|
|
Nervous System Rate Incidence
|
|
Alcohol Consumption
|
56.1%
|
|
Life Expectancy
|
59.6%
|
|
Carbs % of Diet
|
-73.4%
|
|
Protein Consumption (kg/yr)
|
62.2%
|
|
Height
|
69.7%
|
|
Latitude
|
73.1%
|
|
Energy per Capita
|
55.6%
|
|
Carbon Footprint
|
54.1%
|
|
Income Index
|
72.0%
|
|
% Urban Population
|
44.8%
|
It is interesting to see how latitude had the highest correlation to cancers, followed closely by Carbs % of diet (negative correlation meaning the higher the % of carbs in total diet the lower the incidence).
I am reading something seemingly unrelated to cancer (A Study of History - Arnold Toynbee) and was surprised to find new hints into how latitude might affect cancer incidence, aside from lack of sunlight exposure, which I have previously hypothesized as a potential reason for cancer development.
As fossil humans migrated from the tropics they became exposed to the elements of nature and to the seasons. While along the tropics humans had plenty of food to choose from in trees and on the ground such as fruits and insects, in temperate climates such options were no longer available. As such the need for "winter food", shelter and winter clothing was born and this forced humans to innovate. Hence the farming/hunting sedentary lifestyle was born.
There are records of cancer pre-dating Christ in civilizations such as the Mayan and the Egyptian, according to Syddartha Mukherjee in his master piece "The Emperor of All Maladies - A Biography of Cancer". All these were sedentary civilizations that hunted and farmed for survival.
It is evident that fewer species of animals and vegetation survive as latitudes increase. My hypothesis is that with the reduction in the varieties of species to eat the exposure to a variety of minerals is reduced. This insight came from an observation my wife made that I really latched onto. She highlighted how orchids grew into different colors depending on the minerals occurring in the soil. Applying the same principle I realized why in several sports magazines there were always healthy diet sections promoting meals based on the number of colors on the plate.
I hereby propose that eating as many colors as possible in the form of fruits, vegetables and cereals might be a healthy options for those looking to reduce the probability of developing cancer or those hoping to combat it, but with so many potential reasons to pick from I figured there was some logic to this explanation.
Please don't infer from this that you should not be treated through the new standard medical protocols, Steve Jobs was a die-hard vegetarian and thought that this alone would save his life from cancer and unfortunately it didn't. All I am proposing is an explanation for the higher cancer incidence with increasing latitudes, hope this helps those searching for research avenues or hopes for longer life. Even if just as placebo I hope this helps!
