Loma Linda California. Why there are many Adventist centenarians in California, or how to artificially create a culture of longevity. The importance of physical activity

In 2004, as part of a National Geographic project, Dan teamed up with some of the world's most renowned longevity scientists to explore the so-called "blue zones" - those regions where people can boast unusually long life expectancies.

One of these zones is located in the town of Loma Linda in Southern California, USA. The rest are scattered across the planet: the island of Okinawa in Japan, the island of Sicily in Italy and the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica. It is noteworthy that Loma Linda is located only 96 km from Los Angeles, where the ecology and lifestyle are not at all conducive 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 amazing longevity of the inhabitants of Loma Linda?

Adventist principles

A community of Seventh-day Adventists has settled in Loma Linda, who, in addition to faith in the Almighty, preach a healthy lifestyle. The Adventist faith strongly discourages smoking, excessive eating, drinking alcohol, drinks with caffeine and other stimulants, unhealthy (or, as they call it, unclean) foods, which include, for example, pork, and even some spices.

The most ardent adherents of Adventism do not attend entertainment events, 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 become a real oasis of longevity.

Medicine and health research

The community also privately owns a medical center with the latest equipment and a super-high class of service. The children's building houses the world's first radiation therapy installation. This allows up to 160 cancer patients to be seen five days a week and conduct meaningful research for NASA. Innovative methods of heart transplantation for children were also developed here. However, the issue is not so much in medicine as in the habits of Adventists.

For the past fifty years, thousands of Adventists have been participating in extensive health and nutrition research. It turned out that they are long-lived. This study shed light on other pressing issues. It turned out that among them there were 79% fewer patients with lung cancer. Moreover, Adventists are less susceptible to other types of cancer, as well as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.

Compared to a control group of Californians, a 30-year-old Adventist man lived 7.3 years longer and a woman lived 4.4 years longer. And if we consider vegetarians, their life expectancy is even more surprising: men live 9.5 years longer, and women - 6.1.

Rescue plants

During scientific research it was discovered important fact. About 50% of Adventists were either completely vegetarian or rarely consumed meat. Those who did not follow a plant-based diet doubled their risk of developing heart disease. Conversely, those who eat legumes three times a week are 30-40% less likely to suffer from bowel cancer.

Perhaps the reason is that meat is high in saturated fat. And consequently, the level of “bad” cholesterol increases. Other similar studies indirectly support this theory.

Body mass index

Weight greatly affects blood pressure, cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, hormone-related inflammation and its effects on cells. It turned out that active substances formed during various types of inflammation 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 7 kg lighter than others. And the so-called vegans, who do not eat products obtained from animals (although there are only 3-4%), weigh 13-14 kg less.

The importance of physical activity

Adventists are quite active: they walk a lot and exercise on exercise machines, some run, but these are not strong, but rather light loads. Some tend to the garden and grow vegetables.

It should be noted that many Adventists work even in old age. Heart surgeon Ellsworth Wareham, 93, regularly assists in open-heart surgeries at the Los Angeles hospital and can perform the entire operation himself if necessary. He believes that it is very important to stay active, so he works in the garden and drives a car, driving impressive distances.

Shabbat

Adventists practice Shabbat: one day a week they do not work or do housework. Shabbat is a holiday that brings peace and tranquility. As a rule, these 24 hours are devoted to religion, family, and walks. Research shows that people who are emotionally connected to family, friends, or community enjoy better mental and physical health.

In the Seventh-day Adventist community, the Sabbath is called the “sanctuary of time.” There are 52 such days in a year that change a lot. A break restores strength and nourishes the body's defenses, minimizing the effects of stress.

Volunteering

The Adventist philosophy encourages giving. Many community members in Loma Linda are busy helping others. This makes them feel useful and needed, keep their spirits up and experience less stress.

In addition, they regularly meet with like-minded friends who support them and provide emotional nourishment.

What's the result?

Does all this mean that Adventists age differently or perhaps everyone has good heredity? Probably not. Just like other people, their heart and kidney functions deteriorate and their metabolism is disrupted. However, it appears that lifestyle choices delay aging.

Address: P.O. Box 2000, Loma Linda, California 92354
Tel: +1-(909)-558-4000, +1-(909)-558-3456
Fax: +1-(909)-558-3321

Loma Linda University Medical Center (Loma Linda University Medical Center) is a large American multidisciplinary clinic. Located in Loma Linda (California).

The medical center was founded in 1905. In 1967, a new 11-story modern medical complex was opened. At the end of 1993, the children's hospital opened at the Medical Center received its first patients. Today, the Children's Hospital MCULL is one of the largest and most respected children's clinics in the world.

