By Lisa Collier Cool | Posted August 5 2010
The average Japanese woman will live to celebrate her 86th birthday—the world’s longest life expectancy—while that of a Japanese man is 79. In Okinawa, so many people reach age 100 or beyond that there’s an ongoing study of genetic and lifestyle factors that may explain this unusual longevity. Okinawan centenarians are extraordinarily healthy, with low rates of heart disease and cancer, and typically look much younger than their true age, the researchers report.
What’s more, centenarians are the fastest growing demographic group in many nations. There are more than 80,000 people in the United States age 100 or older, or about 10 to 20 centenarians per 100,000 people. The US Census Bureau predicts that the number could top four million by 2050. In Okinawa, the ratio may be the world’s highest, with about 50 per 100,000 population. 90 percent of them are women. Sardinia, Italy also has a high number of centenarians—and in that region, more of them are men.
What ‘s the Japanese secret of long life? Here’s a look at some healthy habits that may explain it.
*Staying physically active, even in old age. “Surprisingly, Japanese people often do not participate in what’s called ‘exercise’ in Western countries,” says Yu Oyama, MD, who works in Kameda Medical Center’s medical oncology department, in Chiba, Japan. “But they tend to exercise by doing work around the house. Recently, young people are starting to run, go the gym and do yoga.”
*Restricting calories. Okinawan centenarians stay lean and healthy with a cultural tradition called “hara hachi bu” (only eating until they feel 80 percent full). In mainland Japan, adds Dr. Oyama, “people tend to eat small portions. Hence they are generally skinny. In experiments, hungry mice live longer than fatty mice and this likely applies to humans.”
*Family support. “Elderly people live with their family and young people take care of them,” reports Dr. Oyama. “Ties between parents and children are generally tighter in Japan.” A Harvard study found that social engagement may help increase both the quality and length of life for seniors.
*A heart-healthy diet. Older Okinawans often have remarkably clean arteries and low cholesterol levels, research shows. Helping reduce the rate of cardiovascular disease in Japan is a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and oily fish, such as tuna and salmon adds Dr. Oyama. “Fish oil reduces bad cholesterol and increases good cholesterol. ”
*Practicing spirituality. Meditation and prayer are good for the soul and the body, by combating stress, which may be linked to heart disease risk .
What other healthy habits do you think we can learn from the Japanese?
Connect the Dots
To learn more about longevity, visit the Okinawa Centenarian Study. GE has a report on Japan’s aging population. The National Institute on Aging offers research and publications for seniors. For abstracts of recent studies, check out Aging Research Review.
PREVIOUS POST
