Ellen White, one of the founders of the Adventist church, outlined comprehensive guidelines for a healthy lifestyle in her landmark writings. Written over 100 years ago, the health principles she advocated have recently been validated by scientific research.

Ellen took a very strong position against the use of tobacco. She wrote that tobacco was a slow, insidious, and most malignant poison, injurious to our health. Today, tobacco use is recognized as a serious threat to our health. Even exposure to second-hand smoke is unhealthful. Nicotine is addictive and smoking is a major cause of heart disease, lung cancer, as well as other forms of malignant tumors.

The use of grains, fruits, nuts, and vegetables were recommended by Ellen as the basis for the most healthful diet. She wrote that cancer and other fatal diseases may be caused by meat-eating. The Adventist Health Study showed that men in their forties eating meat four or more times a week had four times the risk of a fatal heart attack compared to vegetarians. Other studies revealed that the regular use of meat increased the risk of many cancers and diabetes twofold.

Along with other health reformers of the nineteenth century, Ellen promoted the value of whole wheat bread and cereals. White flour, she argued, lacked the nutritional value of whole wheat bread, and its use could readily cause a number of health problems. The widespread use of refined grains and cereals is now recognized as a major factor in intestinal diseases, as well as an increased risk of diabetes and heart disease.

Adventists were encouraged to limit their use of butter. Ellen suggested that olive oil was better to use than butter. The people of the Mediterranean region who utilize olive oil as their major source of fat have much lower rates of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes than Northern Europeans and Americans. While butter is loaded with saturated fat and cholesterol, olive oil is largely monounsaturated oil, which lowers blood cholesterol levels and the risk of cancer. The high level of antioxidants and other phytochemicals in virgin olive oil enables the consumer to enjoy protection against Western chronic diseases.

Ellen also warned against many other unhealthful things such as the use of alcohol, the habit-forming nature of tea and coffee, the injurious nature of overeating, the heavy use of sweet desserts and candies, an irregular lifestyle, and the lack of a positive mental attitude. If Ellen’s counsel was carefully followed today, we could all enjoy a greater measure of health.

Winston Craig is a professor of nutrition at Andrews University.

Nineteenth Century writings validated by modern scientific research.

Hidden treasures outline a health-promoting lifestyle.