Whimsy
Well-Known Member
It's looking good!WL is only a blink away...
Thanks! I'm thinking July 1 I should be WL.
And probably a year I'll be Hip Length lol. Praying for Sooner, but bein realistic.
Hip Length Challenge 2010
- Thread starter schipperchow1
- Start date
Thanks! I'm thinking July 1 I should be WL.
And probably a year I'll be Hip Length lol. Praying for Sooner, but bein realistic.
Mz.MoMo5235
Well-Known Member
Yeah ITA waiting is best, we don't need another situation like what happened to MzMoMo that was just wrong
yeah, just say no
Candy828
New Member
I seen your last April 7th 2010 day after relax update photo on the WL Challenge board. Your hair is looking good!
Have you always been relaxed? If support is what you are looking for...support is here...The longer your hair get's, the more it is going to take to keep relaxed hair growing to super long lengths! I think most people on this board have natural hair or are in transition....It is easier to grow to super long lengths as a natural, so I am impress by your achievement to obtain WL relaxed hair and hope you can keep it up going forward.... Congratulations!
Last edited:
Whimsy
Well-Known Member
I seen your last April 7th 2010 day after relax update photo on the WL Challenge board. Your hair is looking good!
Is that true? what makes you say that? (not confronting, just curious)
SmilingElephant
Well-Known Member
I'm wondering the same thing too...i don't think i'm gonna transition right now....my hair is healthy and its the length i wanted...although i am staying in THIS challenge....however i'm gonna continue to stretch for a few weeks.
Maybe by December i'll be like 1-2 inches away from Hiplength
Candy828
New Member
I only say it because hair that goes past hip length statistically is natural no matter what the race is i.e. (white, black, asian, indian...etc.) Chemicals break down the hair over time and it starts to break off. Therefore, it only gets to a certain length... But there are exceptions to every rule! So more care is required to maintain relaxed hair... So I think she's done a good job maintaining her hair....
Whimsy
Well-Known Member
I see...thanks for responding.
Candy828
New Member
There are many articles and doctor's who validate hair growth...especially to longer lengths...
How Long Does It Take to Grow Out Your Hair?
http://www.livestrong.com/article/25007-long-grow-out-hair/
by: Kent Ninomiya
Overview
The amount of time it takes to grow out your hair depends on the health of your hair, genetics, and how long you want it to be. As a general rule, the longer you wait the longer your hair will be. However, everyone has a terminal length for their particular hair. This is the point where your hair simply refuses to grow longer for long stretches of time. This can be caused by unhealthy hair, the way you treat your hair, or simple genetics.
Average Growth
The hair of the average person grows approximately one half inch per month. This adds up to six inches of new hair per year. If you use this as a rough guide to your hair growth, you can estimate how long it will take you to get to your desired length. If you want hair down to your waist, it could take six years or more. Keep in mind that there are many factors that can alter the average hair growth. Most of these factors impair hair growth instead of enhancing it.
Hair Health
Healthy hair grows faster than damaged hair. It is therefore important to take care of your hair if you intend to grow it out. Damage from treatments, styling, and the environment can impair growth. Also keep in mind that the longer your hair is, the older the ends are. Hair that is healthy at the root can be split and broken at the bottom. This often encourages people to cut off the hair growth that they waited so long for.
Health vs Growth
A balance must be reached if you wish to grow out your hair and keep it healthy at the same time. Since hair grows approximately one half inch per month, a one half inch trim every month will keep it at the same length. If you are growing out your hair, cut the ends one half inch every three or four months. This keeps the ends healthy while encouraging hair growth.
Environment
It is important to control the environment your hair is exposed to when you grow it out. Using hot styling tools, harsh dyes, and chemical laden products will damage hair and retard growth. Pulling your hair into elaborate hair styles will also cause damage. Treating your hair tenderly will help it grow out healthier and faster.
