Here are eight keys to healthy longevity — simple, timeless, and backed by decades of research.
1. Avoid Toxic Exposures
Steer clear of smoking, vaping, excessive drinking, and harmful chemicals.
2. Eat a Healthy, Plant-Based Diet
A diet centered on primarily plant-based foods provides essential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant nutrients.
3. Exercise
Regular physical activity cuts dementia risk by approximately 30%.
4. Social Interaction
Staying socially connected also keeps the brain healthy and reduces dementia risk.
5. A Positive, Loving Attitude
Cultivating a positive outlook helps minimize chronic stress.
6. Rest and Sleep
Sleep is the foundation of good health, supporting everything from metabolism to immune function.
7. Purpose in Life (Ikigai)
This Japanese concept — having a reason for being — is a key factor in the remarkable longevity of the centenarians of Okinawa.
8. Faith
Studies show that people with a strong sense of faith tend to live longer — by as much as four to six years.
To get healthy now, consider building these eight keys into your daily life. For more tips on natural health, download the free eBook Health Secrets at peacediet.org.
About Dr. Terry Shintani, MD, JD, MPH
Dr. Terry Shintani is a Harvard-trained physician and nutritionist, named a Living Treasure of Hawai’i and recipient of the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Award for Excellence. He is the creator of the Peace Diet and the landmark Waianae Diet — published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition and cited over 137 times — and the author of 16 books on natural health and nutrition, drawing on more than 35 years of clinical practice in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Learn more about Dr. Shintani’s work and recognition: NLM Native Voices
Sources:
- NIH/PubMed — Physical Activity and Dementia Risk Reduction
- NIH/PubMed — Religious Involvement and Longevity: A Meta-Analysis
- NIH/NIA — Social Isolation, Loneliness, and Health