Healthy at 100

• Interesting, readable accounts of different cultures.
• Emphasizes attitudes towards aging as well as exercise and nutrition.

• Lacks critical assessment of the claims of these peoples.
• Would be strengthened by more scientific discussion of the diets and lifestyle changes.

• Written by John Robbins, a crusader for healthy eating.
• 384 pages, paperback.
• Provides summaries of other cultures’ lifestyles, with sensible changes for Americans suggested.

There are areas in the world known as “blue zones.” These areas have unusually long-lived peoples. Some of them are in the Caucus Mountains, (the Abkhasians), Pakistan (the Hunzas) and Central American (the Vilcabambans). John Robbins reviews what is known about the nutritional and exercise habits of the people of these areas. He reveals that the people of all of these cultures eat a plant-based diet of whole foods and get plenty of exercise through daily activities.

Some of the more interesting accounts are not of the diets and exercise profile of these peoples, but of their attitudes toward aging. Because chronic illness is rare and the cultures are traditional, older people are highly valued. According to Healthy at 100, in one culture, siblings even fight about who gets to take care of grandparents.

Robbins’ discussion of these cultures is a fascinating read. His main point is that while claims of extreme old age (more than 120) are probably false, there is still a lot to be learned from these people who often reach their 90s with no sign of heart disease or other chronic illness. To live long and live well, we should all take some lessons from the people of the “Blue Zones.”

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