[ip26]

I think the short answer is quite simply nobody really knows.

Your best bet IMO is to ignore genetics (can't change it), pick a "Blue Zone", and emulate what you can- within reason. This is something we still haven't solved, so the next best thing is to try to follow a proven playbook. You could call it cargo cult'ing, but until we crack the code it's the best we've got.

Then you can sprinkle in rock-solid conventional knowledge, for example we're pretty much dead-certain that exercise is good for you and time in nature improves your well-being.

[toshk]

Blue zones are pretty cherry picked to fit the narrative of the authors.

[ip26]

Your criticism about cherry-picking is relevant if you are trying to distill the secret ingredients of longevity. However, I'm saying just forget about all that. Pick a healthful region of your choosing with proven long-term success, and emulate it as possible/reasonable. The end.

[DrRobinson]

I haven't read it so I'm curious, what makes you say that? Is the book concluding things that are wrong because of this?