Key points from article :
The Tsimane, an indigenous community of around 16,000 people in the Bolivian Amazon, are recognised for having some of the healthiest arteries and slowest-ageing brains in the world. Living a semi-nomadic lifestyle focused on hunting, foraging, and farming, the Tsimane are largely isolated from modern influences, which has preserved their traditional way of life. This lifestyle, which includes constant physical activity and a diet low in fat and high in fiber, has contributed to their exceptional cardiovascular and neurological health.
Over the past two decades, researchers led by anthropologist Hillard Kaplan of the University of New Mexico and Michael Gurven of the University of California, Santa Barbara, have studied the Tsimane extensively. Initially focused on anthropological aspects, they soon observed that elderly Tsimane did not exhibit common age-related diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, or heart problems.
Collaborating with a US cardiologist, they conducted CT scans on 705 Tsimane over the age of 40 to look for coronary artery calcium (CAC), an indicator of heart disease. The results, published in The Lancet in 2017, revealed that 65% of Tsimane over 75 had no CAC, a stark contrast to the 80% of Americans in the same age group who do.
Further research, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, showed that elderly Tsimane experienced up to 70% less brain atrophy than their counterparts in industrialised nations like the US, UK, and Japan. The researchers even found no cases of Alzheimer’s among the adult Tsimane population, a finding described as remarkable.
Despite their impressive health metrics, the Tsimane face significant challenges. Their average life expectancy is only 50 years, primarily due to high rates of infant mortality and widespread infections. Researchers speculate that the Tsimane’s constant exposure to infections might play a role in their cardiovascular health, keeping their immune systems in a constant state of activity.
However, the Tsimane way of life is slowly changing. Increased access to modern foods and motorised boats is introducing sedentary behaviors and processed foods into their community. These changes have led to early signs of lifestyle-related health issues, such as diabetes and elevated cholesterol among the younger population. Despite these shifts, the Tsimane continue to offer valuable insights into how lifestyle choices can impact health, particularly in preventing age-related diseases.
