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Date: | Sun, 22 Aug 1999 17:21:11 +1000 |
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Sorry if I've missed some of the discussion, but may I add that brain size
has actually shrunk in the last 10,000 year since Neolithic foods came
along. This indicating that evolution was increasing brain mass, and then
Neolithic diet has been reversing it. i.e. caveman were smarter because they
were feeding their brains better!
Reference: Christopher B. Ruff et al, Body mass and Encephalization in
Pleistocene Homo (letter)Nature Vol 387 8 May 1997 pp173-176
The relevant data:
Years ago. Cranial capactiy (cc)
current worldwide 1349
current Pecos Peublo 1308+/-23
10000-21000 1466
21000-35000 1517
36000-75000 1498
90000 1501
100000-150000 1354
200000-300000 1186
400000-500000 1090
600000-1,150,000 856
1,200,000-1,800,000 914
I'm aware that the number of convulutions on the surface of the brain is as
important as its size in determining intelligence, but have no data on this.
So, forget about smart drugs. If you want your brain to work better, or your
kids to be smarter, consider the paleolithic diet as your best option.
Ben Balzer
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