A Look At Other Societies

6. A Look At Other Societies

Weston Price attributed degeneration of modern society to modern refined foods. To prove his theory, he visited several “primitive” tribes of people, during the 1930s, in many parts of the world. In every case, those people who lived exclusively on natural foods were free from dental caries and other signs of physical degeneration and they lived long and healthy lives. However, when some members of their society adopted the “modern” dietary of refined white flour, sugar, pastries, jams, and canned goods, their health declined. This was evident in the first generation after the adoption of the modern diet.

More recently, Dan Georgakas conducted a study of longevous peoples throughout the world. It is well known that the people from Abkhasia in Russia are especially long-lived and healthy. Such degenerative diseases as heart disease are virtually unknown there. Commenting on the diet followed by these people, Georgakas says, “The traditional diet followed by most of those who became centenarians contained between 1,500 and 2,000 calories a day. Seventy percent of that intake was from vegetables and dairy products. Fruits, nuts, grains made up the rest of the diet.”

In addition, Georgakas notes, there was no coffee, tea or sugar and little butter or salt. Whatever the food served, all leftovers were discarded, because they were considered harmful to good health. Such concerns for freshness guaranteed that a minimal loss of nutrients took place between garden and table. Most food was consumed raw or boiled, with nothing fried.

Georgakas says, if the 1970 census is accurate, Abkhasia would have a longevity rate 20 times that of the United States. Factors such as the nature of the traditional diet, strenuous physical activity throughout life, the hilly terrain, rhythmic patterns of work, a pollution-free environment and the unique psychological support enjoyed by the long-lived figure heavily in their longevity.

In Hunza, heart trouble is virtually unknown. The Hunzas live upon the produce of their land (mainly fruits and nuts); engage in strenuous physical exercise throughout their lives; and live in an unpolluted environment free from stress. This healthy regime results in longevity and a life free from all degenerative diseases.