I can't remember the name of the enzyme produced to break down alcohol in the body, but whatever it is, we produce far less of it.
The last two weeks, I've been working with a team to put together a Drug Court. Listening to our substance abuse counselors, it sounds like cutting edge science is also indicating alot of difference in neurotransmitters in groups of people whose ancestors were hunter/gatherers in the not so distant past--something about the way we need much more protien to produce adequate levels of serotonin, dopamine, etc. Lower levels lead to depression and the need to self-medicate in order to feel "normal".
Diet seems to be a big factor. We don't do well on the standard American diet. Way more Natives are obese, have diabetes, gall bladder problems, etc. I know a lot of natives that are doing the Adkins Diet, and the increased protien makes them feel great and loose weight, but unless the stick to our traditional foods (mostly wild game and fish) the cholesterol levels go way high.
All of this (and other factors like poor health care) adds up to us having by far the lowest life expectancy of any group in America.
Probably much more information than you wanted to know, but next time you hear someone gripe about our treaty rights for taking fish and game...tell them it's a small price for all the land and to keep the original peoples from becoming extinct.
OK, Talitsa is hoping down off the soap box!
I'll have the children's fondue if you don't make me sit at the kiddie table, ok?
