Answers to questions about Okinawa

[Guest guest]

Francesca,

It`s true that people here don`t eat much fruit. They do eat a lot of vegetable though.

Not much dairy is consumed. Eggs are not eaten often either.

People do eat lots of Soy here as miso soup and tofu. But a big difference is that the tofu here is made fresh daily without perservatives. People don`t eat tofu that is a day old generally. When we eat tofu my wife goes to the store to get it that evening - and oftentimes the tofu is still warm from being made.

I asked my wife about dementia and alzheimers here. While not scientific her answer was interesting. She said yes there is dementia and alzheimers here. I asked if it was a large portion of the older population. She said she wasn`t sure... but get this.. She said that this sometimes happens to people here IN THEIR 90`s, not generally to people in their 60`s or 70`s. That`s something to think about in comparison to America..

By the way, people in their 60`s here are considered more in their middle age than in their `twilight`. People in their 60`s are "genki" (vital). People start to be considered "old" in their late 70's early 80`s. If someone dies here in their 60`s people are surprized and say, "Why? What happened?" Dying in your 60`s here is considered dying young. My wife believes that the average lifespan here is in the 80`s. My parents are in their 60`s and their outlook on life would be the outlook of someone of maybe 50(or younger) in America. A huge difference I see in them compared to Americans is that they are constantly learning and keeping active in their retirement. They are both mentally sharp and more "genki" then people their age in America.

The women in my wifes family tend to live into their 90`s. My mothers grandmother lived to over 100. My mothers mother is currently in her 90`s. I need to be on the CRON diet just to make sure that my wife doesn`t outlive me by 20 or 30 years!

The younger generation is moving away from the traditional diet so more and more western type health problems are becoming more and more common.

One important point I wanted to bring up was that it is NOT just the CRON effect that keeps these people young. The lifestyle and psychological factor, I feel, are just as important.

I`ll be happy to answer any more questions that anyone has.

Ed

[Guest guest]

Were you able to compile a list of foods and herbs? I would be interested to learn how the 30 foods are incorporated into the daily diet. Are there only thirty foods or is it more like 100 foods that are rotated? Thank you.

-----Original Message-----From: Eddie [mailto:vlad_storm@...]Sent: Saturday, June 15, 2002 10:21 AM Subject: [ ] Answers to questions about Okinawa

Francesca, It`s true that people here don`t eat much fruit. They do eat a lot of vegetable though. Not much dairy is consumed. Eggs are not eaten often either. People do eat lots of Soy here as miso soup and tofu. But a big difference is that the tofu here is made fresh daily without perservatives. People don`t eat tofu that is a day old generally. When we eat tofu my wife goes to the store to get it that evening - and oftentimes the tofu is still warm from being made. I asked my wife about dementia and alzheimers here. While not scientific her answer was interesting. She said yes there is dementia and alzheimers here. I asked if it was a large portion of the older population. She said she wasn`t sure... but get this.. She said that this sometimes happens to people here IN THEIR 90`s, not generally to people in their 60`s or 70`s. That`s something to think about in comparison to America.. By the way, people in their 60`s here are considered more in their middle age than in their `twilight`. People in their 60`s are "genki" (vital). People start to be considered "old" in their late 70's early 80`s. If someone dies here in their 60`s people are surprized and say, "Why? What happened?" Dying in your 60`s here is considered dying young. My wife believes that the average lifespan here is in the 80`s. My parents are in their 60`s and their outlook on life would be the outlook of someone of maybe 50(or younger) in America. A huge difference I see in them compared to Americans is that they are constantly learning and keeping active in their retirement. They are both mentally sharp and more "genki" then people their age in America. The women in my wifes family tend to live into their 90`s. My mothers grandmother lived to over 100. My mothers mother is currently in her 90`s. I need to be on the CRON diet just to make sure that my wife doesn`t outlive me by 20 or 30 years! The younger generation is moving away from the traditional diet so more and more western type health problems are becoming more and more common. One important point I wanted to bring up was that it is NOT just the CRON effect that keeps these people young. The lifestyle and psychological factor, I feel, are just as important. I`ll be happy to answer any more questions that anyone has. Ed

[Guest guest]

Eddie,

There is an Okinawan sweetpotato (beni imo) that is purple inside.

Is that the predominant type of sweetpotato eaten there?, Are the

orange fleshed types available and also eaten? Is sweetpotato a

staple food, like tofu, green tea, turmeric, and bonito (fish)

flakes? Is red or white miso eaten most of the time? Also, I have

heard that the salt intake there is fairly high. Is that true?

Thanks for any answers.

Doug Younkin

--- In @y..., Eddie <vlad_storm@y...>

wrote:

>

>

> Francesca,

> It`s true that people here don`t eat much fruit. They do eat a lot

of vegetable though.

> Not much dairy is consumed. Eggs are not eaten often either.

> People do eat lots of Soy here as miso soup and tofu. But a big

difference is that the tofu here is made fresh daily without

perservatives. People don`t eat tofu that is a day old generally.

When we eat tofu my wife goes to the store to get it that evening -

and oftentimes the tofu is still warm from being made.