4 ms·

Historically, Inuit life expectancy was shorter than other populations [1]. Are we looking at what people have done or do today? Should we look at the diet of t

by mfer 4y ago

Historically, Inuit life expectancy was shorter than other populations [1]. Are we looking at what people have done or do today? Should we look at the diet of the people who live the longest and have the best health as long as possible? I'm for looking at the diets that produce the best health the longest and best vitality as we age. The Inuit people on an animal diet are not a good example of this. [1] https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/82-003-x/2008001/article/10463/4149059-eng.htm https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/82-003-x/2008001/article...

oifjsidjf 4y ago
The problem with these studies is that: 1) They mix in infant mortality rates. 2) Many of these "native peoples" are poorer and have less access to healthcare compared to others. So in general it's very hard to get good data on life expectancy on these fringe groups.
- mfer 4y ago
  You're right about infant mortality rates. Then there's a question of how much access to health care should be needed? I was recently reading about a study that found when western diets entered a region health care costs go up. I was reading about it in Barons which is a financial publication. I imagine they are looking for investment opportunities. But, the observation is interesting. I'd link it if I could find it. If you look at the US causes of death, a high percent of them are related to lifestyle. Like so many heart disease issues being linked to smoking or arterial blockages (and they've studied the causes of those). If a group doesn't have those lifestyle components they they have better health and longevity.
nradov 4y ago
Some other indigenous North American tribes also subsisted almost entirely on meat (mainly bison), and seem to have been fairly healthy. This site is pushing a particular diet so take their conclusions with some skepticism, but their underlying data seems to be mostly accurate. https://thepaleodiet.com/north-american-plains-indians-tall-and-robust-meat-eaters-but-not-a-milk-drinker-among-them https://thepaleodiet.com/north-american-plains-indians-tall-...

by mfer 4y ago

oifjsidjf 4y ago

The problem with these studies is that: 1) They mix in infant mortality rates. 2) Many of these "native peoples" are poorer and have less access to healthcare compared to others. So in general it's very hard to get good data on life expectancy on these fringe groups.

mfer 4y ago
You're right about infant mortality rates. Then there's a question of how much access to health care should be needed? I was recently reading about a study that found when western diets entered a region health care costs go up. I was reading about it in Barons which is a financial publication. I imagine they are looking for investment opportunities. But, the observation is interesting. I'd link it if I could find it. If you look at the US causes of death, a high percent of them are related to lifestyle. Like so many heart disease issues being linked to smoking or arterial blockages (and they've studied the causes of those). If a group doesn't have those lifestyle components they they have better health and longevity.

nradov 4y ago

Some other indigenous North American tribes also subsisted almost entirely on meat (mainly bison), and seem to have been fairly healthy. This site is pushing a particular diet so take their conclusions with some skepticism, but their underlying data seems to be mostly accurate. https://thepaleodiet.com/north-american-plains-indians-tall-and-robust-meat-eaters-but-not-a-milk-drinker-among-them https://thepaleodiet.com/north-american-plains-indians-tall-...