Japanese Secrets of Long Life

Consumer Group What Doctors Don't Tell You report this month that the Southern Japanese are living active lives way beyond 100. There are currently 17,934 centenarians alive in Japan, and 80% are women. Last year the number increased by a further 2,469.

Researchers are putting this down to a warm climate, healthy diet and tight-knit social groups. WDDTY suggest that a 'purpose to life' is an important factor.

Edith Maskell added that this premise was exactly the philosophy of Doctor Edward Bach - "Health and happiness result from being in harmony with our own nature and doing the work for which we are individually suited".

Friday, 4 October 2002