Customer Reviews

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

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Back in the 50's, it was the Hunza people who the were exemplars of longlived folk in popular literature about healthy living. The Hunza valley is popularly believed to be the inspiration for Shangri-la, the place of the immortals in James Hilton's novel "Lost Horizon." The Hunza live in high altitude, eat whole grains, and this was the model for much of health food lore in the 50's. Then there were the Georgians, famous in the 80's, whose long life was attributed to the consumption of yogurt. Now it's the Okinawans, Mediterraneans and Costa Ricans who have the secret of long life.

The "Blue Zone" is how these areas with a high percentage of centenarians is designated. In this book, the author combines lessons from various zones around the world. In this way, not only are the different cultures described, but the commonalities are easily derived from the chapters. And they are hardly surprising, but it's great to have them all in one book because you can see that it's not yogurt or fermented mare's milk or a diet rich in tofu and fermented bean paste and fish--it's healthy habits. They are pretty much (no surprise here), a diet including plenty of fresh, unchilled water, lots of vegetables, limited meat and fats and sweets, and the habit of hard farm work or walking and exercise and having a richly entwined family life and close group of friends--a support system. (Doesn't the Bible say "Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which the Lord your God gives you." Exodus 20:12)

This book is excellent not only for the interesting anthropological information, but because you can see that long life is really something that is a matter of habits and practices, not just eating a bowl of yogurt or using olive oil instead of butter.

In a world of questionable claims and dubious pseudoscience about how to live a long and productive life, this book stands out. The author defines a "Blue Zone" as an area where there is an unusually high number of people living a century or more. Furthermore, they are people who have remained mentally and physically vibrant as they aged. Four areas are identified and examined:

*) In the Barbagia region of the Italian island of Sardinia in the Mediterranean Sea. In one village of 2,500 there were seven people 100 years or older.
*) The Japanese islands of Okinawa, site of one of the bloodiest battles in World War II.
*) Loma Linda, California where the people who make it a Blue Zone are Seventh Day Adventists.
*) An area of Costa Rica in Central America.

As a mathematician/statistician, my first thought was that this would turn out to be another false claim. I based this on two natural premises.

*) While modern records are complete, the birth records of these people would extend back to the start of the twentieth century, a time when the recording of births was much less precise. Therefore, some of the claims of advanced age could be false.
*) Given the large number of potential Blue Zones that could be created, the four cited in the book could just be statistical anomalies that can be expected due to the workings of chance. Those anomalies could also be due to the concentration of the members of a single family whose genetic makeup strongly favors long life.

The meticulous scholarship of various people, which includes the author, renders the first objection untenable. By examining the records in detail, there is no doubt that the ages of the people are accurate and the Blue Zones do exist.
The second objection is much harder to refute. The world is a big place and slight modifications of the borders can turn something that is close to a Blue Zone into something that is. Certain families have the genes for longevity, for example the people in one line of my wife's family routinely live into their nineties. Given the numbers of the Barbagia region, the presence of one or two such families could be enough to create a Blue Zone. While this would not change the fact that the data is interesting, a genetic anomaly would render any lifestyle conclusions moot for everyone else lacking the appropriate genetic components.
In carrying out a comparison of the lifestyles of the people in the Blue Zones around the world, some common factors clearly emerge.

*) They all have a strong and supportive social structure. All remain active in their community, they are surrounded by people who care about them and that they care about.
*) The centenarians have worked at heavy physical labor their entire lives and most still do. While they do eat meat, it is not a daily component of their diets.
*) The centenarians tend to have a lower level of stress in their lives and the hard work tends to help them burn off what stress they have.

These factors are not news to anyone who pays attention to the elements of a healthy lifestyle. Therefore, there is no reason to suspect an unusual environmental factor being a cause of the Blue Zone. Eat healthy, avoiding stress and exercise are the three key ingredients to a long and healthy life and that is true inside and outside the Blue Zones.
This book is a welcome and refreshing contribution to the literature about living longer. Although it is readable in nature and tone, it is scholarly enough to pass all tests of dubious credibility.

