US News....Live like an SDA

[Taylor]

From US News and World Report: (Notice number 8!)http://health.yahoo.com/featured/7/10-health-habits-that-will-help-you-live-to-100

10 Health Habits That Will Help You Live to 100You don't need to eat yogurt and live on a mountaintop, but you do need to floss.

The biggest factor that determines how well you age is not your genes but how well you live. Not convinced? A new study published in the British Medical Journal of 20,000 British folks shows that you can cut your risk of having a stroke in half by doing the following four things: being active for 30 minutes a day, eating five daily servings of fruit and vegetables, and avoiding cigarettes and excess alcohol.

While those are some of the obvious steps you can take to age well, researchers have discovered that centenarians tend to share certain traits in how they eat, move about, and deal with stress—the sorts of things we can emulate to improve our own aging process. Of course, getting to age 100 is enormously more likely if your parents did. Still, Thomas Perls, who studies the century-plus set at Boston University School of Medicine, believes that assuming you've sidestepped genes for truly fatal diseases like Huntington's, "there's nothing stopping you from living independently well into your 90s." Heck, if your parents and grandparents were heavy smokers, they might have died prematurely without ever reaching their true potential lifespan, so go ahead and shoot for those triple digits by following these 10 habits.

1. Don't retire. "Evidence shows that in societies where people stop working abruptly, the incidence of obesity and chronic disease skyrockets after retirement," says Luigi Ferrucci, director of the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging. The Chianti region of Italy, which has a high percentage of centenarians, has a different take on leisure time. "After people retire from their jobs, they spend most of the day working on their little farm, cultivating grapes or vegetables," he says. "They're never really inactive." Farming isn't for you? Volunteer as a docent at your local art museum or join the Experience Corps, a program offered in 19 cities that places senior volunteers in urban public elementary schools for about 15 hours a week.

2. Floss every day. That may help keep your arteries healthy. A 2008 New York University study showed that daily flossing reduced the amount of gum-disease-causing bacteria in the mouth. This bacteria is thought to enter the bloodstream and trigger inflammation in the arteries, a major risk factor for heart disease. Other research has shown that those who have high amounts of bacteria in their mouth are more likely to have thickening in their arteries, another sign of heart disease. "I really do think people should floss twice a day to get the biggest life expectancy benefits," stresses Perls.

3. Move around. "Exercise is the only real fountain of youth that exists," says Jay Olshansky, a professor of medicine and aging researcher at the University of Illinois at Chicago. "It's like the oil and lube job for your car. You don't have to do it, but your car will definitely run better." Study after study has documented the benefits of exercise to improve your mood, mental acuity, balance, muscle mass, and bones. "And the benefits kick in immediately after your first workout," Olshansky adds. Don't worry if you're not a gym rat. Those who see the biggest payoffs are the ones who go from doing nothing to simply walking around the neighborhood or local mall for about 30 minutes a day. Building muscle with resistance training is also ideal, but yoga classes can give you similar strength-training effects if you're not into weight lifting.

4. Eat a fiber-rich cereal for breakfast. Getting a serving of whole-grains, especially in the morning, appears to help older folks maintain stable blood sugar levels throughout the day, according to a recent study conducted by Ferrucci and his colleagues. "Those who do this have a lower incidence of diabetes, a known accelerator of aging," he says.

5. Get at least six hours of shut-eye. Instead of skimping on sleep to add more hours to your day, get more to add years to your life. "Sleep is one of the most important functions that our body uses to regulate and heal cells," says Ferrucci. "We've calculated that the minimum amount of sleep that older people need to get those healing REM phases is about six hours." Those who reach the century mark make sleep a top priority.

6. Consume whole foods, not supplements. Strong evidence suggests that people who have high blood levels of certain nutrients—selenium, beta-carotene, vitamins C and E—age much better and have a slower rate of cognitive decline. Unfortunately, there's no evidence that taking pills with these nutrients provides those antiaging benefits. "There are more than 200 different carotenoids and 200 different flavonoids in a single tomato," points out Ferrucci, "and these chemicals can all have complex interactions that foster health beyond the single nutrients we know about like lycopene or vitamin C." Avoid nutrient-lacking white foods (breads, flour, sugar) and go for all those colorful fruits and vegetables and dark whole-grain breads and cereals with their host of hidden nutrients.

