The meeting began with the citation of a passage of Scripture and the meeting was in a church. But it was not a religious meeting.

It was a seminar citing numerous practices in medicine and the scientific research findings from several prestigious universities.

The Scripture cited was a phrase from Leviticus 17:11,  “For the life of the flesh [is] in the blood. …”

Thirty-five persons had come to participate in the Lifelong Weight Management seminars at the Seventh-day Adventist Church on Hill Street in Dowagiac. A few of those present came to support a relative or friend with an overweight problem. But most of those attending were overweight and recognized their need of intervention.

The seminar speaker last week noted that we test the concentration of blood sugar (glucose) to determine whether the pancreas is functioning adequately in producing insulin.

We test the blood level of troponin I to help determine whether a person has suffered a heart attack (myocardial infarct).

We test the blood level of a hormone to help determine whether the thyroid gland is adequately secreting thyroxin.

We test the blood levels of nitrogen compounds in the blood to determine whether the kidneys are adequately secreting those wastes into the urine.

There are now hundreds of tests done on the blood to determine the condition of the life of the person.

It is only during the past hundred years that mankind has come to know the extent to which “the life of the flesh is in the blood …”

The seminar last week included distribution of individual blood testing results from the blood drawing done the previous Sunday morning.

Three of those tested were found to be anemic and one of those was a young woman who said, “I wondered why I always felt tired.” Seven of those tested were found to have elevated levels of Cardio C-Reactive Protein.

For most, these elevated levels indicate a high risk for having a heart attack. Medical treatment and lifestyle changes can in most cases reduce that risk before the actual heart attack occurs and prevent heart muscle damage.

Four cases of diabetes were indicated by blood glucose and glycohemoglobin levels.
One person had not previously been shown to have these abnormalities. Two of them now showed indications of significant kidney failure. Three others had blood test results indicating a pre-diabetic condition. Body weight loss, adequate exercise and dietary control can do much to help most. Discussion of blood testing results was done as an educational exercise with a physician participating. Each participant was given a paper copy of their own results and encouraged to consult their personal physician for treatment and follow-up.