Interesting study of Tokelau Island Migrants

As noted in a chapter called “The Science of the Carbohydrate Hypothesis” in the excellent book “Good Calories Bad Calories” by Gary Taubes, I was rather intrigued by the study of the Tokelau Island migrants. This is one of the most complete and comprehensive migration studies performed on nutrition and disease research. The study finds that despite a diet of over 50% fat (of which 90% was saturated primarily from coconuts), as well as fish and breadfruit, these people thrived and suffered from very little health problems. Then, when they begin to migrate over to the New Zealand mainland, they quickly begin to see increased rates of diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, gout, and cancer. To read more about this study, pick up your copy of “Good Calories Bad Calories” or read more discussion on this blog post at Whole Health Source.