February 28, 2023
I recently learned about the history of Blue Zones. Interestingly, I found it like how I coach “AGE-GILITY.”
Dan Buettner, Blue Zone founder, is a National Geographic Fellow and New York Times best-selling author. He discovered five places in the world, called blue zones, where people live the longest and the healthiest.
This concept grew out of work outlined in the Journal of Experimental Gerontology, identifying Sardinia as the region with the highest concentration of male centenarians. Also, other areas were highlighted in blue with similar longevity concentrations that were eventually trademarked at Blue Zones, LLC.
The Original Blue Zones include:
- Sardinia, Italy – First zone identified. The residents of Sardinia are culturally isolated and keep to their healthy lifestyle of hunting, fishing, and harvesting what they eat. It is an isolated community that remains close to friends and family throughout their lifetime.
- Ikaria, Greece – This tiny Aegean Island people live eight years longer than Americans, have half the rate of heart disease, and almost no dementia.
- Okinawa, Japan – Once called the land of immortals. Women live longer than any other woman on the planet. These people have less cancer, heart disease, and dementia than Americans and are known for their strong dedication to friends and family and purpose in life.
- Nicoya, Costa Rica – “Plan de vida” or reason to live….. propels elders’ positive outlook and helps keep them active.
Nicoyan focuses on and provides support to their families…. Have a sense of purpose and belong to social networks.
They have a Mesoamerican diet, a complete nutritional profile, and eat lighter dinners early in the evening.
The “Three Sisters” highlight this way of eating:
squash (vitamin A & healthy fat from its seeds),
beans (rich in protein &fiber), and
corn (which provides carbohydrates – the body & brain’s primary energy source).
- Loma Linda, California – Just east of Los Angeles, a group of Seventh-day Adventists live 10 years longer than the rest of us. They view health as central to their faith.
They eat very little meat (mostly vegetarian), exercise moderately, spend time with like-minded friends, eat a well-balanced diet, drink plenty of water, snack on nuts, and don’t drink or smoke. A new study has found that this way of life has the nation’s lowest rates of heart disease and diabetes and very low rates of obesity.
Nine Lifestyle Habits were identified and shared by those living in the original Blue Zone areas.
The “Power 9” are small, manageable steps that help people live LONGER, HEALTHIER, and HAPPIER.
- Moving Naturally
- Purpose – Your “why” can add 7 years to your life.
- Downshift – Stress leads to chronic inflammation
- 80% Rule– Stop eating when 80% full. You are eating your smallest meal in the late afternoon and early evening.
- Plant Slant – Beans, lentils, Limiting meat to 3-4 oz—the size of a deck of cards when you eat meat.
- Wine at 5 – Drink moderately. The trick is 1-2 glasses daily (preferably Sardinian Cannonau wine) with friends and food.
- Belonging – Any faith-based community. Research shows that attending services four times a month will add 4-14 years of life expectancy.
- Loved Ones First – Keeping aging parents and grandparents nearby (lowers disease and mortality of children in the home too). They will commit to a life partner can add up to 3 years of life expectancy. And most likely care for you when the time comes.
- The Right Tribe – Choose social circles that support healthy behaviors. For example, the Framingham studies show that smoking, obesity, loneliness, and HAPPINESS are CONTAGIOUS!
All these Blue Zones have similar “AGE-GILITY” habits. Purpose, Movement, Healthy Eating, Family, and Social Connection!
You may not want to live past 100; however, it’s about your quality to enjoy your life, as a long, endless weekend is possible!
Let’s make our own Blue Zone!… Message me….. for your FREE “10 Ways to Live with “AGE-GILITY” handout!
Until next week, make your own Blue Zone and Trust Your Truth.
Bye for now!