Netflix’s latest documentary, “Blue Zones,” has captivated audiences worldwide with its deep dive into regions where people live extraordinarily long and healthy lives. We also watched the Blue Zone series on Netflix and were amazed by the observations about the regions and the people of the Blue Zones who have embraced a natural and healthy lifestyle. In this article, we will share the secrets of the Blue Zones and the factors that make them so unique.
What Are Blue Zones?
For the uninitiated, Blue Zones are specific areas around the world where people live significantly longer and lead healthier lives than the global average. These zones include regions like Okinawa in Japan, Sardinia in Italy, and Nicoya in Costa Rica. Scientists and researchers have attributed this longevity to a variety of factors, including diet, physical activity, and community.
1. Okinawa, Japan
Our first city is Okinawa, Japan. This city is known as the place with the highest population in Japan, over 100 years old. Let’s explore the secrets of long life together.
Nutrition: Firstly, their diets take center stage. Their eating habits are known as the Okinawan Diet, consisting of 1% eggs, 1% meat, 1% fish, 6% legumes, 12% rice, and 67% BENI IMO: Purple Sweet Potato. This vegetable contains special compounds and is used extensively in their diets. It is considered one of the secrets of longevity due to its 50% higher antioxidant content than blueberries. The diversity of food in the diets of the Japanese, leaving meals when the stomach is 80% full, and consuming low-calorie foods have been scientifically proven to directly impact longevity, reducing the risk of obesity.
Activity: Life in Okinawa revolves around physical activity, with most homes lacking furniture. Instead, they use only low tables and Tatami Mats. Even the elderly are forced to squat when they want to stand up, strengthening their abdominal and lower body muscles and balance. Studies in the United States have identified falls as one of the most common causes of death in the elderly. The weakening of lower body muscles and balance due to prolonged sitting in chairs has been observed. This emphasizes the importance of balance and muscle strength.
Micro Physical Activity: Having a garden for every individual leads to about 2-3 hours of low-intensity physical activity per day, involving weeding, watering, planting seeds, or growing fruits and vegetables. This contributes significantly to balance.
Social Relationships: Okinawans also pay great attention to human relationships and social connections. They gather daily to drink tea, providing each other with both material and spiritual support.
Ikigai: According to Japanese philosophy, Ikigai represents a person’s life purpose and meaning. Everyone strives for a purpose and finds a reason to live a good life. The term “Ikigai” is often used to indicate the source of value in one’s life or the things that make life valuable.
2. Sardinia, Barbagia
In the second episode of the Blue Zones series, we explored Sardinia-Barbagia and Loma Linda – United States. Although it may sound unusual for a Blue Zone region to exist in the United States, we will examine the reasons below.
Terrain: The physical movement is prominent due to villages’ and towns’ up-and-downhill roads. Research has shown a direct correlation between the longevity of the village and the length of its roads. Additionally, the fact that houses are 3-4 stories high implies constant movement throughout the day.
Nutrition: Despite having a carbohydrate-heavy diet, the preparation methods differ, not negatively affecting people. They emphasize that good carbohydrates do not harm human health.
Physical/Social Activity: Men in the Barbagia region spend their lives as shepherds, which involves spending time with animals, walking in the highlands, taking naps during the day, and drinking wine with friends when they return to the village. These activities contribute significantly to their long life.
Chronic Stress: The absence of chronic stress has been scientifically proven to lead to a significantly lower incidence of heart and diabetes diseases. The key is how they do things while working, not necessarily what they do. This emphasizes the importance of how activities are performed, not just the activities themselves.
Traditions and Social Norms: The absence of nursing homes encourages people to care for their aging family members, highlighting the importance given to the elderly.
3. Loma Linda – United States:
Adventists: Adventists live longer than other Californians. This longevity is 7.3 years for men and 4.4 years for women compared to their counterparts.
Physical Activity: They adhere to physical activity and healthy behaviors.
Socializing and Community: They believe in and practice being together in a community and socializing, which they consider beneficial to the human spirit.
Volunteerism: Volunteering is a common practice, contributing to the community’s well-being.
Nutrition: They follow a vegetarian/plant-based diet, consuming fruits, legumes, grains, vegetables, and nuts. Their diet consists of 60% fruits/vegetables and 5% meat, chicken, and fish, leading to a lighter weight and faster metabolism compared to those who consume meat.
Beliefs: Belonging to a faith-based community is essential to them, regardless of the specific religion.
Choosing the Right Community: They emphasize the importance of joining the right community and filling their surroundings with people who enjoy small things like gardening or walking.
4. Greece – Ikaria Island
In the third episode of the series, we examined Greece – Ikaria Island and Costa Rica – Nicoya region.
