Secrets for a Long Life (From the Healthiest People on Earth)

Most people when asked if they want to live to a hundred answer yes-if they can be in good health. In that case maybe we should all move to the Japanese islands of Okinawa. That’s where the healthiest people on earth live. They have the lowest rate of heart disease, cancer, and stroke on record. A thirty year study proves the secret is not in their genes, so that means anyone following their life style might attain a healthy one hundred years.

1. Eat Seafood to Avoid Cancer

   The oldest women on Okinawa eat a few ounces of fish every day. That ensures they get enough omega 3 fatty fish oil acids to cut their risk of breast cancer by 80 %.

2. Eat Soy to Prevent Heart Disease

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   Okinawans eat lots of tofu and other soy based foods. They take in 12 times more flavanols than Americans do. These disease fighting antioxidants protect against free radicals that damage healthy blood vessels. Their risk of heart disease is 80% lower than people living in the U.S. A good amount of soy is 1/2 cup tofu or 2 Tlb. soy nuts daily. If you don’t like soy eat 1/4 cup of flavanol rich onions

3. Don’t Overeat

   Stop eating when you are 80 % full. Okinawans do that at every meal and that is why the incidence of diabetes and other weight related health problems are so low.

4. Sip Tea

   Okinawans sip lots of jasmine tea, a blend of jasmine flowers and tea leaves that have compounds that slow cellular aging, lower cholesterol, clear arteries of plaque, and help protect the body against cancer and other diseases.

5. Eat Lots of Veggies

   Okinawans eat seven servings of vegetables and two servings of fruit- all low calorie foods. Americans who eat just five servings per day have proved to live 14 years longer and lose 33% more weight than those on a calorie controlled low-fat diet.

6. Keep in Touch with Friends

   Okinawan elders take part in gatherings of their peers who have similar interests and provide emotional support for each other. Community support has proven to make people four times less likely to develop serious illness.

7. Control Blood Pressure with Meditation

   Okinawans keep their blood pressure in check with calming meditation. You can do it too. It can add twelve years to your life. Sit quietly and take slow calm, relaxed breaths. Let thoughts drift through your mind without focusing on them or trying to force them out. Continue for ten minutes.

8. Stay Active

   Okinawans do not lift heavy weights or do aerobics but every day is filled with activities, such as strolling, biking, stretching, dancing, gardening and soft martial arts like “tai chi.” To get the same benefits spend as much time as you can at activities of your choice.

The Okinawa Diet

• Daily tea
• Alcohol in moderation
• Sweets 0-3 servings
• Meat, poultry, eggs 0-7 servings
• Omega-3 foods 1-3 servings
• Vegetable oils and condiments 1-2 Tlb.
• Fruit 2-4 servings
• Rice, beans, noodles, and other whole grains 7-13 servings
• Calcium foods 2-4 servings
• Vegetables 7-13 servings