Many Japanese live to a respectable age, and more than 20,000 of them live to be over 100 years old. Life expectancy in Japan, for both men and women, is the highest in the world. What are the conditions for this?

1) The most important factor in long life in our time is diet. Centenarians have some common features. For example, almost none of them are overweight. Obesity puts more stress on the heart and increases the risk of hardening of the arteries. If you reduce your intake of calories and cholesterol, this will ensure less hardening of the arteries, which is usually the main cause of disease. Japanese confucian scholars claim that the only way to stay healthy is to stop eating when the stomach is about 80% full.

2) To ensure the burning of calories, we must perform physical exercises. As we age, joints become more difficult to control, so exercise is needed to keep them supple. Exercise is very important, and a physically and mentally inactive life leads to dementia.

3) Another important factor is the outlook on life. Be optimistic. Do what you want. People who are interested in their lives remain healthy, even if the natural rhythm of their lives is sometimes a little disturbed. When you get older, the quality of life especially strongly depends on your interests and whether you are passionate about them. It would be a big mistake to think 'Since I'm old, I can relax'. It is better to continue to lead an active lifestyle and do what you want. Communicating with people, living an interesting life, that's what makes you go forward.

Do you agree with these points? What points do you make yourself?