a message from Asbury’s Health Ministry Team

“Heart-Healthy Diet with High-Quality Food”

Over the years, low-fat and low carbohydrate diets have been thought of as the best for preventing heart disease. It is important to consider what types of food are eaten with these diets. A large-scale study of over 200,000 participants found an association with low carbohydrate and low-fat diets that emphasized high quality food (i.e., fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and legumes) with a 15% lower risk of developing coronary heart disease. Those who ate unhealthy foods didn’t get the benefit. The bad or unhealthy foods include refined grains like a white roll, sugary snacks, processed meats, and animal fats. Low-quality foods do not contain vital nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that protect the heart.

Eating lots of vegetables and fiber helps control blood sugar and prevent excess weight gain. High blood sugar can contribute to heart disease by damaging blood vessels. The best diet has lean protein, fish, beans, and legumes. If looking at a plate, half of the plate should contain fruits and vegetables. One quarter of plate should be whole grains, and the last quarter should contain lean protein. High quality diet will give steady blood sugar, optimize blood pressure, and improve cholesterol levels. Eat healthy and stay healthy.

a message from Asbury’s Health Ministry Team

“Rising Rates of Cancer in Younger Adults”

Clinicians are seeing a rise in early-onset cancers. Why?…

In younger adults, rates are rising for more than a dozen cancers, including those of the gut, skin, blood, and reproductive and endocrine systems. The rise in early-onset cancers cannot be explained by improved access to screening, since screening is not recommended at these early ages. Unfortunately, as a result, cancer is not detected until later stages which then involves more aggressive treatment. Genetics also cannot explain the rise, because if genetics were the reason for this trend, the trend would be gradual and not the sharp increases that are being seen.

Large population studies have generally supported that rising obesity rates are to blame, since excess fat tissue can cause an increase in inflammation and tumor growth. Other scientists believe that obesity may be a proxy for underlying factors as poor diets and sedentary lifestyles. Studies are looking at some of these underlying factors. For example, excessive consumption of processed foods with soybean, corn, and sunflower oil can cause chronic inflammation in the gut, damage DNA, and trigger malignant changes (Gabre). Also, early lifestyle choices such as a decline in physical activity among adolescents and younger adults may promote early onset breast cancer (Kehn). More studies need to be done to further understand the rising cancer rates in younger people.

Source: Craig, David J, (2025). Columbia, Spring/Summer, pp. 28-31.

a message from Asbury’s Health Ministry Team

“Sun Protection”

Sunbathing, while often associated with relaxation and achieving a golden tan, poses significant health risks. Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can cause premature aging of the skin, such as wrinkles, age spots, and loss of elasticity. More critically, repeated sun exposure increases the risk of skin cancers, including melanoma, the deadliest form. UV radiation can also damage the eyes and suppress the immune system. Even short-term overexposure can lead to sunburn, which is not only painful but also indicates skin cell damage that may have long-term consequences.

To protect against these risks, various types of sunscreens are available, categorized primarily into chemical and physical (mineral) sunscreens. Chemical sunscreens absorb UV radiation using active ingredients like avobenzone or oxybenzone, while physical sunscreens, containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, reflect UV rays away from the skin. Sunscreen effectiveness is measured by its Sun Protection Factor (SPF); SPF 15 blocks about 93% of UVB rays, SPF 30 blocks 97%, and SPF 50 blocks 98%. Higher SPF offers more protection but does not make you invincible to sun damage. In the worst-case scenario of sunburn, treatment includes cool baths, aloe vera gel, anti-inflammatory medication (like ibuprofen), and plenty of hydration. For severe burns with blistering or systemic symptoms (fever, chills, nausea), medical attention should be sought immediately.