Okinawa - Longest Lived People in the World

I'm not advocating anything - just sharing information.

Also, some people might rather not live to be very old. Though Okinawans apparently live vital, energetic, productive lives including working in their gardens thru their 90s.

Okinawans eat:

• Meat/Poultry/Eggs - 3% of their diet
• Calcium-rich foods (dairy, seaweed) - 2%
• Vegetables - 34%
• Fruits - 6%
• Soy - 12%
• Grains - 32%
• Omega-3 Foods (fish) - 11%

Americans eat:

• Meat/Poultry/Eggs - 29% of their diet
• Calcium-rich foods (dairy) - 23%
• Vegetables - 16%
• Fruits - 20%
• Soy - <1%
• Grains - 11%
• Omega-3 Foods (fish) - <1%

Okinawans have significantly lower cancer rates, lower cancer mortality, lower incidence of heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and hip fracture.

They also have maintained their traditional culture and lifestyle more than many other groups of people, including practicing tai chi on a daily basis.

I just think that Asian cultures are on to something....  Their traditions seem very healthy - and not just on a physical level.  I'm still interested in traditional chinese medicine.... (okinawa is part of Japan, btw) even though my arthritis hasn't been bothering me much at all lately.  I think just plain exercising has helped it somewhat... and who knows what else...

*Info from The Okinawa Program by Bradley Willcox, MD, Craig Willcox, PhD, & Makoto Suzuki, MD

I totally agree, nomo. I find Asian medicine and health practices fascinating. 100 billion people over ten thousand years can't be wrong ...

I am convinced it is the balance of spirit, mind and body. That all parts are integral, you know?

This is very interesting and definately something to think about. My husband always makes fun of me because I don't like to take "drugs" when I have a headache or I'm sick. To me, there's a reason I'm sick or have a headache. Just making me feel better isn't gonna make the problem go away. That's more of an Eastern Philosophy than here where you just stuff your body full of chemicals and go on functioning like normal.

I am a firm believer in herbal remedies and homeopathic tinctures. They have repeatedly worked for me and my kids. I was always concerned about giving them too many antibiotics and I always felt like over-the-counter meds were prolonging the infections.

Herbs have consistently helped bolster their immune systems, for which I am extremely grateful.

yeah, i actually lived on okinawa for seven years. Not only do the people live longer, they stay healthy longer. They're always working and walking around, and they're the nicest people you'll ever meet! I personally think the fish-full diet has something to do with it.

Not to mention foods full of antioxidants and organ-protective nutrients like sea weed and sea vegetables, and tea. A diet low in dairy is also VERY good for you. The only kind of dairy that is really beneficial is cultured and/or fermented dairy, like yogurt and kefir. The other stuff isn't recognized by your system as food; it's designed for the intestines of a baby calf. That's why dairy allergies is are so prevalent.

Missybear, that's so cool! Ohayo gosaimasu! Watashi no nihongo wa jozu ja arimasen! What did you all eat over there? Could you outline like a typical day for us?

I would GUESS:

Breakfast: Miso Soup with Rice, hard boiled egg and veggies inside

Lunch: Udon Noodle soup with prawns

Tea: (obviously tea), rice balls with umeboshi plum and bonito filling, with nori

Dinner: Grilled Fish, rice, vegetables, seaweed salad, fruit

Tell me how close I am. That's what I imagine in my head.

I'm actually going to start working at a sushi restaurant soon; I'll get to eat Japanese food all the time! Hopefully the job will help me live longer. Actually, what's really interesting about working in Asian restaurants is the fact that you work per hour, not for gratuity. And they don't separate the restaurant; everyone does everything for all the tables. It's really kind of communist thinking on a low scale.

But yeah, Okinawa ROCKS