By Dr. Krystosik
See other articles in this Blue Zone Series
Are you looking for a healthy lifestyle that will enable you to reach your maximum potential life span in good health? Research scientists have discovered that faith in God can add as many as fourteen years to your life in good health. I call it the God principle. Dan Buettner and a team of scientists funded by National Geographic magazine found five regions in the world that have a deep faith that correlates with a long life in good health—the BLUE ZONES. The good news is anyone, rich or poor can take advantage of the amazing benefits of a belief in something greater than yourself.
How strong is the faith factor in the health and longevity equation? Out of the two-hundred sixty-three centenarians (people over 100) the researchers surveyed, only five had no faith in their lives. According to Buettner and his research colleagues, although faith is an important element in the well-being of the majority of the centenarians, it doesen’t appear to matter which faith you ascribe too. But interestingly, four out of five of the regions they found with the
most centenarians on the planet had faith in a personal God. The people of Okinwa were the only region that did not.
The researchers found that people of faith put God and family first in their lives, have a strong sense of community, don’t engage in risky behaviors and have lower stress levels. Five of the nine blue zone behaviors that I have discussed in previous articles are scriptural principles and can be found in the bible. Now scientists, including sociologists, psychologists and epidemiologists are proving the benefits of God’s instruction for a healthy and long life.
Researchers have deduced the body is capable of living to 120 years old in good health. The bible tells us in the book of Deuteronomy 34:7, Moses was 120 years old when he died. His eyes were undimmed, and his vigor unabated. In other words, listen up all you men out there, Moses was frisky at one-hundred and twenty years old. As you can see there are multiple health benefits to a BLUE ZONE lifestyle.
Take Home Message: The biblical principle of being a good steward of our minds, body and spirit should spill over into being good stewards of the earth. If we could spend more time with these Godly principles our bodies, communities and the planet would be much healthier.
Dr. Krystosik is a board-certified chiropractic physician with an undergraduate degree in clinical nutrition and is northeast Ohio’s leading expert in functional medicine. Dr. Krystosik is the author of 5 books on nutrition and natural medicine and is a nationally known speaker. For an appointment with Dr. Krystosik in his Northfield office, call 330- 908-0094 or go to https://www.healthsourcechiro.com/macedonia/#gref
