Jeanne Calment, the world’s longest living person!| Blue zones
Do you know what are the BLUE ZONES?
"Jeanne Louise Calment, the world’s longest living person (who died at the age of 122) was born in Arles, France on February 21, 1875 and died on August 4, 1997 in a nursing home in Arles.”
-University of Southern California
Before we start talking about our topic, here are some definitions for better understanding:
-Longevity: a person that is at least 85 years old
-Centenarian: a person who reaches a remarkable old age (for example 100 years or more)
*Evolution of the concept “BLUE ZONES”:
Longevity and ageing are main concerns of humankind. People seek to look younger and have a healthier life. Longevity varies in the different regions around the world. Michel Poulain and Giovanni Mario Pes made a demographic research in population of Italy, specifically the Nuoro province of Sardinia and they detected a high number of centenarians (people that have a noticeable advanced age). Sardinian population have been isolated for many years making their genetic heritage more homogeneous and preserving their anthropological characteristics which helped maintain their longevity. Researchers established the Extreme Longevity Index (ELI), (the centenarian count per 10,000 new-borns). They calculated the ELI for the population of 14 mountain villages of Sardinia as 508 per 100,000 births which is 2 or 4 times higher than the rest of Sardinia.
Other regions were identified by researchers with high Centenarian Rates (CR) which is calculated as the people at age 100 per 10,000 individuals alive at 60. Those regions include:
-Okinawa in Japan that has the highest life expectancy of females
- The Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica has a higher life expectancy of 2.2 years of males compared to the Japanese
- Ikaria in Greece that has 30% of natural deaths occurring after the age of 90
- Loma Linda in Southern California, USA has a life expectancy of nearly 10 years longer compared to the average population age
The term “BLUE ZONES” or the Longevity Blue Zones (LBZs) can be identified as geographical regions where a significant percentage of individuals consistently live longer, have less risk of age-related diseases, and better mental wellness compared to the average population. This difference may be due to genetic or environmental factors. Researchers spent time and effort studying the blue zones to obtain results that can be applicable to our lives and provide healthy plans for healthier lives. Based on this, Blue zones have common features and similar lifestyles that help their population live longer. These features can be explained through:
1-DIET:
Benefits of plant-based diet on mental health as well as physical health are established. Plant-based diet reduces depressive symptoms and improves quality of sleep.
-Sardinia: The classic diet is based on garden vegetables, fruits, whole-grain bread Which reduces glycaemic load being leavened with Lactobacillus bacterium, beans, and higher consumption of animal products, such as cheese and meat. The Sardinian diet is rich in vitamin D necessary for muscles and bone, and choline that prevents age-related memory decline associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
-Okinawa: Follow a calorie-restricted diet and a something called (Hara Hachi Bu ) which is an old Confucian mantra used by Okinawans before meals to stop eating when 80% full which reduces the incidence of obesity. Diet is rich in minerals, vitamins, antioxidants and flavonoids, low fat and dairy products, rich in fish and sweet potato that is rich in fibres and antioxidants to the extent that the American Cancer Society applied sweet potato in the nutritional plan for cancer patients. Ginseng is known as anti-inflammatory. Mulberry leaves can help in to cure sore throat. Water in Okinawa is rich in calcium and magnesium leading to low cardiovascular mortality rates.
-Loma Linda: Consume a vegan diet consists of leafy greens, legumes, and nuts
-Nicoya: Diet consists of tropical fruit that is rich in antioxidant, calcium- and magnesium-rich water that prevents heart disease and strengthens bone, and no processed foods. A triad called “the three sisters” consists of beans, squash, and corn have been consumed for at least 6000 years in this region. The kernels are rich in vitamins, minerals, fibres, and complex carbohydrates.
-Ikaria: Follow a Mediterranean diet which is rich in vegetables, fruits, honey, olive oil With high concentration of polyphenols protecting the vascular system, whole grains, and beans. Ikarians have 20% less cancer, nearly no dementia, 50% less heart disease, and 8 years of life longer than the average American population. Herbal tea reduces incidence of dementia, has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and diuretic features lowering the blood pressure.
2-LIFESTYLE AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY:
-Sardinia: The region has mountains through which people walk miles daily leading to improving the metabolism of bone and muscle and enhancing cardiovascular function, they worked in agriculture for years.
-Ikaria: People are used to have a mid-afternoon nap. Naps may reduce the risk of dying from heart disease by 35% which may be due to lowering the levels of stress hormones. Agriculture is the most common occupation.
Walking in mountainous land improves physical strength of Ikarian people.
-Okinawa: Regular exercise by doing squats to strengthen the trunk and lower body.
-Nicoya: Pastoralism and agriculture are the main occupations They do everything by hand without using machines that results in more physical activity.
3-SOCIAL ACTIVITY AND BELIEFS:
-Okinawa has a tradition of forming moai ( social support groups ) that builds social networks, provides emotional support, and decreases stress levels
-Nicoya: The Nicoyan culture supports the role of family and faith to have a purposeful life
-Sardinia: optimism, satisfaction, religious beliefs helped to prolong the lives of Sardinian people. Family plays an important role as daughters care for the elderly and nursing homes are not common.
-Ikaria: Strong relations with neighbours, family, friends are essential in Ikaria. Religious practices are significant and widespread enhancing the mental health.
-Loma Linda: Religious organizations help social integration through sharing values and goals, providing support and improving connection between people.
The Role of The World Health Organisation (WHO):
The World Health Organisation (WHO) works on changing the urban cities into age-friendly environment which means environment that helps people get older within their families providing them multiple opportunities to participate in the society and become active members. Blue Zones help scientists and researchers to transform urban areas into more convenient and engaging places for healthier ageing. This includes buildings, housing, public places, and transportation system.
Age-Friendly Environment:
-Housing and Buildings: Improving housing that maintains the autonomy (to make own decision) of elderly and supporting the concept of ‘ageing in place’ which means living independently in their homes
-Public places: Providing easily accessible places, supporting social activities, encouraging physical exercise, safe open places within neighbourhoods including libraries, public gardens, marketplaces ..etc.
-Transportation system: Designing interconnected network for pedestrians, supporting the mobility needs of elderly, providing secure public transportation
To conclude, understanding the environment of Blue Zones helps us to improve our lifestyles to enjoy healthier lives. The similarities between the lifestyles of the different Blue Zones do not mean that there is a single united formula to have long lives and we must not forget that we can’t control everything including our destines.
Tell us your opinion about Blue Zones. Do you think that understanding these regions can really help our lives?
References:
(6)The world’s longest lived (2024) SuperAgers. University of Southern California.
Evidence-Based Medical Content
Stay informed with valuable, evidence-based, and updated health and wellness tips delivered straight to your inbox.
Created with ©systeme.io