Okinawans

            One topic that was recently discussed in one of my Anthropology classes was the differentiations among cultures and countries in life expectancy, disease prevalence and incidence, and diets. We talked specifically about Okinawa, Japan and their community differences between ours.

            To give you all a little bit of background, Okinawa, Japan is known as the area with the longest-living people (and some of the healthiest). Some quick facts about Okinawa compared to other places……

• ·      More people over 100 years old per 100,000 population than anywhere else in the world (known as centenarians)
• ·      The lowest death rates from cancer, heart disease and stroke (which are the top three causes of death in the US)
• ·      Highest life expectancy for both males and females over 65
• ·      Women have the highest life expectancy in all age groups

            Clearly they are doing something right! Their elder population is more active and healthy than any population seen around the world. There are people over the age of 90 that are still working and are just as active as they were in their 50s. The biggest question is why and HOW? This idea has been studied intensely since the 1960s to try to figure out what kinds of differences in their lifestyles cause these great results. Below are some of the key factors that have been discovered during these studies.

·      Genetics

o   Okinawans have certain genetics that have helped them to prevent inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.

·      Free radicals

o   Okinawans have lower levels of free radicals in their blood. This can be contributed to their diet and the fact that they do not consume nearly as many calories as other countries (due to cultural reasons).

·      Heart health

o   Okinawans have clean arteries with little to no plaque build-up. They also have low cholesterol levels, which can be contributed to the fact that they have a healthier diet, are very physically active even in their older years, non-smoking habits, and a less stressful life.

·      Low cancer risk

o   They have a much lower risk for certain cancers (specifically hormone-dependent cancers such as breast, prostate, colon and ovarian cancers). This is mainly due to their diet, which is rich in fiber, "good" fats and fewer calories.

·      Bone health

o   Okinawans have a better chance of stronger bones and less of a chance of hip fractures. Studies have shown that their bone density actually decreases at a slower rate than people that are their age living in other countries. Researchers contribute this to their high calcium intake, which is also involved with their diet.

            It is very interesting to evaluate other cultures and countries, and it is especially fascinating looking at their health history and habits. The Okinawans are successful for a reason, and it would be beneficial for other countries to look into the reasons for this success. We could all learn a lot about healthy living and maybe translate that information into our own communities. It might be easier than we think to figure this stuff out of we used the resources around us!

References:

http://www.okicent.org/study.html