by Ray Audette: "It is very well known that the highest rates of heart disease occur in vegetarian India. It is estimated that Hindus represent 65% of all heart attacks worldwide. This is not surprising, as this method of eating was invented in India as a response to high population densities (around 450 BC) in order to reduce the number of unproductive old people. Before birth control death control was the only option. [Anthropologist Marvin Harris writes about this in several of his books] Two nutritional studies of 100 year olds have shown the relationship between animal fat consumption and long life; Johnson, Mary Ann, "The Georgia Centenarian Study: Nutritional Patterns of Centenarians." The International Journal of Aging & Human Development Vol. 34(1) (1992) 57-76. Explains that hundred-year-olds typically eat high-fat diets. Since 1850 Americans have gained over 30 years of average life expectancy. Less then 5 years of this increase are statistically attributable to advances in medical science. The majority of longer lifespans most closely correlate to the reduction in the cost of animal fat made possible first by the railroad and then refrigeration. Of course, without technology dependent foods such as grains, beans, potatoes, milk and sugar (the "Fruit of the Tree of Knowledge" in Genesis) it is not possible to be a vegetarian. Faster ships and jet planes have also made fresh fruit and vegetables available year-round for the first time in history at very high profit, albeit, at great enviromental cost. Thanks to this new 20th century technology even Steve Jobs could have a Third World lifespan. Perhaps the best studies comparing Paleolithic people and Neolithic people are contained in ; Mark Cohen and G. J. Armelagos, Paleopathology at the Origins of Agriculture. New York: Academic Press, 1984. It is very well known that the highest rates of heart disease occur in vegetarian India. It is estimated that Hindus represent 65% of all heart attacks worldwide. This is not surprising, as this method of eating was invented in India as a response to high population densities (around 450 BC) in order to reduce the number of unproductive old people. Before birth control death control was the only option. [Anthropologist Marvin Harris writes about this in several of his books] Two nutritional studies of 100 year olds have shown the relationship between animal fat consumption and long life; Johnson, Mary Ann, "The Georgia Centenarian Study: Nutritional Patterns of Centenarians." The International Journal of Aging & Human Development Vol. 34(1) (1992) 57-76. Explains that hundred-year-olds typically eat high-fat diets. Since 1850 Americans have gained over 30 years of average life expectancy. Less then 5 years of this increase are statistically attributable to advances in medical science. The majority of longer lifespans most closely correlate to the reduction in the cost of animal fat made possible first by the railroad and then refrigeration. Of course, without technology dependent foods such as grains, beans, potatoes, milk and sugar (the "Fruit of the Tree of Knowledge" in Genesis) it is not possible to be a vegetarian. Faster ships and jet planes have also made fresh fruit and vegetables available year-round for the first time in history at very high profit, albeit, at great enviromental cost. Thanks to this new 20th century technology even Steve Jobs could have a Third World lifespan. Perhaps the best studies comparing Paleolithic people and Neolithic people are contained in ; Mark Cohen and G. J. Armelagos, Paleopathology at the Origins of Agriculture. New York: Academic Press, 1984. Ray Audette http://neanderthin.com/site/bibli.htm<http://neanderthin.com/site/bibli.htm> It is very well known that the highest rates of heart disease occur in vegetarian India. It is estimated that Hindus represent 65% of all heart attacks worldwide. This is not surprising, as this method of eating was invented in India as a response to high population densities (around 450 BC) in order to reduce the number of unproductive old people. Before birth control death control was the only option. [Anthropologist Marvin Harris writes about this in several of his books] Two nutritional studies of 100 year olds have shown the relationship between animal fat consumption and long life; Johnson, Mary Ann, "The Georgia Centenarian Study: Nutritional Patterns of Centenarians." The International Journal of Aging & Human Development Vol. 34(1) (1992) 57-76. Explains that hundred-year-olds typically eat high-fat diets. Since 1850 Americans have gained over 30 years of average life expectancy. Less then 5 years of this increase are statistically attributable to advances in medical science. The majority of longer lifespans most closely correlate to the reduction in the cost of animal fat made possible first by the railroad and then refrigeration. Of course, without technology dependent foods such as grains, beans, potatoes, milk and sugar (the "Fruit of the Tree of Knowledge" in Genesis) it is not possible to be a vegetarian. Faster ships and jet planes have also made fresh fruit and vegetables available year-round for the first time in history at very high profit, albeit, at great enviromental cost. Thanks to this new 20th century technology even Steve Jobs could have a Third World lifespan. Perhaps the best studies comparing Paleolithic people and Neolithic people are contained in ; Mark Cohen and G. J. Armelagos, Paleopathology at the Origins of Agriculture. New York: Academic Press, 1984. Ray Audette http://neanderthin.com/site/bibli.htm<http://neanderthin.com/site/bibli.htm> "Yes, The Indian diet is very high in fat, esp. 'ghee' and not healthy. (The Esselstyn vegan diet is very low in oils)" {my friend's comment though I'd differ with the comment re. fat} Thanks, Ray for the excellent posts and research links, as well as the J. Diamond article, which I just found mentioned also in Mark Sisson's "Primal Blueprint" {website:http://www.marksdailyapple.com/#axzz1zW6mUPb5<http://www.marksdailyapple.com/#axzz1zW6mUPb5>}. Thanks, Ray! Good stuff! Diane H.