The Blue Zones — they’ve been in the news lately, especially with the recent 4-part Netflix airing of “Live To Be 100 – Secrets of the Blue Zones.” Magazine articles, podcasts, and videos have been popping up discussing virtues of the Blue Zone diet and healthy habits from PBS to Forbes and Newsweek.
So what are the Blue Zones?
Five communities spread throughout the world have been identified as “Blue Zones” where residents not only live long lives into their 90s and beyond, but also manage to live vibrantly, remaining physically active and enjoying an full social life without chronic diseases that plague most elders. No nursing homes or dependence on caretakers for the Blue Zone residents; they’re too busy enjoying their lives being active, independent members of their communities.
What’s the story behind the Blue Zones?
The Blue Zones were discovered in the mid-90s when researchers identified the Italian island of Sardinia as a region with the highest concentration of male centenarians, or people who live to be 100 or older. Those folks are 10 times more likely to reach 100 than Americans. National Geographics fellow and journalist Dan Buettner became interested in this longevity “hot spot,” joining scientists as they carefully validated Blue Zoners’ longevity and did in-depth research into these villagers’ lifestyle habits. Buettner wrote a National Geographic cover story on the Blue Zones which resulted in that issue becoming the 3rd most popular issue ever for the magazine.
Buettner then founded the Blue Zones organization and with the researchers identified four additional Blue Zones: Sardinia, Italy; Okinawa, Japan; Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rico; Ikaria Greece; and Loma Linda, California (Yes! One in the US!). He then wrote the first of 7 bestsellers The Blue Zones: Secrets for Living Longer.
So what are those Blue Zone elders doing to live so long and healthfully?
You might think these Blue Zoners were just lucky to be born with good genes, but family studies have demonstrated that only about 25 percent of the variation in human longevity is due to genetic factors. Much more important are lifestyle habits. In the Blue Zones these include
• Focusing on moderate daily activity
• Having a supportive social network
• Feeling like you have a purpose in life
• Practicing destressing and most important
• Eating healthfully
The Blue Zone diet focuses on whole foods especially legumes (beans), whole grains, vegetables, especially leafy greens; and minimal or no meat. The Blue Zone diet is typically 95 percent plant based.
Want to learn more?
There is an abundance of resources available from books to videos. Dan Buettner has a TED talk: www.ted.com/talks/dan_buettner_how_to_live_to_be_100/. The Blue Zone website: www.ted.com lists many no-cost resources, even a free weekly newsletter which includes articles, latest research, recipes and six checklists to help you “Blue Zone” your life from the kitchen to the bedroom.
Buettner’s books detail strategies, especially The Blue Zones Solution with tips to incorporate Blue Zones habits into your own life – even if you’re not in a Blue Zone.
This PBS documentary reviews the Blue Zones: www.pbs.org/video/live-to-100-explores-people-in-blue-zones-live-longer-1703370606/
If you want to really dig deep into the science of aging Dr. Michael Greger’s new book, How Not to Age, provides the scientific background approach to maintaining your health as you age and discusses the Blue Zones. This book, as well as the ones authored by Dan Buettner, are available through the Huntley library.
