears to be associated with a greater and more rapid onset of dementia later in life. Dr. Severine Sabia and her colleagues analyzed data using six assessments of smoking status over 25 years and three cognitive assessments over 10 years. They made four key findings.
-- Smoking in men is associated with more rapid cognitive decline
-- Men who continued to smoke over the follow-up experienced greater decline in all cognitive tests.
-- Men who quit smoking in the 10 years preceding the first cognitive measure were still at risk of greater cognitive decline, although long-term ex-smokers did not show faster cognitive decline.
-- Association between smoking and cognition, particularly at older ages, is likely to be underestimated owing to higher risk of death and dropout among smokers.
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