Heart disease found in mummies
Even without a McDonald’s at every corner, citizens of ancient cultures may have benefited from a prescription for Lipitor. New research published in the journal The Lancet found evidence of heart disease in mummies, suggesting that the condition may not solely be a product of the modern high-fat, high-sugar diet.
Researchers used CT scanning to analyze the arteries of 137 mummies spanning 4,000 years and from three different continents. Every mummy they studied showed some of the hallmark signs of atherosclerosis, a form of heart disease, such as narrowed and clogged arteries. The findings were consistent regardless of the time period in which the person lived or the diet they consumed.
The research suggest that heart disease could be a natural and unavoidable part of aging. However, this should not give people an excuse to regularly indulge in high-fat and sugar-laden foods. Even if heart disease is a normal part of aging, it can be severely exacerbated by an unhealthy diet.