Diet and Genetics
Healthy people tend to have healthy hair. If your body is not getting the nourishment it needs, it will not waste energy growing hair. If you are serious about growing out your hair, you need to take care of yourself. Drinking plenty of water, getting lots of sleep, reducing stress, and eating a well balanced diet are all proven ways to increase hair growth. Some people are just genetically predisposed to have rapid hair growth. The hair of other people just stops growing at a certain point. This is called the terminal length. Either way you are stuck with your hair. There is nothing you can do about your genetics.
How Long Does It Take to Grow Out Your Hair?
http://www.livestrong.com/article/25007-long-grow-out-hair/
by: Kent Ninomiya
Overview
The amount of time it takes to grow out your hair depends on the health of your hair, genetics, and how long you want it to be. As a general rule, the longer you wait the longer your hair will be. However, everyone has a terminal length for their particular hair. This is the point where your hair simply refuses to grow longer for long stretches of time. This can be caused by unhealthy hair, the way you treat your hair, or simple genetics.
Average Growth
The hair of the average person grows approximately one half inch per month. This adds up to six inches of new hair per year. If you use this as a rough guide to your hair growth, you can estimate how long it will take you to get to your desired length. If you want hair down to your waist, it could take six years or more. Keep in mind that there are many factors that can alter the average hair growth. Most of these factors impair hair growth instead of enhancing it.
Hair Health
Healthy hair grows faster than damaged hair. It is therefore important to take care of your hair if you intend to grow it out. Damage from treatments, styling, and the environment can impair growth. Also keep in mind that the longer your hair is, the older the ends are. Hair that is healthy at the root can be split and broken at the bottom. This often encourages people to cut off the hair growth that they waited so long for.
Health vs Growth
A balance must be reached if you wish to grow out your hair and keep it healthy at the same time. Since hair grows approximately one half inch per month, a one half inch trim every month will keep it at the same length. If you are growing out your hair, cut the ends one half inch every three or four months. This keeps the ends healthy while encouraging hair growth.
Environment
It is important to control the environment your hair is exposed to when you grow it out. Using hot styling tools, harsh dyes, and chemical laden products will damage hair and retard growth. Pulling your hair into elaborate hair styles will also cause damage. Treating your hair tenderly will help it grow out healthier and faster.
Diet and Genetics
Healthy people tend to have healthy hair. If your body is not getting the nourishment it needs, it will not waste energy growing hair. If you are serious about growing out your hair, you need to take care of yourself. Drinking plenty of water, getting lots of sleep, reducing stress, and eating a well balanced diet are all proven ways to increase hair growth. Some people are just genetically predisposed to have rapid hair growth. The hair of other people just stops growing at a certain point. This is called the terminal length. Either way you are stuck with your hair. There is nothing you can do about your genetics.
mariofmagdal
New Member
BM, love the hair!
This is why I went natural a few yrs ago, and I'm transitioning again. I grew my relaxed hair to MBL, but it was getting thinner the longer it got. With my natural and transitioning hair, it gets thicker as it gets longer. Though some have achieved WL + hair while relaxed, the majority are natural across the racial lines. I knew it would be likely impossible to get to healthy HL + with a relaxer or chemicals (for me, personally, since chemicals thin my already fine-textured hair).
HHG to all the ladies in this challenge!
Candy828
New Member
I know this is hair growing season, but my hair is in SUPER GROW status right now... I made a post on the LHCF Indian hair board...http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=103711&page=5
I really think how much growth per month and how the potential thickening of your hair....has a direct relationship to the climate your in, the diet you eat, and the hair products... I am becoming a 100% believer in this and now feel that is why Asian's have the longest and fastest growing hair and India is considered a part of Asia. You can read my post if you like or just wait for the June hair update... I am completely floored by the results I am now getting... The hair fairy has visited me with a double dose! Blessings abound and I am truly Thankful!
I really think how much growth per month and how the potential thickening of your hair....has a direct relationship to the climate your in, the diet you eat, and the hair products... I am becoming a 100% believer in this and now feel that is why Asian's have the longest and fastest growing hair and India is considered a part of Asia. You can read my post if you like or just wait for the June hair update... I am completely floored by the results I am now getting... The hair fairy has visited me with a double dose! Blessings abound and I am truly Thankful!
