Sardinia Centenarians

[Guest guest]

Today, I watched a TV program about Sardinia centenarians. According

to the program, Sardinia has the highest per capita number of

centenarians.

Here is a general article about Sardinian habits:

http://www.mensjournal.com/healthFitness/0410/longevity_sardinia.html

The following link discusses Sardinian genetics:

" scientists at the university of Sassari found that many Sardinians

over the age of 100 have a deficiency of an enzyme called G6PD — a

sort of a housecleaning agent that helps with glucose metabolism.

People who have such a deficiency can be affected by a disorder called

acute hemolytic anemia, giving them a severe reaction if they eat fava

beans or inhale their pollen. The phenomenon, known as favism, affects

some 100 million people world-wide. In Sardina, however, the disease

has become a favoring factor. In centenarians, the incidence of G6PD

deficiency is on average double compared to control groups. "

http://dsc.discovery.com/news/briefs/20020923/longevity.html

Tony