The biggest threat to America

While the CIA and FBI track terrorist intelligence and activity, our military seek to calm international unrest abroad, minutemen and bounty hunters try to guard our country's borders, and scientists attempt to monitor and contain diseases like E. coli and the bird flu, America's biggest threat is largely homegrown and has already infiltrated most of our homes: unhealthy eating habits and no exercise.

The No. 1 cause of death in our nation

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Just a couple years ago, Dr. Richard Carmona, then surgeon general of the United States, reported to Congress about the crisis.

The facts are staggering:

This year, more than 300,000 Americans will die from illnesses related to overweight and obesity.

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Obesity contributes to the No. 1 cause of death in our nation: heart disease. (Which causes more than 500,000 deaths annually.)

Carmona also noted that the fundamental reason our children are overweight is the same reason adults are – ''Too many children are eating too much and moving too little.''

He concludes by saying these nutritional habits are learned at a young age:

Our children did not create this problem. Adults did. Adults increased the portion size of children's meals, developed the games and television that children find spellbinding, and chose the sedentary lifestyles that our children emulate. So adults must take the lead in solving this problem.

An example of a clear and present danger

If we actually knew of terrorists trying to cross our nation's borders or even burglars breaking into our homes, we would undoubtedly do everything within our power to stop them, right?

So why don't we prevent enemies from entering our bodies, hearts and minds?

I'm glad to see the food industry finally raising red flags about the clear and present danger of trans fats, most of which are commercially created when vegetable oils are hydrogenated. These subtle fats have been laced for decades into a host of our manufactured foods, from shortening, margarine, potato chips, cookies, crackers, buttered popcorn, snack foods, breads, breakfast cereals, and other foods made with or fried in partially hydrogenated oils, including donuts and French fries.

Trans fats have been proven to be terrorists to our bodies, increasing the risk of coronary heart disease, lowering levels of good cholesterol, and raising levels of bad cholesterol, among other chronic health detriments.

As a result, government regulations have mandated manufacturers to list trans fats separately from other fats on their product labels. Nevertheless, it's important for every consumer to know that a product with less than .5 grams can legally be advertised as ''0 grams of trans fat.'' So read the labels for the words ''partially hydrogenated.'' If they're there, trans fats are present, despite the label denying it.

Time to trans-form!

Trans fats are only one group of terrorist cells. There are, of course, plenty of other threats that we consume, breath in and allow to permeate nearly every organ in our bodies, some directly and some indirectly.

If we knew more than 300,000 or 500,000 people would die from a specific type of terrorist attack this year, our government and America's citizens would move heaven and earth to deter it.

Yet we know that number of people will die this year from illnesses related to being overweight or having coronary heart disease, and what are we as a nation and individuals going to do about it?

Five steps to protect and patrol your borders

Here are five steps to better protect and patrol your own body's borders:

1. Schedule some time to educate yourself and other loved ones about proper nutrition by going to websites like the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), and the American Heart Association (AHA).
2. Force yourself each day to eat a variety from the five basic food groups. The AHA offers a grocery list of more than 800 foods from those five groups that are low in saturated fat and cholesterol. Similarly, the AAFP offers some excellent ''tips for a heart-healthy diet.''

   In regard to vitamins and minerals, naturalists say that you can acquire all of them from eating properly, and they are probably right. But because most will probably not eat everything they should, when they should, supplements are generally a good thing. However, you and your physician (not those marketing the products) should monitor your proper intake of them. At very least, because you can overtake some, I recommend you consult a reputable guide to supplements.

3. At high-energy times of your day, schedule up to 30 minutes to exercise, four to six times a week. Monitor your proper ''target heart rate'' in the aerobic exercise of your choice. As many know, my wife, Gena, and I regularly use The Total Gym to satisfy our cardiovascular needs and build muscle stamina.
4. Getting adequate amounts of sleep is necessary if you expect to properly function as God created. Check reputable guides to test if you are getting sufficient hours of sleep for your age, or if you need some help in sleeping a few hours more.
5. Lastly, and certainly not least, regularly feed your mind and spirit with spiritual food. Remember, your body is more than a shell. It houses an eternal spirit, and how you nourish it affects both soul and body. Thousands of health professionals concur, including The National Cancer Institute, The Mayo Clinic, and The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Jesus Himself even said, ''Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God.''

In addition to regular Bible reading and church attendance for your spiritual diet, I recommend consuming the ''Daily Bread'' devotional ? a great inspiration for successful living.

Here's to a healthier and happier America in 2007!

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