Blue Zones- the Quest for Discovering Longevity

National Geographic has published a series of stories where they have discovered parts of the world where people can naturally expect to live into a hundred years of age and beyond. They researched their diet and behaviors related to their long life expectancy. The parts of the world they have researched thus far are the island of Sardinia, Okinawa (Japan), Loma Linda (California), Nicoya Peninsula (Costa Rica) and Icaria (Greece).

I first heard about this way of eating when I visited my local Whole Foods grocery store. They were completely sold out of sweet potatoes. The produce manager shared with me an article that discussed how sweet potatoes are a daily food for people in Oakinawa, Japan.

Sweet potatoes are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants. In my personal recommendations with clients, I endorse sweet potatoes for those who are dieting and for individuals with high blood sugar. When you eat a sweet potato. It is not processed in the body the same way regular white or red potatoes are. White or red potatoes raise the blood glucose and are high in potassium. When white or red potatoes are eaten with meat, they delay digestion and are often the cause of acid upset or indigestion. Its like eating oil and water. They do not combine well for your body to break down and digest.

When you eat sweet potato,it is a healthy fiber that is great for digestion. It has blood sugar lowering qualities. I advise diabetics to re-test their glucose after eating a meal with sweet potato within three hours after consumption. A blood sugar drop is often noted. Dieters benefit from a reduced carbohydrate intake. Sweet potatoes are often implemented into weight loss meal plans. In Oakinawa, sweet potatoes that are purple in color are the more genuine variety that is mostly consumed.

The red wine in Sardinia contains a higher amount of flavanols, also referred to as procyanidins or vitamin P. The island of Sardinia is so far removed geographically and culturally from their Italian neighbors. The most commonly used grapes in their wine making is called the Cannanou (Grenache). The Cannanou is produced in two ways as a commonly dry red wine and can also be made as a sweet red wine. Even thought there are other varieties of white wines and Cabernet Sauvignon. The Cannanou is known to contain the higher amount of flavanols.

This research can also cross into research on Resveratrol. The common factor here is harvesting the nutrient benefit from grapes. There is great health benefit attributed to the intake of flavanols.
Flavanols act as an alkalizing agent that reduces the acid in blood. As a result, platelets do not stick to each other. Blood circulation and oxygen saturation is increased. Research has been conducted noting the benefits of cancer prevention, cardiovascular benefits, and benefits for lowering and normalizing cholesterol. For those who are not wine drinkers, Resveratrol is also available in a capsule form .

Goat Cheese is also attributed to health and longevity in Sardinia. This cheese like other dairy products contains calcium and protein. Many health researchers have noted that goats milk and products produced from it are easier to digest than cows milk. I have noted before in previous articles that we are the only species that consumes the milk of another animal. Cows milk is designed to fatten a calf to a couple thousand pounds in under a year. Have you seen how slender and active goats are compared to cows? Cows milk is very fattening. Newer research shows that cows milk produces more mucous in the human body. People that consume more products derived from cows milk often find themselves having more upper respiratory and upper sinus congestion. Cows milk slows you down and can put you to sleep when you drink it warm. Goats milk is easier to break down and digest by the human body.

Going Vegan is the key to longevity in Loma Linda, California. They outrank other states for health and longevity. Most restaurants and fast food places offer a vegan menu due to the greater part of their population being vegetarians. There are many arguments on the benefits of consuming meat as well as those against it. The most effective argument is that when an animal dies, uric acid ( urine) fills its body . The semi- sweet palatable taste we enjoy in meat is attributed to the animal die off and uric acid. The second argument is the fat content of meat and its correlation to heart disease and arterial flow disorders. We can also argue pro meat along with Dr. Peter D' Adamo author of " Eat Right For Your Type". Dr. Adamo discusses individuals with type O blood types and the importance of their eating meat due to the genetic tracing. Type O blood types are known as the "hunters", where their ancestors thrived and survived well on meat eating diets.

One common factor is the benefit of walking. All Blue zone lifestyles enjoyed a peaceful walk during the day or after a meal. Some made it a family event where everyone would get together and enjoy a walk. These days unless we mimic hamsters by gripping our treadmills, it is rare that you see the whole family out for a stroll. The health benefits of walking are well noted. Walking related to weight loss has been aired on two diet food chain commercials. The spokespersons walked for 30 minutes each day in conjunction to their diet to produce measurable weight loss. People who are at risk for low bone density are encouraged to walk because the resistance of walking builds bone strength. Walking in conjunction with having a diet rich in life giving nutrients, is the best combination to living well into and past your 100th birthday.