Nutrition and Physical Degeneration

1. Primitive diets rich in essential nutrients lead to superior physical health

The physical changes which were found associated with the use of the imported foods included the loss of immunity to dental caries in practically all of the individuals who had displaced their native foods very largely with the modern foods.

Superior physical health was observed in primitive populations adhering to their traditional diets. These diets were characterized by:

• High mineral content, particularly calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium
• Abundant fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K)
• Diverse range of nutrient-dense foods, including organ meats, seafood, and native plants
• Minimal processed or refined foods

The results of these nutrient-rich diets were evident in:

• Excellent dental health with minimal tooth decay
• Well-formed facial structures and dental arches
• Strong resistance to degenerative diseases
• Superior physical development and stamina

2. Modern processed foods contribute to widespread dental decay and physical degeneration

Wherever the foods of modern commerce have been made available, the natives of that district have purchased them, and the comparative study of natives living on their own foods with those living on trade foods reveals marked increase in tooth decay.

Dental decay epidemic emerged with the introduction of modern processed foods. Key culprits include:

• White flour products
• Refined sugar
• Canned goods
• Polished rice
• Vegetable oils

The consequences of adopting these foods were severe:

• Rampant tooth decay, often affecting 30-100% of individuals
• Narrowed dental arches and crowded teeth
• Increased susceptibility to infectious diseases
• Reduced fertility and birth complications

3. Facial structure and dental arch formation are influenced by nutrition

The deformity patterns are similar to those seen in white civilizations. Severe deformities of the face were frequently seen in the modernized groups, as evidenced in Fig. 57.

Nutritional impact on development is evident in facial and dental structures. Observations include:

• Well-formed, broad faces and dental arches in populations on traditional diets
• Narrowed faces, crowded teeth, and malformed dental arches in modernized groups
• Changes occurring within a single generation after adopting modern foods

These structural changes were attributed to:

• Inadequate mineral and vitamin content in modern diets
• Lack of proper nutrients during critical developmental periods
• Reduced mastication effort due to softer, processed foods

4. Traditional wisdom in food selection outperforms modern dietary practices

I found it difficult to obtain large numbers of individuals living entirely on the native foods. Those that were found had complete immunity to dental caries.

Ancient nutritional wisdom proved superior to modern dietary guidelines. Key aspects include:

• Selective use of specific animal organs and tissues
• Proper preparation and preservation methods
• Recognition of the importance of certain plants and sea foods

Examples of traditional practices:

• Consumption of fish eggs and organs for fertility and child development
• Use of dried kelp to prevent thyroid issues
• Emphasis on fat-soluble vitamins from animal sources

These practices resulted in:

• Near-complete immunity to dental caries
• Excellent physical development
• High resistance to degenerative diseases

5. Mineral content and fat-soluble vitamins are crucial for optimal health

It is of interest that while many of the primitive races studied have continued to thrive on the same soil through thousands of years, our American human stock has declined rapidly within a few centuries, and in some localities within a few decades.

Essential nutritional factors were identified as key to optimal health:

• High mineral content, particularly calcium and phosphorus
• Abundant fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K)
• Proper balance of minerals and vitamins for optimal absorption

The importance of these factors was evident in:

• The ability of primitive diets to support health over generations
• Rapid decline in health when these factors were absent in modern diets
• The role of fat-soluble vitamins in mineral utilization and overall health

6. Rapid physical degeneration occurs when adopting modern foods

In many families there was seen a progressive breakdown in the health of the younger members of the family.

Generational health decline was observed when populations transitioned to modern foods:

• First generation: Excellent health and physical development
• Second generation: Increased dental decay and slight facial narrowing
• Third generation: Severe dental issues, facial deformities, and susceptibility to disease

This rapid degeneration was attributed to:

• Nutritional deficiencies in modern processed foods
• Cumulative effect of poor nutrition over generations
• Loss of traditional food wisdom and practices

7. Proper nutrition during pregnancy and early childhood is vital for development

For growing children and for expectant mothers the demand is especially urgent.

Critical developmental periods require particular attention to nutrition:

• Preconception nutrition for both parents
• Maternal diet during pregnancy and lactation
• Early childhood nutrition

Traditional practices supporting optimal development:

• Special diets for young women before marriage
• Emphasis on nutrient-dense foods for pregnant and nursing mothers
• Specific foods for growing children, such as fish eggs and organ meats

These practices resulted in:

• Well-formed facial and dental structures
• High resistance to disease
• Optimal physical and mental development

8. Sea foods and organ meats provide essential nutrients often lacking in modern diets

For the Indians living inside the Rocky Mountain Range in the far North of Canada, the successful nutrition for nine months of the year was largely limited to wild game, chiefly moose and caribou.

Nutrient-dense animal foods were central to many primitive diets:

• Organ meats, particularly liver, heart, and brain
• Fish eggs and fatty fish
• Shellfish and other sea foods

These foods provided:

• High levels of fat-soluble vitamins
• Essential minerals in bioavailable forms
• Complete proteins and beneficial fats

The importance of these foods was evident in:

• The lengths primitive people would go to obtain them
• The rapid health decline when these foods were removed from the diet
• The ability of these foods to support health in harsh environments

9. Agricultural and food processing methods impact nutritional quality

I found the Indians putting great emphasis upon the eating of the organs of the animals, including the wall of parts of the digestive tract.

Food quality degradation occurs through modern agricultural and processing methods:

• Soil depletion leading to reduced mineral content in crops
• Refining processes that remove vital nutrients
• Long-term storage and transportation diminishing nutritional value

Traditional practices that preserved nutritional quality:

• Crop rotation and natural fertilization methods
• Consumption of whole foods, including organs and bones
• Local and seasonal eating patterns

The impact of these practices was seen in:

• The superior nutritional content of native foods
• The rapid health decline when switching to processed foods
• The ability of traditional diets to support health over generations

10. Reintroducing traditional food wisdom can reverse modern health decline

It was only necessary to have the native foods replaced by foods of commerce in order to produce disease.

Reversing health decline is possible by reincorporating traditional food wisdom:

• Emphasis on whole, nutrient-dense foods
• Proper preparation and preservation methods
• Recognition of the importance of animal-based nutrients

Examples of successful interventions:

• Reintroduction of organ meats and seafood to treat dental decay
• Use of high-vitamin butter oil to improve bone health
• Implementation of traditional preconception and pregnancy diets

These interventions resulted in:

• Halting and often reversing dental decay
• Improved facial and dental arch development in children
• Enhanced overall health and resistance to disease

By understanding and applying the nutritional wisdom of primitive cultures, modern societies can address many of the health challenges stemming from processed food diets and reestablish a foundation for optimal physical development and long-term health.

Last updated: January 24, 2025