If you were to Google search “supplements for longevity” or “how to live to 100” will you find a list of natural foods, spices, and herbs grown fresh for you from our beautiful Mother Earth? No, it will be a list of pills created by scientists in a lab. In my opinion, everything we need to live to 100 is available to us naturally. Instead of taking Omega 3 vitamins, eat fish or chia seeds. Instead of taking a probiotic, drink a glass of kefir milk.

Read more about kefir vs probiotic supplements. Whole Foods contain all the nutrients we need to be healthy, so if you want to live to 100 – take these 8 supplements!

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The Blue Zones

The Blue Zones are the five areas in the world where people live the longest – often reaching well beyond 100 years old. The Blue Zones are

  1. Okinawa, Japan
  2. Nicoya, Costa Rica
  3. Sardinia, Italy
  4. Ikaria, Greece
  5. Loma Linda, California

Their secret? They eat healthy meals. Sure, there are other contributors, such as sleeping 8 hours daily, visiting friends and family often, and walking regularly, but their diet is the main secret to their longevity. The Blue Zones have been studied by Dan Buettner since 2000, and he’s devoted his life to learning about how these very different cultures all produce the same amazing result – the world’s longest lived people. These 8 secret “supplements” were shared by the Okinawans themselves – Japan’s longest living people.. 

what You need to live to 100

1. Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are high in antioxidants, which have anti-aging properties and promote a healthy gut and brain. They are also high in fiber and have anti-inflammatory properties. 

2. Soybeans

Soybeans are a staple of the Japanese diet. Tofu is consumed daily by the Okinawans and is known to help protect the heart and lower cholesterol levels. Soybeans are high in protein and also reduce the risk of cancer, stroke, and cardiovascular disease.

3. Turmeric

Turmeric is an anti-inflammatory and is often used in facial cleansers to reduce redness and irritation. Turmeric also works for a variety of medical conditions, such as arthritis, liver disease, depression, respiratory infections, and dementia. 

4. Mugwort

Mugwort has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Most commonly drank as tea, mugwort is used for irregular menstruation, high blood pressure, to strengthen the immune system, reduce stress, and improve digestive health. 

5. Goya (Bitter Melon)

Goya is used to treat and prevent diabetes. This melon contains a chemical that acts as insulin to reduce blood sugar levels. 

6. Brown Rice

Brown rice is an excellent source of phenols and flavonoids, both of which help to reduce damage to cells and reduce the risk of premature aging. Brown rice is eaten every day by Okinawans. 

7. Seaweed

Seaweed is directly linked to longevity – it fights aging (and improves the elasticity the skin), regenerates tissue, strengthens the immune system, and prevents cancer. Seaweed is rich in carotenoids, folate, magnesium, iron, calcium, and iodine.

8. Shiitake Mushrooms

Shiitake mushrooms contain more than 100 different compounds with immune-protecting properties. They also help protect against cell damage and boost white blood cell production for fighting off microbes (microbes cause infections or make toxins that harm our body).

If you’re interested in learning more about the Blue Zones and the Blue Zone Diet, I encourage you to buy the Blue Zones cookbook! It’s full of recipes from all 5 Blue Zones and insight into their way of life. This cookbook changed my life, and I still use it every week for recipes that are both delicious and low-cost. You can order one directly through Amazon – simply follow my link below! 

The Blue Zones Cookbook

Dan Buettner has written several books, including his famed Blue Zones Kitchen: 100 Recipes to Live to 100 cookbook. It has a variety of simple to complex recipes all home to people around the world in the Blue Zones. 

I hope you enjoyed learning with me and are able to use these “supplements” in your life daily. If you would like to read more about a healthy diet, check out how to switch from a processed to whole food diet.