Okinawa

• centenarian 


  a person who is a hundred or more years old
• Blue zone


  only 5 exist and considered to be a 'longevity oasis' and the people who live there are believed to have the longest life expectancy on earth
• key facts

  • life expectancy of 83
  • 400 centenarians
  • 6.5 in 1000 people live to 100
  • every 100,000 inhabitants are 68 centenarians
• land of the immortals

  • fresh clean water
  • ability to grown own food with high mineral content
  • simple, organic non oily food
  • growing own food helps with natural movement
  • community is strong in villages
  • little to worry about - strong friendships
  • low sugar diet
• lifestyle habits - Blue zones power 9

  1. belong - attending faith based services 4 times per month adds 4-14 years
  2. move naturally - gardening, house work, no washing machines or dishwashers
  3. purpose - sense of purpose adds 7 years
  4. down shift - routines, remembering ancestors, pray, naps, happy hour
  5. 80% rule - stop eating when 80% full, smallest meal in evening
  6. plant slant - snacks beans, soy, lentil, meat eaten 5 times pm
  7. wine at 5 - drink moderately and regally 1-2 glass per day
  8. right tribe - 5 friends committed for life
  9. loved ones first - family live nearby, commit to life partner
• genetic factors


  • population has been isolated so has unique genetic profile
  • reduce prevalence of gene variant so increased risk of heart disease and Alzheimers
  • likely to carry protective variant of gene to regulate metabolism and cell growth resulting in short stature and reduced risk of age related disease
• locational factors


  • easy access to fresh sea food
  • able to grown fresh food in quality soil which is mineral and nutrient rich
  • fertile soil from volcanoes and typhoons
• lifestyle factors - diet

  • high carbs, low protein 10:1 ratio
  • fresh vegetables and sea food
  • green and yellow vegetables, sweet potatoes
  • soy products
  • small amount of meat
  • high in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants
  • low in calories, restricted diet
• lifestyle factors - habits

  • less likely to smoke
  • physically active e
  • active social life
  • stress reducing activities
  • loneliness prevented