Religious people believe they were created in God’s image, and therefore they should honor their bodies — not abuse them by indulging in fatty, sugary foods, drinking alcohol, or smoking.

As I have noted many times, research confirms that this type of lifestyle leads not only to longevity, but to a healthier, more active old age as well.

As a Christian, I used to fast each Monday as a personal demonstration of my faith. Nowadays, I don’t fast weekly, but I do fast periodically.

This habit of fasting is not unique to Christians, of course. People of some faiths fast one day a month and give the money they would have spent on food to the poor. Although most Jewish people fast only one day a year, on Yom Kippur, the Orthodox Jewish calendar denotes several additional fast days.

Studies observe that people who fast tend to live longer. One UCLA study followed a practicing faith-based community in California for 25 years. The researchers discovered that the women in this community who fasted had a life expectancy of 86 — nearly six years longer than nonfaith-based women. Meanwhile, the men lived to 84, nearly a decade longer than their nonreligious counterparts.

Research presented at an annual meeting of the American College of Cardiology offers an explanation. It showed that people who fast not only have lower rates of heart disease and diabetes but also lower levels of cholesterol and higher levels of human growth hormone (HGH), which may help protect the body from aging.

As we join together to observe the holiday season, I hope that you will set aside the notion of separation between church and science, and allow for the possibility that religion can not only enhance your spirit, but your body as well.