Secrets of Longevity

 

Vilcabamba has long been known throughout South America as the “Valley of Longevity.” Throughout much of the twentieth century, researchers from across the globe ventured to Vilcabamba to study “the old ones” and discover how and why these villagers live such long lives, free from disease.

Spurred by the many reports of longevity, National Geographic magazine partnered with Dr. Alexander Leaf of Harvard University and sent him to Vilcabamba and other “Blue Zones” of the world to investigate the longevity claims. Dr. Leaf’s findings were published in National Geographic in July 1973 as the magazine’s cover story.


Leaf reported that 1 in 64 people living in the Vilcabamba Valley lived to 100 years of age or longer and in excellent health. The Vilcabambans thrived, free from the diseases of aging that plague the modern world – heart disease, Alzheimer’s, cancer and obesity.

Elderly men in the village were known to have fathered children despite their advanced years, according to Dr. Leaf.

Inspired by Dr. Leaf’s research, medical journalist Dr. Morton Walker journeyed to Vilcabamba in 1981. His goal was to collect hair samples of the Vilcabamban centenarians to be analyzed in the laboratory. His findings revealed that the Vilcabambans’ plant-based antioxidant-rich diet and mineral spring water were key contributors to their health and longevity. Laboratory analysis of the hair samples confirmed that the spring water consumed by the Vilcabambans provided the ideal mineral profile to support healthy bones and total body nutrition.

Dr. Walker further concluded that the Vilcabambans daily diet coupled with daily physical activity, clean air, low stress, and meaningful personal relationships gave them the physical edge that led to their longevity and life-long health.

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