Joseph R. Anticaglia MD
Medical Advisory Board
On April 15, 2017 the world’s oldest person at that time died at the age of 117. The life of Emma Morano spanned three centuries. Born November 29, 1899, she was the last person born in the 1800s She died in Verbania, a small town on Lake Maggiore, Italy.
All too often we’re bombarded by the media and internet with messages telling us how to live longer. We are told there are ways to improve and strengthen our immune defenses with herbs, vitamins and micronutrients. The thought of putting premium fuel in our body to boost immunity appeals to us and many health stores and their companies.
The immune system fights infection and works to keep the body safe and healthy. But there are people who have lived well into their 90s and some to be 100 years old or more (nonagenarians and centenarians) who don’t give the immune system a second thought. Members of this diverse “100 Year Old Club” are found in areas throughout the world.
These centenarians can’t tell or be bothered by the difference between aflatoxin in peanut butter compared to L-arginine in almond butter. Yet, they enjoy vigorous lives into their 90s.
Blue Zones
Author Dan Buettner has coined the term “Blue Zone” to describe areas in the world where people live the longest with the least incidence of chronic diseases.
He has targeted his work to uncover how genes, lifestyle and the environment influence longevity. As a corollary to this, one might ask: “How does the lifestyle of centenarians influence the immune system?” The five blue zones Buettner and his colleagues researched are:
Greek Island of Ikaria
Loma, California
Nicoya, Costa Rica
Okinawa, Japan
Ogliastra Sardinia, Italy
Other Zones
Commonalities in the Blue Zones
- Purpose: In Nicoya, Costa Rica the people live with a sense of family and purpose (plan de vida). They have a reason to get out of bed in the morning.
- Exercise. Keeping in shape doesn’t mean going to the gym for Sardinians. They keep moving. They walk, chop wood, hunt fish and eat the food they plant. It’s their daily routine.
- 80 % Rule — Stop Eating. In the United States we’re overfed and undernourished. In Okinawa, before each meal they intone: “Hara hachi bu” — eat until you are 80% full. It has been said, once you feel stomach pressure, you’re probably 80% full.
- Reduce Stress Community spirit, faith and exercise are some of the approaches used by this population to calm the nerves. They also get enough sleep which helps to reduce stress.
- Diet — Feed Your Body: People in the Blue Zone overwhelmingly enjoy a plant based diet with fruits vegetable and legumes
- Spirituality: — Feed Your Soul: Individuals with a strong sense of faith live longer. Spirituality infuses daily living for many of the Seventh-day Adventists in Loma California. They treat their bodies as temples and experience a sense of community.
- Family: — People in these zones put family and loved one first. In addition, friends are an important part of their inner circle.
- Relationships — Get Involved: A healthy social network adds to a sense of connection. The people on the Greek island of Ikaria enjoyed interactions with their neighbors. Socializing plays an important role in their longevity.
- Sleep: Get enough sleep and if you can, do as the Sardinians do, take an afternoon nap. Enjoy red wine in moderation.
Other Zones
Predating the work of Buettner by approximately 50 years are the studies performed in another area of the world by Sam Rosen, MD and Pekka Olin. In 1960-61 they travelled to an African village in southeast Sudan to exam members of the Mabaan tribe.
They reported that the Mabaans’ blood pressure “remained the same at 75 as at 15 years of age and coronary heart disease is unknown in this tribe.” The villagers lived in a dramatically quiet environment. Their hearing sensitivity was remarkably better compared to that in the United States, Europe and other parts of the world.
They ate fish, nuts, dates and ground millet. “The Mabaans are well nourished, their posture is erect, the body musculature is well developed and firm. We saw no obesity. They are agile and active.”
Chronic diseases are no strangers to senior citizens in western countries and much of the world. Yet, there is a remarkably low incidence of Type 2 diabetes, hypertension and cardiac disease among the populations noted above. Also, the people in these communities show little or no signs of Alzheimer’s disease or cognitive difficulties until they reach their early nineties.
What are the Secrets of the “100 Year Old Club?
There are no secrets.! They use common sense, their own experience and do what works. They are active physically and participant in their community. They use their own experience to live well and are skeptical or ignore over the top health claims. Their diet is homegrown and reflects their surroundings. Members of this club are found in population clusters throughout the world.
“Want to boost the immune system and live longer and healthier?” The key just might be to lead a rewarding social life and to incorporate aspects of the lifestyle noted above. Genes count, particularly in the case of Mrs. Morano, but they are overshadowed by lifestyle behaviors. When asked the secret of her longevity she said, “Genes and 3 eggs a day.”
To some, the message is too simplistic. We’ve heard it all before or it’s not scientific enough — eat better, keep moving, don’t smoke, have an optimistic attitude, connect with loved ones, community and one another, drink moderately and so forth. We need not travel to an isolated island or village to live well. Perhaps if we do the obvious, we might become a member of the 100 y/o club?
References
Rosen, Samuel, MD and Olin, Pekka; Hearing Loss and Coronary Heart Disease; Arch Otolaryngology; 82:236-243, 1965
Buettner, Dan; Blues Zones, Barnes & Noble, November, 2012
Puulain, M, Pes GM et al; Identification of Geographic Area Characterized by Extreme Longevity in the Island of Sardinia; Exp.Gerontol; Sept, 2004
Willcox, BJ et al; Siblings of Okinawan Centenarians Share Lifelong Mortality Advantages; J Gerontol; April 6, 2006
Passarino, Giuseppe et al; Human Longevity: Genetics or Lifestyle? It takes two to tango. Immun Ageing, April 5, 2016
La Stampa; Verbania, morta a 117 anni Emma Morano; 4/15/20017
This article is intended solely as a learning experience. Please consult your physician for diagnostic and treatment options.