Investigating world’s longest lives

We received a one-page information sheet in the mail, about the great number of Okinawans who were centenarians. In order to learn more about this Pacific Island where so many people lived to be 100 years old or more, I was greatly helped by the librarian at the University of New England’s Westbrook campus. Now I have several xeroxed pages of information explaining their longevity. Some of the information follows.

Elderly Okinawans have among the lowest rates in the world for deaths from a multitude of chronic diseases of aging, and as a result enjoy not only what may be the world’s longest life expectancy but also the world’s longest health expectancy. Centenarians, in particular, have a history of aging slowly and delaying or sometimes escaping the chronic diseases of aging, including dementia, cardiovascular disease (coronary heart disease and stroke), and cancer.

Elderly Okinawans were found to have impressively young, clean arteries, low cholesterol, and low homocysteine levels when compared to Westerners. These factors help reduce their risk for coronary heart disease by up to 80 percent and keep stroke levels low. Their healthy arteries are mostly due to their lifestyle, diet, regular exercise, moderate alcohol use, avoidance of smoking, blood pressure control, and a stress-minimizing psychospiritual outlook.

Okinawans are at extremely low risk for hormone-dependent cancers, including cancers of the breast, prostate, ovaries, and colon. Compared to North Americans, they have 80 percent less breast cancer and prostate cancer, and less than half the ovarian and colon cancers. Some of the most important factors that may protect against those cancers include low caloric intake, high vegetables/fruits consumption, higher intake of good fats, high fiber diet, high flavonoid intake, low body fat level, and high level of physical activity.

Okinawan elders are lean, with average body mass index (BMI) that ranges from 18 to 22 (lean is less than 23). They stay lean by eating a low-caloric, unrefined-complex carbohydrate diet, practicing calorie control in a cultural habit known as hara hachi bu (only eating until they are 80 percent full), and keeping physically active the natural way.

There are virtually no women in Okinawa using estrogen replacement therapy. They experience menopause naturally and non-pharmacologically, with fewer complications, such as hot flashes, hip fractures, or coronary heart disease. Lifestyle determinants include diet, avoidance of smoking, and exercise in the form of dance, soft martial arts, walking and gardening. They have a very high intake of natural estrogens through their diet, mainly from the large quantities of soy they consume. All plants, especially legumes (beans, peas), onions and broccoli, contain natural estrogens, but not nearly in the same quantity as soy and flax.

The article tells us that this dramatic phenomenon is not only occurring in Okinawa but also can be seen in the United States and many other countries. The worldwide increase is largely due to healthy lifestyles, more emphasis on preventive medicine, and better healthcare.

Isn’t this interesting! I’m sure that we’re not about to move to Okinawa, but we all know many here in Maine who are living late into their 80s and 90s, still driving their cars too. But I should say that the centenarians among us are few.

Another Longfellow enthusiast

I received a nice note this week from Frank Wellcome Jr., a Westbrook native, who has lived in Williamstown, Mass., for many years, and still subscribes to the American Journal. He and his family were in Maine the weekend of July 9, for the graveside service in Yarmouth for his wife, Fleta Chick Wellcome, who passed away in June. I have happy thoughts of Fleta. She and Frank were tenants in Mrs. Alexander Speirs’ Hawkes Street property in Westbrook, as we were. My young daughter and I had frequent visits with Fleta and her young son Steve to the lovely Chick farm on Saco Street, where all of the 13 Chick children grew up.

I attended the Yarmouth service in Riverside Cemetery, which was even more meaningful as it was conducted by Steve’s wife, Sylvia, an ordained minister. The guests were invited for lunch at the Down-East Village Restaurant in Yarmouth, after the service.

I have just reread Frank’s letter, mentioning his interest in reading Longfellow’s poems. His favorite is “My Lost Youth.” I have recently written that I say the opening limes of that poem, as I drive along Portland’s Baxter boulevard, looking out over Back Cove:

“Often I think of the beautiful town

That is seated by the sea;

Often in thought go up and down

The pleasant streets of that dear old town,

And my youth comes back to me.”

