Focusing on physical health and biohacking

alexanderjames

alexanderjames

Puritan Board Sophomore
"what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away."
- James 4:14

Food and drink today (nevermind everything else that we put on our bodies) is not what it was a few hundred years ago. By that I simply mean the production, processing and sheer variety and multitude of foods and drinks we consume, often including many artificial ingredients.

Some are utterly obsessive about these kind of things and some others do not care a jot. And I'm talking about more than simply the mainstream idea of healthy eating ("eat more fruits and vegetables, less processed foods and sugars", etc.).
I have been researching more about what's called "biohacking" which is generally the concept of making use of techniques and natural products to enhance personal health. Often this goes against the grain of popular notions about what is healthy (e.g. "breakfast is the most important meal of the day" vs fasting).


So to the question - how much or little do you think we as Christians, for whom this world is not our home, should or may focus on these things?
I recognise this will depend upon one's own conscience and convictions, but at what point would you speak to or even rebuke a brother or sister who falls into one type of extreme or another?
Let me give a hypothetical example from different perspectives - One believer may say "we only have a short time on this earth so why would I spend my time on things that do not advance the kingdom of God". The other believer says "When my health is optimised I am better equipped to go out and minister in the Name of Jesus, without getting sick, feeling tired, etc.)".
 
I think it requires wisdom to discern. My personal opinion is that you should eat healthy and keep from being too sedentary(if you tend to be sedentary) or be careful not to overwork(if you tend to overwork) and anything extra should have a clear motive in mind. Health benefits have diminishing returns the more complicated they get. Bryan Johnson is a weird pagan who wants to escape death by health hacks and he is a perfect picture of said diminishing returns. Hopefully this helps.
 
The sixth commandment requires us "to preserve the life of ourselves and others by" among other things, "a sober use of meat, drink, physic, sleep, labor, and recreations;" (WLC 135) Proverbs has many things to say about the glutton and the sluggard both.

That said, it is certainly possible to focus on one's body so much that one neglects the keeping of other commandments. The Christian should absolutely take care of his or her body as best as they can, keeping it strong and healthy with exercise, sleep, and nutritious food. But it is not an end in itself, nor is living a long life an end in itself.

I was talking about this with someone the other day. Many health fanatics seek to add years to their life. My goal is to be reasonably fit and healthy so that I am both a good steward of my body and of the tasks the Lord gives me, no matter what age I live to. My goal isn't merely to live to 90, I'd be content to die at 50 as long as I've been a good steward of my body.
 
I had chronic tooth sensitivity until I started using this three years ago : https://www.amazon.com/Whitening-Toothpaste-Essential-Bentonite-Bubblegum/dp/B071CF8HXM/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=3ROX7421VUQG7&keywords=tooth+powder&qid=1698989663&sprefix=tooth+powder,aps,148&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

Mind you, I have had the same dentist for the last ~25 years and I was told my teeth would always be sensitive. In one year of using this stuff, I had no sensitivity when my dental assistant was scrapping around in there. I will never go back to toothpaste again.

I think our goal should be improving the "quality of" our life, as nothing we can do will add years. A car accident can take us before cancer.
 
Logan said:
The sixth commandment requires us "to preserve the life of ourselves and others by" among other things, "a sober use of meat, drink, physic, sleep, labor, and recreations;" (WLC 135) Proverbs has many things to say about the glutton and the sluggard both.

That said, it is certainly possible to focus on one's body so much that one neglects the keeping of other commandments. The Christian should absolutely take care of his or her body as best as they can, keeping it strong and healthy with exercise, sleep, and nutritious food. But it is not an end in itself, nor is living a long life an end in itself.

I was talking about this with someone the other day. Many health fanatics seek to add years to their life. My goal is to be reasonably fit and healthy so that I am both a good steward of my body and of the tasks the Lord gives me, no matter what age I live to. My goal isn't merely to live to 90, I'd be content to die at 50 as long as I've been a good steward of my body.
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Agreed with all of the above. I am a big advocate for optimal health and clean nutrition. Have been for years. I used to own functional beverage companies.

For me the goal isn't to extend years but to optimize the ones the Lord has afforded to me. I want to be at my very best to serve my family and others better. Plus, as a landscape photographer and lover of nature, it allows me to explore more of God's beautiful wilderness.
 
