Health Secrets For A Long Life

The residents of Okinawa, an island chain of Japan, are among the healthiest and longest-lved people of the world. Okinawa has more 100-year-olds than anywhere else-33.6 per 100,000, compared with approximately 10 per 100,000 in the US.
The 25-year Okinawa Centenarian Study discovered that, compared with Americans, Okinawans have:
80% lower risk of breast and prostate cancers.
50% lower risk of colon and ovarian cancers.
40% fewer hip fracures.
Minimal risk of heart disease.
What is the secret to the Okinawans' longevity-and what can you do to achieve the same health?
Healthly weight. The traditional Okinawan diet is low in fat and processed foods, as well as calories-so obesity is rare in Okinawans.
Plant based diet. About 98% fo ther Okinawan diet consists of sweet potatoes, soy-based foods, grains, fruits and vegetables. This is supplemented by a small amount of fish and lean meat.
Not smoking. Few Okinawans smoke. In the US hundreds of thousands of people die from smoking-related diseases annually.
Exercise. You look at the places around he world where people live the longest and they all get plenty of exercise. You can't expect to live a long life sitting on the couch watching TV and eating potato chips.
Social links. People who maintain active social networks live longer and are less likely to get sick. When they do get sick, they recover more quickly if they have the support of friends.
People who have spiritual or religious beliefs live longer than those who don't. They look out for each other.
Control worry and stress. While many Americans have Type A personalities, Okinawans believe that life's travails will work themselves out. The average American might be said to suffer from hurry sickness. Okinawans prefer to work at their own pace, referred to locally as Okinawa Time. They don't ingnore stress...but they rarely internalize it.