Healthy aging diets other than the Mediterranean: a focus on the Okinawan diet.
The traditional diet in Okinawa is anchored by root vegetables (principally sweet potatoes), green and yellow vegetables, soybean-based foods, and medicinal plants. Marine foods, lean meats, fruit, medicinal garnishes and spices, tea, alcohol are also moderately consumed. Many characteristics of the traditional Okinawan diet are shared with other healthy dietary patterns, including the traditional Mediterranean diet, DASH diet, and Portfolio diet. All these dietary patterns are associated with reduced risk for cardiovascular disease, among other age-associated diseases. Overall, the important shared features of these healthy dietary patterns include: high intake of unrefined carbohydrates, moderate protein intake with emphasis on vegetables/legumes, fish, and lean meats as sources, and a healthy fat profile (higher in mono/polyunsaturated fats, lower in saturated fat; rich in omega-3). The healthy fat intake is likely one mechanism for reducing inflammation, optimizing cholesterol, and other risk factors. Additionally, the lower caloric density of plant-rich diets results in lower caloric intake with concomitant high intake of phytonutrients and antioxidants. Other shared features include low glycemic load, less inflammation and oxidative stress, and potential modulation of aging-related biological pathways. This may reduce risk for chronic age-associated diseases and promote healthy aging and longevity.
Okinawa International University, Department of Human Welfare, 2-6-1 Ginowan, Okinawa 901-2701, Japan; Department of Geriatric Medicine, University of Hawaii, HPM-9, 347 N. Kuakini Street, Honolulu, HI 96817, United States; Department of Research, Kuakini Medical Center, 347 N. Kuakini Street, Honolulu, HI 96817, United States. Electronic address: willcox@hawaii.edu.
Donald Craig
DC
Willcox
Department of Medicine and Health Science, University of Molise, Via de Sanctis, 86100 Campobasso, Italy.
Giovanni
G
Scapagnini
Department of Geriatric Medicine, University of Hawaii, HPM-9, 347 N. Kuakini Street, Honolulu, HI 96817, United States; Department of Research, Kuakini Medical Center, 347 N. Kuakini Street, Honolulu, HI 96817, United States.
Bradley J
BJ
Willcox
D000375:Aging; D015415:Biomarkers; D019662:Cucurbitaceae; D030024:Curcuma; D004032:Diet; D038441:Diet, Mediterranean; D066273:Diet, Western; D004041:Dietary Fats; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005396:Fish Products; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism; D007564:Japan; D008136:Longevity; D052756:Nutritional Sciences; D012307:Risk Factors; D012624:Seaweed; D045730:Soy Foods; D017365:Spices; D014675:Vegetables
D015415:Biomarkers; D004041:Dietary Fats; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D007328:Insulin
DASH; Diet; Healthy aging; Longevity; Okinawa; Portfolio