Nutrition and the Aging Process: A Population Study

Highly significant correlations exist in the age range 35 to 84 years between log mortality from all causes and age, obtained from 33 countries (mean r equals 0.999 in men and 0.997 in women). Populations with a high life expectancy are characterized by a low intercept and a high slope of the equation between log mortality and age. The slope and intercept of the equation obtained from different countries are highly intercorrelated, pointing to a maximum life expectancy at the population level of about 104 years in men and 108 years in women. The slope of the equation between log mortality and age can be considered as an expression of the resistance against aging of a given population. Significant positive correlations exist between the level of saturated fat intake and the determinants of mortality at the population level. These correlations are more evident in men compared with women. The results offer evidence for a detrimental influence of saturated fat on the aging process in populations.