Regi Addictissimus said:
Agreed with all of the above. I am a big advocate for optimal health and clean nutrition. Have been for years. I used to own functional beverage companies.

For me the goal isn't to extend years but to optimize the ones the Lord has afforded to me. I want to be at my very best to serve my family and others better. Plus, as a landscape photographer and lover of nature, it allows me to explore more of God's beautiful wilderness.
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Curious, what the difference between beverages that function and those that don’t?
 
“Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.” - Ecc. 7:29 KJV
 
riverman said:
Go on..
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Here we have the seeking of many inventions. My Dad strived to eat organic and died of a brain tumor. I think with many of these lotions and potions, folks like to fool themselves into thinking they’re the master of their own destinies in some sense. Yet the number of a man’s days are fixed.

So I’m on the fence on this one. The Lord certainly does use means (secondary causes, etc.) to accomplish His will. But I think it profits or edifies little. 1 Timothy 4:8 KJV would probably speak better to the OP.
 
alexanderjames said:
So to the question - how much or little do you think we as Christians, for whom this world is not our home, should or may focus on these things?
...
Let me give a hypothetical example from different perspectives - One believer may say "we only have a short time on this earth so why would I spend my time on things that do not advance the kingdom of God". The other believer says "When my health is optimised I am better equipped to go out and minister in the Name of Jesus, without getting sick, feeling tired, etc.)".
Click to expand...

Time isn't the only cost. Obesity-related illnesses also cost money, and they drain the years you do have. Not only do you have fewer years for the sake of Christ and His kingdom, but you've got less to give in those years. And, not very good reason for either.

I'm a student of ministry and a ruling elder, though my weight had always been a source of shame. There were some grounds for it. I wasn't moderate, and one day I found myself in pre-diabetic territory. Almost two years ago I decided I was going to lose weight and get in shape. I'm still progressing, but I can give a much better answer in my conscience now than I could prior. The last blood test I got (though a few years ago now) had no trace of PD.

My work is highly mental. I cannot sustain if I do not regularly exercise. It's imperative. If you're a Reformed bookie, you'll do more for your spiritual and theological life by exercising. Blood-pumping gets the sludge out of the grey matter. Regarding ministry, I don't want to get funny looks from people when I start preaching about moderation and temperance, which declaring the whole counsel of God will inevitably require. And for anyone contemplating missionary ambitions, you'll need strength and stamina beyond the ordinary American for sure. Top-notch health is a minimum for some areas of service. As we have seen with one brother most of us know, it may be barely enough.

"Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." A Rambo bulk-up is excessive, but some tone and bulk in a man is a godly thing if you can get it.
 
Challer said:
Here we have the seeking of many inventions. My Dad strived to eat organic and died of a brain tumor. I think with many of these lotions and potions, folks like to fool themselves into thinking they’re the master of their own destinies in some sense. Yet the number of a man’s days are fixed.

So I’m on the fence on this one. The Lord certainly does use means (secondary causes, etc.) to accomplish His will. But I think it profits or edifies little. 1 Timothy 4:8 KJV would probably speak better to the OP.
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I’ve had a benign tumour scare and then actual cancer (been gone since surgery last year), and therefore I’ve been abruptly awakened to my own mortality.

I think you are making too stark of a contrast here. Of course obsessing over health won’t extend your life; but we don’t know what’s written in God’s book, and we ought to be good stewards of our bodies.

I say if there is anything “earthly” worth pursuing hard after, it’s your health. Not only for your sake, but the sake of your loved ones.

Balance and wisdom are needed, as in everything.
 
I appreciate the comments so far. Once again, the purpose, motivation and reasoning behind one's actions and endeavours are of upmost importance.

Another scriptural reference that has just come to mind as potentially having relevance is Paul's advice to Timothy - 1 Timothy 5:23.
 
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alexanderjames said:
"what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away."
- James 4:14

Food and drink today (nevermind everything else that we put on our bodies) is not what it was a few hundred years ago. By that I simply mean the production, processing and sheer variety and multitude of foods and drinks we consume, often including many artificial ingredients.