Published by the National Geographic made this book a reliable read for me. It is so full of valuable information, including the website http://www.bluezones.com mentioned in the book on page 228 where you can do the Vitality Compass. And one of the many wise pieces of advise given (page 213_ deals with learning to move or be active without thinking about it.

Liked this, because I see so many people over the age of seventy where I live out walking for walking enjoyment, not for any physical fitness routine. Same with going to the gym. People I know simply see everyday movement as natural and healthy.

Lesson Five: Purpose Now Take time to see the big picture is something we need to start teaching our young. The whole idea of seeing a purpose however small in getting up in the morning.

Lesson Seven: Belong Participate in a spiritual community shouldn't turn anyone off. Fact is their research shows that belonging to a community where one thinks about something bigger, and is around people who believe in prayer and positive purpose live not only longer but healthier and happier lives. They mention Dr Gary Frasers book Diet, Life Expectancy and Chronic Disease which is a good book.

Also like the information on diet and how healthy eating doesn't mean boring or not fun. Simply eating less, and not so much meat can make a difference they say and I agree. They do NOT say never eat meat. Which reminded me of the exchange students we have had in our home whose eyes would grow big when they would see the steaks on the BBQ at peoples homes, and then see a steak plopped on their plate. This was a shock to them, because no matter if they were from Asia or Scandinavia, meat was more of a condiment, served in small servings, rather that THE meal.

Let's begin with content unmentioned by previous reviewers. In the United States, only about one male per 20,000 reaches age 100 (p. 44). The almost-daily consumption of nuts is important to good health and long life (e. g., p. 130). On the other hand, supplementation with DHEA, human growth hormone, or melatonin is questionable and probably harmful (p. 13). Friendly intestinal bacteria are important, and these are thwarted by processed foods, excessive consumption of meat, surgery, etc. (p. 92).

The geographical format of this book takes the reader to "Blue Zones" (areas with high concentrations of long-lived people) all over the world. One of them is right in the USA--the Seventh Day Adventist community 60 miles east of Los Angeles. Now consider the Okinawans. Though not Japanese themselves, they had been conquered by the Japanese, and forced to fight against the Americans. Many Okinawans, frightened by tales of American atrocities, committed suicide upon the approach of the American forces. Instead, the Americans helped the Okinawans. Ironically, however, the Okinawans were subsequently hurt by the Americans--but in a totally unexpected and unintentional way. Americans built a lot of fast-food joints, and the health of the Okinawans--especially the younger ones--began to decline.

This book not only provides suggestions for extending one's lifespan, but also gives the reader an invaluable set of geography lessons. In the end, centenarians really cannot tell us why they lived to an age of 100 or more (p. xxi). But this book is fascinating nonetheless. There is a bibliography at the end of the book for further reading on the topics of longevity, better health, stress-free living, etc. The citations come from magazine articles, books, and scientific and medical journals.

Who hasn't seen some very elderly person on TV or in person doing some incredible thing and wondered, what's their secret? Mr. Buettner's Blue Zones seeks to answer that question.

A blue zone is an area with a high concentration of active centenarians. Mr. Buettner travels to Sardinia, Italy; Loma Linda, California; Okinawa, Japan and Costa Rica to profile some of these folks and learn their secrets. The profiles are interesting if a bit shallow and the secrets are neatly summarized on Mr. Buettner's website so you could save the time and money and just read [...]. Many of the suggestions the author makes are helpful and may well help the reader lead a happier healthier life. but I think genes play a bigger part in longevity than Mr. Buettner is willing to admit.

