>Now, of the people who do live a complete lifespan, how many get that far
>without being put on medication? A tiny percentage, I'll bet -- 5% maybe?

This reminds me of my Norwegian "grandmother" (term of endearment, not
biological kin) who lived to 82 in absolute perfect health. Her mind, body
and spirit were sound and strong. She tended 10 acres of land by herself,
had a strawberry patch, vegetable garden, beautiful flowers, and a bounty of
barn cats to keep the mice in check. She even mowed her lawn herself! In the
1980's, when she was in her age 80's, she began a "heart healthy" lowfat
diet. Her health has declined dramatically in the last 20 years. (Yes, she
is still alive at age 99). She is losing her mind, has two broken hips, and
has become quite bitter, to put it kindly.

One might attribute this decline to "old age", but I don't buy it. I have
heard countless stories of some of my recent West Virginia mountain
ancestors (my grandmother's uncles and aunts), as well as my Mohawk
grandmother, who lived to and past age 100 on a diet that included wild
meat, lots of fat and home-grown veggies without ever losing their mind,
breaking a bone, or losing their spirit. They died quietly in their sleep.

Stacie
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