The point is that if we were vegetarian we would have a different dentition
than we have..............bigger molars, definite third molar, larger jaw
structure.  We are omnivores and a lot of our eating has been meat, fish,
etc, so our teeth wouldn't have to be burdened with such a heavy load of
vegetable matter to process..............although it could do the job if it
had to in a pinch.

P


----- Original Message -----
From: "Marilyn Harris" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, November 29, 2001 7:09 AM
Subject: Re: Naked with a .. stick and fire?


> Hello Wally;
>
> >inescapable fact remains that the human animal has evolved relatively
> >little in terms of dentition and metabolism since the advent of those
> >technologies.
>
> The dentition pattern does not suggest a pure carnivore but an animal who
> consumes vegetation or hard food. But it does not exclude meat in the form
> of carrion, insects and small animals as a food source as you suggest. In
> fact I would say that we *require* meat since one of the B vitamins is not
> found in any vegetable (as I understand it).
>
> However because of the shape of our teeth and our elongated bowel it's my
> opinion that we are physiologically capable of eating vegetation and doing
> so is absolutely natural and beneficial. Whether that includes grain
> products is another issue.
>
> >These are the most basic concepts behind "paleo."  It's not a game, it's
> >not fiddling with numbers...  If you can't deal with it, why are you
> >here?
>
> I'm an omnivore amd I enjoy the emphasis on natural as possible food
sources
> discussed here on the list. In fact, I have emailed one of the large
grocery
> store chains here in Ottawa giving them contact information about
grass-fed
> beef produced elsewhere in Ontario.
>
> Marilyn
>
>