Centenarians – people who reach the age of 100 years, much is achieved by the residents of Okinawa, Japan. There, rates of heart disease, dementia, and cancer are also very low compared to other states.
According to researcher Dr. Makoto Suzuki of Okinawa Centenarian Study, in 2006 alone there were at least about 740 centenarians in Okinawa (90% women) of the total population of 1.3 million inhabitants. That means 50 people of more than 100 years of age than 100,000 inhabitants.
Want to know what’s the secret?
1. In Okinawa, they practiced Hera hachi bu, or eating up to 80 percent full. They are not accustomed to overeating.
2. Their spiritual lifestyle lakoni, as with regular prayer and meditation, is believed to reduce stress levels and also related to their longevity.
3. Meanwhile, the low incidence of cancer in Okinawa due to their high fiber diet. They also mengasup rice, soybeans, fruits, omega-3 sourced from ocean fish, and rarely eat red meat and dairy.
4. Social support from family and friends is also very strong here. The elderly population is also still active in the association.
“Strong social ties not only reduces stress but also prevent disease and create longevity,” says Dan Buettner, a researcher of longevity. Buettner Okinawa classify as one of the blue zone in the world.
