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Lifestyle and longevity: Lessons from a Blue Zone
In the quiet city of Loma Linda, an hour east of Los Angeles, residents are redefining what it means to age well. Known as one of the world's Blue Zones-regions where people live significantly longer-this community of Seventh-Day Adventists has become a focal point for researchers studying longevity.
Marijke, 76, and her husband Tom exemplify the lifestyle that has put Loma Linda on the map. Over a breakfast of oatmeal, chia seeds, and berries-devoid of processed sugar or caffeine-the couple shared their daily routine, deeply rooted in the church's teachings. Abstaining from alcohol and caffeine, adhering to a vegetarian or vegan diet, and prioritizing physical and mental well-being are central to their lives.
Decades of research have shown that members of this community enjoy not only longer lifespans but also extended healthspans-the period spent in good health. Dr. Gary Fraser of the University of Loma Linda estimates that Adventist women gain an additional four to five years of healthy life, while men gain seven.
"There's no great secret here," Fraser noted. "It's about living a healthy life, staying mentally active, and valuing community."
Residents like Judy, who lives in an assisted-living facility with 112 others, emphasize the importance of socialization. "I didn't realize how critical it is for brain health," she said. "Without it, the brain seems to shrink."
Tracking brain ageing with AI and big data
As healthcare shifts toward personalized, predictive, and preventative models, early diagnosis is becoming increasingly vital. Advances in artificial intelligence and big data are enabling scientists to track brain ageing with unprecedented precision.
Andrei Irimia, an associate professor of gerontology and computational biology at the University of Southern California, has developed AI-driven models to analyze brain ageing. Using MRI scans from 15,000 brains, his team can distinguish between healthy ageing and pathological decline, such as dementia.
"AI detects patterns humans might miss," Irimia explained. "It's a sophisticated way to understand brain trajectories."
During a visit, Irimia analyzed a functional MRI scan of journalist Lara Lewington, revealing her brain age was eight months older than her chronological age-though the error margin was two years. Private companies like Brainkey are commercializing similar technology, offering MRI-based brain age assessments in clinics worldwide. Founder Owen Philips noted that improving MRI accessibility and image quality could enable earlier detection of brain changes.
The role of sleep and mental health
While technology offers new tools, experts agree that lifestyle remains the cornerstone of brain health. Matthew Walker, a professor of neuroscience at UC Berkeley and author of Why We Sleep, calls sleep "the single most effective daily reset for brain and body health."
During sleep, the brain clears harmful proteins like beta-amyloid and tau, which are linked to Alzheimer's. Walker warned that sleep pattern changes-detectable as early as one's 30s-could serve as early indicators of dementia risk. Tracking sleep may thus become a key preventive measure.
Mental health also plays a critical role. Untreated depression has been shown to increase dementia risk. Stanford University's Professor Leanne Williams uses MRI scans to visualize depression in the brain, offering insights into treatment efficacy and underlying causes.
Innovative research and ethical questions
Biotech firm Fauna Bio is exploring groundbreaking research on hibernating ground squirrels. During hibernation, these animals regenerate neurons and restore brain connections, inspiring potential drug development to replicate these effects in humans.
Meanwhile, tech entrepreneur Bryan Johnson has gained attention for his extreme regimen-19-hour fasts, intense workouts, and controversial treatments-to reverse his biological age. Yet, 103-year-old Mildred, a Loma Linda resident, offers a simpler perspective: "Be careful with your diet, but don't forget to live a little."
"The goal isn't just to extend life but to push dementia beyond our lifespans," Irimia said. "Lifestyle is still the most powerful tool we have."
Looking ahead
As science advances, the interplay between technology and lifestyle will shape the future of brain health. From AI-driven diagnostics to sleep tracking and mental health innovations, the focus remains on prevention. Yet, as the residents of Loma Linda demonstrate, the simplest habits-good food, community, and rest-may hold the key to ageing gracefully.
