Brain Cancer Statistics

Here it is normal for population to live to well over 100 years old. Not only do they live longer they also lead energetic and active lives with the bottom death rates from the top 3 killers in our western world namely cancer, heart disease and strokes.

The women of Okinawa also have the top life expectancy in the world.

Why Do Okinawa's Live Longer?

Researchers have studied the population of Okinawa since 1976 and they have found:

Okinawa's do live longer but they also age more successfully than we do. By the time they become centenarians they are leaner, more energetic and have lower rates of lasting age-related illnesses like heart disease and cancer.

The studies also showed that genetics seem to play a large part in their longevity. For instance, off-spring of long-living Okinawa's are more likely to live longer, healthier lives. But, it has been proved, if these off-spring move to a dissimilar environment which causes lifestyle changes to their eating habits or activities then they lose their extended lifespan. These studies suggest that there are other issues to consider.

Traditional Okinawa Diet Promotes Natural Anti Aging

It is their cultural convention to only eat until they are 80% full; this tradition is called Hara Hachi Bu.

Okinawa's eat a diet high in vegetables, whole grains, fruits, legumes (soy foods) and fish. They also eat little amounts of lean meat.

Healthy eating obviously plays an ample role in the aging process and natural anti aging because it drastically reduces the number of free radical damage inflicted on their bodies. Our bodies' metabolism automatically produces free radicals when it creates energy from food and free radicals speed up aging by damaging our cell molecules.

By training themselves to stop eating when they are only 80% full the Okinawa's are practicing calorie restriction to minimize free radical damage but there is also an additional one factor in the equation.

Medical study has shown that it can take up to 20 minutes for our brain to pick up the signal from our stomach that it is full, so by only eating until they feel 80% full they are allowing for the time delay and 20 minutes after they have stopped eating they do in effect feel full and satiated. This helps to prevent them from over-eating and guards against obesity.

Add this to the fact that they also consume a plant-based anti-oxidant rich diet and it's not surprising that there are so many Okinawa population living to a ripe old age.

Health Statistics For Natural Anti Aging

The population of Okinawa enjoy a long and salutary life and statistics show:
• Heart Disease rates are 80% lower

• Stroke rates lower than in the Us

• Cholesterol levels are typically under 180

• Homocystein levels are low

• Blood pressure at goal levels

• Rates of cancer are 50-80% lower

• Hip fractures are 40% lower than in the Us

• Dementia is rare

The reasons behind these low levels of age-related illnesses are thought to be a salutary diet and high levels of bodily activity.

So how can we benefit from these lessons for natural anti aging so that we can live longer too?

Firstly we must convert the type of food we eat. It seems plant-based foods, whole grains, legumes (soy foods) and fish hold the key to living a long and salutary life.

Secondly, staying energetic and active will keep us fit and supple so that we can enjoy our extended years.