Last edited:
Mz.MoMo5235
Well-Known Member
i think weather does play a big part. my hair grows much better when i'm in humid climates than not. i'm sure i would get super growth if i were living back east or something lol we gets no humidity here in lower az... only in monsoon and i do get a growth spurt then lol
Lucia
Well-Known Member
Can you please post your diet changes and any changes in your haircare regime, or tell us what the climate is exactly.TIA
SmilingElephant
Well-Known Member
I'm IN FLORIDA!!! AND a NATIVE!!! See? I knew being a Floridian was a really good thing...ppl love to complain about us
But in the words of DJ Khaled...."WE DA BEST!!!"
But in the words of DJ Khaled...."WE DA BEST!!!"
Candy828
New Member
Sure... The daily diet here (breakfast, lunch or dinner) consists of fish (not fried. they bake, roast, broil or boiled in soups), lots of veggies (steamed, sauteed, baked or boiled in soup with potatoes), lots of fruits (this helps keep the body hydrated), sometimes eggs, hardly NO beef, little pork if any, noodles with seafood (clams, shrip, oysters...etc), sushi, bean sprouts, seaweed (dried or boiled in soup), chicken (not fried, baked, roasted, sauteed etc... with some awesome sauces), and of coarse Rice! they don't eat many sandwiches and almost never eat fast food in terms of what we think of as fast food, a host of herbal tea's...the best Asian tea's you can think of....many of which cure or prevent a host of diseases. They walk constantly....
My hair regime is Indian Shikakai shampoo and Conditioner every two weeks and the other two weeks I use the Shikakai Bar Hair Soap and Conditioner. (Keep in mind these herbal products focus more on growth and prevention of scalp diseases as well as preventing early graying and keeping hair dark.) Then I follow that up with Indian Oils "Mahabhringaraj Maka Enriched Herbal Hair Oil", Shikakai, Amla, Brahmi, Coconut, Castor, and Almond. I use Maka or Amla power once a month. Maka seems to be the cadillac of hair growth... I am rotating the oils after every wash, which is about every 6 or 7 days. I can get Indian products here and they do have hair cremes which I haven't seen before...
Ok given the fact that the above description set the ground for growth....The next thing was the Climate... It is soooo Humid here... I have never experienced anything like this...But the closest thing I can use to give you a picture would be Lousiana or South Florida on the hotest summer day imaginable. Korea is surrounded by water like Florida and Southern India. But to me the Sun's intensity seems to be more in Asian part of the world... I would think if you used a Sauna in the summer time you'd get the same kind of effect.... You could make your bathroom into a Sauna...not just for washing your hair...I mean when your hair has product in it on a normal day...then you'd let your hair get some sun exposure....drying out the sauna moisture...I hope that makes since...
Now every week I see a considerable difference in growth....
Note: I do finger combing most of the time.... I use a wide tooth comb after washing and for parting or smoothing...
How do I wear my hair.... It is always in a protective style because of the humidity... I let my hair air dry in braids after washing, then I have to do a mild flat iron to prevent the single knot issue (this is something I live with), I then oil my scalp and hair using finger combing and bun it up. I wear a wide headband daily. This soaks up the sweat... I oil and massage my scalp and hair nightly...No worries because with the next days humidity, my hair drinks the stuff... If my hair begins to smell before the 7th day.... I wash it again... The oils usually keep my hair smelling nice unless there are too many very hot days in a row... then I'd have to wash more frequent.
Last edited:
Whimsy
Well-Known Member
I used to live in South Florida when I was a girl and my hair grew like weeds. I just attributed it to the routine my mom/aunts/gram had for my hair. I didn't even think the climate would've effected it at all....Hmm.... Maybe I'll at least get a summer growth spurt while it's warm here in NYC
BostonMaria
Well-Known Member
Wait for me Whimsy, I'm coming down with ya
Oh man my hair feels like its grown 1 CM since the winter. I'm so mad
Its this nasty Boston weather. I used to think my hair grew more in the summer because of the daily co-washing. Now I know betta.
