Atherosclerosis is a common condition in Americans 60 years and up. It may even seem to be an unavoidable part of the aging process. However, anthropologist Michael Gurven has found an indigenous population in Bolivia where atherosclerosis is almost non-existent even in people in their 80s- the Tsimane. The Tsimane have the lowest rates of heart disease than any known population. This article provides an in-depth look into their lifestyle and diet to explain this phenomenon.
Key Takeaways:
- American Seniors frequently have plaque-ridden arteries by their sixties, but this is not the norm elsewhere.
- The Tsimane people, have inflammatory risk factors, as do Americans, but they also have active life styles and healthier diets.
- The inflammatory response the Tsimane people get from their intestinal worms appears to be benign and immune building, which along with healthy lifestyles, keeps their arteries younger.
“Gurven and his team found that among the Tsimane, people with worms have lower cholesterol and higher energy expenditures.”
Read more: http://www.news.ucsb.edu/2017/017783/how-old-are-your-arteries