Some are utterly obsessive about these kind of things and some others do not care a jot. And I'm talking about more than simply the mainstream idea of healthy eating ("eat more fruits and vegetables, less processed foods and sugars", etc.).
I have been researching more about what's called "biohacking" which is generally the concept of making use of techniques and natural products to enhance personal health. Often this goes against the grain of popular notions about what is healthy (e.g. "breakfast is the most important meal of the day" vs fasting).


So to the question - how much or little do you think we as Christians, for whom this world is not our home, should or may focus on these things?
I recognise this will depend upon one's own conscience and convictions, but at what point would you speak to or even rebuke a brother or sister who falls into one type of extreme or another?
Let me give a hypothetical example from different perspectives - One believer may say "we only have a short time on this earth so why would I spend my time on things that do not advance the kingdom of God". The other believer says "When my health is optimised I am better equipped to go out and minister in the Name of Jesus, without getting sick, feeling tired, etc.)".
Click to expand...
My vote is for complete buy-in to physical health—making it your lifestyle. Eating whole foods, weight lifting, and both Zone 2 cardio and VO2 Max training.

It’s the base for everything else you do in life. Plus, if you know what time it is, you’d see the possible need for physical strength in the days ahead. Men are protectors.
 
Gratefully accept what God has given you, keep the positive applications of the sixth commandment, and press on. I've taught my children to eat what ever they want but to make sure the majority of their day-to-day food choices are nutrient rich. The pre-1800s Christian writers often challenge their readers not to be frivolous with their time by dwelling on food and drink.
 
Golden mean. Avoid the typical American diet of twinkies and canola oil. Practice intermittent fasting. That will reset the body and get your health, other things being equal, back on track. Once that happens, you won't have to worry about the latest strength/dieting fad.

I used to workout 3-4 times a week with kettlebells. I still like to do that, but time doesn't permit. I do intermittent fasting and train in jiu jitsu. Both diet and strength are taken care of.

But if someone goes gnostic on the body, they will find out just how hard quiet times are when you've just eaten your 30th donut of the day.
 
Challer said:
“Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.” - Ecc. 7:29 KJV
Click to expand...
Challer said:
Here we have the seeking of many inventions. My Dad strived to eat organic and died of a brain tumor. I think with many of these lotions and potions, folks like to fool themselves into thinking they’re the master of their own destinies in some sense. Yet the number of a man’s days are fixed.

So I’m on the fence on this one. The Lord certainly does use means (secondary causes, etc.) to accomplish His will. But I think it profits or edifies little. 1 Timothy 4:8 KJV would probably speak better to the OP.
Click to expand...

I don't think either of those verses apply to what you're trying to apply them to.
Ecclesiastes is contrasting man's originally created uprightness with what he has become in his own devices.
1 Timothy is actually assuming it's a good thing to exercise one's body, and uses that to exhort us that we should all the much more exercise our spiritual faculties. And actually, Calvin and Poole both lean toward the view that by "bodily exercise" Paul means external worship: fasting, sackcloth and ashes, and bodily service, not running laps around the Colosseum.

Regardless, it's contrasting it with something of greater value: the pursuit of godliness, which nobody has denied. Yet as I said, one can pursue the keeping of one commandment to the neglect of others and that's not what we are supposed to do either. So also, if you neglect exercise, sleep, etc., and the caring of your body, you are breaking the sixth commandment. We are to use moderation and have good stewardship of all the "talents" the Lord has given us, including our bodies and health.
 
Except when I am taking necessary breaks owing to being away, I go to the gym five times a week, Monday to Friday, for an average of two hours a day. Once gyms reopened over 2.5 years ago, I began going regularly and gradually built up to the level that I have now reached. "How unspiritual! Why don't you spend that time in prayer or evangelism?" For one thing, as a result of this exercise, I have been able to attend both services on the Lord's Day for the last year and a half as opposed to being confined to one service a day. The training has not eradicated my health issues - far from it - but it has a) prevented them from getting worse; and b) helped me to have (slightly) better sleep patterns. Should everyone else do likewise? Not necessarily, as what constitutes the moderate use of physical exercise, like recreation, is often determined by our individual work-life situation. Hence, there cannot be hard and fast rules for everyone beyond the general principle that a reasonable amount of physical training is required by the sixth commandment.
 
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