Continuing on with the Blue Zone Principles and their correlation with God’s Word (see the former two blogs), this article will discuss five more blue zone principles of longevity.
Most of the blue zone inhabitants eat mostly a plant-based diet with beans, whole grains, and vegetables making up the majority of their intake. The Adventists are vegetarians. The other blue zones allow meat into their diets but it is not a regular, daily fixture as it often is in the rest of the world. Genesis 1:29 says “And God said, ‘See, I have given every herb that yields seed which is on the face of the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food.’” Interestingly, when God allowed meat and animal products into the human diet after the flood in Genesis 9:3 (Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you...I have given you all things, even as the green herbs), the extreme longevity of early Genesis began to decline.
Other blue zone health behaviors include eating until 80 percent full and then stopping and moving naturally. These amazing people that live longer lives have mastered the self-discipline of not over-eating (the Bible has a lot to say about gluttony such as in Proverbs 23:21, ‘the glutton will come to poverty’). And, the blue zone inhabitants were not gym rats or over-exercisers; they often were shepherds who walked many miles in a day and/or were gardeners and often just led an active lifestyle.
The blue zone centenarians had a meaningful purpose in living and, for the most part, were socially engaged. They had a reason to get out of bed - their purpose for being alive on the earth. They were not hermits, not known to complain. They were often fun to be around and sometimes were the life of the party. They tended not to be grumpy and cantankerous - young people enjoyed being around them. They were known to have regular social meetings (apart from church and faith-based meetings) with friends and peer groups. The Bible does speak of loving the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength and of loving your neighbor (Mark 12:30-31) as being the first and second in importance of all the commandments. God’s Word also speaks of the importance of being hospitable and friendly (Romans 12:13; Proverbs 18:24) and of seeking first God’s kingdom (Romans 6:33).
I’m Dr. Jon Clark and have been in practice for 24 years. When I was 16, Jesus Christ changed my life. Everything good in my life has come from giving my life to Jesus. If you need a fresh start and would like to know Jesus, the Bible says that if you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, you will be saved. If you make this life-changing decision, give our office a call and let us know.
