The Fountain of Youth?

Tanya Cassar, Alberta Health Services

While studying at the University of Alberta, I became interested in the concept of a “blue zone.” There are five geographic “blue zones” throughout the world where people consistently live to be 100 years old. Although it’s nice to think these people may have discovered the fountain of youth or some other magic remedy, the secret is thought to be in the way these people live their lives.


Dan Buettner, a photographer for National Geographic, founded the Blue Zone project. According to Buettner, some factors that contribute to long-lived, happy cultures include moving naturally, eating a highly plant-based diet, waking up with a sense of purpose and putting loved ones first.

These are principles we can all implement into our daily lives, individually and within our communities. We can move more. While going to the gym might work well for some people, it certainly isn’t the only way to exercise. We can limit the time we sit at work or take the dogs for longer walks.

To transition to a more plant-based diet, try replacing meats with plant-based proteins such as legumes (i.e., beans, lentils), nuts, seeds and soy based protein. According to the Globe and Mail, Canada is one of the largest producers of legumes in the world, but over 90 per cent is shipped to other countries. And although many Albertans love beef, increasing the amount of protein we get from legumes instead of meat can positively impact our overall health, such as reducing the risk of Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Health encompasses both mind and body. This is why having a sense of purpose when we wake up every morning and surrounding ourselves with family and friends is so important to our well-being. Buettner says this becomes even more important when we retire because some retirees feel isolated and are unsure what to do with their free time. Volunteering, joining a club or traveling is a great way to enjoy retirement. Whatever you choose, make sure it’s something you enjoy and that can be shared and experienced with people you love.

And you don’t need to live in a blue zone to experience the benefits of a long and fulfilling life. Several communities are actively participating in the Blue Zone project. Albert Lea, Minnesota has built 46 new community gardens, logged over 75 million walking steps in one year and has banned candies from being sold at school fundraisers. After one year of implementing these changes, the city witnessed a 49-per-cent reduction in health-care claims from city workers and an almost three-year increase in life expectancy!

It’s refreshing to see that with some collaboration and motivation, a lot can be done to improve our overall quality of life. Now it’s our turn! I challenge everyone to learn more about the blue zones by visiting www.bluezones.com, and then put that learning into action by trying to implement some of these principles into your daily life.

Tanya Cassar is a University of Alberta student and volunteer with Alberta Health Services.