<p>Full script at: <a href="www.tcmpodcast.me" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">www.tcmpodcast.me</a></p> <p>Short script: Advances in nutrition, healthcare, and awareness of healthy living have led to increased life expectancy and lower mortality rates. </p> <p>Currently, Hong Kong, Japan, and South Korea hold the highest life expectancies worldwide, significantly influenced by Chinese cultural practices, particularly in the realm of traditional medicine, which plays a crucial role in the region’s health and longevity. Cultural habits and dietary choices are deeply rooted in these societies.</p> <p>Studies have suggested that a diet low in protein and high in carbohydrates can promote longevity. Research from the Salk Institute found that eating within a shorter timeframe daily can result in health benefits, making a lower-carb, higher-protein diet potentially less advantageous compared to a balanced, moderate carbohydrate diet akin to the Okinawan style.</p> <p>Centenarian studies in regions with high numbers of those living past 100, like Okinawa and parts of Italy, emphasize plant-based diets low in protein and sugars, focusing instead on complex carbohydrates from beans and other plants. Many centenarians consume fewer meals daily, often finishing their evening meals before nightfall.</p> <p>Comparative analyses show that older Okinawans typically consume less meat and more vegetables than their American counterparts, contributing to lower instances of cancer and heart disease among them.</p>