For some reason, I had the idea that atherosclerosis is one of
the "diseases of civilization" -- an unexamined assumption, I
guess.  In his book, _The Colesterol Myths_, Ravnskov cites the
research of Detweiler et al, into atherosclerosis in wild
animals.  This research was published in 1963 and largely
ignored, it seems.

Anyway, atherosclerosis is found in many wild animals but is less
widespread than in humans.  The most likely explanation for this
fact is that wild animals are less likely to survive into the
elderly years when atherosclerosis is most likely to occur.
Interestingly, birds are more atherosclerotic than most other
animals.  Seals and sea lions have it, despite consuming large
amounts of marine fats.  Vegetarian species have atherosclerosis,
but strict carnivores do not.

I'm not sure what to make of this information.  Atherosclerosis
is not the same thing as heart disease, of course.  It seems like
something that deserves more research.

Todd Moody
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