God’s Design for Healthy Living

The SDA (Seventh-day Adventist) Health Message is a set of principles emphasizing holistic well-being, encompassing physical, mental, social, and spiritual dimensions, and is a core aspect of the Adventist faith. It promotes a lifestyle focused on natural remedies, healthy eating, exercise, and temperance, with an emphasis on avoiding harmful substances like tobacco and alcohol. The message also stresses the importance of rest, trust in God, and social connection.

Doc's BlogRecipes

NEWSTART® 

As Seventh-day Adventists, we want to honor God’s plan for our physical, mental, and spiritual health. The NEW START program encourages a lifestyle based on eight fundamental principles: Nutrition, Exercise, Water, Sunlight, Temperance, Air, Rest, and Trust.

NEWSTART® is a scientifically researched lifestyle-change program based on eight fundamental principles proven to help you achieve optimum health.

Taking time to understand what constitutes a balanced and nutritious diet and implementing this plan on a consistent basis.

Taking time to understand what constitutes a balanced and nutritious diet and implementing this plan on a consistent basis.

Implementing a regular program that ideally includes exercising for at least 30 minutes three or four times per week.

Implementing a regular program that ideally includes exercising for at least 30 minutes three or four times per week.

Drinking a generous amount of water each day (six to eight glasses).

Drinking a generous amount of water each day (six to eight glasses).

Ensuring that the body receives a moderate amount of sunshine (at least 15 minutes per day).

Ensuring that the body receives a moderate amount of sunshine (at least 15 minutes per day).

Abstaining from substances/behaviors that are harmful to one’s health (e.g., alcohol, tobacco, illicit drugs), and moderate use of anything that is considered beneficial to health (e.g., eating, work, rest).

Abstaining from substances/behaviors that are harmful to one’s health (e.g., alcohol, tobacco, illicit drugs), and moderate use of anything that is considered beneficial to health (e.g., eating, work, rest).

Ensuring that one is constantly exposed to an abundant supply of fresh, pure air (oxygen).

Ensuring that one is constantly exposed to an abundant supply of fresh, pure air (oxygen).

Obtaining adequate rest and sleep each day (six to seven hours minimum), and taking time to rest from secular work one day per week (Sabbath).

Obtaining adequate rest and sleep each day (six to seven hours minimum), and taking time to rest from secular work one day per week (Sabbath).

Maintaining a daily personal relationship with God and trusting in His ability to provide help in coping with life’s challenges.

Maintaining a daily personal relationship with God and trusting in His ability to provide help in coping with life’s challenges.

Blue Zones

Blue Zones

Blue Zones are geographically defined regions where people live remarkably long and healthy lives, with exceptionally high concentrations of centenarians (people over 100). The term was coined by explorer Dan Buettner, who, with a team from National Geographic, identified five such areas: Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Nicoya, Costa Rica; Ikaria, Greece; and Loma Linda, California.

Loma Linda, California 

Loma Linda, California 

(the only Blue Zone in the United States) 


Today, a community of about 9,000 Adventists in the Loma Linda area are the core of America’s blue zones region. Loma Linda's exceptional health and longevity stem from the lifestyle of its large Seventh-day Adventist community, which emphasizes a plant-based diet, regular moderate exercise, a strong sense of community and faith, and the practice of a weekly Sabbath for rest and reflection. These factors contribute to a lower incidence of heart disease, obesity, and certain cancers, leading to lives that are both longer and healthier than the national average. 

Loma Linda Adventist Testimonials

“Dr Ellsworth Wareham, who is 95 years old, was told that a contractor wanted $6000 to build a privacy fence in his yard. Instead of paying the contractor, he decided to do it himself. After 3 days of work, he ended up in the hospital, but Ellsworth was not on the table, he was the surgeon performing the open-heart surgery, one of 20 surgeries he performed that month.”

“Marge Jetton, age 105, woke up every morning at 5:30 am, read her Bible, had a breakfast of slow-cooked oatmeal, nuts, and dates with soymilk and a prune juice shooter. She would then ride her stationary bike for 30 minutes and get in her Cadillac and drive to her volunteer jobs for 7 different organizations.”

Best Weigh

Join our Best Weigh community today and be the first to know about new programs and updates — sign up now to get notified!

Learn More