Frank wrote, “Each verse ends with ‘A boy’s will is the wind’s will,

And the thoughts of youth are long, long thoughts.'”

He said that the old Casco Bank in the then new Chapman building (one story higher than the Fidelity building across Preble Street, in Portland had this phrase at the foot of the great winding stairs going up to the teller counters. On the opposite side of the stairs was, I think, another phrase from the same poem –

“I remember the black wharves and the slips,

And the sea-tides tossing free;

And Spanish sailors with bearded lips

And the beauty and mystery of the ships.

And the magic of the sea.”

Frank also said it was too bad Longfellow’s birthplace (at the corner of Fore and Hancock Streets) has been torn down. I think of that old wooden house whenever I drive by that location, opposite the old Grand Trunk Railroad Station, which also was torn down.

Thanks, Frank, for the nice note and for your vivid recollections of Longfellow and his poetry.

Two Compliments I’ve Had In Mind

The first week in July Kohl’s flier advertising the store’s sales, had a picture on the front page that I could hardly believe. It was advertising reductions in their entire swimwear stock and pictured was a handsome young couple in bathing attire. The pretty, blonde young lady was wearing a one-piece bathing suit (the kind we all wore for years), pre-bikinis. The black bathing suite had a floral design, with large red and yellow flowers. I hope that Kohl’s sold many of that style. They were giving 50 to 60 percent off at that time. I think that many readers of my generation would compliment Kohl’s for that ad.

Also, I want to thank Roger Griswold, weatherman on Channel 6 TV, who is one of the few announcers who say “It looks as if” when they give the weather report. We all too often hear “It looks like” (we’re in for more muggy weather, etc.). When I’m listening to the weather report, while getting breakfast, I always verbally correct that “It looks like” person – but never Roger Griswold. I decided that he must have had a good English teacher, and I for one appreciate his delivery.

Westbrook Junior College class of 1938 reunion

A few members who graduated from Westbrook Junior College in 1938 met at noon July 20 for a pleasant luncheon at Yarmouth’s Down-East Village Restaurant. Alice Gamage Allen of Sebago did a great job of reaching members who are now in Maine or are visiting here. We wanted to get together when Kay Sullivan would be in Maine. She recently moved to Pennsylvania to be near her sister, after her busy years in Westbrook. She is visiting in the family cottage on McLean Pond, E. Waterford for two weeks. We were delighted to see her. Also present were Athalie Gifford Chandler of Falmouth; Madge Rhoads Frost of South Paris; Eleanor Blaisdell Bradeen of Lyman (joining us was Eleanor’s granddaughter, Rachel Eleanor Wright of Buxton); Celia Calli Mooney of Yarmouth; Florence Day of Westbrook (a graduate of WJC Class of 1940); Anne Blanchard Foote of Portland, and Alice Gamage Allen.

Not surprisingly, we all ordered seafood, and enjoyed crabmeat rolls or haddock dinners. We will observe our 70th Reunion at the college in 2008, but these informal gatherings are fun, and keep us in touch with one another.

Recipe

Today’s recipe comes from a cookbook, “Color Me Cooking,” sent me by my niece, Marianne Blanchard Pepper of St. Louis, Mo., in 1998. It was prepared by volunteers of the St. Louis Artists’ Guild, and has many interesting recipes. This one is a very easy one for us busy housewives, and we usually have all the ingredients on hand.

Chocolate Pie – The Best

1 (8 oz.) pkg. chocolate chips

1/2 cup milk

4 eggs, separated

1/2 cup sugar

2 graham cracker crusts

Whipped cream or Cool Whip

Melt the chocolate chips and milk together, in the microwave, or in a double boiler. Separate four eggs and beat the whites until stiff.

In large mixing bowl, beat the egg yolks and sugar until thick and creamy, about 10 to 15 minutes. Then beat in the chocolate mixture. Fold the egg whites into the batter with a spatula gently, combining well. Pour into cool graham cracker crusts and refrigerate, covered. Serve with a spoonful of whipped cream or Cool Whip (for each serving).

Doesn’t that sound easy? I’m not sure I’d beat the yolks and sugar as long as the recipe suggested, but I shall try this one.

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