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Alteração comportamental nas comunidades com vista ao aumento da longevidade: um exemplo das zonas azuis
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O conceito “Zonas Azuis” surgiu em 2004, quando um grupo de investigadores constatou a
existência de cinco zonas no mundo onde a percentagem de centenários é bastante superior à
de outras regiões. Estas cinco localidades – Sardenha, Okinawa, Nicoya, Ikaria e Loma Linda – partilham entre si características e estilos de vida que estão associados ao alcance da
longevidade.
Entre as Zonas Azuis, a geografia montanhosa e isolada é um fator comum à maioria, assim
como a dieta, predominantemente baseada em vegetais, frutas, grãos e leguminosas e com um
reduzido consumo de carne, a atividade física constante, as relações sociais e familiares
continuamente cultivadas e fortalecidas, o sentido de propósito e os reduzidos níveis de stress,
que incluem níveis adequados de descanso. Semelhanças genéticas foram igualmente
encontradas entre os centenários, principalmente no que diz respeito aos genes Forkhead box
O3 (FOXO3) e Alipoproteína E (APOE), os únicos atualmente relacionados com a longevidade.
De entre estes fatores, a dieta e a atividade física são aqueles que mais evidência têm
relativamente ao aumento da longevidade.
A par das semelhanças, identificam-se algumas diferenças entre os vários estilos de vida destas
populações. Assim, é possível compreender que a longevidade não está associada a práticas
únicas, mas sim a estilos de vida equilibrados e saudáveis e que, por isso, será possível alcançar
resultados semelhantes aos das Zonas Azuis noutras localidades do mundo.
Considerando as características e hábitos de cada população, é possível implementar mudanças
que tornem o estilo de vida dos habitantes mais saudável e, consequentemente, lhes permita
experienciar um envelhecimento com maior qualidade. É certo que alterações no estilo de vida
possibilitam menores taxas de mortalidade e morbilidade, no entanto, ainda não foi possível
comprovar que aquelas têm um impacto positivo na longevidade das populações. Para tal, é
necessário realizar mais estudos, que acompanhem as populações e o seu progresso ao longo
de várias décadas.
The ‘Blue Zones’ concept emerged in 2004 when a group of researchers realized that there were five areas around the world where the percentage of centenarians was much higher than in other regions. These five areas—Sardinia, Okinawa, Nicoya, Ikaria, and Loma Linda—share characteristics and lifestyles associated with longevity. Among the Blue Zones, the mountainous and isolated geography is a common factor to most of them, as is the diet, predominantly based on vegetables, fruit, grains and beans and with reduced consumption of meat, constant physical activity, social and family relationships that are continually cultivated and strengthened, a sense of purpose and reduced stress levels, which include adequate levels of rest. Genetic similarities were also found among centenarians, especially concerning the Forkhead box O3 (FOXO3) and Alipoprotein E(APOE) genes, the only ones currently linked to longevity. Of these factors, diet and physical activity have the most evidence of increased longevity. Alongside these similarities, there are some differences between the various lifestyles of these populations. It is, therefore, possible to realize that longevity is not associated with single practices, but rather with balanced and healthy lifestyles, and that it will be possible to achieve results similar to those of the Blue Zones in other parts of the world. Considering each population's characteristics and habits, it is possible to implement changes that make people's lifestyles healthier and consequently enable them to experience better quality aging. Lifestyle changes lead to lower mortality and morbidity rates, but it hasn't yet been proven that they have a positive impact on population longevity. More studies need to be carried out that follow populations and its developments for several decades.
The ‘Blue Zones’ concept emerged in 2004 when a group of researchers realized that there were five areas around the world where the percentage of centenarians was much higher than in other regions. These five areas—Sardinia, Okinawa, Nicoya, Ikaria, and Loma Linda—share characteristics and lifestyles associated with longevity. Among the Blue Zones, the mountainous and isolated geography is a common factor to most of them, as is the diet, predominantly based on vegetables, fruit, grains and beans and with reduced consumption of meat, constant physical activity, social and family relationships that are continually cultivated and strengthened, a sense of purpose and reduced stress levels, which include adequate levels of rest. Genetic similarities were also found among centenarians, especially concerning the Forkhead box O3 (FOXO3) and Alipoprotein E(APOE) genes, the only ones currently linked to longevity. Of these factors, diet and physical activity have the most evidence of increased longevity. Alongside these similarities, there are some differences between the various lifestyles of these populations. It is, therefore, possible to realize that longevity is not associated with single practices, but rather with balanced and healthy lifestyles, and that it will be possible to achieve results similar to those of the Blue Zones in other parts of the world. Considering each population's characteristics and habits, it is possible to implement changes that make people's lifestyles healthier and consequently enable them to experience better quality aging. Lifestyle changes lead to lower mortality and morbidity rates, but it hasn't yet been proven that they have a positive impact on population longevity. More studies need to be carried out that follow populations and its developments for several decades.
Descrição
Trabalho Final de Mestrado Integrado, Ciências Farmacêuticas, 2024, Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Farmácia.
Palavras-chave
Centenários Estilo de vida Longevidade Zonas azuis Mestrado integrado - 2024