Despite having seven more years of life expectancy than Americans, Ikarians have half the rate of heart and vascular diseases. They haven’t received any external aid since the 1980s, allowing them to develop survival skills on their own.
Herbal Tea: Learning about plants and using them for spices and medicine has led Ikarians to adopt the habit of drinking local herbal teas. They believe these teas have a strong connection to the extraordinary lifespan on the island.
Raw Honey: The honey-making system on the island is different from other systems. Beekeepers move their hives as the seasons progress, allowing bees to collect nectar from different plant species. This diversity results in various micronutrients and bioactive compounds. Unlike commercially sold honey, Ikarian honey is not pasteurized, preserving its nutritional value.
Partnership: Long-lasting, healthy, and loyal relationships contribute significantly to a longer life. Having the right community and laughter play a crucial role in reducing stress and inflammation.
Ikarian Wine Production: The natural and chemical-free production of wine on Ikaria, combined with a Mediterranean diet, enhances the absorption of antioxidants.
Physical Activity/Dance and Laughter: Community dancing and laughter are essential for them. Laughter has been shown to be beneficial for arteries and heart health
5. Costa Rica – Nicoya
Nicoya, located in the north of Costa Rica, is a rural region far from the rest of the country. Despite being one of the poorest areas in the country, Nicoya residents have a biological age that is 10 years younger than their chronological age.
They do everything by hand: Nicoyans still do most activities by hand, burning more calories and speeding up their metabolism over time.
Slowing Down: They avoid overtime work and prefer spending time with family, taking naps, or chatting with friends. Slowing down to allocate time for important things is the key to a balanced life.
Health System: Regular water supplementation, healthy nutrition programs, providing necessary proteins for brain development in the first 12-24 months of children, and shaping health opportunities for communities have positive long-term effects.
Diet/Three Sisters: Corn – Tortilla: Their diet includes “corn tortillas”, which are rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Traditional corn processing methods enhance nutritional value. The addition of “wood ash” by women while soaking corn is crucial, breaking down the cell walls and releasing “Niacin,” which helps control cholesterol.
Black Beans: Black beans contain antioxidants similar to those in blueberries and are rich in fiber, helping cleanse the intestines.
Squash: Squash contains vitamins A, B, C, and minerals such as potassium and magnesium.
6. Singapore
Singapore, despite having the world’s richest and happiest population, also boasts the healthiest life expectancy.
– Harsh penalties for drug use, carrying weapons, and creating a sense of security.
– Government limits sugar content in sodas due to health concerns.
– A program for sellers to display a sign if they offer healthy food, attracting customers looking for healthier options.
– High car prices and additional usage fees encourage public transportation, which is considered more comfortable.
– State-supported exercise programs promote community building.
Family Proximity Housing Grant: The government supports parents in taking care of their children and encourages them to buy homes near each other, providing financial support for this purpose.
But what if you don’t have to travel halfway around the world to experience the benefits of the Blue Zones? At TheLifeCo, we bring the essence of these extraordinary regions to you, offering a range of wellness programs designed to promote longevity and holistic health.
As TheLifeCo family, we diligently work to uncover and share the secrets of a long life with a strong commitment. With our small “Blue Zones” within TheLifeCo Centers, we invite you to transform your life through expert guidance and information!
TheLifeCo’s Philosophy: A Natural Symbiosis with Blue Zones
At TheLifeCo, our philosophy aligns closely with the core principles observed in Blue Zones. Our focus on holistic wellness encompasses:
- Nutrition: Just like in Blue Zones, we emphasize a plant-based diet rich in natural foods.
- Physical Activity: Our centers offer guided exercise regimes that are practical and sustainable.
- Community and Mental Well-being: TheLifeCo provides a supportive community atmosphere, along with stress management and mindfulness programs.
Services Tailored for Longevity
We offer an array of services that synergize with the principles of Blue Zones, including:
- Water Fasting: Known to extend lifespan by triggering autophagy, the body’s ‘self-cleaning’ process.
- Chronic Disease Management: Our targeted programs aim to not only manage but also reverse chronic conditions.
- Detox Programs: To cleanse your system, much like the natural, toxin-free diets observed in Blue Zones.
How Can You Experience a ‘Blue Zone’ at TheLifeCo?
Join us at our wellness centers, where you can immerse yourself in a Blue Zone-inspired lifestyle:
- Comprehensive Wellness Programs: Tailored to individual needs, with expert consultations.
- Sustainable Living: From the food we serve to the activities we endorse, everything is designed to be sustainable and promote longevity.
- Community Building: Regular seminars, workshops, and communal activities to keep you engaged and supported.
Conclusion
You don’t have to move to a Blue Zone to live like you’re in one. TheLifeCo is committed to bringing the Blue Zone lifestyle to you. So why wait? Take the first step toward longevity and holistic health with TheLifeCo today.
