Week 4 Post 2

 On the Island of Ikaria in Greece, men and women live longer, healthier, and happier lives. In fact, in the case of Stamatis Moraitis, a Greek war veteran who had settled in the United States, a trip home may have even reverse his cancer diagnoses. When Moraitis was diagnosed with lung cancer in his late 60's, the doctor gave him 9-months to live. Disappointed by this diagnoses, he decided to move back to his home town of Ikaria to enjoy his last months on Earth. He originally spent his days in his bed, tended to by his wife and mother. However, as he started to reconnect with his faith, he decided to walk up the hill to the Greek Orthodox Church every Sunday morning. Here, he reconnected with childhood friends and they began to hang out and drink wine. All the sudden, he was beginning to feel stronger, even gaining the will to plant a garden. Despite feeling that he would not live to see the harvest, he enjoyed the fresh air and the promise of leaving something behind for his wife. Months came and went and Moraitis continued to live. He rebooted the family's vineyard, took naps, played dominos, ate with friends, went to bed late, and woke up late. He is now 102 and cancer-free. He never took drugs or sought treatment. The island of Ikaria is known for the longevity of its citizens lives. No other area on Earth has the highest rate of people alive over 100 years old. And, citizens go 8-10 years longer without succumbing to cancer and cardiovascular disease. The people on the island live their lives entirely different from the standard American. In fact, they do not even have watches and the clocks do not work. Citizens go to sleep when they are tired and wake late. One of the only physicians said that he did not even open up his office until 11 am. Before that, no one would show up. 40% of people are not employed but everyone has access to a family garden and livestock, so feeding themselves is of no concern. Among the many diet factors that may have saved Moraitis' life though, the factor that appears to have been the most beneficial is the social changes and connections offered to him in his home and the purpose he regained. "Ikigai" is the reason for which you wake up in the morning. No matter the age, everyone must have this defined purpose. There is no retirement. One must always have something to wake up for. Their diet consists of polyphenols, antioxidants, mild diuretics and is low in dairy, meat, sugar, white flour, and completely absent of pesticides. For the people on the island, life is simple and happy. 

Of the many things that contribute to America's chronic illness epidemic, diet is considered to be the most obvious. The diet of the traditional Ikarian citizen is polar opposite of the standard American diet. Every night, the people on the island drink "Mountain Tea". The mountain tea consists of marjoram, sage, mint, rosemary, dandelion leaves, and artemisia. It is these ingredients that work as a natural medicine in the bodies of Ikarian people. The ingredient help to prevent gingivitis, gastrointestinal disorders, and gout, improve blood circulation, and lower blood pressure. Additionally, local honey is used like medicine daily to treat wounds, cure hangovers, and treat influenza. More than the food, what America is lacking is genuine social connection and meaningful purpose. A purpose that is not for monetary gain or other benefit. But purpose that is for self-improvement and community involvement. Researchers have looked at countless other places which have the same diet and exercise habits, and still live shorter lives. This indicates that social involvement must play some important role in the longevity of the people. The people in Ikaria can relax. Their lives are not dominated by the time on the clock and the money in the bank. People care for each other as if themselves. Therefore, studies have concluded that being able to define your life meaning adds to your life expectancy. This helps point to why American health is so cataclysmic. We completely lack a sense of community and without community we live with a constant feeling of competition and stress, with elevated cortisol threatening our daily health. It is impossible to change these behavior, to have a healthy diet, or achieve a lifestyle goal if a person's community will not change the behavior alongside them. For this reason, gyms and diets are not working. Someone who is happier will be healthier. Someone who is healthier will be happier. So, the first step in fighting chronic illness may just be to do what makes a person happy. Evidence would suggest that this makes a world of a difference. In the case of Stamatis Moraitis, it saved his life.