Anthropometric, physiological and biochemical differences between urban and rural Maasai

Day, José; Carruthers, Malcolm; Bailey, Alan; Robinson, David

doi:10.1016/0021-9150(76)90109-x

Cited by 37 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…Over the past 64 y, anthropological research has consistently demonstrated relatively low serum cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels among indigenous populations that derive the majority of their diet from animal products (Bang & Dyerberg, 1980;Biss et al, 1971;Corcoran & Rabinowitch, 1937;Day et al, 1976;Eaton et al, 1988a;Scott et al, 1958;Shaper et al, 1961;Wilber & Levine, 1950). Further, a low incidence of coronary heart disease among the Inuit and other indigenous populations of the circumpolar regions has been recognized for at least 30 y from autopsy studies (Arthaud, 1970;Gottman, 1960;Lederman et al, 1962), analyses of death certificates (Bjerregaard & Dyerberg, 1988;Middaugh, 1990;Young et al, 1993) and clinical data (Bang & Dyerberg 1980;Kromann & Green, 1950).…”

Section: Diet and Cardiovascular Disease In Hunter-gatherersmentioning

confidence: 99%

The paradoxical nature of hunter-gatherer diets: meat-based, yet non-atherogenic

et al. 2002

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Objective: Field studies of twentieth century hunter-gathers (HG) showed them to be generally free of the signs and symptoms of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Consequently, the characterization of HG diets may have important implications in designing therapeutic diets that reduce the risk for CVD in Westernized societies. Based upon limited ethnographic data (n ¼ 58 HG societies) and a single quantitative dietary study, it has been commonly inferred that gathered plant foods provided the dominant energy source in HG diets. Method and Results: In this review we have analyzed the 13 known quantitative dietary studies of HG and demonstrate that animal food actually provided the dominant (65%) energy source, while gathered plant foods comprised the remainder (35%). This data is consistent with a more recent, comprehensive review of the entire ethnographic data (n ¼ 229 HG societies) that showed the mean subsistence dependence upon gathered plant foods was 32%, whereas it was 68% for animal foods. Other evidence, including isotopic analyses of Paleolithic hominid collagen tissue, reductions in hominid gut size, low activity levels of certain enzymes, and optimal foraging data all point toward a long history of meat-based diets in our species. Because increasing meat consumption in Western diets is frequently associated with increased risk for CVD mortality, it is seemingly paradoxical that HG societies, who consume the majority of their energy from animal food, have been shown to be relatively free of the signs and symptoms of CVD. Conclusion: The high reliance upon animal-based foods would not have necessarily elicited unfavorable blood lipid profiles because of the hypolipidemic effects of high dietary protein (19 -35% energy) and the relatively low level of dietary carbohydrate (22 -40% energy). Although fat intake (28 -58% energy) would have been similar to or higher than that found in Western diets, it is likely that important qualitative differences in fat intake, including relatively high levels of MUFA and PUFA and a lower o-6=o-3 fatty acid ratio, would have served to inhibit the development of CVD. Other dietary characteristics including high intakes of antioxidants, fiber, vitamins and phytochemicals along with a low salt intake may have operated synergistically with lifestyle characteristics (more exercise, less stress and no smoking) to further deter the development of CVD.

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Section: Diet and Cardiovascular Disease In Hunter-gatherersmentioning

confidence: 99%

The paradoxical nature of hunter-gatherer diets: meat-based, yet non-atherogenic

et al. 2002

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“…Numerous studies have documented the impact of modernization on cholesterol and triglyceride levels among Eskimo populations (Draper, 1976(Draper, , 1980Feldman et al, 1975;Bang and Dyerberg, 1972) as well as East African pastoral groups (Day et al, 1976;Murray et al, 1978). This research suggests that changes in diet composition (i.e., higher levels of total fat and saturated fatty acids), body composition, and physical activity patterns are all responsible for increasing total cholesterol and triglyceride levels among populations undergoing acculturation or "urbanization" (Eaton and Konner, 1985;Pelletier and Baker, 1987;Pelletier and Hornick, 1986).…”

mentioning

confidence: 98%

Correlates of low serum lipid levels among the Evenki herders of Siberia

Leonard

Crawford

Comuzzie

et al. 1994

American J Hum Biol

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This study examines serum lipid levels (total, HDL and LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides) among the Evenki reindeer herders of Central Siberia. Cholesterol and triglyceride levels among the Evenki are low, even relative to other indigenous arctic and herding populations. Total and LDL cholesterol levels are higher in women, while HDL and triglyceride levels are comparable between the sexes. Additionally, residence location (i.e., herding brigade vs. central villages) has a significant influence on men's but not women's total and LDL cholesterol levels. Low lipid levels among the Evenki appear to reflect the maintenance of a traditional lifestyle with high levels of energy expenditure and relatively low levels of fat consumption. Sex differences in lipid levels may be partly attributable to differences in activity patterns, as women have significantly lower levels of energy expenditure than men. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

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“…Day et al (1976) suggested that low serum cholesterol of rural Maasai might be a result of herbs consumed, but published nothing subsequently in this regard. Many ancillary reports point out limited contributions of plants to Maasai diets.…”

Section: Phytochemicals In the Cholesterol Metabolism Of The Maasaimentioning

confidence: 95%

Phytochemicals as Evolutionary Mediators of Human Nutritional Physiology

Johns

1996

International Journal of Pharmacognosy

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The roles of phytochemicals as mediators of chronic degenerative diseases such as cancer, diabetes and coronary heart disease have an evolutionary basis. The omnivorous ancestors of modern humans ingested non-nutrients as well as nutrients from plants, and phytochemicals are a normal component of human dietary physiology. However, humans have a preference for animal fat and protein. Contemporary populations living a traditional subsistence life-style ingest phytochemicals as part of the diet but also from herbal medicines, beverages, food additives, tooth brushes and masticants. Maasai pastoralists who occupy African savannahs with similar ecological conditions experienced by hominids in the Pleistocene derive the majority of their calories from animal products. Their patterns of plant consumption offer insight into how human ancestors in such environments could have thrived as hunters and scavengers without suffering the ill-effects often associated with a high fat diet. Acacia goetzii Harms, Albizia anthelmintica Brongn., Aloe volkensii Engl., Castanospermum australe Cunn., Commiphora africana (A. Rich) Engl., Commiphora mukul Hook. ex Stock, Homo sapiens, Myrsine africana L., Phaseolus acutifolius A. Gray, Prosopis spp. tial nutrients reflects the dietary patterns of our anPharmaceutical Biology Downloaded from informahealthcare.com by Kungliga Tekniska Hogskolan on 08/24/15 For personal use only. Pharmaceutical Biology Downloaded from informahealthcare.com by Kungliga Tekniska Hogskolan on 08/24/15 For personal use only.

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Anthropometric, physiological and biochemical differences between urban and rural Maasai

Cited by 37 publications

References 2 publications

The paradoxical nature of hunter-gatherer diets: meat-based, yet non-atherogenic

The paradoxical nature of hunter-gatherer diets: meat-based, yet non-atherogenic

Correlates of low serum lipid levels among the Evenki herders of Siberia

Phytochemicals as Evolutionary Mediators of Human Nutritional Physiology

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