CCM Health Initiatives Position Statement on Nutrition

The CCM Health Initiatives Department provides educational resources for helping our members 1 reverse or reduce the effects of already present disease, 2 reduce their risk for major disease, and 3 achieve optimal cognitive/physical/emotional function. We believe that God calls us to be good stewards/managers of all that He has placed in our care, including our bodies. By taking proper care of my body

• I honor the Creator-God whom I serve.
• I reduce my risk for major disease, eliminating the corresponding medical costs, and allowing me to direct funds that would be spent on diagnosis and treatment of disease to worthwhile missions and to other needs.
• I increase my chances for a longer, disability-free life - through which I can better serve God in every area of life: spiritual, relational, sexual, vocational and recreative.

Proper nutrition is critical for a long, healthy, disability free, productive life. Our position on nutrition is based upon our understanding of current evidence from the research, viewed from a biblical perspective. We want our views to be free from the influence of special interest groups, and to rise above the confusing array of information available to us through the popular media.

Today we see a range of opinions as to what constitutes a healthy diet. The Atkins followers and other advocates of a low carbohydrate diet allow for heavy consumption of high protein and high fat animal products; the Cooper Clinic and Institute in Dallas advocates a diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy oils, but also allows for lean meats and low fat dairy, while steering clear of refined foods, fatty foods and hydrogenated oils; the lacto-ovo-vegetarians do not eat meat, but allow consumption of eggs and dairy products. The vegan is on a plant-based diet only, avoiding all animal products, but usually taking a B-12 supplement. Some plant-based diets can be unhealthy because there is not enough variety, or because they consist of too many processed foods.

We believe that a diet rich in plant-based products – including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy oils and legumes - is the wisest choice for healthy people, and that a plant-based diet is a necessity for some others, such as those with advancing heart disease, or those who wish to reverse type-2 diabetes. Moderate changes in the typical American diet are insufficient when it comes to reducing risk for, or for reversing, major disease. For those who want to substantially reduce their heart disease and cancer risk we recommend a plant-based diet, or a diet that includes lots of fruits and vegetables and only limited amounts of animal products. We realize, however, that many people are not going to become vegans, or even lacto-ovovegetarians. We try to meet people where they are - an ad hominem approach - as we share with our members what we are learning from the research. We at CCM advocate that people move as far as they can toward a richly diversified plant-based diet, especially those who are obese, and those who are high risk for heart disease, diabetes and cancer.

We have arrived at our present position because 1 Medi-Share members who lean toward a plant-based diet submit fewer medical bills for sharing; 2 we have witnessed disease reversal and reduction or elimination of risk indicators in our members who have, through our Restore program or after attending a Lifestyle Center or Seminar, moved toward or to a plant-based diet; 3 worldwide, nation-by-nation, there is a very high correlation between the levels of consumption of animal products, and heart disease and cancer; and 4 a diet consisting primarily of plant-based foods is supported by studies such as the 25 year Okinawa study, Dr. Dean Ornish's work on reversing heart disease, and the China Study.

Current research strongly suggests that disease reversal requires a more stringent, low fat, plant-based approach to diet. People in the Dr. Dean Ornish studies who were on a plant-based diet (10% fat and no cholesterol) experienced a reversal of their heart disease. One participant, in one year's time, reversed a 77% blockage to 59%, increasing blood flow through that artery by 270%. In several studies, including the Ornish studies, the amount of blockage increased in the coronary arteries of heart patients who were on the "low fat" diet advocated by the American Heart Association - a diet that included lean red meat, chicken with the skin removed, fish, and no more than 3 eggs per week.

Was Adam on a plant-based diet? "The LORD God made every tree grow that was pleasant to the sight and good for food." The death of animals apparently did not occur till God provided animal skins as a covering for Adam's and Eve's nakedness. In the 6th century BC, Daniel, on behalf of himself and his friends, petitioned the king's steward to be allowed to put aside the king's delicacies and instead to consume vegetables and water. "And at the end of ten days their features appeared better and fatter than all the young men who ate the portion of the king's delicacies." From a biblical perspective, however, it is not that certain foods are forbidden. In the New Covenant, dietary restrictions regarding the eating of animals were lifted. Peter had a vision of "all kinds of four-footed animals . . . and birds of the air," He heard a voice that said, "Rise, Peter; kill and eat." Peter protested, saying he had never eaten anything "common or unclean." He was told, "What God has cleansed you must not call common." The question is not whether a particular food is permitted, but rather whether it is wise to consume certain types of foods - especially with the frequency and in the large meal portions characteristic of western nations.

We know that excellent health is not a function of diet alone. A vital and growing relationship with God, strong relationships and intimacy with the special people of our lives, regular exercise, meaningful work that is consistent with our talents and passions, a clear conscience and the ability to manage stress effectively are a few of a long list of things that positively impact our health. These are all things we encourage our members to pursue.