At plnktn we approach growing older as a party. And that makes complete sense being a brand that is built on the ancient power of plankton (algae). The older the better! But more important: becoming older in a healthy and vital way. The term 'longevity' therefore refers to a long lifespan, in which vitality is paramount. In this article you can read more about the subject and read how you can extend your lifespan in a healthy way.
We are getting older, but we also have limitations
According to research by the RIVM, we are getting older in The Netherlands, an average of 86.5 years is expected in 2050. But we are also getting 1.2 years of disability. It seems that we are getting older in The Netherlands, but also less vital.
We have known this for a while, but the pandemic has made it clear to us once again what social health can mean for the pressure on healthcare.
Preventatively reducing the pressure on healthcare is therefore an important topic when it comes to social health. And so more and more research and enthusiasm is created towards the theme of longevity.
What is longevity?
Longevity basically means that you have a longer lifespan than average and that you do this in good health. Both physically and mentally.
“It's not about adding years to your life, it's about adding life to your years.” - Thomas Esselink, LNGVTY Health
What can we learn about longevity from the Blue Zones?
You may have heard of them, the Blue Zones. In other words, places in the world where the oldest people in the world have been found. And even in good health.
In the year 2000, demographer Michel Paulain discovered together with an Italian doctor in a number of mountain villages in Sardinia an exceptionally high concentration of centenarians. Vital elderly people without signs of depression, dementia or other common diseases such as cancer and diabetes. He started his research in several places in the world and marked them with a blue marker. They became the Blue Zones, places where people live the longest in the world. There are originally 4:
- Sardinia, Italy
- Ikaria, Greece
- Okinawa, Japan
- Nicoya, Costa Rica
A different view on housekeeping
The factors for this vital health are of course not 1-1 translatable to our modern frog country. You can think of a different climate, different breeding ground, a different way of life. One works in the other's favour. In a country with a warm climate there may be fewer financial resources available. Then certain luxury goods become obsolete, which increases the degree of natural movement. Think of the lack of a bank, which means you have to do a number of squats a day. Or a vacuum cleaner, a washing machine, but also walking due to a lack of other transport.
Training your brain
In addition to the physical elements of longevity, there are also mental aspects that play a role. For example, maintaining a healthy mind involves training your brain. Just think of mental arithmetic, when was the last time you did that? Regularly exercising your brain helps prevent age-related diseases such as dementia. Regularly doing crossword puzzles or sudoku can definitely do no harm.
How can you live longer?
In the meantime, many researchers have continued with the subject, including longevity passionist Dan Buettner. He is a longevity researcher, author and explorer and has gained a lot of knowledge from the above areas. He mapped these and shares his knowledge by regularly speaking, via his Netflix documentary 'Secrets of the Blue Zone - live up to a 100', by writing several books and posting via social media. By visiting all countries and talking to many centenarians, he discovered similarities. He shares these in his 'blue print', see below.
Dan Buettner assumes 4 pillars:
- Natural movement, such as walking, gardening or doing things with your hands
- Perspective on life, such as your purpose, religion, but also relaxation
- Eat consciously, mainly plant-based,
- Connect, make sure you have the right people around you (bad habits are easily adopted, just like the other way around), family comes first, the feeling of being able to rely on each other.
How do we translate that into daily practice here in the Netherlands? In collaboration with LNGVTY physician Alexander Rakic, plnktn has developed a whitepaper full of tips for a long and healthy lifespan.
Want to know more about the subject? Take the free longevity test and receive the e-book plnktn x LNGVTY Health: powerful ancient via www.plnktn.com/longevity .
Source life expectancy:RIVM