The Secrets of a Long Life
There are five regions in the world, so called Blue Zones, where people live longer and better than everywhere else. So what is the secret to the longevity of the people who live in these places. Read on to find out more
Blue Zones were first identified by author Dan Buettner who has been researching longevity hotspots throughout the world for more than a decade. Buettner went out with the aid of the National
Geographic Society to find areas with high concentrations of people over 100 years old, as well as clusters of people who had grown old without suffering from heart disease, obesity, cancer, or diabetes.
Here are the five “blue zones” that Buettner has identified and what he discovered about them.
>>IKARIA, GREECE
Eight miles off Turkey’s coast, this Aegean Sea island boasts some of the world’s lowest middle-age mortality and dementia rates.
Their extended longevity has been linked to their traditional Mediterranean diet, which is high in vegetables and healthy fats and low in dairy and animal products. Scientists also discovered that Ikarians like drinking herbal teas that are high in antioxidants.
This tiny island’s history is as rugged as its environment. Persians, Romans, and Turks conquered the Aegean Sea outcropping, forcing its inhabitants inland from the coasts. As a result, a culture based on
tradition, family values, and longevity has evolved. Buettner’s research into the area concluded that Ikarians are almost totally free of dementia and many other chronic diseases. One in every three persons lives to reach 90 years old. A number of variables contribute to this, including geography, culture, diet, lifestyle, and perspective.
They enjoy a relaxed way of life. The fresh air, gentle breezes, and stark terrain entice them to spend time in nature. Gardening, going to their neighbours’ houses, and performing yard duties are all ways that Ikarians do their daily exercise. To live like the Ikarians, we need to be more relaxed, incorporate activities into everyday life, cut down on meat and spend more time embracing nature’s beauty.
>>OKINAWA, JAPAN
A few years ago an elderly women band of singers and dancers from Kohama Island in Okinawa made global headlines as the oldest ‘girl band’ (called KBG84) in the world with an average age of 84. The world’s oldest females live on Okinawa, the largest island in a Japanese-controlled subtropical archipelago. The islands off the coast of Japan have long been known as the Land of the Immortals. Buettner discovered that Okinawan women outlive all other women on the globe, and their cancer, heart disease, and dementia rates are lower than North America. They have a solid social network known as a moai, a lifetime group of friends that assist individuals well into their senior years. Okinawans have a strong sense of purpose in life, which the Japanese call ikigai. It’s easy to understand why Okinawans get out of bed in the morning.
Their lives are meaningful. They have clear duties and a sense of feeling wanted and needed long into their old age. For older Okinawans, plant-based diets have always been the norm. Sweet potatoes, soybeans, mugwort, tofu, turmeric, and goya (bitter melon) are all part of their diet. Meals are high in nutrients but low in calories. Almost every centenarian on Okinawa has or has had a garden. Maintaining them is a regular source of physical exercise that relieves stress. It also ensures that fresh produce is available at all times. Okinawans focus on the simple joys of life. They’ve figured out how to be likeable and keep younger people in their company far into their senior years.
>>LOMA LINDA, CALIFORNIA
This community has the highest number of Seventh-day Adventists in the United States. Members eat a biblical diet of grains, fruits, nuts, and vegetables.
They have been proven to live ten years longer than the average American. The Seventh-day Adventist church was founded in the 1840s in this sunny nook of Southern California. During the twentieth century, the church and its members, who see health as vital to their faith, flourished, and so Loma Linda became a Blue Zone region. Thanks to vegetarianism and regular exercise, they can live, on average, up to a decade longer than the rest of us.
Furthermore, Adventists do not drink alcohol or smoke. They live by the Sabbath, a weekly break from everyday life that encourages individuals to focus on their families, God, friends, and nature. Adventists believe this practice enables them to unwind, strengthen their social networks, and exercise regularly. Loma Linda residents maintain a healthy BMI (body mass index) by staying active and eating meat in moderation.
They have lower blood pressure, lower blood cholesterol, and less cardiovascular disease.
>>OGLIASTRA REGION, SARDINIA
The rocky hills of this Italian island are home to the world’s greatest number of centenarian males. Its inhabitants eat a low-protein diet, linked to a lower risk of diabetes, cancer, and death in people under 65. The first Blue Zone to be identified was a cluster of villages on this island. In 2004, a research team investigated a rare genetic abnormality among the island’s inhabitants. The uncommon genetic ‘M26 marker’ is frequent in this group and has been linked to longevity. This gene is not found in other parts of the world because of the island’s geographic isolation. This clusters of villages are culturally isolated and inhabitants lead a traditional, healthy lifestyle. Food is still hunted, fished, and harvested.
Conventional Sardinian food includes whole-grain bread, legumes, garden vegetables, fruits, and mastic oil.
Pecorino cheese, made from grass-fed sheep and rich in omega-3 fatty acids, is popular among Sardinians. Sunday dinners and other special occasions are frequently reserved for meat. They retain close friendships and familial ties throughout their lives. The strong family values of Sardinia ensure that each family member is appreciated.
>>NICOYA PENINSULA, COSTA RICA
The Nicoya Peninsula is an 80-mile peninsula just south of the Nicaraguan border. This Central American region has the world’s lowest middle-age mortality rate and the second-largest number of male centenarians. A mix of spiritual workshops, wide social networks, and frequent, low-intensity physical activity is their secret to longevity. The Nicoya Peninsula has a strong economy and excellent health care. The residents live their lives by the Plan de Vida (meaning, way of life), which encourages people to have a positive outlook and keep active.
Another trait significant to this area is a focus on family and an ability to listen and laugh. Centenarians in Nicoya are more likely to visit their neighbours and live with families and children, or grandchildren, who provide support. Research by Buettner found that centenarians in this area have a strong sense of purpose and often survive to be 100 years old. They want to contribute to the greater good because they believe they are needed and appreciated. Nicoyan water has the highest calcium content in the country, explaining why heart disease is less common, bones are stronger, and hip fractures are less common.
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