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Costa Rican
Nuts Help In Living Longer
Costa Rican
Nuts Help In Living Longer
Do you want to learn how to live to be 90,
100 or even older? Researcher Dan Buettner
scoured the world for blue zones, areas
where abnormally high numbers of people 100
years of age or older live.
Spending time in these blue zones with
centenarians, Buettner identified the Power
9 - nine principles that have allowed people
born 100 years ago to live a longer,
healthier life.
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Buettner describes the nine principles
practiced by blue-zone centenarians in his
book, "The Blue Zones." Here is a summary so
you can incorporate the Power 9 into your
life.
* Stop eating when you are 80 percent full.
Okinawan blue-zone residents use 9-inch
plates when eating. People who use smaller
plates often eat 20 to 30 percent less food.
* Eat more plants and cut back on processed
foods. One common food consumed by
centenarians, especially in Costa Rica, is
nuts. Tofu is another popular food among
those who live long lives; it has a plant
estrogen that makes skin look younger. You
can find it in a grocery store, or look for
foods made from tofu at a health store.
* Drink moderate amounts of red wine.
Buettner recommends Sardinian canonau wine.
This vintage has the highest concentration
of antioxidants of all red wines, and
Sardinian centenarians consume it daily.
* Find your purpose in life and live it.
Buettner's blue-zone Web site says that
practicing your life's purpose can add an
extra decade to your lifespan. A good start
here is to write down your mission in life:
What is it that gets you out of bed in the
morning, ready to face a new day? And think
about your purpose in life when making daily
choices: What choice will help you achieve
your purpose?
* Have a spiritual practice and belong to a
religious community. Those who regularly
participate in faith groups have lower
mortality rates.
* Slow down, work less and rest more often.
Buettner recommends taking an "hour of
power" each day, a period to do something
slow such as nap, meditate, pray or take a
walk.
* Move your body, walk more and give up the
remote. An excellent way to move is playing
with your grandchildren. Play provides
low-intensity exercise and strengthens
families. Walking, especially when walking
with others, can give you exercise as well
as a chance to keep connected.
* Develop meaningful social relationships.
Socializing fights depression and may
preserve your memory.
* Make family a priority. Family members are
important for support, and having people to
love and care for increases your chances of
living longer. |
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