Dan Buettner: "Blue Zones: Second Edition"
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2012-11-21/dan-buettner-blue-zones-second-edition
Okinawans maintain strong social connections through regular gatherings of a moai.
Photo credit: Blue Zones
Human longevity is thought to be explained by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. But recent studies show that as much as 90 percent of life expectancy may be determined by habits. Several years ago, a team of National Geographic scientists identified four regions in the world where people live the longest. In these so-called “Blue Zones,” residents experience far lower rates of chronic disease than Americans do. And people who live in these zones share common habits: they eat mostly plants, are spiritual and have strong ties with family and friends. Now, researchers have identified a fifth Blue Zone: the island of Ikaria, Greece. Author and explorer Dan Buettner on lessons for a long life from the world’s oldest people.
Guests
Dan Buettner
author, explorer, fellow, National Geographic Society.
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Related Video
Dan Buettner presented "How to live to be 100+" at TED in September 2009. To find the path to long life and health, Buettner studies the world's "Blue Zones," communities whose elders live with vim and vigor to record-setting age. In his talk, he shares the nine common diet and lifestyle habits that keep them spry past age 100.
Read An Excerpt
Excerpt from "The Blue Zones, Second Edition: 9 Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who've Lived the Longest" by Dan Buettner. Copyright 2012 by Dan Buettner. Reprinted here by permission of National Geographic. All rights reserved.
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Quality, not quantity. Cosmic consciousness, not mundane semi-consciousness. Love, not war.
If you want to live to be 100, I'm not sure that the USA is a good place anymore. It's turned into a madhouse. "Gotta have it yesterday; the day before is even better". LOL
Although I now live in Maryland, my Mother just passed away last year at 104 in her own home. She lived in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and maintained her sense of humor to the very end. I credit her longevity partly to genetics, but also her neighbors, children, cousins and extended family all helped. In addition, the Catholic Church sent communion every Sunday, she did what her doctor's told her to do (even at 103 she watched her diet), Mercy Health aides assisted her twice a week. We were raised with huge gardens and since pork is a principle meat of Iowa...we ate pork!!!
JoAn Knight Herren
Quick note about Okinawa - the majority of military personnel there are Marines, the guest mistakenly said Army.
When I was stationed there in the '90s I observed that younger Okinawans were much taller than their grandparents. I heard it was attributed to their diet, which was influenced by the many American fast food chains present.
I am amazed this speaker/expert can even comment on what 'he has found'. This is regarding the Seventh Day Adventists: there are "some" that are vegans and there "some" that do eat meat and diary. But neither group eats PORK. and he says that pork and bacon are their favorite foods. Amazing!! and he also says that SDA's are same or like the Methodists or are part of the Methodists ! They certainly are not! How can someone get on the air (or any place for that matter) as an expert and say these things. Just my 2cents worth. Off the point but longevity is why our car insurance is high in this town. Friday afternoon grocery store parking lots are impossible with the older people getting ready for Sabbath on Friday night.
Very interesting and some good information. While I'm sure the 7th Day Adventists have some great social customs that aid longevity, it wouldn't work for me. I can see no point in living a long life without dancing.
I hope they will comment on environmental toxins affecting health and life expectancy! We have polluted air and water, all sorts of contaminants that we are ingesting now from industry, coal burning power plants, food additives, clothing treatments - chemicals everywhere!
"Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants." ~Michael Pollan
Seems this guy is on to something!
Yogic secrete for longevity is “Eat less and be Happy”
Laugh, love and meditate to live healthy, happy and longer.
The food issue is cosmic in many ways. Agriculture should be the life blood of our species, but instead it has become as toxic as the profit driven motives behind it. We were given a gift. Food as medicine. The animals we share our earth with have a right to eat also. Humans have stolen food from other species, and one another, something other non-human animals would never do.
Our gift comes in many colors and grows from the ground, on trees and bushes. It can be seen in "The Nutrition Rainbow," on the web site of Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. It is a chart of all the colors, reds, yellows, oranges, purples, greens, corresponding foods, and their health benefits. The dead stuff we've been eating over a few short generations, has paved the way to early death from disease... The research in a study called, "Pottenger's Cats," found in one of Dr. Gabriel Cousens books, "Conscious Eating," examines the study. Eat plants, live long and well.