Key Findings From the Okinawan Centenarian Study

This study involved examining over 600 Okinawan centenarians and numerous youngsters in their 70’s,80’s and 90’s and it became clear that the Okinawan lifestyle was providing some real, scientifically verifiable reasons why these people were incredibly healthy so far into their senior years. 

Doctor William Osler, referred by Wilcox (2001) as the father of modern medicine, once remarked that, A man is only as old as he is arteries. These words apply equally to women.

Findings: Elderly Okinawans were found to have amazingly young, clean arteries, low cholesterol, low homocysteine levels when compared to westerners. These factors help reduce their risk of coronary heart disease by up to 80% and keep stroke levels low.

Lifestyle determinants: Diet, regular exercise, moderate alcohol use, avoidance of smoking, blood pressure control, and stress – minimising psycho – spiritual outlook.

If I had known that I was going to live this long, I would have taken better care of myself.
– Eubie Blake (100 years)