Mr. Buettner assumes that since I'm interested in the people who live the longest that I'd also be interested in those who study the elderly. I'm not. At least a quarter of the book is devoted to background about researchers, travel logistics and most annoyingly one of the researcher's pet names for the author. Please! The author would have been better served by paring down the backround like Eric Weiner did in The Geography of Bliss.

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.

Blue . . . the color of peace, tranquility, and everlasting life. Standing at the edge of the ocean, big waves splashing cool, salty water over my toes, I look out over the ocean and up at the turquoise sky, feeling as one with the earth. The ocean, where life began, and the sky, where my soul will later disappear, show the color blue as far as I can see.

Somewhere in between the beginning of life and eternity lies the Blue Zone, a place offering longevity, good health, and contentment. While the Blue Zones described in Dan Buettner's chronicle are found in four specific locations broadly spread across the earth, he tells us in detail how we can create our own "Blue Zone." These four places, populated with many centenarians, share their secrets with us through the magnificent stories told to us by Dan Buettner.

I ran across a newspaper article about The Blue Zones when I was researching why obesity seemed prevalent in certain departments of my company. It seemed to me there must have been a great deal of negative influence on each other, perhaps a contagious attitude of not caring what they eat. Dan confirmed what I suspected, stating that studies have shown that if your three best friends are obese, you have a 50 percent greater chance of also being obese. The Blue Zones have taught us that in order to live longer, healthier lives we need to surround ourselves with the right people, people who reinforce the right habits.

We can learn so much from the inspiring stories of the people in this book. Marge Jetton, 100 at the time the book was written, is shown in a photograph lifting weights. She begins each day with a mile walk, a stationary bike ride, and (of course) lifting weights. In our literary visit to Costa Rica, we meet Juvenil Munoz, a 90 year old man who eats mostly beans, tortillas, fruit, and once a year, beef when he butchers a cow. Yes, you read that right, just once a year he eats beef. These are just two of the amazing people you will meet in this book. Why don't you order it so you can meet the others? You'll learn something special about life from each and every one.

Some books are for dieters, some are for athletes, and some are for cooks. The Blue Zones is for everyone. Even if you're one of the few people who don't care about living a long life, you'll love the journey through this book. It is like no other you've ever taken. Beam me to the Blue Zones!

Dan Buettner is onto something in this book.

Instead of toiling away at the gym or starving yourself on a diet, Buettner identifies simple -- even enjoyable -- ways to adjust your lifestyle to gain extra years of healthy life.

His association with National Geographic and the approach of studying long lived cultures gives the book a credibility lacking elsewhere. Highly recommended.

We all want to live forever in good health and with as little pain as we can get away with and this has been true as long as there have been people. Nowadays, especially in the industrialized countries, we live longer, in better health, and in a kind of luxury unimagined even a century ago. Nearly as long as there have been people there have been folks to tell them how to live longer and better lives. Some of the advice is good, but most of it is junk. The reality is, your genetics put some bound on how long you are likely to live and add some probability for various kinds of illness despite your best efforts. However, how you live your life does have a profound impact on its quality and some impact on your longevity.

This book studies the lives of people who have lived in various "blue zones' (places where groups of people live well beyond an expected life span). Dan Buettner takes us into Sardinia, Okinawa, Southern California, Costa Rica, and then distills lessons that you can apply to your life. In each of these locales, he shows us how they live and what they do. He admits the old folks don't know any more about how they lived so long any more than an NBA center knows how he got tall. And the principles he prescribes are quite sensible. It seems to me that you can live a better quality of life by implementing them and may well live longer because you will be happier and less anxious about your life.

I don't have a problem with telling you the nine lessons or principles because the other material he provides with them is useful and instructive in understanding and implementing them. The nine principles are:

1) Be active without having to think about it.
2) Cut your calories by 20% by the way you eat (and some by what you eat).
3) Avoid meat and processed foods (does this seem almost un-American?)
4) Drink red wine in moderation (I disagree with this)
5) Take time to see the big picture.
6) Take time to relieve stress
7) Participate in a spiritual community (I strongly agree with this)
8) Make family a priority (I agree with this even more)
9) Be surrounded by those who share Blue Zone values (being around the like minded does help lower stress and reinforce commitment, right?)

