Description

The people who live in the Blue Zones are said to be the healthiest, happiest people, with lower rates of chronic diseases and a longer life expectancy. What is behind their longevity and can we learn to implement it into everyday life? Yes, we can! Tune in to learn how. 

This week, Jenn is discussing Blue Zones and how the habits and way of life of those who live in these Blue Zones can be the blueprint for physical and mental health. She discusses what these places have in common when it comes to food/diet, culture, environment, movement, and community. Jenn explains why the way they live their lives leads to longevity, and how we can implement some of those things into our everyday lives. She talks through how the standard American life and habits impact our abilities to live a long healthy life, and what our modern American lives are missing. Tune in to learn more and uncover what you can add into your life to improve your healthspan! 

The Salad With a Side of Fries podcast is hosted by Jenn Trepeck, discussing wellness and weight loss for real life, clearing up the myths, misinformation, bad science & marketing surrounding our nutrition knowledge and the food industry. Let’s dive into wellness and weight loss for real life, including drinking, eating out, and skipping the grocery store. 

IN THIS EPISODE: 

• [4:49] Where are the 5 Blue Zones and what qualifies as a Blue Zone?
• [6:33] What are the biggest factors in longevity? 
• [8:12] What do all of these Blue Zones have in common when it comes to food?
• [16:20] How does the environment play into the habits of those living in the Blue Zones?
• [18:49] What does movement look like in the Blue Zones?
• [27:08] What changes are currently being made to try and increase longevity in other cities?
• [30:05] What are the commonalities in the Blue Zone cultures? 
• [32:30] What is the difference between lifespan and healthspan? 
• [36:18] How do these communities share their ups and downs of life?
• [41:45] What are our modern American lives missing? 

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

• [24:54] The more activity in terms of going about the course of our daily lives, the better. That’s what will make a tremendous difference in our longevity. 
• [36:00] Community is just as important as the food we put into our bodies. Connecting with those around us through the stories we share while breaking bread and having quality friendships can aid in a longer lifespan, as evidenced by the communities within Blue Zones. 
• [42:21] The NIH funded a study for over 11 years, they followed highly functioning people between the ages of 65 and 92 and found that individuals who express a clear goal in life, something to get up for in the morning, something that made a difference, lived longer and were sharper than those who did not.
• [44:07] Only 30% of Americans have purpose in their work. We are generally out of alignment between our values, our purpose, and our work. If we can move toward alignment and have a reason for getting out of bed in the morning, it’s truly transformative in terms of health. 

QUOTES: 

“These are the areas where people are living past 100 years old. They also have the lowest rates of chronic disease. Even with these people who are at 100 or beyond, they have the highest cognitive function, the sharpest memory...far exceeding the physical vitality of what we see elsewhere." - Jenn Trepeck

"Certainly genetics play a factor, but...only about 20-25% of how long we live. The other 75-80% is about our lifestyle, how we're living everyday." – Jenn Trepeck

"They stop eating when they are 80% full, which is not easy for many of us to do." - Jenn Trepeck

[12:18] “So essentially the way Americans eat, it’s like stepping on the gas, pressing down the accelerator...