MIRAI GCT1 Workshop: “Health and Aging Population”

Craig has spent over two decades studying the genetic and lifestyle factors that shape healthy ageing and longevity. He co-leads the Okinawa Centenarian Study and directs the Okinawa Research Center for Longevity Science. He is the co-author of two best-selling books, The Okinawa Program and The Okinawa Diet Plan, which translate his research into practical guidance for public health. Dr. Willcox also advises global industry leaders on innovations for healthy ageing, and his work has been featured in cover articles of National Geographic, Time Magazine, CNN, BBC, and Oprah among many others.

Okinawa and Hawai‘i, long connected by migration and cultural exchange, have also become scientific partners in longevity research. Okinawa, the first identified Blue Zone, is noted for its high concentration of centenarians and low rates of age-related disease. In Hawai‘i, the Kuakini Honolulu Heart Program (HHP) has tracked Japanese-American men for over five decades, creating one of the most extensive datasets on aging worldwide. Together, these studies provide a unique lens on the interplay between genetics and lifestyle in shaping lifespan.

Central to this research is the FOXO3 gene, a well-validated marker of human longevity first discovered by our research team in 2008. FOXO3 regulates cellular stress response, inflammation, and mitochondrial function, with specific variants linked to slower telomere shortening, reduced cardiometabolic risk, and longer life expectancy. In Okinawa, genetics intersect with lifestyle, particularly diet. The traditional Okinawan diet is nutrient-dense yet low in calories, emphasizing vegetables, legumes, and marine foods. The practice of hara hachi bu—eating until 80% full—acts as a natural form of caloric restriction, reducing oxidative stress, lowering chronic inflammation, and enhancing metabolic efficiency.

Our recent findings also point to astaxanthin, a marine-derived antioxidant, as a dietary activator of FOXO3. Experimental evidence suggests it enhances FOXO3 expression and nuclear translocation, offering a promising nutrigenomic avenue for influencing aging pathways. This presentation highlights discoveries from our Okinawa–Hawai‘i collaborations and explores future directions in the study of healthy aging and integrative strategies to support healthy lifespan across populations.