A 104 year-old lady was asked the greatest benefit of being so old. She thought for a moment and replied, “No peer pressure.”

If she lived in Loma Linda, California, she’d have peer pressure. Reading the latest National Geographic magazine’s cover article reveals why. The article is titled, “The Secrets of Long Life” because it attempts to crack the code for longevity by spotlighting three groups; Sardinians from Italy, Okinawans from Japan, and Seventh-day Adventists from Loma Linda, California. “The average Adventist lives four to ten years longer than the average Californian,” the author says, “that makes Adventists one of the most convincing cultures of longevity.” And that makes Loma Linda, with its high concentration of Adventists, a swinging place for the 80-and-over set.

National Geographic prides itself on authentic, from-the-trenches, real-lives-of-real-people type journalism. Their coverage of Adventism didn’t disappoint, highlighting the Loma Linda resident Marge Jetton, a centurion who spends her days whipping around town in a Cadillac Seville serving the community with all of her 101-year-old strength. The article then hones in on the reason for Adventist longevity, citing the Adventist Health Study, a government-sponsored research effort out of Loma Linda University. The findings of the study were that an unrefined, plant-based diet, water drinking, and avoiding red meat, smoking and drinking contribute to the bonus years. Roughly half of Adventists adhere to a plant-based diet, and most abstain from smoking and drinking. Not surprisingly, Marge Jetton is one of the veggie-munching teetotaler types who just can’t seem to die.

The National Geographic article went beyond food and drink and zeroed in on the health benefits of religion. “God may or may not have something to do with Marge’s vitality, but her religion has,” said the author. Apparently, church enhances a person’s life socially and spiritually, with the net result of better physical health. The press has delved into this faith-health connection in articles such as the one Newsweek featured in November of 2003 that cited research that showed that regular church attendance promotes a longer life. Science is beginning to recognize that believing is good for your heart in more ways than one.

Fortunately for Chestnut Hill, there is a one-stop shop that dispenses both healthy food and healthy faith. The Seventh-day Adventist Church on Germantown and Rex Avenues runs a vegetarian lunch counter as well as a never-ending series of health lectures, concerts and church services. Your Seventh-day Adventist neighbors would love to get to know you. Stop by the café Tuesday through Friday from 11 to 2 or come worship with us Saturday at 11 AM. Or join our choir or a small group. You can even attend our potluck, held on the 2nd Saturday of each month (please bring a dish). All of these events are free of charge and open to everyone. We promise love and goodwill, and a minimum of peer pressure.

Sources:

Dan Buettner. “The Secrets of a Long Life. National Geographic, Nov. 2005. Andrew Newberg, MD. “God and Health.” Newsweek, Nov. 18, 2003