In 2004, as part of the National Geographic project, Dan joined with the most famous scientists who are studying longevity to explore the so-called "blue zones" - those regions where people can boast an unusually long life expectancy.
One of these zones is located in the town of Loma Linda in Southern California, USA. The rest are scattered all over the planet: the island of Okinawa in Japan, the island of Sicily in Italy and the peninsula of Nicoya in Costa Rica. It is noteworthy that Loma Linda is located just 96 km from Los Angeles, where ecology and lifestyle do not contribute to health and longevity, and is not isolated from the rest of the world, like other "blue zones". So what is the secret of the astonishing longevity of the inhabitants of Loma Lind?
Principles of Adventists
In Loma Linda settled the community of Seventh-day Adventists, who, in addition to faith in the Most High, preach a healthy lifestyle. The Adventist Faith categorically does not encourage smoking, excessive food, alcohol, beverages with caffeine and other stimulants, harmful (or, as they call it, unclean) food, which includes, for example, pork, and even some spices.
The most ardent adherents of Adventism do not attend recreational activities, do not go to theaters and cinema and refuse any manifestations of modern popular culture. It is these principles that have allowed Loma Linda to turn into a real oasis of longevity.
Medicine and Health Research
In the private property of the community there is also a medical center with the latest equipment and a super-high class of care. In the children's building there is the world's first installation of radiation therapy. Thanks to this, it is possible to take up to 160 cancer patients as many as five days a week and conduct meaningful studies for NASA. Here, innovative methods of heart transplantation for children were developed. However, it is not so much in medicine as in the Adventist habits.
For the past fifty years, thousands of adenists have been involved in a large-scale study of health and nutrition. It turned out that they are long-livers. This study shed light on other burning issues. It was found out that among them 79% less patients with lung cancer. Moreover, Adventists are less susceptible to other types of oncology, as well as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.
In comparison with the control group of Californians, the 30-year-old Adventist man lives 7.3 years longer and the woman lives 4.4 years. And if you consider vegetarians, their life expectancy is even more surprising: men live 9.5 years longer, and women - at 6.1.
Saving Plants
In the course of scientific research an important fact was discovered. About 50% of Adventists were either vegetarians or rarely used meat. Those who did not adhere to the "vegetable diet", the risk of developing heart disease increased by half. Conversely, those who eat three meals a week from legumes, 30-40% less likely to suffer from bowel cancer.
Perhaps the reason is that the meat is full of saturated fats. And consequently, the level of "bad" cholesterol rises. Other similar studies indirectly confirm this theory.
Body mass index
Weight strongly affects blood pressure, cholesterol, cardiovascular diseases, inflammations associated with hormones, and their effects on cells. It was found out that the active substances, formed in inflammations of various kinds, increase the likelihood of cancer.
Interestingly, these chemicals can be produced in fat cells. From this point of view, the benefits of vegetarianism are obvious. Those who do not eat meat have a normal body mass index. On average, Adventists, who eat a lot of plant foods, as well as milk and eggs, are lighter than others by 7 kg. And the so-called vegans, who do not eat the products obtained from animals (though only 3-4%), weigh less by 13-14 kg.
Importance of physical activity
Adventists are quite active: they walk a lot and are engaged in exercise machines, some run, but these are not strong, but rather light loads. Some take care of the garden and grow vegetables.
It should be noted that many Adventists also work in the elderly. 93-year-old heart surgeon Ellsworth Wareham regularly assists in open-heart surgery in a Los Angeles hospital and, if necessary, can conduct the entire operation himself. He believes that it is very important to remain active, so he works in the garden and drives a car, passing impressive distances.
Shabbat
Adventists practice shabbat: one day a week they do not work and do not do chores around the house. Shabbat is a holiday that brings peace and tranquility. As a rule, these 24 hours are devoted to religion, family, walks. According to research, people who maintain an emotional connection with family, friends or the community are distinguished by strong mental and physical health.
In the Seventh-day Adventist community, Shabbat is called the "sanctuary of time". There are 52 such days in the year, which change a lot. Break restores the strength and nourishes the protective capabilities of the body, minimizes the consequences of stress.
Volunteering
The philosophy of Adventism encourages charity. Many members of the community in Loma Linda are engaged in helping others. Due to this they feel useful and necessary, they keep cheerfulness and experience less stress.
In addition, they meet regularly with like-minded friends who support them and give emotional recharge.
What is the result?
Does this all mean that Adventists somehow grow old in a special way, or, perhaps, all have good heredity? Probably not. They, as well as other people, worsen the functions of the heart and kidneys, the metabolism is broken. However, it seems that the way of life delays aging.
The conclusions are simple. To add a few years of healthy and active life, eat more plant foods, nuts and legumes and less meat, eat easily and not late, exercise regularly and maintain a normal body weight, communicate with friends and family and take breaks to work protect yourself from stress.
If you want to know even more recipes of longevity from the inhabitants of other "blue zones", be sure to read the book "Blue Zones".
By the way, only 3 days is the offer from the publisher - a 50% discount on books on self-development.
16, 17 and 18 June 2015 - all electronic books on the self-development of the publishing house "Mann, Ivanov and Ferber" can be bought at half price on the promo code NACHNI . Details on the website of the publishing house.