The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who've Lived the Longest

"I thoroughly enjoyed this book. There are a handful of books I have read that have immediately affected my life, caused a change in behavior, or redirected me down a new path. This is one such book. Blue zones are those areas across the globe where pockets of longevity can be found. In blue zones, there are an unusually high number of centenarians living compared to other populations. In The Blue Zones, the author, Dan Buettner, explores four blue zones: Sardinia, Italy; Okinawa, Japan; Loma Linda, California; and the Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica.

After reading about the lifestyles, eating habits, cultural customs, and social behaviors of the centenarians living in the blue zones as introduced in this book, it has made me realize how out of synch I am with the natural and spiritual rhythms of life. And I don't mean this in an "I am going to start making my own soap and hugging trees" context. I suppose it's more of a reinforcement of what I have suspected. I just couldn't put my finger on it until reading this book.

There are several lessons in the book and the author condenses them to nine lessons toward the end of the book. I suppose each individual will take away different lessons that will apply to them in their current time and place.

I can imagine what it would be like to get up with the sun, walk to work, and work with my hands, followed by a mid-day meal of local grown fruits and vegetables with several family members and friends surrounding me.

If you like red wine, Pecornio cheese, green tea, nuts, tortillas, fruits and vegetables, strong social networks, family and friends, a sense of purpose, a belief in God, walking, working, moving, fresh air, and sunlight, then you will probably enjoy this book."
~ Written on 2008-08-10

"Whether or not your goal is to live to be ahundred years old, the insights in BLue Zones are valuable for everyday living. No matter how many years you have left you want to live an active healthy life so the knowledge passed on in this book will be helpful to you. Besides the well-known dietary guidelines of less meat, more fruits and vegetables, the researchers came up with fscinating anecdotes related to a close family lifestyle which seems to add years to your life"
~ Written on 2008-07-30

"A good read. The information is presented in such an interesting format, with personal stories along with the advice for longevity, that you forget this is a "health manual". Some of the advice is about diet and exercise, lifestyles and habits, but the best information comes from people's attitudes. We have a lot to learn!"
~ Written on 2008-07-23

"The "Blue Zones" are the places in the world where people live longer, healthier, more vital lives. This book reveals the wisdom of staying young as practiced in parts of the world where people enjoy long life-spans. Author, Dan Buettner, takes us to these cultures where people live the longest and healthiest and reveals their secrets by distilling them into practical tips we can use. The book combines the lifestyle choices naturally ingrained in these long-lived groups with the latest scientific research.

The book includes stories of people in their nineties and those who have lived beyond one-hundred from such places as Sardinia, Italy; Okinawa, Japan; Loma, Linda, CA; and Costa Rica. The author observes how people eat, exercise, deal with stress, and view life. He also discusses the impact of their lifestyle on their health and longevity.

Healthy lifestyles and healthy choices seem to be at the root of what keeps people in certain cultures living healthy longer. The healthy lifestyle choices these Blue Zone people live under include eating vegetables; limiting sugar, fat, and meat; a high level of physical activity and physical labor though out their lives into old age; a plethora of social and familial relationships; and an ability to deal with stress through supportive relationships and physical activity.

Aging does not need to be a dismal journey into the abyss. This book is a great reminder that by making healthy choices in all aspects of our lives we can affect not only our lifespan, but our quality of life as we push past the century mark! Other inspirational books I also recommend are: THE 3:00 PM SECRET: Live Slim and Strong, Live Your Dreamsand THE BACK OF THE NAPKIN: Solving Problems and Selling Ideas with Pictures.
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~ Written on 2008-07-10

"I read Dan Buettner's book with great interest. He has spent much time studying "pockets of longevity" and his stories are informative and entertaining. We can learn much from the book, the value of caloric reduction, eating mostly plant based foods, working all your life etc.
From a scientific standpoint however, his approach is badly lacking. Studying an outlayer group (black swans) does not lead to valid conclusions for the majority. Summarizing commonalities (called "lessons,strategies")among four groups of centenarians does not constitute science. No doubt there are good conclusions, as mentioned above. But it also leads to "soft" conclusions (e.g. "explore a new tradition", "create family shrine", "be likable", "craft a personal mission statement".....), which are questionable. Good journalism, but mediocre science. But do buy the book."
~ Written on 2008-06-23