Matory network capacity, which as we shall see below may help keep one on the right track to a healthy old age.Author Manuscript Author Manuscript Author Manuscript Author ManuscriptThe Okinawan DietMuch of the longevity advantage in Okinawa is thought to be related a healthy lifestyle; this includes the traditional diet (Willcox et al, 2004; Willcox et al. 2007), which is low in calories, yet nutritionally dense, particularly with regard to vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients, several of which have neutraceutical potential. “Haute cuisine” Okinawan style Many wonder how the Okinawan traditional dietary pattern differs from the Japanese. Are they the same? Some jokingly state the Okinawan diet is Japanese with salsa, due to the influence of other Asian cuisines with a tendency toward spicier dishes. Although many similarities exist, including the high intake of vegetables and soy products, the low fat content, the taste for miso, plentiful fish and sea vegetables, and the lack of dairy products, the traditional Okinawan diet differs dramatically in some key areas (Willcox et al, 2004;2007). For example, the staple of the Okinawan diet was the ubiquitous sweet potato–not rice or other grains. Over half of daily caloric intake was from these colorful sweet tasting tuberous roots from the morning glory family. Other key areas of difference include the Okinawan taste for flavorings, such dashi or bonito, and the routine use of herbs and spices in place of salt in Okinawan “haute cuisine”. Traditional Okinawan cuisine centers on the staple sweet potato, green-leafy or yellow-root vegetables, and soy (e.g. miso soup, tofu or other incarnations of this legume) which accompanied almost every meal. Smaller servings of fish, noodles, or lean meats flavored with herbs, spices, and cooking oil often accompanied these staples (Willcox et al, 2004). See Figure 1 A meal would typically begin with Okinawan-style miso soup. Unlike the Japanese BIM-22493MedChemExpress BIM-22493 version, Okinawans preferred to garnish their miso soup with small amounts of tofu, fish, pork, or vegetables. There are three main cooking styles: champuru, nbushi and irichi. The main dish was typically a champuru (stir-fried) vegetable dish, which dominated by vegetables such asMech DuvoglustatMedChemExpress 1-Deoxynojirimycin Ageing Dev. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2017 April 24.Willcox et al.Pagebitter melon, cabbage, bamboo shoots or others accompanied by a side dish, such as konbu seaweed. This is typically simmered with a small amount of oil or pork fat, bonito broth (for flavor), and small amounts of fish or boiled pork. Nbushi style uses water rich vegetables such as daikon (a type of large white radish), Chinese okra, carrots, or pumpkin; seasons them with miso; and simmers them in their own juices. Irichi style focuses on less water-rich vegetables, and therefore uses a combination of simmering and stir-frying. Burdock, seaweed, dried daikon, or green papayas are favorites. The meal would typically be served with freshly brewed sanpin (jasmine) tea, on occasion followed with locally brewed awamori (millet brandy) (Willcox et al, 2004). Almost vegetarians–by circumstance As can be seen from the above descriptions of a typical meal, the Okinawans of old were not vegetarians but they were close to this eating pattern, but not by any particular conscious choice. Like most Asian populations in the first half of the 20th century, the average family simply could not afford meat, nor processed foods such as sugar, salt, cooking oil, or in th.Matory network capacity, which as we shall see below may help keep one on the right track to a healthy old age.Author Manuscript Author Manuscript Author Manuscript Author ManuscriptThe Okinawan DietMuch of the longevity advantage in Okinawa is thought to be related a healthy lifestyle; this includes the traditional diet (Willcox et al, 2004; Willcox et al. 2007), which is low in calories, yet nutritionally dense, particularly with regard to vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients, several of which have neutraceutical potential. “Haute cuisine” Okinawan style Many wonder how the Okinawan traditional dietary pattern differs from the Japanese. Are they the same? Some jokingly state the Okinawan diet is Japanese with salsa, due to the influence of other Asian cuisines with a tendency toward spicier dishes. Although many similarities exist, including the high intake of vegetables and soy products, the low fat content, the taste for miso, plentiful fish and sea vegetables, and the lack of dairy products, the traditional Okinawan diet differs dramatically in some key areas (Willcox et al, 2004;2007). For example, the staple of the Okinawan diet was the ubiquitous sweet potato–not rice or other grains. Over half of daily caloric intake was from these colorful sweet tasting tuberous roots from the morning glory family. Other key areas of difference include the Okinawan taste for flavorings, such dashi or bonito, and the routine use of herbs and spices in place of salt in Okinawan “haute cuisine”. Traditional Okinawan cuisine centers on the staple sweet potato, green-leafy or yellow-root vegetables, and soy (e.g. miso soup, tofu or other incarnations of this legume) which accompanied almost every meal. Smaller servings of fish, noodles, or lean meats flavored with herbs, spices, and cooking oil often accompanied these staples (Willcox et al, 2004). See Figure 1 A meal would typically begin with Okinawan-style miso soup. Unlike the Japanese version, Okinawans preferred to garnish their miso soup with small amounts of tofu, fish, pork, or vegetables. There are three main cooking styles: champuru, nbushi and irichi. The main dish was typically a champuru (stir-fried) vegetable dish, which dominated by vegetables such asMech Ageing Dev. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2017 April 24.Willcox et al.Pagebitter melon, cabbage, bamboo shoots or others accompanied by a side dish, such as konbu seaweed. This is typically simmered with a small amount of oil or pork fat, bonito broth (for flavor), and small amounts of fish or boiled pork. Nbushi style uses water rich vegetables such as daikon (a type of large white radish), Chinese okra, carrots, or pumpkin; seasons them with miso; and simmers them in their own juices. Irichi style focuses on less water-rich vegetables, and therefore uses a combination of simmering and stir-frying. Burdock, seaweed, dried daikon, or green papayas are favorites. The meal would typically be served with freshly brewed sanpin (jasmine) tea, on occasion followed with locally brewed awamori (millet brandy) (Willcox et al, 2004). Almost vegetarians–by circumstance As can be seen from the above descriptions of a typical meal, the Okinawans of old were not vegetarians but they were close to this eating pattern, but not by any particular conscious choice. Like most Asian populations in the first half of the 20th century, the average family simply could not afford meat, nor processed foods such as sugar, salt, cooking oil, or in th.