The secrets of long life The National Geographic article 11 (74) discusses three different ways of life recommended
by three different
nations: Sardinians, Japanese from Okinava and The Adventists of The 7th Day from California. All these nations have got one thing in common: A huge number of people over one hundred years of age, who are still alive. These nations don’t suffer from any mortal or serious diseases too. They are non-smokers, family comes first, and are active all day long every day, involved in their social lives,
eating fruit, vegetables and brown bread. Sardinians drink small amounts of red wine, share their duties with their spouse and eat meals with fatty acids containing Omega-3. They are very active, especially when the men become the head of their families. It requires a lot of self- sacrificing and hard work to live in the Italian village. Seventy-five year old herdsman Torino Tola kept himself in a good condition by chopping wood trims, binding sheaves and repairing things needed every day all day long.Sardinians respect the family life a lot. They often hold banquets with numerous members of their families in attendance. This type of lifestyle results in the people having got the good genes too. The Adventists of The 7th Day eat nuts, beans and avoid caffeine and highly modified foods. They celebrate Saint day, on the Sunday. The main advice they would give to another person is to believe. They affirm that psychical health determines the physical one. Their religion prohibits tobacco smoking, drinking alcohol and eating pork. They rarely eat other kinds of meat as well as meals containing a lot of fat; they avoid using herbs, because this induces the human body unnaturally. They remain in contact with people similar to their own. It helps them to live longer. The Adventists of The 7th Day also obey the ‘day of rest’ rule. According to them the overworked person cannot be one hundred per cent healthy. Therefore they always remember to get some rest. The Japanese from Okinava advice is: find a friend for life, take small portions of food, drink green tea regularly and have an aim in life. They increase their physical condition with yoga exercises and socialise in a group of friends to ensure that everybody has social, emotional and financial support. They remain on the special diet, which includes eating water plants.