Currently, Loma Linda University Medical Center is one of the largest ambulatory surgical centers in the United States, one of the best neonatal centers in the country, and an internationally recognized leader in the field of proton treatment for cancer and in the field of pediatric heart transplantation.

The center has 900 inpatient beds and has many specialized clinics and departments. Every year, the institution serves over 33 thousand inpatients and about 500 thousand patients come to the clinic for outpatient treatment. The Medical Center employs more than 550 highly qualified doctors.

The following departments operate at Loma Linda University Medical Center:

Children Hospital,
- Women's Health Center,
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (which includes the Center for the Treatment of Infertility and Artificial Fertilization and the Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology),
- Institute of Oncological Diseases,
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (the structure of the Institute includes clinics for the installation of an artificial heart valve and an electronic heart stimulator),
- Heart Transplant Institute (liver, kidney, pancreas, heart),
- Center for Radiation Medicine (photon, proton therapy),
- Department of Radiology (neuroradiology, interventional surgery),
- Department of General Surgery,
- Department of outpatient surgery (reconstructive, plastic, outpatient, etc.),
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery,
- Department of Neurosurgery,
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery,
- Department of Urology (with the Da Vinci robotic surgical system),
- Department of Plastic Surgery,
- Department of Neurology,
- Department of Dermatology,
- Department of Otolaryngology,
- Department for the treatment of diseases of internal organs (lung diseases, allergic and endocrine diseases),
- Department of Ophthalmology and Eye Surgery,
- Department of Preventive Medicine,
- Department of medical rehabilitation,
- Department of Audiology,
- Center for the treatment of sleep disorders, etc.

The Center for Radiation Medicine (photon, proton therapy) has been operating at MCULL since 1990. It became the world's first clinical proton therapy center, and until 2003 it remained the only proton therapy center in America. Over the years of its work, more than 12 thousand people were treated there, and the total number of medical procedures performed there exceeds 350 thousand.

The Center for Radiation Medicine at MCULL specializes in the treatment of brain cancer, treatment of prostate cancer, treatment of lung cancer and malignant tumors of the eye. On a regular basis, the institution conducts serious clinical research with the aim of improving treatment methods and methods and expanding the capabilities of proton therapy to treat an increasingly wide range of oncological diseases. Currently, work is underway to develop a treatment protocol for the treatment of certain types of breast cancer.

The number of foreign clients wishing to receive treatment at Loma Linda University Medical Center increases every year. To work with foreign clients, the institution has had a special International Department since 1996. Department functions:

Help with registration necessary documents for the arrival of a foreign patient in America,
- coordination of diagnostic and treatment services,
- placement of patients,
- providing patients with translation services, etc.

A distinctive feature of the International Department at MCULL is efficiency. If necessary, examination and treatment in hospital can begin within 2-3 weeks after the patient’s first request.

For more information about Loma Linda University Medical Center services, please call the contact numbers listed above.

Supercentenarians are people over 110 years old. There are few of these around the world. But there are places on our planet where for some reason there are more of them than everywhere else. For example, on the Japanese Okinawa and the island of Sardinia, Italy. Traveler and writer Dan Buettner decided to find out what causes extraordinary longevity. The result is a useful and interesting book, Blue Zones.

So, we tell you where and why there are many centenarians. And Dan Buettner's tips will help you get one step closer to longevity. It is not necessary to live in Japan to meet old age with a clear mind, a healthy and active person.

When Dan Buettner began researching the phenomenon of longevity with the support of National Geographic, it turned out that there are four regions on Earth where people are distinguished by good health and long life expectancy. They were called "blue zones". Together with like-minded scientists, Buettner traveled to these oases of longevity: the Barbagia region in Sardinia (Italy), the island of Okinawa (Japan), the town of Loma Linda in California (USA) and the Nicoya Peninsula (Costa Rica). Researchers spent a lot of time getting to know people, their lifestyle and diet, culture, customs and habits.

And even though the secret of longevity has not yet been revealed 100%, scientists have still discovered something in common.

Sardinia, Italy

The island of Sardinia is located west of mainland Italy, at a distance of just under 200 km from it. One of its parts, the mountainous region of Barbagia, is different from the rest. It is here, on a small area, that is located heavenly place(what else can you call it?), where there are a lot of elderly people, not just decrepit old men and women, but active, cheerful and fairly healthy people. One of the reasons may lie in the fact that for a long time Barbagia was isolated from the rest of the island, and therefore special socio-cultural conditions developed there. But even if this is so, then the share of “hermitage” in the phenomenon of longevity is not so much.

