Blue Zone Living
Have you seen the Netflix 'Live to 100, Secrets Of The Blue Zones'
Blue Zones are regions of the world where people are known to live longer, healthier lives compared to the global average. These areas have garnered attention because of their high concentration of centenarians (people who live to be 100 or older) and the lower incidence of age-related diseases.
"The Danish Twin Study established that only about 20% of how long the average person lives is dictated by our genes, whereas the other 80% is dictated by our lifestyle."
The concept of Blue Zones was popularized by National Geographic explorer, Dan Buettner, author & host of the Netflix series 'Live to 100, Secrets Of The Blue Zones'. His work as an explorer identified several Blue Zones around the world, including:
1. Okinawa, Japan
2. Sardinia, Italy
3. Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica
4. Ikaria, Greece
5. Loma Linda, California, USA (a unique Blue Zone with a significant population of Seventh-day Adventists)
Blue Zones share certain lifestyle and cultural factors that contribute to the longevity of their inhabitants. These factors often include a plant-based diet, regular physical activity, strong social connections, and a sense of purpose in life. Researchers have studied these areas to learn more about the secrets to living a longer and healthier life.
People who live in Blue Zones, can reach age 100 at 10 times greater rates than in the United States. A team of anthropologists, demographers, epidemiologists, and researchers have identified the lifestyle characteristics that might explain longevity. There are 9 lifestyle commonalities they found that all residents of these blue zones shared, these 9 specific characteristics have been coined the Power 9."
'The Power of 9' or the 9 Blue Zone Principles.
Move naturally.
Purpose.
Downshift.
80% Rule.
Plant slant.
Wine
Belong.
Loved ones first.
Right tribe.
One mans example: Ikaria
"People on this tiny Aegean island live 8 years longer than Americans do. They experience 20% less cancer, half the rate of heart disease, and almost no dementia. Ikarians eat a variation of the Mediterranean diet, with lots of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans, potatoes, and olive oil. Ikarians also downshift with a midafternoon break. People who nap regularly have up to 35% lower chances of dying from heart disease. It may be because napping lowers stress hormones or rests the heart. One Ikarian in particular, Stamatis Moraitis, moved to America when he was 22 years old to pursue the American dream. He was a painter, and immediately started having success, bought a house, married, and had 3 kids. At the age of 66 years, he developed terminal lung cancer. Instead of dying in America, he decided to move back to Ikaria and moved in with his parents. He started breathing the air, drinking the wine, and eating a Mediterranean diet. After a few months, he planted a garden not planning on ever getting to harvest the vegetables; 37 years later he has a vineyard producing 200 L of wine a year. His secret he says? “I just forgot to die.”
Dan and his team of demographers, scientists, and anthropologists distilled the evidence-based common denominators of these Blue Zones and have since taken these principles into communities across the United States working with policy makers, local businesses, schools and individuals to shape the environments of the Blue Zones Project Communities.
However, what was found is that putting the responsibility of a implementing a living and breathing healthy lifestyle and environment on an individual does not work, but through policy and environmental changes does.
The Blue Zones Project Communities have been able to increase life expectancy, reduce obesity and make the healthy choice the easy choice for millions of Americans."
Sources:
'Live to 100, Secrets Of The Blue Zones'. Netflix.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6125071/