Meat may be the reason humans outlive apes

livescience ^ | Dec . 15, 2009 | Charles Q. Choi

[Mount Athos]

Genetic changes that apparently allow humans to live longer than any other primate may be rooted in a more carnivorous diet.

These changes may also promote brain development and make us less vulnerable to diseases of aging, such as cancer, heart disease and dementia.

These key differences in lifespan may be due to genes that humans evolved to adjust better to meat-rich diets, biologist Caleb Finch at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles suggested.

The oldest known stone tools manufactured by the ancestors of modern humans, which date back some 2.6 million years, apparently helped butcher animal bones. As our forerunners evolved, they became better at capturing and digesting meat, a valuable, high-energy food, by increasing brain and body size and reducing gut size.

Over time, eating red meat, particularly raw flesh infected with parasites in the era before cooking, stimulates chronic inflammation, Finch explained. In response, humans apparently evolved unique variants in a cholesterol-transporting gene, apolipoprotein E, which regulates chronic inflammation as well as many aspects of aging in the brain and arteries.

One variant found in all modern human populations, known as ApoE3, emerged roughly 250,000 years ago, "just before the final stage of evolution of Homo sapiens in Africa," Finch explained.

ApoE3 lowers the risk of most aging diseases, specifically heart disease and Alzheimer's, and is linked with an increased lifespan.

"I suggest that it arose to lower the risk of degenerative disease from the high-fat meat diet they consumed," Finch told LiveScience. "Another benefit is that it promoted brain development."

[Candor7]

The closest I can get to a Texas steak in Vermont is the 99 restaurant. Good ale helps.

Texas has the best steaks in the world.

YUM!

[SunkenCiv]

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	Gods Graves Glyphs	Thanks rabscuttle385. The pedophiles of classical Sparta (the ones glorified in the recent movie "300") ate a great deal of meat, which is one reason they stayed so fit. It also helped that the only thing they did with their time (besides butt-banging, and making out in the mess hall) was train for battle and oppress the various slave groups they owned. They didn't have to work for a living per se, they got what they needed from the short-lived, veggie-fed slave population. Special thanks to whichever FReeper it was that posted this to me (probably this guy...) Martin, a possible gene list ping. To all -- please ping me to other topics which are appropriate for the GGG list. GGG managers are SunkenCiv, StayAt HomeMother, and Ernest_at_the_Beach
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[Habibi]

“I have never once met a 100 year old vegetarian.”

Heck. I’ve never even met anyone that was 100 years old, period!

[blam]

"Over time, eating red meat, particularly raw flesh infected with parasites in the era before cooking, stimulates chronic inflammation, Finch explained. In response, humans apparently evolved unique variants in a cholesterol-transporting gene, apolipoprotein E, which regulates chronic inflammation as well as many aspects of aging in the brain and arteries. "

Interesting. I thought of the study that shows children who are exposed at a young age to a wide range of bacteria and etc, grow up to be healther adults.

[Habibi]

“There are studies that show that vegans die younger.”

Interesting. As an unwilling vegan, I’m also aware that lower LDL levels (and weight) tend to extend lifespan as well, though this is probably a direct effect of lower saturated fat intake (possibly red meat related). In any event, even a normal lipid panel won’t protect you if you’re something of a genetic throwback, and haven’t inherited any of those really nifty genes that protect you from the problems associated with increased meat/fat intake. The folks that seemingly have that protection are SO LUCKY! Red meat was really yummy.....SIGH.

Well, at least I’ll die skinny. Weight control is pretty easy to do when you get Draconian with your diet and go the veggie route. The lipid numbers can become quite ETlike, if they were already low and you add diet control plus statins.

[eartrumpet]

Hitler was a vegetarian and he died at 56.

[MetaThought]

One of my great-grandmothers lived to be 105. She was a lifelong vegetarian.

[spodefly]

It is my belief that it is not meat alone that makes carnivores masters of all we survey. Nay. It is the A1 sauce we put on our meat that gives us superhuman powers.

[Entrepreneur]

These changes may also promote brain development

It's all so clear. Vegans are leftists are vegans are leftists. Whatever. The lack of red meat has inhibited the development of their brains, which explains their leftist views.

[MetaThought]

You should read up about the paleo diet. A lot of people have success reducing their LDL levels on a paleo diet. This is interesting because it’s the complete opposite of conventional wisdom.

[SamAdams76]

I have never once met a 100 year old vegetarian.

Nor have I ever met a happy one.

[Habibi]

“......it’s the complete opposite of conventional wisdom.”

As a living example of unconventional physiology,I had better look into that paleo thing. LDL is no longer a problem for me. It is virtually....gone. Still a little left, but lower is better so mine must be great. All the same, the case has a couple of cardiologists, and a few others scratching their heads. Treatment seems to be working though.

Don’t have a stroke. It just kicks the c&^p out of your brain. You would have to experience it to really appreciate what it does. I would not recommend it even vicariously.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

You need to get to Argentina, Candor. You may change your mind.

[Habibi]

“Nor have I ever met a happy one.”

You must be readin’ my mail.

[Candor7]

Sounds like a plan!

[Daffynition]

Have you tried the J. Morgan's Steakhouse in Montpelier?

Was there recently. It's not that great .... but not awful either. And just one visit hardly makes my comment worth even a gnawed t-bone.

If they don't start with a real good cut of meat, all else falls apart.

FWIW, I've not found a *great* restaurant in Vermont ...save the Three Clock Inn in So Londonderry [but it's also not a steakhouse in the classic sense. They feature Boyden Farm VT raised beef.] ;P

[Candor7]

I have never found a good steak house here in the North East Kingdom in the 25 years I havebeen here. I usually scoot over to New Hampshire where the cuts are decent.

I have made do with Western beef, and good cooking skills here at home.One of my favorites is marinated cubed Western steak, flash fried in a red hot out door wok, using one of those jet propane burners..Now I AM getting hungry.LOL.

[American Constitutionalist]

Pass the stake, potatoes, and barbecue sauce....

[Daffynition]

I hear ya. When I’m in Vermont [though I love it so], I don’t go there for a memorable culinary experience. ;)

Well, you wouldn’t want to chase all the way over to North Conway, but Merlino’s on Rte 16 is great.

One’s best bet is to find a great butcher and DIY ... as you well know.

Smith & Wollensky in NYC is hands down, the best steakhouse on the planet.

[ElkGroveDan]

what about all those reams and reams of books and articles over a century-and-a-half promoting veganism and swearing it’s good for what ails us?

...written by the global warming folks at East Anglia University