Sakari Momoi is said to be the oldest man in the world, he
turned 112 on 5th of February, 2015. Sakari Momoi of Tokyo, a Japanese was recognized by the Guiness Book of World Records as being the world’s
oldest man. It should be forgotten that the oldest woman in the world, Misao Okawa (117-year-old
in March) is also Japanese. The life expectancy for a Japanese woman is almost 86 years
while the average for a Japanese man is 79.6 years. Then, you may want
to ask, what is the secret to longevity?
First lesson: Japanese people eat low-sugar, plant-based diets without processed foods and junk.
The implication of this is lower risk of inflammatory diseases and cancer but
most people now feed on processed and chemicalised foods that speed up obesity,
heart diseases and other related diseases.
Second lesson: The pace of life is often slower in Japan and
activities such as gardening and walking also seems to play a big role in
Japanese longevity. Meditation and practices such as tai chi, part of many
Japanese elders’ way of life, have been shown in studies to thicken the brain
(this is a good thing) and increase cognitive function. Mrs Okawa is also known to have made every attempt to stay active
for as long as possible. When she was 102 she was found doing leg squats ‘to keep her body
in shape’
Lesson three: A solid network of friends and family is
also a factor. Social support reduces stress, loneliness and isolation (exposure
to diseases). Sakari Momoi
reportedly still participates in activities that keep his body and mind
working, such as throwing a ball and calligraphy
Lesson four: Sleep, as noted by Misao Okawa
‘Eat and sleep and you will live a long time. You
have to learn to relax. It is expected that an adult
should sleep for an average of six – eight hours a day. But most often, we
hardly observe it. A sound sleep keeps you awake and makes your brain active.
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