Not many are still aware of the Amish community. And even when they do, there’s a wrong belief that this ‘devout community’ lives on sans vital gadgets like TV, computers, phones, and the electricity to operate these devices. There’s no doubt that the Amish traditions are different from the rest of the world.
This is especially true in terms of the simplicity of living and wearing plain clothes. However, in reality, it is this form of lifestyle that makes them supreme. Researchers have found how Amish people have ample good health, later on in life.
A Lot Depends On Their Lifestyle Patterns
Amish communities are chiefly agrarian. They lack all high-end, modern farm equipment, which puts double pressure on manual labor. Volunteers conducted a study at the American College of Sports Medicine in 2004, using pedometers to assess the amount of physical activity, and the results shocked everyone.
While the Amish subjects could take over 18,000 steps, the non-Amish subjects could not go over 10,000 steps. Even in tasks like chopping, planting, lifting, and sowing, Amish subjects’ performance was six times better than people in around 12 nations worldwide.
They Have Healthy Habits
Another interesting finding is that the Amish community has about 4%, obese people. On the other hand, the US population, on the whole, has 36.5%, obese individuals. A 2012 study on PLOS proves how this particular section has 50% lesser chances of developing Type 2 diabetes.
Also, tobacco is almost non-existent among Amish people, although some of the Amish people smoke cigars. As a result, 63% fewer chances of tobacco-related cancers occur in them. In the entire Ohio population, the Amish had a 40% lesser probability of developing any cancer type.
They Have Poor Cardiovascular Health Though
Amish communities do not reflect better results in terms of cardiovascular diseases. Their heart disease rate and blood pressure levels are at a higher level than the other populations. To an extent, it’s because of their diet. It is mostly about eggs, pancakes, sausages for breakfast. Their dinner is equally heavy with potatoes, gravy, curry, meat and poultry, and even bread products.
Most of them shed those extra kilos and calories after they work on the farm. But not everyone can manage that. Also, doing that might knock off few kilos. But the carbohydrates and fat, and salt still exerts a negative effect.
Their Genes Are Their Greatest Strength
Amish people take pride in their genes. It wouldn’t be unwise to state that’s their ‘powerful weapon.’ In the 1700s, close to 200 families had immigrated, and the present Amish population in the US is close to 318000. They tend to marry within their communities. And hence, the genes passed on from their ancestors are intact to this day.
While some might say, it’s an unhealthy practice. It augments the chance of continuing with some bad trait that’s existed before. On the contrary, the reverse is true if the genes are good. But this can occur for any community. So why blame Amish for it? Researchers at the North-Western University have stated in one of their studies last conducted in November- a gene existed in the Amish community responsible for increasing the average life span of the people to at least 10% more than that of others.
Findings from the study suggest that the genes had 10% longer telomeres. This means the caps at the chromosomal ends decrease with time, and the aging process slows down. Known as PAI-1, this not only minimizes aging. But insulin levels are bettered, as well as arterial flexibility and blood pressure.
Family Bond
If there’s one thing to learn from the Amish people, it’s their practice of caring for the older adults at home and any relative. Many would say how the family’s power is more than the power of medicine, and this indeed rings true for the Amish community. If you want to turn the clock back and get the glow back, you might want to walk a few miles every day.
Besides that, you should also lead an active lifestyle, and choose the right foods for your daily diet plan. While an Amish’s genes might not be something that you have, you could still turn things around by embracing their healthy lifestyle! So, are you going to start this way of life too? Tell us in the comments section!