So what's the mystery? Sardinians, like the inhabitants of other “blue zones”, eat properly: the basis of the diet is vegetables, beans, whole grain bread and fruits. They eat almost no meat, but every day they treat themselves to a glass or two of good wine. Long hiking- a favorite pastime of older Sardinians.

And if we talk about the way of thinking, then it is important that they are cheerful, like to laugh and joke a lot, and also revere their elders (interestingly, not only Italians do this).

Lessons from Sardinia's Blue Zone

To “catch up” with the Sardinian centenarians, try following these recommendations. This will not require much effort or financial costs. Quite the contrary.

- For breakfast, lunch and dinner, eat more vegetables and fruits and less meat. Sardinians eat it only on Sundays and holidays, and on other days they are content with a diet of plant origin. And don't think it's tasteless: there are plenty of meat-free dishes you'll love. And also frequent guests on the Sardinian table are pistachio oil and pecorino cheese, saturated with fatty acids.

- Respect your elders, strengthen family ties and do not lose connections with relatives. According to statistics, people living in two-parent families are less likely to suffer from stress and depression. Moreover, this applies equally to both its oldest and youngest members. In addition, grandparents take care of children and grandchildren, help morally and financially, share life experiences, and this makes them feel needed. And this is very important: there is probably something, still unknown, that keeps us close to our loved ones. And, as a rule, this is an opportunity to give them something spiritual or material, some meaning of existence.

- Walk more often. Centenarians from Barbaži go on walks of 7-8 kilometers every day. But residents of megacities, as a rule, do not walk even 2 kilometers a day. Download a pedometer app to your smartphone and see how far you walk: you will probably be unpleasantly surprised - everyone is sure that they lead an active life. However, it's never too late to change everything. Walking is not only the most accessible, but also seems to be the most effective exercise: unlike running or, for example, triathlon, it does not harm joints, muscles and bones. These are low-intensity activities with minimal stress, but they strengthen the cardiovascular system well. A healthy heart is one of the main conditions for longevity.

Okinawa, Japan

Okinawa is somewhat similar to Hawaiian Islands- this is paradise on Earth: the sea is an unbearably azure color - amazing, like in the pictures, snow-white sandy beaches, palm trees and exotic, unprecedented fruits, scorching sun and clear, clear sky. The beauty of nature ensures that life there flows calmly and measuredly, without surprises. And the people there are balanced and harmonious. It is interesting that in the reports of Chinese expeditions, the islands of the Ryukyu archipelago, the largest of which is Okinawa, were called the land of the immortals. There were reasons for this. According to 2008 data, the average life expectancy in Okinawa was 78 years for men and 86 years for women. It is no less impressive that people live into old age active, looking great (younger than their years) and with a much smaller set of health problems than, let’s say, the average person: they suffer much less often from dementia, strokes, and cardiovascular diseases and oncology.

What's the secret? As in Sardinia, people here eat mainly plant foods. The climate in Okinawa is close to tropical, so vegetables can be grown all year round and eat them fresh, rather than canning, which always means losing the lion’s share of vitamins and nutrients. Okinawans also rarely eat meat, but not a single meal is complete without herbs and spices (turmeric, ginger, wormwood, curry, mustard). Sweet potatoes (sweet potatoes), bitter gourd, garlic, onions and peppers, tomatoes, carrots, fruits, green salad, tofu - this is the main list of products that appear on the plates of elderly Japanese every day.

Another important feature of Japanese centenarians is the ability not to dwell on the past and live in the present: to enjoy every day, enjoy simple things and look at the world a little from afar, with rational detachment.

In addition, older Okinawans maintain close social and emotional connections with the people around them.

Longevity Lessons from Okinawa

The rules listed below are traditional for long-livers of the Japanese “blue zone”.

- Find the reason why you want to wake up in the morning. This is something like the meaning of life - ikigai. Each person will have his own. The old people of Okinawa will immediately tell you their own ikigai - what they live for. Everyday life filled with activities, caring for loved ones or fulfilling social roles, gives a feeling of self-worth. Even a hundred-year-old man feels that someone needs him. Oddly enough, this unites many centenarians on the planet.

-Eat more plant foods. Scientists have provided ample evidence that a whole grain diet improves health and even stops the development of serious diseases such as cancer and diabetes. For example, Dr. Campbell conducted a study and found that meat eaters have a much higher risk of cancer than those who prefer plant-based foods. Okinawans eat a lot of fresh vegetables and fruits and herbs. But meat is served on the table extremely rarely.

