At Lygon Everyday Chemist, we believe health isn’t about quick fixes but about creating a lifestyle that helps your body perform at its best every day. Around the world, there are regions where people not only live longer but live better, with less chronic disease, sharper minds, and stronger communities. These are known as the Blue Zones.

So what can Brunswick East learn from them? Here’s how you can bring those same healthy habits into your home, diet, and daily routine - right here on Lygon Street.

What Are the Blue Zones?

The term “Blue Zones” comes from research led by Dan Buettner and National Geographic, identifying five regions with unusually high numbers of people living over 100 years:

• Okinawa, Japan
• Sardinia, Italy
• Nicoya, Costa Rica
• Ikaria, Greece
• Loma Linda, California

Despite being worlds apart, these regions share common lifestyle patterns that promote health and longevity. Modern science supports many of these habits.

The Four Pillars of Everyday Health

At Lygon Everyday Chemist, we align with four key pillars of health that mirror Blue Zone living: Nutrition, Movement, Rest, and Connection.

1. Eat with Purpose

Blue Zone diets are mostly plant-based, rich in legumes, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and olive oil. They limit red and processed meats, added sugars, and ultra-processed foods - all linked with inflammation and chronic disease (Harvard School of Public Health, 2023).

What to Eat More Of:

• Whole plant foods such as colourful vegetables, lentils, beans, and chickpeas.
• Healthy fats like olive oil, avocado, nuts, and seeds.
• Fermented foods such as yogurt, kimchi, and kefir for gut health.
• Fish twice a week for omega-3s and heart health.

What to Eat Less Of:

• Processed meats like bacon, salami, and sausages.
• Refined carbs and sugars such as soft drinks, pastries, and white bread.
• Ultra-processed snacks with additives and trans fats.

Evidence:

A 2021 meta-analysis in JAMA Network Open found that replacing processed foods with plant-based meals reduced all-cause mortality by 19 percent.

At Lygon Everyday Chemist, we stock Bioceuticals UltraClean Omega, Herbs of Gold Probiotic 60 Billion, and Ethical Nutrients Hi-Strength Vitamin C, all clinically supported to help reduce inflammation and strengthen immune health.

2. Move Naturally

In the Blue Zones, people don’t rely on gyms. They move constantly through gardening, walking, and cycling. In Brunswick East, it can be as simple as walking or cycling to local cafés, gardening, or taking your dog for a walk to our dog-friendly pharmacy!

Regular low-intensity movement lowers cardiovascular and cancer risk by up to 30 percent according to the World Health Organization (2022).

3. Rest and Recover

Chronic stress increases inflammation, heart disease, and depression. Blue Zone residents build in daily downtime through napping, meditation, or shared meals.

Simple Ways to Apply This:

• Turn off devices one hour before bed.
• Enjoy magnesium-rich foods like spinach and almonds or use a Bioceuticals Magnesium Night Formula to support relaxation.
• Aim for seven to eight hours of consistent, quality sleep.

A 2022 study in Sleep Medicine found that people sleeping seven to eight hours nightly had a 21 percent lower risk of all-cause mortality.

4. Connect and Belong

Social connection is a longevity multiplier. Blue Zone communities thrive on strong relationships and daily purpose.

In Brunswick East, connection can look like sharing meals with family, joining local walking or yoga groups at CERES, or checking in on a neighbour.

The Harvard Human Flourishing Study (2021) found that strong social ties can extend lifespan by up to seven years.

Vitamins and Supplements: When and Why They Matter

While Blue Zone diets are naturally nutrient-dense, our modern lifestyle can create shortfalls. Supplements can help fill those gaps, especially for busy individuals or those with specific needs.

Helpful Supplements:

• Vitamin D3 for immunity and bone health, especially in winter.
• Magnesium for muscle recovery and sleep quality.
• Probiotics for gut and immune health.
• Omega-3 fatty acids for brain and cardiovascular support.

What to Avoid or Use with Care:

• High-dose synthetic multivitamins without clinical evidence.
• Excess iron or fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) unless prescribed.
• “Detox” or “quick fix” products without TGA approval.

All products recommended at Lygon Everyday Chemist meet TGA quality standards and are supported by clinical evidence.

Living the Blue Zone Way in Brunswick East

You don’t have to move to Sardinia or Ikaria to live longer and feel better. 

You can create your own Blue Zone lifestyle right here in Brunswick East by:

• Shopping at local markets for fresh produce.
• Sharing meals with friends and family.
• Walking or cycling along the Merri Creek Trail.
• Choosing purpose over pressure.

The goal isn’t perfection - it’s progress. Small, consistent, evidence-based changes in how you eat, move, rest, and connect can transform how you feel and how long you live.

Here for Good

At Lygon Everyday Chemist, we’re more than a pharmacy - we’re your partners in prevention, education, and wellness.

Ask our pharmacists about our nutrition, sleep, and wellness consultations, or visit our website for more lifestyle health tips.

473–475 Lygon Street, Brunswick East

03 9386 6701

Here for Good. Here for You… everyday !