The Art Of Reaching 100

The residents of Okinawa may be the healthiest and longest-lived people in the world, with a higher percentage of 100-year-olds than anyplace else.

On Okinawa, an island chain near Japan, hart disease, strokes and cancer are rare and even hundred year olds have impressively sharp minds.

Researchers say the people of Okinawa may have important lessons for fast-food-loving, couh-potato Americans, who typically die 5 years younger - and rarely make it to the century mark unless they are blessed with exceptional genes that protect them from the ravages of disease. A 25-yeartudy of Okinawans credits at least two-thirds of their robust health to lifestyle choices rather than good genes. In stark contrast to American habits, Okinawans eat a vegetable-based diet low in bot calories and fats, and rich in soy foods, and they exercise regularly.

"Never in the history of nutrition research has the evidence been more clear and consistent," wrote Bradley J. and. Craig Willcox, twin brothers who have written "The Okinawa Program" about the long-running study with co-author Dr. Makoto Suzuki. "A high-carbohydrate, low-calorie, plant-based diet is the bestfor long-term health."

The Bottom Line:

We can't blame it on our genes and the consumption of greater quantities of drugs doesn't seem to satisfy the quick fix mentality of soany. Health is a lifestyle... it is not gotten from a pill.