Whimsy
Well-Known Member
OK I finally just read through this ENTIRE thread. It's SOOO inspiring! I've been on a no heat till winter kick (except when I have to straighten for work) and now I've decided to just do a no heat at all (except work) lifestyle.
The last time I had heat on my hair was when the stylist straightened it in Feb. The next time will be tomorrow, and that'll be it for a loooong time unless I book something that requires it.
I can't wait to see how the heat-free lifestyle plus the warm weather impacts my growth/retention.
The last time I had heat on my hair was when the stylist straightened it in Feb. The next time will be tomorrow, and that'll be it for a loooong time unless I book something that requires it.
I can't wait to see how the heat-free lifestyle plus the warm weather impacts my growth/retention.
Br*nzeb*mbsh~ll
Well-Known Member
I'm not in this challenge, but one day I will be. I'm just here to cheer you guys on!! Get it, Girls!
LadyPaniolo
New Member
OMG!!! HOW DID I FORGET ABOUT THE BABY!!!!!
aaawwww, i want to barrow your child! lol
Can you borrow the two older ones, too
i can get my hair pretty stretched by (and this may or may not be something you want to try because they key to it working is a lhcf no no lol) washing and air drying as usual. on the 2nd day (or when fully dry) comb it out (with out wetting) add some leave in cond and oil (which should already be in your hair from the wash but now you're adding more!!!) and then bun for 24hrs or more. after that my hair is fairly straight.
i learned this on accident and not something i really intentionally do. but um, its an idea
Hmm.. This is an interesting idea. :scratchch Maybe I could dry in Celie braids just to stretch it a bit, then the next day apply the condish and oil, and bun it. This is a good idea. I may well try this at some point.
Right now my hair is cornrowed up to facilitate half-wig wearing. I can also cornrow the very front if I want to wear one of my full wigs too, but I did the two areas separately so I can be a bit cooler in half wigs. I have 10 billion of them, might as well get some use out of them.
On Tuesday I wore my hair out in a huge braidout that I considered an epic fail. I looked like Chaka Khan and the Lion King had an OOW child.
The wave pattern was uneven, some parts were really frizzy... 
I felt self-conscious about it but my hair was too big to fit under a wig. Do you know this older white lady was going crazy over my hair! She was :lovedrool: :notworthy lol. Usually she only ever sees me in my standard wig that mimics relaxed texture. She was
on my head to see if it was real, and when she could see that it was, she told me: OMG your hair is so amazing! It's so beautiful! You should wear it like that ALL the time! Look at those curls! 
She was loving it. She's a nice lady, but I am NOT trying to walk around like that all the time!!! And when I told DH about her reaction, he was like
Yes, your hair looks awesome, why DON'T you wear it like that all the time??? Nice to get the compliments but folks don't understand a sista has got goals!!!!
MariposaSexyGirl
Well-Known Member
Hmm.. This is an interesting idea. :scratchch Maybe I could dry in Celie braids just to stretch it a bit, then the next day apply the condish and oil, and bun it. This is a good idea. I may well try this at some point.
Right now my hair is cornrowed up to facilitate half-wig wearing. I can also cornrow the very front if I want to wear one of my full wigs too, but I did the two areas separately so I can be a bit cooler in half wigs. I have 10 billion of them, might as well get some use out of them.
On Tuesday I wore my hair out in a huge braidout that I considered an epic fail. I looked like Chaka Khan and the Lion King had an OOW child.
Do you know this older white lady was going crazy over my hair! She was :lovedrool: :notworthy lol. Usually she only ever sees me in my standard wig that mimics relaxed texture. She was
And when I told DH about her reaction, he was like
Nice to get the compliments but folks don't understand a sista has got goals!!!!
How is your pregnancy going?
Mz.MoMo5235
Well-Known Member
Hmm.. This is an interesting idea. :scratchch Maybe I could dry in Celie braids just to stretch it a bit, then the next day apply the condish and oil, and bun it. This is a good idea. I may well try this at some point.
