Longevity is cultivated—not accidental.
- OakvilleJoe
- Jan 5
- 2 min read
When Marge Jetton turned 100, she didn’t slow down—she renewed her driver’s license for another five years.
What keeps her going, she says, is not just good habits, but her Christian faith.
Marge lives in Loma Linda, California, a community long studied by scientists and first brought to global attention by Dan Buettner in National Geographic as part of the Blue Zones research. People there—many of them from the Seventh-day Adventist Church—tend to live 4–10 years longer than average.
Their secret is not a miracle cure, but a way of life:
• simple, mostly plant-based foods (grains, fruits, nuts, vegetables)
• avoiding smoking, alcohol, and junk food
• regular rest and rhythm
• strong community life
• and a clear sense of purpose shaped by faith
Marge puts it simply:
“We need someone to guide us in this life, and we need great hope.
God is a good friend to have.”
That line reminds me of the old hymn—and the song recorded by Alan Jackson, What a Friend We Have in Jesus (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znWu2HCJ92c) —faith expressed not in lofty terms, but in "friendship" and "trust."
Of course, Adventists are only one example among many.
The Blue Zones research also highlights:
• Japan (Okinawa): strong community bonds and shared meals
• Mediterranean regions: simple foods, daily movement, social connection
• Sardinia: purpose, family, and rhythm of life
For people of faith, the takeaway is clear:
we don’t need to change our denomination to learn from healthy food cultures or disciplined living.
We can adopt wise practices—while letting our own faith be the “hall monitor”, guiding how we care for the body, which Scripture calls the temple of the Holy Spirit.
Longevity, it turns out, is not just about adding years to life, but about aligning faith, discipline, community, and daily habits so that life can truly flourish.
(Source: Dan Buettner, Blue Zones research, National Geographic) - https://www.nationalgeographic.com/health/article/longevity-blue-zones-dan-buettner-archival
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