Adventist Longevity Study Discussion Free at Loma Linda University Church

An Adventist study of human longevity in Loma Linda will be discussed at the inaugural Loma Linda Health Symposium, a spokesman for Loma Linda University announced Tuesday.

The public is invited to the free event, which is scheduled 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday Sept. 15 at Loma Linda University Church, 11215 Campus St.

"Symposium presenters include Dr. Gary Fraser, principal investigator of the ongoing Adventist Health Study," LLU spokesman Herbert Atienza said. "He will be joined by other study investigators: Dr. Michael Orlich, Prof. Karen Jaceldo, and Prof. Pramil Singh."

The symposium is sponsored by Loma Linda University School of Public Health, Loma Linda University Drayson Center Wellness Clinic, and Loma Linda University Church, Atienza said.

"The Adventist Health Study is a multi-generational scientific study that looks into the health and longevity of members of the Seventh-day Adventist church, many of whom live in Loma Linda," Atienza said.

Loma Linda has been identified by New York Times best-selling author Dan Buettner as one of five "Blue Zones," places in the world where people live healthy and productive lives into their 90s and 100s.

Buettner's book, "The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who've Lived the Longest," was published in 2008.

"The secrets of health and longevity in Loma Linda have been a topic of extensive research," Dr. Hildemar Dos Santos, assistant professor at the Preventive Care Program at Loma Linda University School of Public Health and the symposium’s main coordinator, said in a statement.

"In simple language, the experts will translate the health secrets of the Loma Linda Blue Zone for the people in the community," Dos Santos said.

Symposium presenters will lead discussions on health topics including cancer prevention, heart disease prevention, obesity and diabetes prevention, and other health issues related to lifestyle and behavior, Atienza said.

For more information call (909) 651-5077.

Loma Linda University is a Seventh-day Adventist educational health-sciences institution with more than 4,300 students.

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