Right now my hair is cornrowed up to facilitate half-wig wearing. I can also cornrow the very front if I want to wear one of my full wigs too, but I did the two areas separately so I can be a bit cooler in half wigs. I have 10 billion of them, might as well get some use out of them.
On Tuesday I wore my hair out in a huge braidout that I considered an epic fail. I looked like Chaka Khan and the Lion King had an OOW child.
Do you know this older white lady was going crazy over my hair! She was :lovedrool: :notworthy lol. Usually she only ever sees me in my standard wig that mimics relaxed texture. She was
And when I told DH about her reaction, he was like
Nice to get the compliments but folks don't understand a sista has got goals!!!!
lol you're funny!
me and my best friend have noticed a trend. when me and her think our hair is wild and crazy and needs to be put up, white folk LOVE IT!!!! that go coo coo for cocoa puffs!!!
but when we look at our own hair, or each others, or other black women see it, we get the
face lol
Candy828
New Member
Here are some Ayurvedic (Indian) Hair Care Tips... I also went to see a Korean Traditional Medicine Doctor... He said for me to keep my blood pressure in check..Eat lots of green leafy vegetables, lots of fruit, and little meat, plus get plenty of exercise... So I think there is something to the diet of the Asian people... In these tips it talks about brush of the hair... this is something I don't do... I don't this works as well on our hair types because it seem to break off our hair. But if ones hair becomess as strong as the Indians, it wouldn't be a problem.....
Ayurvedic Hair Care
From: http://www.indianhairoil.com/haircare01.html
Tips for Healthy Hair
No matter what type of hair nature blessed you with, there are things you can do to keep it healthy, lustrous, looking its best. Here are some tips for a healthy head of hair from the tradition of ayurveda, the 5,000-year old system of holistic healing that originated in India:
Ayurvedic Hair Care
From: http://www.indianhairoil.com/haircare01.html
Tips for Healthy Hair
No matter what type of hair nature blessed you with, there are things you can do to keep it healthy, lustrous, looking its best. Here are some tips for a healthy head of hair from the tradition of ayurveda, the 5,000-year old system of holistic healing that originated in India:
- Like everything else about true, lasting beauty, healthy hair begins within your body. Start with your diet. Include lots of green leafy vegetables and sweet juicy fruits. Dairy products such as milk and fresh yogurt will also help. Fresh coconut is also considered excellent "hair food" -- sprinkle grated coconut over salads, diced fresh fruit, or rice.
- Cut down on refined, processed and canned foods. Ayurveda considers foods with artificial preservatives and chemical additives stripped of their inherent "intelligence" and therefore not helpful in supplying nutrition to your body and mind. Ice-cold beverages also hamper the process of digestion and assimilation of nutrients.
- Cooking with certain spices adds flavor to your food and provides nourishment for your hair. Cumin, turmeric and black pepper are some "hair-friendly" spices. Add a healthy pinch of each to single-portion soups and stews as they are cooking. Sauté 1/8 -1/4 teaspoon each of the three spices in a teaspoon of ghee (clarified butter) or olive oil and add to cooked veggies. Roasted ground cumin and ground black pepper can be sprinkled over fresh yogurt.
- Stress can be seriously injurious to long-term health and color of hair. Try and manage your time and tasks to minimize time-related pressures. Practice relaxation techniques such as meditation. Seek out tranquil sights in nature to help restore balance to your mind. Relaxing or uplifting music can be therapeutic. Get adequate, good quality sleep to help the natural process of rejuvenation.
- Ayurvedic herbs that help hair health include Eclipta alba and Gotu Kola. Eclipta alba is called "Bhringaraj" -- literally, king of tresses. It nourishes the hair and helps resistance to stress as well. Brahmi, sometimes called Gotu Kola, also helps balance the mind and nourishes the hair and scalp. Since Ayurveda considers the health, color and luster of hair so dependent on overall mind/body health, synergistic Ayurvedic herbal preparations for hair can also include herbs such as Country Mallow, which is supposed to strengthen the physiology, and Winter Cherry, which aids resistance to stress.
