One U.S. demographic that was explored was the Loma Linda Blue Zone -specifically a concentrated area of 7th Day Adventists. In 2001 Loma Linda University released the results of a longevity study of SAD's in the Loma Linda area. It was a comprehensive study that followed 34,000 individuals over 12 years and focused on specific lifestyle factors based upon SAD practices-which indicated statistically significant increases in life expectancy. Compared to the average Californian, Adventist women exceeded the average life life expectancy by 6 years and Adventist men exceeded the average by nearly 10 years!
Dan Buettner and his National Geographic research team (funded by the National Institute of Health) completed additional focused longevity research on the phenomenon of the Loma Linda SAD group-the results further documented increased life expectancy (of 6-10 years) based upon an emphasis on health, diet, and sabbath observance.
Lifestyle benefits specifically uncovered by Buettner incorporated the following practices;
- Following a vegetarian lifestyle-on average a vegetarian status (specifically non-meat eater) will gain the average person 2 years of additional life expectancy
- Eating nuts-largely related to heart disease prevention, another 2 year gain
- Being a non-smoker-Even a past smoker is at moderate risk of lung cancer and heart disease
- Physical activity-mild amounts of daily activity provide another 2 years of average life expectancy with benefits directly related to heart disease and cancer prevention (specifically breast and colon). There is a wear-off point in activity where the benefits flatten out-such as for those marathoners (I always think of Jim Fixx as being a stand-out exception to the rule)
- Maintaining a healthy weight-increased weight is associated with obvious impacts on heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory issues. One area being further evaluated by the research community is an increase in active chemicals in the body which may increase cancer risk, chemicals that appear to come from excess fat cells. Vegetarians on average are 16 pounds lighter than their non-vegetarian friends.
It appears that there are clear longevity benefits to the Adventist lifestyle-many points which reflect similarities to other longevity studies I've followed over the years. Our individual genetic make-up only provides about a 20% benefit leaving a significant, and necessary, focus on our lifestyles.
"Most of the change we think we see in life is due to truths being in and out of our favor"
Robert Frost (1874-1963), The Black Cottage
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