-Work in the garden or garden. Many Okinawan centenarians keep their own vegetable garden, where they not only grow healthy vegetables, but also do something like physical exercise every day - how many times do you need to bend over and straighten up while planting seeds and watering the beds? Moderate physical activity benefits physical health and also relieves stress.

- Grow a pharmacy in your country house or on the window of your house. Freshly picked greens not only improve the taste of any dish, but also have healing properties. Many herbs and spices help protect against diseases.

Loma Linda, California, USA

In the American town of Loma Linda, the Seventh-day Adventist community lives: its members, in addition to devoting a lot of time to prayer, eat right and zealously take care of their own health. Thanks to a special culture of healthy habits, they have become one of the longest-livers. Interestingly, the ecology near Los Angeles, next to which Loma Linda is located, leaves much to be desired, so favorable climate and natural conditions can be excluded. But the lifestyle is worth considering more closely.

Adventists lead a rather ascetic lifestyle: they practically do not eat meat, fatty foods, do not drink caffeine, alcohol, and, of course, do not smoke. Adventists who are vegetarians live 6 to 9 years longer than others and weigh about 13 to 14 kg less, data obtained from a longitudinal study of health and nutrition in which they participated for many years. It is interesting that health, physical activity and modern, well-developed medicine are the cornerstones of the philosophy of this religious movement. Adventists have access to many scientific achievements, they have good hospitals, and they themselves zealously monitor their health: they drink a lot of water, take vitamins and dietary supplements, and go to the gym.

Like the inhabitants of other “blue zones”, they communicate closely with people, keep in touch with friends and like-minded people. Knowing that there are people ready to share your joys and sorrows gives you strength. Apparently, this affects life expectancy in a positive way.

Community members also strictly observe Shabbat - a 24-hour weekly break from work, which allows them to take a break from worries, clear their minds and think about something more meaningful than everyday affairs and problems.

Secrets of the Loma Linda Blue Zone

- Find your sanctuary in time. Take a break from work and activities every week. The most convenient time to do this is on Saturday. Put all your worries aside for later, spend this time with your family or devote it to self-care, reading books, and hobbies. Such a break in the hustle and bustle improves the quality of life, allows you to relax and not burn out emotionally.

- Chat with friends. Adventists spend a lot of time talking with each other. They are empowered by the exchange of thoughts and support from friends.

- Share everything you have with others. Eat good saying: “By helping others, you help yourself.” Volunteering and helping those in need helps you see the meaning of life, your purpose and feel better. Volunteers are less likely to suffer from depression because they feel needed by others. And, besides, they see that many are in a much more deplorable situation than themselves, so complaining about their life already seems like something simply indecent.

- Eat a light dinner. Preferably quite early. By the evening we become less active, so the body no longer needs large quantity calories, so you can get by with a small portion. And if you don’t overeat at night, but have dinner 3-4 hours before bedtime, it will be much easier to fall asleep. And you can forget about excess weight.

Nicoya, Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a sunny country where, according to surveys, people feel the happiest in the world. And they live longer than others. Of course, not everywhere, but the village of Okhancha is a place where there are especially many centenarians. Perhaps partly it’s the special atmosphere and natural conditions. But if you look more closely, you can again see something that unites the Earth's centenarians.

Like other long-livers on the planet, Costa Ricans honor family ties, know exactly what they live for, try to look at the world positively and not become discouraged, eat a lot of vegetables and fruits, and are physically active. Scientists have found that only a quarter of their longevity is due to genetics, but the remaining 75% is due to the people themselves and their lifestyle.

Longevity Secrets of Costa Rica

Here are the traditions of the Blue Zone of Costa Rica. Look, it's not complicated!

- Love corn and beans. Costa Rican cuisine is very varied and tasty, many dishes are easy to prepare. Get into the habit of hosting dinner parties a couple of times a week for family and friends, where you will serve the traditional dishes of Costa Rican centenarians. For example, learning how to cook corn tortillas, bean soup or ceviche, fish marinated in lime, is not very difficult, but there will be plenty of benefits.

- Maintain strong connections with your family. Nicoyan centenarians usually live with their families, being in the care of their children or grandchildren, and see family as the meaning of life.

- Get out in the sun more often. Vitamin D is needed for strong bones, cardiovascular health and overall health. But its lack turns into a whole bunch of problems. Of course, in autumn and winter there is not enough sun, so it is better to take multivitamins at this time. But when there is enough of it, it is quite possible to spend 15 minutes in the sun 2-3 times a week

- Work hard. Centenarians work hard throughout their lives. They find pleasure in doing everyday work and are not lazy or shirk. When you are busy doing something, it not only saves you from boredom and depression, but also gives you the necessary physical activity - this is also a contribution to longevity.

