E case of Okinawa, imported polished white rice. Staple foods were what could grow locally. Since Okinawa consists of a string of subtropical islands with seasonal, quite severe tropical storms, they had two growing seasons, which favored fresh plant foods. Some vegetables grew very well but rice did not. In fact, rice was supplanted in the 1600s by the sweet potato as the main staple, when it was first imported from China (Willcox et al, 2004: Todoriki et al, 2004: Robine et al, 2012). The sweet potato is hardy and can survive severe climates and thus became the main calorie source. Most other plant foods were also grown and consumed locally. All families raised pigs, and chickens and sometimes other farm animals, such as goats. The majority of the population was engaged in farming or fishing or combined farming with local cottage industries such as carpentry or weaving (Willcox et al, 2004; 2006; 2007; Todoriki et al, 2004). Living on an island meant ready access to fish, other sea creatures, and marine vegetables (particularly in the coastal areas), which were readily consumed. Of land animal meats, pork was the most commonly consumed meat and when pigs were slaughtered nothing was wasted. Typically, a pig was slaughtered early in the year at festival time and what was not eaten at that time was stored and consumed over the remainder of the year. A common expression is that “everything is eaten but the voice.” The entrails and the ears are still commonly consumed today (Willcox et al, 2004). Although animal fat (from pigs) was often used for cooking due to infrequent access to other edible oils, the livestock rearing practices were far different from that of modern meat Olumacostat glasaretil site processing plants. The animals were “free range” and fed mostly throw-away vegetables, such as blemished sweet potatoes (and their stems and leaves) that were not to the tastes of their keepers. The result was a relatively higher level of beneficial n-3 fatty acids and less pro-atherogenic fats, such as saturated fat and n-6 PUFAs in the lean meat and fat stores of these animals (Willcox et al, 2004; Todoriki et al, 2004).Author Manuscript Author Manuscript Author Manuscript Author ManuscriptMech Ageing Dev. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2017 April 24.Willcox et al.PageMoreover, the total PNPP cancer amount of animal products in the diet was minuscule, with total fatty acid intake under 10 of energy intake. Even with the sharp increase in fat intake in the latter half of the 20th century (up to 27 ) saturated fat intake in Okinawa still remains low and totals only about 7 of calories, which is well under most recommended allowances (the USDA recommends a total fat intake of less than 30 of energy intake with 10 or less from saturated fats) (See Table 1). Ten Characteristics of the traditional Okinawa diet As can be deduced from these descriptions of a typical meal, the traditional dietary pattern in Okinawa has the following characteristics: 1. 2. Low caloric intake, High consumption of vegetables (particularly root and green-yellow vegetables), High consumption of legumes (mostly soybean in origin), Moderate consumption of fish products (more in coastal areas), Low consumption of meat products (mostly lean pork), Low consumption of dairy products, Low fat intake (high mono and polyunsaturated-to-saturated-fat ratio; low omega 6:3 ratio), Emphasis on low-GI carbohydrates, High fiber intake, Moderate alcohol consumption.Author Manuscript Author Manuscript Author Manuscri.E case of Okinawa, imported polished white rice. Staple foods were what could grow locally. Since Okinawa consists of a string of subtropical islands with seasonal, quite severe tropical storms, they had two growing seasons, which favored fresh plant foods. Some vegetables grew very well but rice did not. In fact, rice was supplanted in the 1600s by the sweet potato as the main staple, when it was first imported from China (Willcox et al, 2004: Todoriki et al, 2004: Robine et al, 2012). The sweet potato is hardy and can survive severe climates and thus became the main calorie source. Most other plant foods were also grown and consumed locally. All families raised pigs, and chickens and sometimes other farm animals, such as goats. The majority of the population was engaged in farming or fishing or combined farming with local cottage industries such as carpentry or weaving (Willcox et al, 2004; 2006; 2007; Todoriki et al, 2004). Living on an island meant ready access to fish, other sea creatures, and marine vegetables (particularly in the coastal areas), which were readily consumed. Of land animal meats, pork was the most commonly consumed meat and when pigs were slaughtered nothing was wasted. Typically, a pig was slaughtered early in the year at festival time and what was not eaten at that time was stored and consumed over the remainder of the year. A common expression is that “everything is eaten but the voice.” The entrails and the ears are still commonly consumed today (Willcox et al, 2004). Although animal fat (from pigs) was often used for cooking due to infrequent access to other edible oils, the livestock rearing practices were far different from that of modern meat processing plants. The animals were “free range” and fed mostly throw-away vegetables, such as blemished sweet potatoes (and their stems and leaves) that were not to the tastes of their keepers. The result was a relatively higher level of beneficial n-3 fatty acids and less pro-atherogenic fats, such as saturated fat and n-6 PUFAs in the lean meat and fat stores of these animals (Willcox et al, 2004; Todoriki et al, 2004).Author Manuscript Author Manuscript Author Manuscript Author ManuscriptMech Ageing Dev. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2017 April 24.Willcox et al.PageMoreover, the total amount of animal products in the diet was minuscule, with total fatty acid intake under 10 of energy intake. Even with the sharp increase in fat intake in the latter half of the 20th century (up to 27 ) saturated fat intake in Okinawa still remains low and totals only about 7 of calories, which is well under most recommended allowances (the USDA recommends a total fat intake of less than 30 of energy intake with 10 or less from saturated fats) (See Table 1). Ten Characteristics of the traditional Okinawa diet As can be deduced from these descriptions of a typical meal, the traditional dietary pattern in Okinawa has the following characteristics: 1. 2. Low caloric intake, High consumption of vegetables (particularly root and green-yellow vegetables), High consumption of legumes (mostly soybean in origin), Moderate consumption of fish products (more in coastal areas), Low consumption of meat products (mostly lean pork), Low consumption of dairy products, Low fat intake (high mono and polyunsaturated-to-saturated-fat ratio; low omega 6:3 ratio), Emphasis on low-GI carbohydrates, High fiber intake, Moderate alcohol consumption.Author Manuscript Author Manuscript Author Manuscri.