Week 2 Longevity hotspots (BBC Horizon) ‘How to Live a Healthy Life’ Okinawa, Japan – Centenarian Study Ovodda, Sardinia – Isolated Gene Pool Loma Linda, California - Adventist Health Study Mortality hotspot ‘Glasgow Effect’- Professor Chris Packard: psychosocial and biological factors of ill health in deprived communities in Glasgow’s East End. Is 100 the new 80? Healthy centenarians help us explore the reasons for long lives – dietary habits, physical activity, psychological and social aspects, genes? . Okinawa, a sub-tropical island between Japan and China. Ogimi, a village of around 3000 people in the north, is a longevity hotspot. Okinawa Centenarian Study Drs Bradley and Willcox, Toronto University. What is the explanation for the Okinawans’ ‘biological clocks’ running more slowly? Dr Craig Willcox Okinawa Centenarian Study Drs Bradley and Willcox, Toronto University. The ‘biological clock’ Dr Craig Willcox The levels of the hormone, DHEA, produced in the adrenal glands, drop more slowly as Okinawans age. Okinawa Centenarian Study ‘Rainbow’ Diet – anti-oxidant rich vegetables and soya products e.g. tofu. Cardiovascular Health Longevity studies Okinawa Centenarians Homocysteine levels ? - young, clean arteries - low cholesterol - low homocysteine levels The above factors are associated with lower risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), by up to 80%, and keeping stroke levels low. Okinawa Centenarian Study ‘Hara Hachi Bu’ ? Eat until you're only 80% full. Caloric restriction ? 100 year old Matsu Only 1,200 calories per day How do cultural habits affect attitudes to food ? Ovodda, Sardinia Professor Luca Dieana 103 year old Maria Vacca Limited gene pool ? Adventist Health Study Loma Linda University, California: Dr Gary Fraser. Daily exercise regimes ? Vegan diet ? Spiritual/religious beliefs ? 102 year old Marje Jetton Okinawa Centenarian Study Stress free personalities ? Coping mechanisms ? 'Don't worry - it'll work out.' ? The ‘Glasgow effect’ Professor Chris Packard Premature ageing? Graham and Moira Jackson – high inflammatory response New explanations? Okinawan emigrants in Haiwii Gene-environment interactions 69 year old Tom Nago Modern lifestyles in Okinawa – health repercussions? Younger Okinawans today Richard Brownlee, from Edinburgh, says reading the paper keeps him alert. Scotland Record levels of people in Scotland are living to beyond their 100th birthday. In 2009 an estimated 750 people were over 100, compared with 570 in 2002. "One of the dangers we have now is that we are not necessarily focusing on the quality of life. Quality of life in later years is now the main issue for us." Dr Phil Lyon, Dundee sociologist. "Our projections of future population assume that the increases of life expectancy we've seen over the last 20-30 years will continue.” Duncan Macniven, Registrar General for Scotland How will increasing indulgence in drink, drugs and fatty, sugary foods impact on longevity? Longevity Hotspots are there messages for us? 7 day Adventists Okinawans Marje Jetton Dr Wareham