Going Long

The fountain of youth may not exist. But, according to author Dan Buettner, the secret to aging well does.

Buettner contends it can be found in what he’s dubbed “blue zones:” the pockets of the world where people live the longest, healthiest lives. In his recently published book The Blue Zone, Buettner identifies four such locales: the island of Sardinia off the coast of Italy, the city of Okinawa in Japan, the Nicoroyan Peninsula in Costa Rica and the town of Loma Linda, Calif. In each of these places, a striking number of centenarians are still going strong.
From thinking big to cutting calories, discover the nine secrets of living longer, as passed down from the elders.On the surface, the zones don’t seem to have much in common. That’s because it isn’t the places themselves that help people age so well. “There’s not a very strong climactic component,” Buettner says. “It’s more the lifestyle. If you integrate the same behaviors into your own life, you’ll immediately start feeling the benefits.”

An explorer and three-time marathon cycling world record setter, Buettner was inspired by what he found on his travels in the blue zones and devoted five years to the research and writing of the book. He altered his lifestyle to embrace nine habits his elders across the globe prescribed. Now, he is recommending them to everyone.

Together with National Geographic and the National Institute on Aging, Buettner has generated plenty of popular interest in the phenomenon. However, scientists say it’s hard to pinpoint the complex factors that lead to increased longevity.
“The book is full of observations—provocative, interesting ideas.” Dr. Robert Kane, a professor at the University of Minnesota and director of its Center of Aging who has worked with Buettner, says. “But they deserve more complete evaluations. I think what he has done is interesting and has made this popular, but it’s not based on strong science.”

Buettner insists that the philosophy actually works.
“I changed a lot of things about my life,” Buettner says. “I used to be a marathon cyclist, but I am no longer. I also quit eating meat. And I invest more in my religion and my family than I did before. It’s rewarding.”
Okinawa, Japan. Loma Linda, Calif. Sardinia, Italy. Nicoya, Costa Rica. Discover five secrets from each of these blue zones on how to live a happier, healthier, longer life.