This is day 2 of our 5 part series on “how to live a long and healthy life”.
In the last part, we found out that one of the three most successful cultures where health and longevity is most prominent is the island of Okinawa, Japan.
In today’s part 2, we explore Sardinia, through the small village of Ovodda and find out what is their inhabitant’s secret to living to 100!
Watch part 2 of “How to Live to 101” now and read on for some short summary notes and additions from me after, if you like.
In the first part, we found out that the secret behind the Okinawan’s health and longevity appeared to be a diet high in fruits and vegetables and soya protein. In this part, the last piece of the puzzle was presented to us, as scientists show that the Okinawa diet is a low calorie diet.
This piece of information is also not surprising for longevity as there have been many tests and experiments run on humans and various animals, that show that reduced calorie diets make subjects healthier, perform better at various tasks and live longer. If you would like to know more about the studies involved in reduced calorie diets and longevity, read the following article from The New York Times, entitled “One for the Ages: A Prescription that may extend Life“.
I have read several studies in the past on reduced calorie diets in rodents and all seem to point to an increased longevity. However, we are not rodents and so scientists have battled with how reduced calorie diets actually benefit humans. The above article is a really good read, as it quickly summarizes for you the key findings and what hopes it holds for us humans in terms of increasing our life span by eating less.
I have also looked into the research of Dr. Jay Phelan who has done a lot of studies in this area. However I find Dr. Phelan’s statements and findings to be extremely pessimistic and cynical, as he is often quoted saying things like “Calorie restriction is doomed to fail, and will make people miserable in the process of attempting it” or “there is virtually no chance Americans will adopt such a severe menu plan in great numbers.”
On the contrary I think it is simply common sense, that “stuffing” ourselves is only causing our body to overwork not to mention pick up more sugar, more fat and more calories than it knows what to do with. So, I completely support and see why the Okinawans are exhibiting more health and vitality as our bodies need actually much less than we think.
Do not get me wrong, it is not about starving yourself or going around hungry as this will only affect your metabolism in a negative way, but about having some self control. I understand for some people, it is very difficult to have control when it comes to food, but that is what we then have to work on – understanding that food is there to nourish you, not to provide for you your life’s happiness.
In part 2, we also met some inhabitants of Sardinia who also show amazing longevity and health. Based on what the scientists found they say that the Sardinians don’t count calories, don’t watch what they drink and do not follow a vegetarian diet. They also cannot account the Mediterranean diet only to their longevity as there are many other countries who eat that way and do not show similar results. Their only link from what we heard so far appears to be an “interesting” gene pool…hmm…interesting indeed. Check out part 3 next, before we make any conclusions on this one.
5 Part Longevity Series
How to Live a Long and Healthy Life – Part 1
How to Live a Long and Healthy Life – Part 2
How to Live a Long and Healthy Life – Part 3
How to Live a Long and Healthy Life – Part 4
How to Live a Long and Healthy Life – Part 5
About the author:Evita Ochel, B.Sc., B.Ed., CHN - is a certified holistic nutritionist, biologist, educator, writer, researcher and speaker in the areas of health, science and holistic wellness. She is a nutritional science expert and her teaching and writing focus on natural, wholesome, plant-based and organic nutrition to achieve optimal health and longevity. Learn more about Evita Ochel or Follow Evita Ochel on Twitter.
2 Comments to “How to Live a Long and Healthy Life – Part 2”
I am up to 215 lbs and back in the year 2000 I was 194. I would love to get back there again.
I eat because I get hungry and only certain things seem to deal with that Pain. Celery doesn’t do it! LOL.
David – I am not sure what your whole diet consists of, but I totally agree, fruits and veggies do not always satisfy a deep hunger. A lot of people have an idea that they are supposed to but, first to keep a healthy weight and body we should actually not get to feeling that deep hunger ever. To help this try having 4-6 small meals a day vs the average 2 to 3 big meals.
Secondly our body does need other nutrients and that is where the grains come in. It is up to you how much of the healthy grain products you eat. However for all the energy we put in, we need to make sure that we use it all up or else it sits on us (literally).
The ultimate way to lose weight and keep it off is a permanent diet change (which usually consists of things like consuming less calories, avoding saturated fats and highly dense sugar food) and picking up a pemrmanent exercise routine, even if it is walking a little each day. I know in our society we want faster and easier ways, but there really isn’t one no matter what supposed doctor or researcher says, for example Dr. Atkins :)
Anyhow – I hope some of the topics I talk and teach about will be useful to you to reach your goal :)