The oldest of humanity has celebrated its 117 candles. Misao Okawa lives in Osaka, Japan, where longevity is almost a culture. Why Doctor analyzes the reasons.
The oldest person in the world resides in Japan. Misao Okawa celebrates her 117th birthday on March 5. This Osaka resident was born in 1898 and has the title of “Dean of Humanity.” His predecessor, Jiroemon Kimura, was also Japanese, as was the second oldest in the world, Sakari Momoi who recently celebrated his 112th birthday.
Protective genes
The Japanese are known for their exceptional longevity: men can expect to live 80 years, women 86. In France, life expectancy is close: 79 years for men and 85 years for women. But a quarter of the Japanese population is over 65 years old … and the land of the Rising Sun had 55,000 centenarians in September 2013. “Often, centenarians have certain predisposing genes”, explained Professor Philippe Amouyel last August. To Why actor. “For the Japanese, these are common genes for cardiovascular risk protection. They have the particularity of causing fewer cardiovascular diseases of the “heart attack” type than the others, “said the founder of the Institute for Longevity and Aging.
But genes are not a “magic wand” of longevity. A recent study published in PLOS One has shown that the genetic code of supercentenarians contains mutations. The former dean of the world, Hendrikje van Andel-Schipper, who died at the age of 115 in 2005, had 400 genetic mutations in her blood.
Lifestyle and social bond
As often, lifestyle influences the risk of developing certain diseases. The Japanese have a poor tolerance for certain alcoholic beverages and consume relatively little of it. But their main advantage is their diet. “The Japanese diet is protective of cardiovascular disease: it is rich in slow sugars, with a lot of rice and raw fish”, analyzes Professor Amouyel. The result: high triglyceride levels, but low HDL and LDL cholesterol levels.
Physical activity is not to be excluded: the Japanese prefer rather gentle exercises, running, stretching and movements of the tai-chi-chuan type. Combined with meditation, this practice reduces stress levels, which is beneficial for cardiovascular health.
In fact, according to Professor Amouyel, the longevity of the Japanese is due to several factors. “Their culture, their way of life, or even the good social relations they maintain between them. Japan knows how to maintain an extremely important family social bond between the different generations. It is all this which makes that more and more people live longer and longer in Japan ”, concludes this specialist.
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