Evidence from Adventist Health Studies The Adventist Advantage © 2004 Adventist Health Study-2 Adventists pioneers in health. GOD has blessed the Seventh-day Adventist Church with a healing ministry to make man whole. © 2004 Adventist Health Study-2 First Adventist Health Studies 1960 -1985 1974 -1988 Limited to Adventists in California. Tens of thousands responded More than 125 scientific articles have been published with many ground-breaking discoveries. © 2004 Adventist Health Study-2 30 years ago 34,000 Adventists in California: • Made many health discoveries • Provided evidence that helped change health policies to improve health for millions of people © 2004 Adventist Health Study-2 You Did Know? The earlier Adventist Health Studies in 1960 and 1976 were among the first epidemiological studies to discover many links between diet and health. © 2004 Adventist Health Study-2 An Extra 10 Years of Life Adventist Health Study-1 demonstrated that 5 simple habits Adventists have promoted for over 100 years extend their life by as much as 10 years in both men and women §  Regular exercise §  Eating plant-based diet §  Eating small amounts of nuts regularly §  Maintaining normal body weight §  Not smoking © 2004 Adventist Health Study-2 Health Habits and Life Expectancy in Adventists Men Women ‘Better Habits’1 87.0 years 88.5 years ‘Poorer Habits’2 76.2 years 79.8 years Difference 10.8 years 8.7 years 1 Vegetarians who exercise vigorously at least 3 times weekly, eat nuts >4 times each week. BMI < 25.90 (males), <25.20 (females), never smokers. 2 Converse of the above, including eating nuts <1/week, BMI greater than limits shown above. © 2004 Adventist Health Study-2 Effects of Individual Risk Factors To Increase Life Expectancy Variable Men Women Vegetarian diet 2.38 yrs 1.65 yrs Vigorous Exercise 2.14 yrs 2.19 yrs Frequent Nut Consumption 2.87 yrs 1.18 yrs Avoid High BMI 1.51 yrs 1.90 yrs Never Smoked 1.33 yrs 1.49 yrs © 2004 Adventist Health Study-2 Fatal Heart Disease Californians & Adventists 1976-88 Californians SDA Males SDA Females 45-54 55-59 60-64 65-69 70-74 Years © 2004 Adventist Health Study-2 Cancer Comparisons Californians & Adventists 1976-88 Californians-all cancers 100% Prostate 103% Breast 78% Colon 67% Bladder 46% Stomach 41% Kidney 40% Lung 20% © 2004 Adventist Health Study-2