uch as fiber, antioxidants, and Omega-3 fats. It is the last
one of these three which has received much attention recently.
Omega-3 fats are found in green, leafy vegetables as well as some types of
fish and nuts. The human body needs them for the proper functioning of many
parts of the body. For example, there is evidence that these fats help keep the
( b ) beating regularly. Medical researchers still haven't proven that there
is a link between low levels of Omega-3 fats in the Western diet and the high
rate of heart disease. However, the evidence is getting stronger that there is
some connection.
The bigger issue here is the lack of diversity in our modern diet. Our
ancient ancestors gathered plants in nature getting nutrition from hundreds of
different sources, each with its own set of nutritional value. Surely there are
necessary micronutrients that have yet to be discovered in some of those
plants that we are now missing. However, because we now have over six
billion mouths to feed, we are pushed by economic necessity to grow only those
plants that most efficiently transform the sunshine into calories.
Although Japanese are somewhat protected from one of the above
(4)
mentioned problems because of the high amounts of fish in their diet, they
should not be too relaxed. We, as humans, still need to gain a better
understanding about nutrition. Although industrial agriculture has been a
great economic benefit to humans, it may have actually made our health worse.
E) carbohydrates Q*(L 1 obesity 9E A