URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0368131964800417
Journal: Journal of Atherosclerosis Research
Publication Date: 07/1964
Summary: A field survey of 400 Masai men and additional women and children in Tanganyika indicates little or no clinical or chemical evidence for atherosclerosis. Despite a long continued diet of exclusively meat and milk the men have low levels of serum cholesterol and no evidence for arteriosclerotic heart disease. The reasons for this disagreement with the popular hypothesis relating animal fat intake to coronary disease are examined. The authors concede that some overriding protective mechanism such as freedom from emotional stress or abundance of physical exercise may be present. They favor the conclusion that diet fat is not responsible for coronary disease.
Key Takeaways
The Masai consume a diet composed mostly of meat and milk, and they show little to no signs of atherosclerosis. Dietary fat intake is likely not causing heart disease.
