Tips For Healthy Living

Scientists who study aging and health have long been fascinated by two cultural groups in particular – the residents of Okinawa, Japan, and the residents of the Mediterranean.

They’re not interested just because these people have exceptionally long lifespans, often living to at least one hundred, sometimes older.

What makes these societies exceptionally interesting to scientists is the fact that that residents of Okinawa and the Mediterranean remain very healthy and active well into old age. Instead of succumbing to age related diseases like diabetes or cancer or heart disease, many of these residents live to a very old age and then die peacefully in their sleep.

Residents of both these cultures typically have low cholesterol and healthy arteries, and remain physically active well into their nineties. They have much lower rates of all forms of cancer and of diabetes than people in Western nations. They also have lower rates of osteoporosis and bone fractures.

So scientists have studied these cultures for decades to learn why they stay so healthy.

What they have found is that a combination of diet and lifestyle habits contribute to the longevity of people in the Mediterranean and on the island of Okinawa.

On Okinawa, residents belong to close knit family groups and stay socially and physically active well into their old age. People who maintain close social ties have always tended to live longer, healthier lives; scientific studies have shown this.

Okinawa residents eat multiple servings of vegetables a day, as many as seven servings in one day. They eat a lot of soy, mostly fermented soy, in servings of Tofu and Miso Soup. Fish that is high in Omega 3 fats – the healthy fats which reduce bad cholesterol – are a popular part of their diet. Very little red meat and few to no dairy products are typical of the Okinawa diet.

Mediterranean residents also have very close knit family groups and remain physically active late in life.

They also tend to eat many servings of vegetables a day, and to consume little red meat. Red wine is a popular drink; scientists have found that moderate consumption of red wine is linked with lower rates of heart disease. Red wine also contains a substance called Resveratrol, which is an anti-oxidant.

Most of the fats in the Mediterranean diet are monosaturated fats, such as olive oil, which do not raise people’s cholesterol levels the way butter and cream do.

Whole grain bread and pasta are also popular, healthy, components of the Mediterranean diet.

It’s never too late to switch to a healthier diet and lifestyle. Ask tou doctor if adapting some of the habits of the Mediterranean and Okinanawan people would benefit you!

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