Hunza Valley People: World’s Poorest but Live Vibrantly to a Jaw-Dropping 120 Years. What is Their Secret?
The Hunza people, residing in a remote valley in the Himalayas, are known for their remarkable longevity and vibrant ‘Hunza live’ lifestyle, often living to celebrate their centennial birthdays. The average life expectancy of the Hunza tribe is around 120 years, showcasing their long and healthy lives, often surpassing a hundred years and becoming a point of fascination for scientists and the western world.
Where is Hunza Valley
The Hunza Valley is located at an elevation of over 2,500 meters in northern Pakistan, surrounded by the breathtaking surrounding mountains of the Karakoram Range. Its geography is both rugged and breathtaking, featuring pristine glacial water and clean mountain air, with traditional stone houses built on high plateaus to withstand the harsh mountain climate. Nestled amidst these towering peaks, the Hunza villages play a pivotal role in the Hunza people’s way of life, embodying a unique cultural and geographical significance that contributes to their longevity, well-being, and unique culture. Hunza has long been the subject of fascination and study due to the reputed longevity and exceptional health of its inhabitants.
The isolation of the valley for most of its history, protected by the surrounding mountains, has led to a lifestyle that is distinctly different from much of the modern world, closely tied to nature and the changing seasons. Often dubbed the “land where people forget to die,” this remote area has become synonymous with extended lifespan and vitality.
The Role of the Hunza Diet in Longevity
One of the most frequently cited factors in the longevity of the Hunza people is their healthy diet. Predominantly plant-based, it is rich in fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, and legumes, with a minimal intake of meat. The Hunza people consume a diet that avoids processed foods, which is believed to reduce oxidative stress and related health disorders. Apricots are a staple in their diet, consumed both fresh and dried. Apricot kernels, high in vitamin B17, are believed to have cancer-fighting properties. The Hunza diet is low in fat, high in fiber, and packed with essential nutrients, which are key components recognized universally for promoting health and longevity.
Their food is also consumed in a minimally processed state. The Hunza do not use chemical fertilizers or pesticides, making their food organic and possibly contributing to their overall health. Furthermore, their eating pattern follows the natural cycles of fasting and feasting, which aligns closely with modern concepts of intermittent fasting, known to aid metabolic health and longevity.
Physical activities of Hunza Valley People
Physical activity is an integral part of daily life in the Hunza Valley. The demanding agricultural practices and the terrain necessitate regular physical labor, which ensures that the Hunza people maintain a high level of physical fitness throughout their lives. Daily walking and manual labor serve as natural forms of exercise that strengthen the body, improve cardiovascular health, and enhance metabolic efficiency.
Social and Cultural Practices
The social structure in Hunza also contributes to their longevity. The community is known for its strong social ties and collective approach to village life. This sense of belonging and a strong support network are vital components of mental and emotional health, which are as critical to longevity as physical health.
Furthermore, the Hunza people possess a remarkable zest for life and a positive outlook, traits that psychological studies have linked to longer lifespans. Their cultural practices, which include music, dance, and storytelling, enrich their lives and strengthen communal bonds.
Hunza Genetics and Healthcare
Genetics likely plays a role in the longevity of the Hunza people, although specific longevity genes have not been identified in this population. The genetic isolation of the Hunza, combined with centuries of marriages within the community, might have led to a genetic composition that favors longevity.
While traditional medicine is prevalent, the accessibility to modern healthcare is limited in the valley. However, the low incidence of diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes suggest that lifestyle factors significantly outweigh the need for medical intervention in maintaining health.
Intriguing Alternate Theory on the Remarkable Longevity of Hunza Valley People
While the reputed longevity of the Hunza people is well-known, it has been met with skepticism among some researchers. The most notable and famous is the Italian born physicist Gianni Dotto, who came up with an alternate theory to explain the longevity of the people of Hunza Valley.
Who is Gianni Dotto
He was born in Italy in the early 20th century and later emigrated to the United States. Originally a nuclear physicist and mechanical engineer and owner of multiple patents, Dotto’s career trajectory took a sharp turn when he took position as biophysics teacher at Milan University and became very interested in the biological effects of magnetic fields. There, he discovered that magnetic fields induced by an electric coil and by permanent magnets had a positive effect on the human body. His interest in this area was partly inspired by his background in engineering and partly by a broader curiosity about the natural world and its phenomena. You can read more about Gianni Dotto’s life in this article.
Dotto and Hunza Valley
It is unclear what prompted Dotto’s fascination with Hunza Valley but it is clear that he became obsessed with the health and longevity enjoyed by the people of Hunza Valley. He rejected the diet theory promoted by others researchers because he observed that the neighboring valleys to Hunza had a diet similar to the Hunza people but didn’t not enjoy the same life expectancy. What was unique about the Hunza valley however, is the fact that is it is surrounded by glaciers which created a unique weather pattern composed of a cold front on one side, and a warm front on the other side of the valley, thus allowing the same health-promoting effects he observed in his lab.
The Dotto Ring
Gianni Dotto went on to create what is known as the Dotto Ring. The ring is 27 inches in diameter, made of heavy copper and has an adjacent heated and refrigerated area. The Dotto Ring was designed to generate a longitudinal wave similar to the magnetic resonance that Dotto theorized was present in Hunza. By aligning this device with the body’s own magnetic fields, he suggested it could enhance cellular vitality and slow aging. Rigourous testing was done on mice inoculated with cancerous cells. The mice treated with the Dotto Ring survived and those not treated died. Furthermore, the mice that survived were euthanized and autopsied. Surprisingly, no single cancer cell was found in them.
Aftermath of the Dotto Ring
The Dotto ring became widely popular and sought after by the public until Gianni Dotto was ordered by the medical board in Ohio to discontinue the use of the device for diagnosis or treatment. One of the patients undergoing treatment for leukemia will later sue the Ohio Medical Board from enforcing the ban on the device. The story was published by the NewYork Times in December 1970. There were also accounts of the ring being used to reverse some patients age up to 20 years.
My take on the Dotto Ring
Dotto was far ahead of his time. His story reminds me of Tesla, one other true genius of of history. the The fact that there is a record of someone suing the the government to make the ring available to the public is a testament that the device worked and was effective at healing the body. The design of the ring to have one cold and one hot side point to what we know today about the benefits and popularity of hot and cold plunge. Regular cold plunge is something I have struggled with as mentioned in an earlier post. I am going to be taking another crack at it. The Dotto ring would make a great shortcut for this. There are also some research studies that suggest a positive effect of electromagnetic fields on longevity.
There is very little information online about Gianni Dotto and his ring beside the patent. I even have been unable to find a single picture of the man. It is reported that Gianni Dotto died in mysterious conditions and his invention was consfisquated by government. But since the original patent is still available in the public domain, I can not help but believe there is someone out there who has constructed the device and uses it on a regular basis. I came upon a video of a medical doctor who built the device in order to experiment with it. But he gave no information on who he is or where he is located. This device would be a dream to try from a biohacker perspective. I would be very interested to know what Bryan Johnson thinks about the Dotto Ring Any information towards accessing the Dotto Ring is greatly appreciated.
