I’ve not read that book or studied Blue Zone populations, so I really can’t comment too much. Certainly diet has a lot to do with their longevity, but so do many other factors that they likely have in common:Jan18 wrote:I would be interested on your thoughts about the Blue Zones.
Jan18 wrote:the conclusion the author of the Blue Zones book came to was that what the various zones had in common were "greens and beans." Yet Gundry has outlawed beans. In fact, I am a bit perplexed about lectins, overall.
I think saying that “greens and beans” are the key to longevity is an oversimplification, as would saying all lectins are bad and everyone should stay away from them. Again, everything in context.
Hi TheresaB,
I didn't mean to suggest "greens and beans" or diet alone was the key to the Blue Zones longevity. Sorry for the confusion. I realize the different aspects (that you list) which all have been reported to increase longevity. It's not just diet, nor just one thing. The Blue Zones book mentions many of the other aspects, too, that we have come to associate with longevity, which you listed. It doesn't focus solely on diet.
My confusion was on the beans, which Gundry seemed to outlaw. I questioned it, since it was one of the two foods the Blue Zones diets had in common. Reason told me it would be fine to eat legumes in moderation and as long as there were no gut issues or my blood markers weren't out of line, I'd be able to determine their place in my diet. But I kept getting sidetracked with my impression that Gundry damned legumes to Hades! Guess I needed to do another read of his book.
That explained, I want to thank you for that stellar summary (I printed it out!) There is a lot of information to keep straight with this protocol. A single reading of the material (Gundry and Bredesen) does not suffice and in fact, I've gone back to the books so many times to memorize and to refresh. And I still get things mixed up. (And I do see changes in my cognition when it comes to remembering things -- scary! So I am trying my best to follow the protocol and have been taking piano lessons to "grow" brain cells!)
But your summary is concise on the main points and your comments, the voice of reason. I can't tell you how much I appreciate all the time you took to write that and for the quoted excerpts from Gundry's interview.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Barbara