Live Long
Way From Other Cultures

Live Long! As we have said through out this web site one of the ways to slow aging and live a healthier life is to eat less. America has now been called the obese nation. Slowly over the last 10 to 25 years our food portions have been rising.. In Europe they use a 6 or 7 inch plates, in the US we use 10 and 12 inch plates. That tells you something, doesn’t it? Europeans are not near as overweight as we are. The people of the communities who have a history of long life are not over weight. One of the things the Okinawan people over 100 do, is say before ever meal, I will quit when I am 80% full. They live long and healthy lives.

There are four communities who stand out for long living inhabitants. They are the island of Ikaria in Greece, the island of Sardinia Italy, the island of Okinawa and the Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica. These people and there way of life are now being studied to find out what it is that gives the majority of them healthy lives into the 100 plus range. These communities all have many things in common. None of these four groups go on formal diets and none ever joined a gym.

The Greek people who inhabit the island of Ikaria are a population where a large percentage of the people live to be a healthy 90 to 100. There secret is not really a secret. They eat mostly home grown vegetables and fruits with some fresh fish. Most of the residents are farmers and get lots of physical exercise; even the 90 to 100 year old islanders work the fields every day. They also attribute some of it to their home grown dark honey and taking daily afternoon naps. There stress levels are lower too.

One of the obvious traits they all have is they have found a way to keep of excess weight. Like the Okinawans they each have ways to keep from over eating. Most use small plates like 6 inches instead of the 10 to 12 inch plates the Americans use. None of these populations have giant grocery stores full of processed food. They tend to eat with family not on the run or in front of the TV.

There are other commonalities that are thought to give these people long life. Being likable and kind seems to play a big part. Even a bigger part is they have a sense of purpose. This is an area that is hard to define in words but researchers say it is obvious. They help each other and they are joyful people. They are not trying to solve the world’s problems but are content to live a happy life right where they are right now.

Doing these things have given these cultures less disease and longer life with better health. They have little cardiovascular and heart disease. They have very low cancer rates and little trouble with diabetes. Here is an old saw that fits here, “eat to live do not live to eat”.

These communities have many things that we can do to get the same results of a healthier old age.
• Eat Less, a lot less.

• Do more physical activity. Move, walk, run, play, work.
• Be with and love your family.
• Be kinder, gentler more loving.
• Be compassionate, giving, interested and curious.
• Love yourself you are a good person.

Live Long and Prosper.

Live Long To Anti Aging