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From:	Jeff Novick, MS, RD, LD, LN (novick.vegsource.com)
Subject:	Re: Article on Saturated Fats
Date:	December 13, 2007 at 5:27 pm PST

In Reply to: Article on Saturated Fats posted by Brian on December 13, 2007 at 4:44 pm:

The Masai, an African tribe that is one that lives soley on Animal protein, and said to have "adapted" have a life expectancy in the 40s also. Not an "adaption" I want.

And they do get thickening of the arteries and atherosclerosis (see below)

When you look at long lived populations, a plant based diet, is one of the common denominators

http://www.bluezones.com/live-longer-better/longevity-secrets/

(Blue Zones™ is an ongoing project that is part of Quest Network, Inc. funded by the National Institute on Aging and National Geographic. Blue Zones studies the world’s longest-lived populations around the world for information and lifestyle characteristics that can help people live longer, better lives.)

American Journal of Epidemiology Vol. 95, No. 1: 26-37

ATHEROSCLEROSIS IN THE MASAI

GEORGE V. MANN, ANNE SPOERRY, MARGARETE GARY and DEBRA JARASHOW

Mann, G. V. (Vanderbilt Univ. School of Medicine, Nashville, Tenn. 37203), A. Spoerry, M. Gray, and D. Jarashow. Atherosclerosis in the Masai. Am J Epidemiol 95: 26–37, 1972.–

The hearts and aortae of 50 Masai men were collected at autopsy. These pastoral people are exceptionally active and fit and they consume diets of milk and meat. The intake of animal fat exceeds that of American men. Measurements of the aorta showed extensive atherosclerosis with lipid infiltration and fibrous changes but very few complicated lesions. The coronary arteries showed intimal thickening by atherosclerosis which equaled that of old U.S. men. The Masai vessels enlarge with age to more than compensate for this disease. It is speculated that the Masai are protected from their atherosclerosis by physical fitness which causes their coronary vessels to be capacious.

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