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| The two books reviewed here - The Blue Zones by Dan Buettner and The Longevity Prescriptions by Robert N. Butler |
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| Our adopted daughter Noraini Sahak with her two daughters, Natasha and Melissa |
I have always been fascinated with active long life and have read quite a number of books that provide tips for living longer. For a start of the year 2013 two books related to the topic came into my hand. The Longevity Prescription was purchased at, what was claimed to be the biggest Book Sale in the World held in December, 2012 at the Mines Exhibition Centre, Balakong, Selangor and the second book was The Blue Zones, which belong to my adopted daughter Noraini, who happened to visit and stay with us on their return from Kazakhstan where her Australian husband is working, on the way to Brisbane, Australia where they will be living and Natasha and Melissa will attend their schooling in January, 2013. It took me two days to finish reading The Blue Zones.
The Blue Zones, published by the National Geographic Society in 2012, was more absorbing between the two books as it narrates the results of the study undertaken in five regions with a significant number of centenarians, named as the Blue Zones, located at: 1. Barbagia region of Sardinia Italy, 2. Okinawa Japan, 3. Loma Linda in California USA, 4. Nicoya Peninsula Costa Rica, 5. Ikaria Island Greece. The writer, Dan Buettner practically lived for a period of time with the communities in the regions to understand the daily routines, cultural and rligious practices, the food they consumed that contribute to longer and happy living. He observed that the Sardinians work hard on their farms and do a lot of walking; have a simple, plant-based diet and drinkin moderate amount of red wine but with little meat; the family unit is close and respect for the elders; and they meet often with friends with lots of laughter. The Okinawans whose ratio of centenarians to the population is 5 per 10 000 persons, on the other hand, live with a purpsoe (spirit of Ikigai); work daily in their gardens gowing herbs, ginger, sweet potato, turmeric and other vegetables which provide their plant-based food besides soybean-based products; lead active community life. The 7th Adventist Americans in California, do plenty of exercises; involve in voluntary work; live on herbal and vegetable diet; close friendship; and drink lots of water. The Costa Ricans life are also similar to the Italians, Japanese and Americans but they live in a location where the water is high in calcium which is their source of drinking water. The author attributed the longevity of the Greek on the Ikarian Island to the diet composed of honey, olive oil, fruits, vegetables, legumes, herbal tea and some fish; rest; fasting and close relationshiop with the family.
In his book, The Longevity Prescriptions, Dr Robert Butler who is President and CEO of the International Longevity Center, New York USA, identified and elaborated, based on his long research experience on issues related to healthy aging, the keys to a long, healthy life
Based on the study of the five communities as encapsulated by Dan Buettner in The Blue Zones and the research undertaken by Dr Butler as discussed in his book ' The Longevity Prescriptions', the important practices for living longer are:
1. Live an active life physically, mentally and sexually. Physical - regular low intensity
activity such as walking, gardening. exercises. Mental - reading, learn a new
thing such as language, music; become computer literate; playing puzzles; travels
Sexual - a survey indicated that 25% of those 75 years and older still enjoy their sex.
2. Healthy eating - plant-based products of fruits, vegetables and legumes; plenty
of water; avoid meat and processed food; practice as the Okinawans do - Hara
hachi bu - eat only up to 80% full; fasting.
3. Strong sense of purpose in life - simple purposes such as looking after the
grandchildren, till a garden, community activities, writing.
4. Nurture relationship - among family members, friends, neighbours.
5. Have enough rest - 7 to 8 hours of sleep, short naps during the day
6. Manage stress with spiritual activities, take a walk in the park, listen to
music, share your problems with trusted friends.
7. Be involved with the community - the mosque, surau
8. Practice prevention - regular medical check-up for diabetes, choloestrol, heart,
cancer, eye and dental
I have actually lived over the years adhering to the above practices for healthy and active living.
However, reading the two books reminds me to continue adhering to these principles, correcting the strategies. I have reminded myself not to forget soybean-based products, turmeric and nuts in my diet. I have listed the names of people that I need to continue nurturing friendship. I have also decided to continue playing an active role in dessiminating messages to young and old on living a healthy, active and useful life.
Hashim Abdul Wahab
7 February, 2013
2 comments:
OK, Dr Hashim. I see that you actually have found Dan Buettner's book. Now, may I suggest you visit these places and see how the people live their lives. Experience is better than words. Isn't it? Dicky
Thanks, Dr. Ng. If you read all the postings in the blog you will get the fact that I am already practicing for the last 5o years activities for healthy, active and happy living with my exercises, dieting, rest, the many friends I move around, my herbal garden, my community activities in Persatuan Pesara, Academy of Sciences Malaysia, OBS Sabah etc. I have also written all my experiences about happy and healthy living in my books 'Adventure Journeys in Sabah' published in 2001 and my memoirs 'In Search of Happiness' published in 2009... Highlighting Blue Zones and Longevity Prescriptions is to draw readers to the many other experiences in the world. I am not a medical doctor. My doctorate is in agricultural science.
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