Blue Zone Lessons and Longevity Diets

Many theories of aging exist, likely each with their contribution to the true nature of the aging process. In this chapter, we turn to two experts in the field, Dan Buettner and Valter Longo, Ph.D., and review their research to date. Buettner is best known for his book The Blue Zones, where he describes unique communities around the world with a markedly high concentration of the longest-lived people in the world. By studying the very old, he brings relatively simple and universal truths to his audience as to how to live a life of both rich quantity and quality. Dr. Longo, director of The Longevity Institute at the University of Southern California and founder of createcures.org and author of The Longevity Diet, turns to the other extreme. In his groundbreaking work researching juventology, the study of youth, Longo puts forth his theory on “rejuvenation from within.” His longevity diet, backed by basic science, epidemiological studies, and randomized control trials, has shown promising results of dietary modifications that reduce inflammation, increase stem cell activation and regeneration to slow aging, combat disease, optimize weight, and, ultimately, improve longevity.