Tsimane Tribe: Secrets to Health and Slow Ageing
The Tsimane, an indigenous community in the Amazon rainforest, follow a subsistence lifestyle with high physical activity and a fibre-rich diet, resulting in extraordinary health including the healthiest arteries and slower brain ageing. Their life expectancy is around 50 years due to high childhood mortality. However, increased market access is introducing health issues like diabetes and higher cholesterol.
The Tsimane, a semi-nomadic indigenous community of 16,000 people in the Amazon rainforest, follow a subsistence lifestyle involving hunting, foraging, and farming.
Researchers have noticed their extraordinary health with the healthiest arteries and slower brain ageing compared to industrial populations.
Their diet includes high-fibre, minimally processed foods, and they maintain high physical activity levels with averages of 16,000 to 17,000 steps daily.
A 2017 Lancet study revealed that 65% of those over 75 in the community show no signs of clogged arteries, whereas 80% of Americans in the same age group have such issues.
Additionally, Tsimane adults show up to 70% less brain atrophy and none have Alzheimer's.
Despite these health benefits, their average life expectancy, now at 50 years, reflects high childhood mortality due to infections.
Changes in lifestyle due to increased accessibility to markets are introducing new health challenges, including diabetes and higher cholesterol levels.
Researchers have noticed their extraordinary health with the healthiest arteries and slower brain ageing compared to industrial populations.
Their diet includes high-fibre, minimally processed foods, and they maintain high physical activity levels with averages of 16,000 to 17,000 steps daily.
A 2017 Lancet study revealed that 65% of those over 75 in the community show no signs of clogged arteries, whereas 80% of Americans in the same age group have such issues.
Additionally, Tsimane adults show up to 70% less brain atrophy and none have Alzheimer's.
Despite these health benefits, their average life expectancy, now at 50 years, reflects high childhood mortality due to infections.
Changes in lifestyle due to increased accessibility to markets are introducing new health challenges, including diabetes and higher cholesterol levels.
