Do you ever wonder why some older people seem a lot younger than their actual age? Why is it that some people at 70, 75, and even well into their 80’s and 90’s are active, engaged and full of energy, while others seem to slow down and age more quickly?
Those people who remain vital well into their later years are called super agers, and there are some clues as to what these healthy elders have in common. This topic has received a great deal of attention from the scienti?c community. However, one of the most interesting studies about super agers is from long distance cyclist, explorer and author Dan Buehner. He set out to identify communities that had an inordinate number of people who were 100 years and older, and to ?nd out what these super agers had in common.
Buehner found communities in Greece, Japan, Costa Rica and even a Seventh Day Adventist community in Southern California. And while each of these areas varied widely in diet, customs and culture, they also shared a number of things in common that can contribute to a longer life. He found that their lifestyle is naturally healthy in that exercise is a part of their daily routines, their diet is mostly plant based, they stay socially engaged, drink little or no alcohol and get regular sleep. These centenarians also have a purpose in life, whether it’s tending to their garden, caring for their great grandchildren or helping prepare family meals.
While most of us don’t live on a small island in Greece or Japan or an enclave of like-minded individuals, there are a number of cues that we can take from what Dan Buehner learned from these communities, which he’s labeled Blue Zones. It’s clear that most of the people living in these Blue Zones live a simpler life. Growing your own food, having a naturally active lifestyle and living with fewer modern conveniences isn’t the reality for many of us, but you can still incorporate many of these healthy habit into your life.
While you may not have the time or space to grow most of your own food, you can cook your own meals and avoid many processed foods. You can make some kind of physical activity a regular part of your day. Walking was the main activity for many of these 100-year-olds, but some of them also kept a garden or practiced Yoga or Tai Chi. You can work to reduce your stress and strive to get 7-8 good hours of sleep each night.
You can also take care of your overall health as you age. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine, (including the use of herbal medicine) can play a role in helping you maintain your health as you grow older. In fact, scientists are beginning to uncover a number of positive physiological changes related to aging through both human and animal studies. Among their ?ndings:
- Acupuncture and Chinese medicine can help in the treatment of adult-onset diabetes by reducing age-related oxidation, lowering insulin resistance, helping with glucose metabolism and reducing inflammation. Acupuncture also decreases stress, which helps regulate stress-related hormones, including insulin.
- Scientists are ?nding that acupuncture and Chinese medicine may play a role in neurodegenerative (cognitive) diseases by delaying amyloid protein buildup in the brain and controlling neurotransmitter imbalances.
- It may play a role in cancer therapy and prevention, as researchers are discovering that Chinese medicine may help regulate genes and epigenetic changes.
- Research is uncovering the fact that acupuncture and Chinese medicine can play a protective role in cardiovascular disease through positive changes at a cellular level.
- A number of research studies have concluded that acupuncture has the ability to reduce inflammation, which can play a role in a variety of age-related degenerative conditions.It is also well-documented that a physiological e?ect of acupuncture is that it increases circulation, which can have a protective e?ect, support healing and aiding in the distribution of nutrients throughout your body.
- A number of studies support what is readily apparent in the clinic; acupuncture is effective for all kinds of pain relief, including back pain from a number of conditions and pain associated with osteoarthritis.
- Acupuncture and Chinese medicine are an effective treatment for insomnia and other sleep disorders. This is important because your body heals and rejuvenates itself while you sleep, which is crucial as you age. However, if you have problems falling asleep or staying asleep, that self-repair isn’t happening.
The bottom line is that living long and healthfully may be a happy accident. However, if you want to live longer and live well, chances are that how your care for yourself will improve your odds. You don’t have to live in a Blue Zone to be physically active, eat well, stay socially engaged or enjoy the bene?ts of acupuncture and Chinese medicine. The key is ?nding those healthy lifestyle habits that work best for you and engage in them regularly.
Sources: hHps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK298903/ hHps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/arBcles/PMC11070163/
Cindy Chamberlain is an acupuncturist in Overland Park, KS and the founder of Eastern Healing Solutions, LLC. She is licensed in Kansas and Missouri and has been practicing traditional Chinese medicine since 1996.
