The Importance of Geographic Pathology in Understanding Causes and Approaches to Prevention of Chronic Diseases in the World

Geographic pathology provides information that a disease may have a quite different incidence and mortality as function of area of residence. Research in animals can model fairly precisely what is learned through geographic pathology, and provides the basis for understanding possible mechanisms of action. These approaches can yield public health recommendations and health promotion activities. Frequent intake of foods with saturated fats such as meat and dairy products raises the risk of coronary heart disease, especially so in smokers. The total mixed fat intake accounts for the high incidence of the nutritionally linked cancers, i.e. of the post-menopausal breast, distal colon, prostate, pancreas, ovary and endometrium, in Western countries, and of increasing impact in Asia, as people there adopt Western eating habits. Monounsaturated oils such as olive oil are low risk fats, as found in animal models, and through the fact that the incidence of coronary heart and neoplastic diseases is lower in the Mediterranean region, where such oils are customarily used. Fish and fish oils are protective, as is noted in countries with a high intake. The genotoxic carcinogens for a number of these cancers are heterocyclic amines that are produced during the broiling or frying of meaty foods that contain creatinine. Excessive salt intake can cause high blood pressure and with stomach cancer, especially with inadequate intake of potassium, from fruits and vegetables, and calcium from certain vegetables and low fat dairy products. Bran cereal fiber intake, especially with adequate calcium, yields an increased stool bulk, eliminating factors involved in colon and breast cancer. Vegetables and fruits, as well as soy products, are rich in antioxidants that are essential to lower disease risk stemming from reactive oxygen species in the body. Green and black tea are excellent sources of such beneficial antioxidants of a polyphenol nature, as is cocoa and chocolates. Antioxidants also extend healthy aging and may protect against Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Nutritional lifestyles can be described for most populations in the world that offer the possibility of a healthy long life.