If you are in the market for a book on living a healthier, longer, and happier life, this could be a good choice. I found it a good read.

Reviewed by Craig Matteson, Ann Arbor, MI

The concept for this book is better than the outcome: a non-scientist visits places where people live long to find out their secrets. Instead of a flowing narrative filled with supporting information, it ends up being a series of slanted National Geographic articles that contain little research beyond people's stories and a tendency toward propaganda. Buettner is constantly pushing the anti-meat, pro-plant diet. He distorts some of his information to have it support that viewpoint and this ends up being a very lop-sided view of what makes for a happy life.

Most of the book involves the author interviewing old people--which means it is anecdotal and limited by the weak memories of the elderly. Yet he draws sweeping conclusions from a few interviews with people in a few areas that lived to be over 100.

In the case of Sardinia, he concludes that the main reason people live long is because they get rid of their stress by being "caustic and persnickety," but in the summary of the chapter he turns that trait into saying that people who live long "laugh with friends." It may not be the sense of humor but the getting rid of the stress through caustic comments that is actually helping people age. The same in Okinawa, where people were blunt and standoffish. He said some are "smug" while others have "hard-edged humor." He again focuses on the humor but could have chosen to point out that those that live longest aren't the gentle, friendly type.

There are also problems in the writing style in which the book focuses on the author's trips--his viewpoints and experiences are what this is about. When he finds something which contradicts his pre-conceived notions, then he says "you can't generalize about a whole population from a few stories." Agreed--so why then is he trying to do that in this book? He even quotes a Tokyo doctor who says that in all the research the only common factor in centenarians is "they are all different." Namely, there really isn't a specific pattern regarding what makes people live to old age.

There are many outside lifestyle factors that are overlooked, such as the fact that most of these places are remote and the people don't travel far. The more you travel, the greater the chance of having an accident that results in death.

He also doesn't develop the obvious observation that these "blue zones" are all cultures with little diversity--the elderly surround themselves with people of like minds and beliefs. He does his own twist on it by making his final conclusion that you should be in the "right tribe" and "be surrounded by those who share blue zone values." But that's a misinterpretation of what he discovered--these people didn't follow "blue zone values." They were all people who spent most of their lives with others who thought like them, no matter what they ate. The true lesson is that the people who lived longest were the ones who stuck around people they were most comfortable with and didn't worry about diversity or new experiences.

His assumption appears to be that just living to be past 100 means you have lived a successful life--but the length of time on earth isn't the only measure of quality of life. A person who eats meat and dies at 90 may have been happier and overall healthier than a vegan who lived to be 100--but he fails to make that distinction. His fascination is with that magic number 100 and how everyone who has lived to that age has something to teach us.

Instead of just slamming those who eat meat, there could have been more condemnations of the American health industry. If these "blue zones" are supposed to represent the best health in the world, then the conclusions must include the fact that the non-American stories are of people who don't eat modern health food products, don't take vitamins and aren't necessarily treated by modern medicine! They eat the food of their own cultures that are best for their own bodies--and the health industry has pretty much nothing to do with it.

After reading the stories, what seems to lead to a long life is getting rid of stress by verbalizing your feelings even if others perceive you as crabby, not needing to be around other people all the time but staying in a familiar environment with those who have unspoken similar values, and eating the foods in moderation that are right for your body, not others.

In the end you have to remember that this author is not a scientist or doctor or even a journalist--he's merely a creative writer who is trying to influence people to change. He advocates his cause by stacking the deck and ignoring some of the very obvious observations that don't match his belief system. It certainly is an interesting start to a discussion, but using these "blue zone values" as gospel for how people should live ends up being a misinterpretation of some of the stories in this book.