- Stay away from harsh chemical topical products that can damage hair over time. Look for gentle, natural cleansers and conditioners, especially if you wash your hair more than three times a week. Shampoos and conditioners that contain nourishing botanicals are even better. Read labels carefully -- sometimes, products that say "herbal" or "natural" can include no-no chemicals.
- A warm oil scalp massage two or three times a week will help stimulate and moisturize the scalp. You can use good quality coconut, almond or olive oil. Ayurvedic hair oils also contain some of the herbs mentioned earlier. Apply some mildly warmed oil to your hair and gently massage into your scalp evenly with your fingertips. Leave on overnight if you can, if not, leave on for at least an hour or two, then get it out by shampooing your hair. The scalp massage helps you relax and aids sound sleep as well.
- Never attack wet hair with a brush, no matter how rushed for time you are. Tangles in wet hair are best removed with a wide-toothed comb. Use a wooden comb if you can find one; it won't generate static electricity. Excessive blow-drying can damage hair in the long-term, making it brittle and causing split ends. If you can, let your hair dry naturally, then brush into place.
- Last, but not least, brushing your hair regularly to stimulate the scalp will keep it looking healthy and lustrous. Brush each night in all directions in turn -- left to right, right to left, front to back and back to front. Use smooth long strokes from scalp to hairtips.
... me and my best friend have noticed a trend. when me and her think our hair is wild and crazy and needs to be put up, white folk LOVE IT!!!! that go coo coo for cocoa puffs!!!
but when we look at our own hair, or each others, or other black women see it, we get the
This has always been my experience too.
Been waiting for the day it changes my whole life.
Lucia
Well-Known Member
@ candy828
thanks for the detailed regimen and weather report lol
I guess doing the baggie steaming or frequent cowash I do recreates
hot humid temps. I'm already using Ayurveda oils powders
and after reading your posts I'm upping my oiling and scalp massag to
every night
whatever it takes I'm getting to HL/TL ASAP
thanks for the detailed regimen and weather report lol
I guess doing the baggie steaming or frequent cowash I do recreates
hot humid temps. I'm already using Ayurveda oils powders
and after reading your posts I'm upping my oiling and scalp massag to
every night
whatever it takes I'm getting to HL/TL ASAP
Candy828
New Member
@ candy828
thanks for the detailed regimen and weather report lol
I guess doing the baggie steaming or frequent cowash I do recreates
hot humid temps. I'm already using Ayurveda oils powders
and after reading your posts I'm upping my oiling and scalp massag to
every night
whatever it takes I'm getting to HL/TL ASAP
Lucia - Try this and let me know how it goes... After you oil and massage your scalp at night, sleep in a shower cap or plastic cap. This will generate more moisture. The more moisture you can generate, especially with oil in your hair, the better. You should really start seeing a difference... I use to think (and I am sure others did too...) that when we had perms and sweated in the summer, we were sweating out our perm and had to get perms more often... but in fact... the sweating from humidity was making the hair grow faster and that is why the perm was needed more frequent. We didn't get stellar growth results because our hair was in fact breaking off because of the perm.. so in addition we needed the trims... We all learn things as we go and experience new things.... Together I think we can accomplish our goals!
We have a lot of great minds here with of wealth of experiences to keep us On TRACK!
Last edited:
Candy828
New Member
This article is very interesting... it's like a small fountain of youth place.... look at what their diet is..... The same things keep popping up!!
The Island Where People Live Longer
from: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=103744881
May 2, 2009
Gianluca Colla/Blue Zones
The island of Icaria could be the newest of the world's so-called blue zones — places where residents have unusually long life spans.
Author Dan Buettner has traveled the globe visiting "Blue Zones," where people tend to live longer and lead healthier lives.
Making it to 90 years old is awe-inspiring in much of the world. But on a tiny Greek island in the North Aegean Sea, nonagenarians barely merit a second glance.
The island of Icaria could be the newest of the world's so-called blue zones — places where residents have unusually long life spans.
Dan Buettner has crossed the globe many times over the years in search of blue zones, and he recently teamed up with AARP and National Geographic to study Icaria.
