Re: superstitious religion may increase mortality in humans

Harvey Newstrom (newstrom@newstaffinc.com)
Thu, 10 Jun 1999 11:38:49 -0400

Spike Jones <spike66@ibm.net> wrote:
> Ive always been suspicious of these studies Doug, for I can imagine
several
> mechanisms other than diet that would account for longevity in 7th Day
Adventists,
> such as very low smoking rates, low alcohol consumption,

Very true. As a nutrition researcher and a vegetarian, I am convinced that the value of vegetarianism is high-fiber, low-fat, and other qualities that have little to do with animal-origin, and more to do with the fact that meat is fatty and low-fiber. Eating lean chicken or fish, and occasional lean beef can be good. Avoiding animal product totally can solve these problem easily, but then you have other issues in making sure you get enough protein and vitamin B12.

> and one that
> gets a lot less attention: SDA was, until relatively recently, pasty
white.
> Anglos are known to have longer life spans than non-white.

Most studies find little difference between the races at each economic level. Access to healthcare, proper nutrition, working conditions, and living conditions have more influence over longevity than race.

--
Harvey Newstrom <mailto://newstrom@newstaffinc.com> <http://newstaffinc.com>
Author, Consultant, Engineer, Legal Hacker, Researcher, Scientist.

----- Original Message -----
From:
To: <extropians@extropy.com>
Sent: Wednesday, June 09, 1999 11:49 pm
Subject: superstitious religion may increase mortality in humans



> Ive always been suspicious of these studies Doug, for I can imagine
several
> mechanisms other than diet that would account for longevity in 7th Day
Adventists,
> such as very low smoking rates, low alcohol consumption, and one that
> gets a lot less attention: SDA was, until relatively recently, pasty
white.
> Anglos are known to have longer life spans than non-white.
>
> Here is a speculation: in the next 50-100 yrs, the average 7th Day
Adventist
> will become darker skinned. This will cause the much advertised
> life span bonus to shrink, compared to the average population, and may
> eventually even go negative.
>
> We speculated here once that there is a worship gene, and that it is
> evidently inherited. I speculate that this gene is stronger in those
> populations that are shorter lived.
>
> Please, no racist flame wars. I want *everyone* to live long and prosper.
> My intent is to inform, not to inflame. spike
>
>