Aging and Longevity

Aging gracefully and living long is a human desire throughout history. Modern life is threatening the phenomenon for longevity. Obesity rates have soared in developing countries where young people are eating processed foods and drinking soda pop. Yet, there are four countries where people live long and well, namely: 1. Japanese island of Okinawa; 2. Mountainous Barbagia region of Sardinia, an island off the coast of Italy; 3. Nicoya peninsula of Costa Rica in Central America. 4. A community of Seventh-day Adventists in Loma Linda California The several common factors among the vigorous elderly are an active lifestyle, healthy eating habits, moderate drinking, close family relationships, a sense of purpose and have a smaller food portions. Centenarians in Sardinia, Okinawa and Nicoya rarely eat meat, and some Adventists stick to a plant-based diet. Adventists frequently eat nuts while Okinawans eat tofu. In these four countries, people does low-intensity physical activity such as walking long distances. In Okinawa, the people have a sense of purpose and a strong support network. The women gather in social networks known as moasis. Even at age 100, they are all getting together in their moai at 5 o'clock every day. They sit around, drink sake and gossip. If one doesn't show up at the afternoon gathering, the other four hobble over to see if she has fallen down or needs help. Women in Okinawa also tend to be spiritual leaders, which imbues them with a sense of purpose, or ikigai. In Japan's southern island of Okinawa. there is a village named Ogimi which is well known as the "Longevity Village" due to the long life span of resident there. Limiting food intake and eating healthy are key factors. Elderly Okinawans follow a maxim to eat only until their stomachs are 80 per cent full. Regular attendance at religious services is also a factor. Seventh-day Adventists oversee the Sabbath on Saturday, which gives them a weekly break from stress. Drinking in moderation can help too. Sardinians drink a dark red wine that is full of antioxidants.

Exposure to sun, a source of vitamin D, is also common in these four countries, where the people are tan. That does not mean we burn ourselves under the sun. We only need about 20 minutes a day that have quality sunshine. Tips for Longer and Graceful-Aging Life: 1. Eat less or no meat and processed food 2. Drink red wine in moderation. 3. Take time to relax 4. Take time to see the big picture. 5. Have a supportive social group . 6. Move naturally. Be active without having to think about it. 7. Cut calories by 20 per cent. 8. Participate in a spiritual community. 9. Be surrounded by those who share Longevity values. All of us have a choice and we can choose to do what is good for us. Choosing to learn from the gracefully-aged people who live the longest can add another few more good quality years for us. Also, we will look younger and feel younger too.