7. Be less neurotic. It may work for Woody Allen, who infuses his worries with a healthy dose of humor, but the rest of us neurotics may want to find a new way to deal with stress. "We have a new study coming out that shows that centenarians tend not to internalize things or dwell on their troubles," says Perls. "They are great at rolling with the punches." If this inborn trait is hard to overcome, find better ways to manage when you're stressed: Yoga, exercise, meditation, tai chi, or just deep breathing for a few moments are all good. Ruminating, eating chips in front of the TV, binge drinking? Bad, very bad.

8. Live like a Seventh Day Adventist. Americans who define themselves as Seventh Day Adventists have an average life expectancy of 89, about a decade longer than the average American. One of the basic tenets of the religion is that it's important to cherish the body that's on loan from God, which means no smoking, alcohol abuse, or overindulging in sweets. Followers typically stick to a vegetarian diet based on fruits, vegetables, beans, and nuts, and get plenty of exercise. They're also very focused on family and community.

9. Be a creature of habit. Centenarians tend to live by strict routines, says Olshansky, eating the same kind of diet and doing the same kinds of activities their whole lives. Going to bed and waking up at the same time each day is another good habit to keep your body in the steady equilibrium that can be easily disrupted as you get on in years. "Your physiology becomes frailer when you get older," explains Ferrucci, "and it's harder for your body to bounce back if you, say, miss a few hours of sleep one night or drink too much alcohol." This can weaken immune defenses, leaving you more susceptible to circulating flu viruses or bacterial infections.

10. Stay connected. Having regular social contacts with friends and loved ones is key to avoiding depression, which can lead to premature death, something that's particularly prevalent in elderly widows and widowers. Some psychologists even think that one of the biggest benefits elderly folks get from exercise the strong social interactions that come from walking with a buddy or taking a group exercise class. Having a daily connection with a close friend or family member gives older folks the added benefit of having someone watch their back. "They'll tell you if they think your memory is going or if you seem more withdrawn," says Perls, "and they might push you to see a doctor before you recognize that you need to see one yourself."

[Planey]

Happy healthy people:

And why they are happy, healthy people:

[olger]

Good stuff !

[Gerr]

HEY TAYLOR

YES the people of this world are finding out

we many S.D.A. members knew...

dgrimm60

"Knew..." but unfortunately too many of us don't follow.

The statistics would be even more astounding if we truly did all the things mentioned.

[Taylor]

That is true Gerry. If we all followed what we knew, instead of living a decade longer I imagine we could significantly lower the statistics on the diseases we die from, and increase the number of years longer that we live than the average population. But still, from this source, it is a great tribute to the SDA church and it's mission of healthful living.

[phkrause]

Didn't john already start a thread with this? Not that we can't have more of this. Good news is always great.

pk

[aldona]

Quote:

instead of living a decade longer I imagine we could significantly lower the statistics on the diseases we die from,

We all have to die of something.

It is only a very lucky few who get to 95 or 100 and go to bed one night, close their eyes and do not open them again. (Leaving their doctor scratching his/her head over what to put on the death certificate under "cause of death".)

The vast majority of us will still die of the usual causes - heart failure, stroke, cancer - that go along with living on an imperfect and polluted planet. If we can delay this by 10 years of good quality of life, then the health message will have been well and truly vindicated.

aldona

[Cosmin M.]

I still can't give this up....

[phkrause]

Cosmin I think if you had to go and kill this chicken and than pluck it, you might be able to!

pk

[Taylor]

Quote:

instead of living a decade longer I imagine we could significantly lower the statistics on the diseases we die from,

We all have to die of something.

It is only a very lucky few who get to 95 or 100 and go to bed one night, close their eyes and do not open them again. (Leaving their doctor scratching his/her head over what to put on the death certificate under "cause of death".)

The vast majority of us will still die of the usual causes - heart failure, stroke, cancer - that go along with living on an imperfect and polluted planet. If we can delay this by 10 years of good quality of life, then the health message will have been well and truly vindicated.

aldona

I completely agree, we will all die of something and some who have never smoked or been around smoke have died for lung cancer. Still it is also true that many can reduce their risk of some diseases by a healthy lifestyle. I don't care so much about years alive as quality of life....but yes it is nice that we live 10 years longer than the average population. I think it has more to do, perhaps with our emphasis on God and family life than even healthful living, as stress can kill. Having the Sabbath every week does a lot to reduce stress as well.

[Taylor]

Didn't john already start a thread with this? Not that we can't have more of this. Good news is always great.

pk

I have no idea...haven't been online recently and didn't see it. Sorry if this was a repeat.

[phkrause]

Like I said taylor no problem. I thought I'd just mention it.

pk

[Gerr]

Have you seen HOW they are raised? You can't pay me enough to eat it!

