The young English attorney Jonathan Harker travels to Castle Dracula in Transylvania’s Eastern European country to finish a real estate deal with Count Dracula. As the character makes his way through the countryside, the local peasants warn him about his destination. They give him charms against evil and utter words the lawyer later understands to mean vampire.
To Harker, the elderly Dracula is well-educated and friendly. Soon, the visitor realizes that he is a prisoner in the castle. Today, I offer you an alternative path to longevity (if not immortality). Rather than go through Transylvania to meet vampires, we go to the remarkable country of Japan.
In the rural northern Okinawan village of Ogimi, there’s a small stone marker with a few sentences written in Japanese.
“At 80, you are merely a youth. At 90, if your ancestors invite you into heaven, ask them to wait until you are 100 — then, you might consider it.”
We have long known about Japanese longevity. The Japanese have lower cancer rates, heart disease, and dementia than those in the United States. The Japanese have the longest life expectancy at birth in the world. Today, I want to share with you some characteristics that likely contribute to their health and longevity.
I find it fascinating that the Japanese do not typically work out hardcore at the gym. Some may practice yoga, but the dominant form of physical activity appears to be merely walking. Okinawans are fortunate to have abundant sun (and its associated vitamin D) and lean towards plant-based diets (with lots of tofu, stir-fried vegetables, and sweet potatoes. Maybe you can garden for healthy food, and a bit of activity! For me, it is a reminder that fitness does not always require vigorous exercise.
Are there other zones of longevity across the globe? The island of Okinawa, south of mainland Japan, is one. Different so-called blue zones, defined by National Geographic explorer Dan Buettner include:
I look forward to exploring these blue zones with you.
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