Italian Health News

[Eagle]

There was an interesting story on BBC News this afternoon regarding a small village called Limone, which is on Lago di Garda. Scientists have discovered that some of the residents of this town have a gene which makes them "immune" to heart disease and strokes. The TV report showed them taking blood samples from several people, as they hope to isolate this gene and perhaps find some way to use it in treating those who are susceptible to this sort of thing.

I've heard there were areas of Italy where longevity exceeded any other areas in the world. It will be interesting to see if modern medical technology can find the reason for this (maybe it's the water???).

Having worked in the health care field, I found this interesting.

[jennifer]

Wow, I hadn't heard of this. This would be great if we could somehow use it on other parts of the world. I'm impressed!

[me]

there's an ethnic group in southern Japan that also tends toward long life. they've been trying to figure that one out for years.

- d

[LHR02]

I've read in several other articles that they (scientists) think it is the heavy use of olive oil as opposed to ther types of oils that contributes to the Italians longevity. There does indeed seem to be, however, these little conclaves of excellent health that appear here and there around the world. Makes ya wonder, doesn't it?

[jennifer]

Makes you want to move you mean!
I'd take a little italian village in no time!