Besides the fact that these wonderful people live longer, it must be said that they live better. They wake up in the morning, inspired by a goal, communicate with others with pleasure, are active and productive, enjoy life and enjoy the little things. By the way, there are no whiners among them. Take into account the secrets of long-livers and create your own “blue zone”: do not waste your life, but, on the contrary, gain it - be healthy and happy. You can do it!

There is probably not a single person in the world who would not want to live happily ever after. For real advice on how to achieve this, you should turn to those who have already managed to become a centenarian.

1. How to become a long-liver?

There are long-livers in every country, but there are places where there are especially many of them. These places are usually called Blue Zones. The most famous Blue Zones are the island of Sardinia (Italy), the islands of Okinawa Prefecture (Japan), the city of Loma Linda (USA), the Nicoya Peninsula (Costa Rica), the island of Ikaria (Greece), and Cuba.

2. Ikaria Island, Greece

In the northern part of this island, the population density of centenarians, whose age has exceeded 90, is the highest in the world. Almost every third resident of those places is over 90 years old. The island is said to have 20% less cancer than the rest of the world, 50% less heart disease, and virtually no dementia. The island is covered with low mountains, so its inhabitants constantly receive moderate physical activity, without worrying about it at all. In addition, the island's residents traditionally garden, eat a lot of fruits, vegetables, olive oil and drink herbal tea.

3. City of Loma Linda, USA, California

Most of America's centenarians live in this city. And the most amazing thing is that most of the centenarians of this city belong to the Seventh Day Adventist Church. These people do not use tobacco, coffee, or alcohol (in general, followers of the Seventh-day Adventist Church are known for their so-called “sanitary ministry” - they call for a healthy lifestyle, there are many blood donors among believers, and they conduct propaganda against divorce and abortion).

In the photo: one of Loma Linda's centenarians leaves the pool.

4. Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica

This area of ​​Costa Rica contains the country's most ancient settlements. There are a lot of long-livers here who lead an active lifestyle, although, as medical studies show, their blood cholesterol levels and blood pressure indicators are not the best. However, the inhabitants of the peninsula prefer plant foods, do a lot of physical work and communicate a lot with each other, thanks to which they live long.

5. Ovodda – a commune on Italian island Sardinia

The people of Sardinia are the clearest demonstration of the benefits of following a healthy lifestyle. They all adhere to a Mediterranean diet and moderate but constant physical activity. But even their neighbors (also centenarians) can envy the success of the centenarians from Ovodda. Particularly surprising is the fact that in Ovodda, among the centenarians who have crossed the century mark, there are equally many men and women. Scientists even suggest that perhaps the secret lies in a certain genetic affinity of the inhabitants of this area.

6. Islands of Okinawa Prefecture, Japan

Perhaps the people of Okinawa Prefecture are aging slower than the rest of the world thanks to their diet of soy and antioxidant-rich fruits. Or maybe because they eat significantly less than Westerners - they consume no more than 1200 kcal per day.

7. Tip 1: Eat more vegetables and fruits

Try to organize your diet in such a way that you get the bulk of your calories from vegetables and fruits, for example, those that you see at this market in Costa Rica.

8. Tip 2: Eat pulses

When studying the diets of centenarians, what immediately catches your eye is that they eat a lot of legumes. It can be soybeans or various beans. The buckwheat diet is also quite effective. Pictured: natto, a dish made from fermented soybeans. In Japan, they love to eat this dish for breakfast.

9. Tip 3: Stop smoking

Are you not convinced by your mother’s requests, your coach’s demands, and the dire warnings on cigarette packs? Then, perhaps, you will still be convinced by the examples of centenarians (many of them run faster at 100 years than today’s 16-year-olds): if you want to live happily ever after, throw away all the “cancer sticks”.

10. Tip 4: The most important thing in life is family

People in the Blue Zones live in large, friendly families. In addition to parents, everyone is constantly surrounded by a crowd of children, brothers and sisters, cousins, aunts and uncles, and a bunch of other relatives, which in the rest of the world are remembered only on major holidays. Pictured: An Okinawa family outside their home, 1949.

11. Tip 5: Try to communicate more

All centenarians lead socially active lives. Man, so to speak, is a “herd animal.” And if neighbors, noticing that you suddenly did not come to the market, as usual, run to you to find out if something has happened, then this alone provides significant support. In the photo: a holiday in a Greek village, 1959.