The seventh day Adventists® have members who are centenarians. Throughout the world there are also those who live to 100 and beyond. For me, that age isn’t so far away anymore. Furthermore, I would like to reach it in good health.
I think we all want to live to a very old age. But, we don’t want to be sick. Many retire because of their health living the last decade or two of their lives in and out of the hospital. That’s not living. We don’t want that do we?
‘Ancel Keys, Ph.D. (a physiologist) did research in the 1950’s into the unhealthful effects of saturated fat (meat, animal products) in that it could lead to cardiovascular issues like heart disease. This man lived to 102 [1]’.
I believe there’s a way to live longest. Yes, it’s the overall lifestyle we choose to live that adds years or takes them away, but in my humble opinion food we eat really matters. Who wants to end up in a nursing home or disabled? I bet no one votes for those options.
From my own research I have learned that there are foods we’ve been told we need. One is eating meat. The World Health Organization says…
‘The strongest, but still limited, evidence for an association with eating red meat is for colorectal cancer. There is also evidence of links with pancreatic cancer and prostate cancer [2]’.
In association with meat, I feel that all animal products are the same. This includes dairy of which milk in my opinion is nothing but ‘liquid meat’. I love sour cream and cheese like anyone else. But, now I know better. So, I don’t eat it anymore.
‘Exercise and avoidance of harmful substances such as tobacco, alcohol and mind-altering substances lead to clear minds and wise choices. A well-balanced vegetarian diet that avoids the consumption of meat coupled with intake of legumes, whole grains, nuts, fruits and vegetables, along with a source of vitamin B12, will promote vigorous health [3]’.
It is coincidence that through my own studies I adopted seventh day Adventist diet in the citation directly above. I didn’t realize this until I went to their website today examining closely how they ate. Truly amazing!
‘Live a lifestyle similar to those who are happy, trim, healthy and live the longest’
Source- 1 “Ancel Keys, Ph.D.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm4830a1box.htm.
2 “Q&A On the Carcinogenicity of the Consumption of Red Meat and Processed Meat.” World Health Organization, World Health Organization, www.who.int/westernpacific/news/q-a-detail/q-a-on-the-carcinogenicity-of-the-consumption-of-red-meat-and-processed-meat.
3 “Health.” Adventist.org, 21 Nov. 2019, www.adventist.org/people/health/.
Note- Consult your doctor before you change your diet.
