Nutrition and Physical Degeneration audiobook cover - A Comparison of Primitive and Modern Diets and their Effects

Nutrition and Physical Degeneration

A Comparison of Primitive and Modern Diets and their Effects

Weston A. Price

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Nutrition and Physical Degeneration
The Indigenous Health Advantage+
Dental Health+
Failures of Modern Processed Food+
Necessity of Animal Products+
Agriculture and Environment+
Reproduction and Child Development+
Actionable Dietary Advice+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 7
According to the text, why do indigenous populations like the Eskimos maintain excellent dental health without brushing or dentistry?
  • A. Their diet of raw meat naturally scrubs the plaque from their teeth.
  • B. The minerals in their traditional food generate saliva that hardens teeth and protects against bacteria.
  • C. Their genetic makeup makes them immune to the bacteria that cause gingivitis.
  • D. They chew on specific types of tree bark that contain natural antibacterial properties.
Question 2 of 7
What caused a sudden and massive decline in the dental health of the Tonga population following the First World War?
  • A. A prolonged drought that destroyed their local crops and forced them to eat imported canned goods.
  • B. An increase in the price of coconut meat, which led locals to trade it for imported white flour and sugar.
  • C. The introduction of modern farming techniques that rapidly depleted the minerals in their soil.
  • D. A viral infection brought over by trading ships that specifically attacked gum tissue.
Question 3 of 7
Why is it difficult for the human body to get enough essential minerals from a diet primarily consisting of processed foods?
  • A. Processed foods contain synthetic chemicals that actively block mineral receptors in the stomach.
  • B. The human body typically absorbs only half of consumed minerals, and processed foods lack the specific vitamins required to aid this absorption.
  • C. Processed foods are digested too quickly for the intestines to extract the necessary calcium and phosphorus.
  • D. The high calorie count in processed foods causes the body to prioritize fat storage over mineral absorption.
Question 4 of 7
Based on Weston A. Price's research, what was a key finding regarding completely vegetarian indigenous groups?
  • A. He found no completely vegetarian indigenous group that also maintained strong bodies.
  • B. Vegetarian groups had superior cardiovascular health but suffered from severe tooth decay.
  • C. The most robust indigenous groups were those who relied exclusively on locally sourced vegetables and kelp.
  • D. Vegetarian tribes were able to synthesize all necessary vitamins by spending extended periods in the sun.
Question 5 of 7
How does modern agriculture contribute to the nutritional decline of the food supply, according to the book?
  • A. By using genetically modified seeds that naturally contain fewer vitamins than heritage seeds.
  • B. By over-watering crops, which dilutes the concentration of essential vitamins like Vitamin C.
  • C. By depleting the soil of its mineral content, which is then transported to cities in crops and eventually flushed into the ocean.
  • D. By relying too heavily on animal manure, which introduces harmful bacteria into the root systems of crops.
Question 6 of 7
What dietary practice did the author observe among indigenous tribes regarding fertility and childbirth?
  • A. Women fasted for several weeks before childbirth to purify their bodies.
  • B. Both parents consumed specific nutrient-rich foods, such as fish eggs or salmon sperm, before conception to ensure the child's health.
  • C. Pregnant women relied heavily on synthetic vitamin supplements to reduce the pain of labor.
  • D. Fathers were strictly placed on a vegetarian diet to promote a calm environment for the nursing mother.
Question 7 of 7
Why does the author recommend that cattle be fed on young grass rather than dried hay?
  • A. Young grass is much cheaper to cultivate and harvest than traditional hay.
  • B. Dried hay is too high in calories, leading to obesity and heart disease in cattle.
  • C. Young grass contains more chlorophyll, producing vitamin-rich butter, whereas poorly dried hay loses its vitamins and can cause disease in cattle.
  • D. Cattle fed on dried hay produce milk that is dangerously high in synthetic Vitamin D.

Nutrition and Physical Degeneration — Full Chapter Overview

Nutrition and Physical Degeneration Summary & Overview

Based on the author’s meetings with many of the world’s indigenous people, Nutrition and Physical Degradation presents a comparison of the health of those who consumed only local whole foods and those who had begun to include processed foods in their diet. The author found that the latter suffered from problems with their teeth, bodies and brains, while the former remained strong and vigorous. Having investigated the differences between processed and local whole foods, the book argues that diets made up of processed foods lack the requisite vitamins and minerals for maintaining a healthy body.

Who Should Listen to Nutrition and Physical Degeneration?

  • Vegans, vegetarians and junk food fanatics
  • Anyone who is interested in indigenous cultures around the world
  • Anyone who wants to go back to basics and get the most nutrition out of their food

About the Author: Weston A. Price

Weston A. Price (1870–1948) was a dentist who spent 50 years researching the relationship between diet, nutrition and physical health. His research on indigenous diets opposed the orthodoxy, and his work reverberates among the whole-food movement even today.

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