[Gerr]

Cosmin I think if you had to go and kill this chicken and than pluck it, you might be able to!

pk

Better yet. Raise one from a newly hatched chick like a pet. THEN kill it for dinner!

[John317]

Didn't john already start a thread with this? Not that we can't have more of this. Good news is always great.

pk

Yes, I did, several days ago. But you're right, we can't have enough of good news.

[Robert]

Originally Posted By: pkrause

Cosmin I think if you had to go and kill this chicken and than pluck it, you might be able to!

pk

Better yet. Raise one from a newly hatched chick like a pet. THEN kill it for dinner!

Genesis 18:1 The Lord appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. 2 Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground. 3 He said, "If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, do not pass your servant by. 4 Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree. 5 Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way--now that you have come to your servant." "Very well," they answered, "do as you say." 6 So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. "Quick," he said, "get three seahs of fine flour and knead it and bake some bread." 7 Then he ran to the herd and selected a choice, tender calf and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it. 8 He then brought some curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and set these before them. [Then the Lord said: I can't eat this murdered calf - how gross! No?, No!] While they ate, he [Abraham] stood near them under a tree.

Take a chill pill!

Rob

[Robert]

No, this looks much better:

[Robert]

if we are going from EDEN LOST to EDEN REGAINED

then the followers of JESUS that will be taken

heaven will eat the original diet

Let me remind you that Jesus ate with Abraham. He eat beef...as in "where's the beef?" And to top this off it was Christ as Deity...not Christ as a man. It was GOD that eat the beef!

Face it, you are dying because you were born to a lost race. "In Adam all die" including the vegetarians.

If you want to make an argument against meat eating then the best one is that there'll be no death...no killing...in heaven. So the beef will stay on the cow and not in my stomach.

Rob

[Key Guy]

Quote:

Preparing for Translation

Among those who are waiting for the coming of the Lord, meat eating will eventually be done away; flesh will cease to form a part of their diet. We should ever keep this end in view, and endeavor to work steadily toward it. I cannot think that in the practice of flesh eating we are in harmony with the light which God has been pleased to give us. All who are connected with our health institutions especially should be educating themselves to subsist on fruits, grains, and vegetables. If we move from principle in these things, if we as Christian reformers educate our own taste, and bring our diet to God's plan, then we may exert an influence upon others in this matter, which will be pleasing to God.

Ellen White, Counsels on Diets and Foods, pg 380

[Robert]

CD 382 "There are those who ought to be awake to the danger of meat eating, who are still eating the flesh of animals, thus endangering the physical, mental, and spiritual health [like Jesus did?]. Many who are now only half converted on the question of meat eating will go from God's people to walk no more with them."

Hmmm? Now that's legalism - salvation by refraining from "flesh foods"!

If you want to make the argument that meat isn't the best diet, okay...I'll buy that, but when EGW makes it a salvation issue, well, I have one word: Legalism!!!!

[Key Guy]

Quote:

If you want to make the argument that meat isn't the best diet, okay...I'll buy that, but when EGW makes it a salvation issue, well, I have one word: Legalism!!!!

That word no longer bothers me

If one is so stuck on eating meat to the point that Heaven ceases to be attractive... that's the issue. You don't earn your way and she wasn't saying that. I think your logic is putting the cart before the horse.

It all boils down to our relationship with God. If meat eating gets in the way of developing our relationship, then it's no different than any cherished sin. Sin separates and disobeying God's will separates, too.

If anyone hasn't been convicted on the issue of eating meat, then no problem! If God's will for you is to eat meat, it's fine with me. It's not an issue to get uptight over.

[Taylor]

Yes, meat eating isn't a salvation issue, it is a health issue. You can have 1/2 converted vegetarians, 1/2 converted vegans, 1/2 converted meat eaters. We just need to take care of our bodies so that we feel good and can maximize our affectiveness for God. For most people that means eating a diet with less and less meat but that is for health reasons not for salvation reason.

[GreatLakesGramma]

You can have 1/2 converted vegetarians, 1/2 converted vegans, 1/2 converted meat eaters.

So true!

[Gerr]

No one is saying it's a sin to eat meat!!!

But try raising a lamb, goat, or a calf, then kill it and eat it!

Flesh comes neatly wrapped that we don't think of the pain and suffering of the animals, or the pain that one who raises them as pets experiences when he kills them.

[Key Guy]

Quote:

No one is saying it's a sin to eat meat!!!

Hmmmm.. If it keeps you out of the Kingdom, then what do you call it?