National Geographic scientists who started Blue Zone, an international organization that studies longevity, have listed nine common factors among the longest living designated “Blue Zone” cultures on the planet.
The factors are:
- Moderate, regular physical activity
- Life purpose
- Stress reduction
- Moderate calories intake
- Plant-based diet
- Moderate alcohol intake
- Engagement in spirituality or religion
- Engagement in family life
- Engagement in social life
Given the key factors listed above, the dietary and lifestyle recommendations in the Cayce readings are a recipe for longevity. Indeed, new statistics reveal, this is the case. A.R.E. members, on average, live years—and sometimes a full decade or more—longer than the general population.
Just ask 97-year-old June Bro and 95-year-old Dr. Gladys McGarey, two of our most -read Venture Inward columnists, and 86-year-old feature writer and author Robert Schor, and then there was our founding editor, A. Robert Smith, who celebrated the publication of his 10th book just before he died at age 91. Nor is this news to our 95-year-old A.R.E. ambassador-at-large and trustee emeritus Ruben Miller, 95-year-old retired California coordinator Grethe Tedrick, 95-year-old Prison Outreach sponsor Richard Copeland, or 95-year-old retired Army Nurse Corps Colonel Hazel Zachar, whose endowed fund generates scholarships to A.R.E. Conferences and made possible the Gladys Davis Porch on the historic Cayce Hospital building. Let us also remember Agnes Cookson, now a youthful 88, who has been volunteering at headquarters for a laudable 25 years.
Congratulations to all for proving what we have long known: not only do our members enjoy more birthday parties, we work harder, pray longer, give more, and do it all with a smile!
Excerpt from “The A.R.E. News” in the Jan-Mar 2017 issue of Venture Inward magazine available to A.R.E. members at Edgarcayce.org/members.
