If you eat the standard Western diet that most people eat in the

Listen, O children of wisdom, to the words of Joel Fuhrman, for they carry the weight of truth, as ancient as the wisdom passed down through the ages: "If you eat the standard Western diet that most people eat in the modern world, it's quite likely you will develop heart disease." These words speak to the health of the body and the soul, for the food we choose to consume is not merely sustenance, but the very foundation upon which our vitality stands. The choices we make today shape the future of our bodies, and heedless indulgence in the wrong foods can, over time, erode the strength of our hearts, both literal and metaphorical.

In the days of the ancient Greeks, the philosophers and healers understood that to truly know oneself, one must also understand the body and how to care for it. The ancient healers like Hippocrates taught that food is not just fuel but medicine—medicine for the body, mind, and spirit. They saw the body as a sacred vessel, one to be honored and cared for with respect. Hippocrates famously said, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” And so, just as the ancients sought balance and harmony in their lives, so too must we understand the importance of nourishment in our quest for health.

Joel Fuhrman’s words echo this ancient truth, reminding us that the standard Western diet, filled with processed foods, sugars, and unhealthy fats, is a path that leads to disease. This diet, once a rare indulgence, has become the norm, embraced not for its nourishment but for its convenience and addictive qualities. But heart disease—the silent affliction that takes hold over time—is the inevitable result of ignoring the ancient wisdom of balance and nourishment. It is as though we are walking a path that the ancients warned us against, blinded by the allure of quick pleasures and momentary satisfactions.

Consider, O children, the example of Emperor Nero, the infamous Roman ruler who indulged in every excess, feasting on rich meats, wine, and opulent delicacies. Though he was powerful in his reign, his indulgence in excess led to the collapse of his health. His indulgence mirrored the same folly that many in the modern world fall prey to today—seeking pleasure and satisfaction in excess, without regard for the long-term toll it will take on the body. Nero’s story serves as a cautionary tale, for those who eat without regard to the health of their bodies ultimately meet the same tragic end: the deterioration of the body’s most sacred organ, the heart.

In our own time, we see the same patterns, where the Western diet—laden with processed foods, sugars, and trans fats—has led many to the doorstep of heart disease. It is no accident, no misfortune, but the result of the choices we make every day. The Western diet promotes convenience over nourishment, pleasure over health, and instant gratification over the careful tending of the body’s needs. Joel Fuhrman’s words speak of this danger: if we continue on this path, we will, without a doubt, find ourselves in the grip of disease, as our hearts weaken and our vitality fades.

But there is hope, O children, for the wisdom of the ancients still holds true. The body is not a machine to be abused, but a sacred vessel to be cared for. The path to health is not paved with indulgence but with the conscious choices we make to honor the body’s needs. Instead of relying on the Western diet that leads to disease, we must embrace foods that nourish the body—fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats. These are the foods that heal, the foods that promote heart health, and the foods that restore balance. This is the ancient wisdom passed down through the generations, and it is still within our reach.

Thus, O children, the lesson is clear. To live well is to nourish the body with food that strengthens, not weakens. Heart disease is not some random affliction, but the consequence of choices made over time. Let us learn from the wisdom of the ancients and the warnings of Joel Fuhrman, and choose a path that leads to lasting health, vitality, and strength. The food we choose today shapes our future, and by choosing wisely, we can live not only longer, but better. Honor your body, honor your heart, and with that honor, you will find the true path to a life of vitality and joy.