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August 13, 2015 • mccsokinawa.com
okinawalivingweekly The Secrets of Okinawan Longevity 英語ー日本語
Translators Wanted
Top photo: Thomas Alan Smilie
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here is an Okinawan saying: “at 70 you are still a child, at 80 a young man or woman. And if at 90 someone from heaven invites you over, tell him: ‘just go away, and come back when I am 100.’” Okinawans have among the highest life expectancies in the world, the lowest death rates from cancer, stroke, and heart disease and the leading number of centenarians. So what makes Okinawans so healthy? Genetics, location, social aspects, exercise and dietary habits all play an important role in Okinawan longevity. Studies have shown that some Okinawans have unique longevity genes. One in particular, known as the human leukocyte antigen gene, prevents inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. These genes play a key role in helping Okinawans live long, healthy lives. Okinawan centenarians have an optimistic attitude regarding life, meaning, and purpose. Their slow-paced life, close-knit social groups, and involvement in community centers are all factors that help relieve stress, and are indicators as to why Okinawan centenarians are relatively stress-
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free. Their physical exercise ranges in forms from karate to walking and gardening. The traditional Okinawan diet is heavily plant based. It is very low in fat, sugar, meat, and dairy products, and very high in soy, grains, fish, and indigenous vegetables, such as purple sweet potatoes (beniimo) and gôyâ. In addition to a healthy diet, Okinawans consume 20% fewer calories than those in the rest of Japan. It is a cultural norm to eat until you are only 80% full, a term called hara hachi bu. Fewer calories lead to lower levels of free radicals, leading to better cardiovascular health, lower risk of cancer and other chronic illnesses, and increased life expectancy. So maybe it’s time to put down that giant burger and shake and grab a bowl of miso soup or some gôyâ champûrû, followed up by a nice swim in the beautiful Okinawan waters. Or maybe just grab some beniimo soft serve. Learn more about Okinawa by picking up the latest issue of Okinawa Living Magazine.
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re you bilingual? That’s a superpower in its own right. It is your duty to use it for good. With great power come great opportunities to volunteer. We are looking for volunteer translators who can speak English and Japanese to participate in this year’s Comic Con. Translators will assist all areas of Comic Con, helping comic fans of American and Japanese cultures unite. We would also like the translators to assist with food vendors, panel discussions and the exhibitor hall to bridge the language barrier. Also needed are volunteers who can assist in card tournaments featuring Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh and Magic the Gathering. Comic Con will be on October 17 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. All volunteers will receive a FREE T-shirt. For more information, call 645-4366.
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