Buettner and a team of demographers work with census data to identify blue zones around the world. They found Icaria had the highest percentage of 90-year-olds anywhere on the planet — nearly 1 out of 3 people make it to their 90s.
Plus, Buettner says, "they have about 20 percent lower rates of cancer, 50 percent lower rates of heart disease and almost no dementia."
Our life spans are about 20 percent dictated by our genes, Buettner says. The rest is lifestyle. People in Icaria live in mountain villages that necessitate activity every day. "They have gardens," he says, for example. "If they go to church, if they go to their friends' house — it always occasions a small walk. But that ends up burning much more calories than going to a gym for 20 minutes a day."
"They also have a diet that's very interesting," Buettner continues. "It's very high in olive oil; it's very high in fruits and vegetables." It's also very high in greens; about 150 kinds of veggies grow wild on the island. "These greens have somewhere around 10 times the level of antioxidants in red wine."
And though they live on an island, Icarians don't eat much fish. Buettner says pirates pushed the culture up in the highlands and villagers couldn't depend on the sea as much as might be expected.
Particularly unusual to this new blue zone are the villagers' drinking habits. Tea drinking, that is. Icarians drink herbal teas every day, morning and night, Buettner says. This seems to be one of their secrets to longer living.
"We had five of these herbal teas sent to Athens and analyzed for their chemical composition," Buettner reports. "We found out that most of them were diuretics."
"It turns out that diuretics actually lower blood pressure," he says, "so when you're chronically lowering blood pressure every day with these herbal teas, that does help explain why there's lower rates of heart disease."
"That's something we haven't seen in Okinawa or Costa Rica or Sardinia or any of the other blue zones," Buettner says.
The Island Where People Live Longer
from: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=103744881
May 2, 2009
Gianluca Colla/Blue Zones
The island of Icaria could be the newest of the world's so-called blue zones — places where residents have unusually long life spans.
Author Dan Buettner has traveled the globe visiting "Blue Zones," where people tend to live longer and lead healthier lives.
Making it to 90 years old is awe-inspiring in much of the world. But on a tiny Greek island in the North Aegean Sea, nonagenarians barely merit a second glance.
The island of Icaria could be the newest of the world's so-called blue zones — places where residents have unusually long life spans.
Dan Buettner has crossed the globe many times over the years in search of blue zones, and he recently teamed up with AARP and National Geographic to study Icaria.
Buettner and a team of demographers work with census data to identify blue zones around the world. They found Icaria had the highest percentage of 90-year-olds anywhere on the planet — nearly 1 out of 3 people make it to their 90s.
Plus, Buettner says, "they have about 20 percent lower rates of cancer, 50 percent lower rates of heart disease and almost no dementia."
Our life spans are about 20 percent dictated by our genes, Buettner says. The rest is lifestyle. People in Icaria live in mountain villages that necessitate activity every day. "They have gardens," he says, for example. "If they go to church, if they go to their friends' house — it always occasions a small walk. But that ends up burning much more calories than going to a gym for 20 minutes a day."
"They also have a diet that's very interesting," Buettner continues. "It's very high in olive oil; it's very high in fruits and vegetables." It's also very high in greens; about 150 kinds of veggies grow wild on the island. "These greens have somewhere around 10 times the level of antioxidants in red wine."
And though they live on an island, Icarians don't eat much fish. Buettner says pirates pushed the culture up in the highlands and villagers couldn't depend on the sea as much as might be expected.
Particularly unusual to this new blue zone are the villagers' drinking habits. Tea drinking, that is. Icarians drink herbal teas every day, morning and night, Buettner says. This seems to be one of their secrets to longer living.
"We had five of these herbal teas sent to Athens and analyzed for their chemical composition," Buettner reports. "We found out that most of them were diuretics."
"It turns out that diuretics actually lower blood pressure," he says, "so when you're chronically lowering blood pressure every day with these herbal teas, that does help explain why there's lower rates of heart disease."
"That's something we haven't seen in Okinawa or Costa Rica or Sardinia or any of the other blue zones," Buettner says.
Similar threads
