This chain of islands off Japan is home to some of the liveliest oldsters on the planet. Many live more than a century and have the birth certificates to prove it. Heart disease and dementia are rare and breast and prostate cancer are practically unheard of. Not only were many still fishing, but others were farming, running food stands or practicing the gentle martial art of t'ai chi.
People keep doing what they' ve always done.
Just how big a part genetics plays in all this is open to debate. While there are several genes clearly associated with premature or delayed aging, lifestyle still acts on these genes. According to the researchers, everything. Not that Okinawans drink much. Nor do they eat much, averaging 500 fewer calories a day than Americans.