b'B ookr eviewBY KATHERINE A. CARROLL, NHF CFOThe Blue Zones Secrets for Living LongerLessons From the Healthiest Places on Earth By Dan Buettner (ISBN 978-1426223471; National Geographic; 2023, hardcover, 288 pages; $32.50; E-Book $14.99)M ost are familiar with Danat Codex Alimentarius by demand-Buettners Blue Zone in- ing food safety, consumers right to vestigationsfrom2005know, and proper labeling. In the onward, appearing in articles, books,Loma Linda Adventist study, pesca-and on television. This latest book istarians are the longest-lived among concise and an interesting presenta- us, yet there is no mention of micro-tion, much like a travel magazine. Itplastics in fish. Recommendations is statistically based with well-writ- of a few glasses of wine daily that ten copy and beautiful pictures fromthe Sardinians enjoy do not mention different Blue Zones (regions in thegeneral chemical contamination of World where people are claimed tored wine or additives such as sulfites have exceptionally long lives). Yetin its preparation as in other coun-The Blue Zones Secrets for Living Lon- tries such as the U.S. ger is also like a self-help book withBuettners near-total discount-the latter chapters focused on imple- ing of nutritional supplements, ad-mentation of his recommendationsThe Blue Zone way is an enviablevice to avoid them, and to just eat for living a healthy and happy life.lifestyle. Buettners work creates awell is irresponsible since soil de-Bringing longevity and anti-stressdesire to implement his discoveriespletion of basic minerals and nutri-concepts into practical daily life isand to try recipes from each Blueents has been common knowledge refreshing as Buettner reflects thatZone region that he thoughtfully in- for well over half a century! There is centenarians dont plan for longev- cluded. The result is a richness to lifeno excuse for broad generalizations ity.Theirhomes,community,andand pleasure that naturally fostersand not addressing these issues by lives are simply set up to promote itlongevity. simply assuming these problems are naturally with family, friends, com- Yet having been NHFs Articlesnot impacting the food supply for munity, a sense of purpose, healthyEditor and working on Health Free- most of the Planet.diets, and destressing with activi- dom News since 2011, I would haveLeavingthedeficienciesofthe ties such as gardening, biking, andloved to participate in editing Thebookaside,DanBuettnersde-walking. The effortless lifestyle ofBlue Zones Secrets for Living Longercades-longlegacyofresearching longevity shines clearly throughoutbook as my appreciation for the bookthe Blue Zones still creates an excel-the book, as does the resultant healthis balanced by sincere criticism for alent book. It is enhanced by being and happiness it creates. Contrastlack of clarity in several instances,divided into chapters with sugges-this to 45-year-old Tech CEO Bryansuch as in differentiating betweentions for actual implementation of Johnsons millions spent on lab tests,harmful salt versus healthy salt forhis ideas, including his projects with grueling routines, a strict diet, andexample.Additionally,therewasentire cities to improve their over-massive supplement use to achieveno designation regarding avoidingallwell-beingindex.FortWorth, longevity. Happiness largely figurestainted and doped meat, an issue theTexas, for example, rose from 185th into the lifestyle of Blue Zoners. NHF has fought long and hard forout of 190th in position in 2014 to H ealtHF reedomN ews /w iNter2024 27'