Following the passing last week of Gertrude Baines aged 115, the oldest person in the world mantle now passes to Japan's Kama Chinen. At 114, Ms. Chinen is one of 457 centenarians living in Okinawa Prefecture - the collection of islands in Southern Japan that as well as being home to Yaeyama Chlorella - boasts the highest life expectancy in the world.

Inhabitants of these sun-blessed islands average an incredible 81.2 years. Scientists are naturally keen to discover the secret of this remarkable longevity. Research points to the high quality air and water that are rich in minerals, as well as dietary and social factors.

Okinawans have a saying that 'food maketh the man', and end each meal with the thanksgiving 'nuchi gusui' - or 'medicine for life'.
Seaweed is an important part of the islander's diet. The seaweed Kombu is easily absorbed and offers a wealth of minerals and vitamins, dietary fibre and essential fatty acids such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Almost 100 grams of seafood are consumed on average per day.

Healthy cuisine stretches back centuries in Okinawa with some festival pork dishes employing a process known as akunuki, where the the subcutaneous fat is carefully removed so that these healthy pork dishes are made with almost no saturated fat content. The Satsamu sweet potato has been a staple in these parts of many years and provides fibre, minerals, calcium, potassium and vitamins B1, B2 and C.

All of these factors, combined with an active lifestyle and a strong sense of purpose results in a vigourous and long-lived people. The pristine natural bounty - clean air, water and year-round sunshine make Okinawa an ideal location to grow chlorella. That's why this Ishigaki Island was chosen, and continues to produce the finest chlorella available.