"Not so, if you research it on Medline. Poor folks, eating a lot of
starch and noodles out of necessity, but not eating westernized food in
urban areas, are suffering from CVD too.
Those with access to fish, meat and more fresh veggies fare better."
As mentioned before, the recent research on such places as medline
reflects how metabolic diseases are increasing in e. asia where
traditionally the risk of them was among the lowest in the world. Before
this trend started they consumed around 70 percent carbs, they still do
and the research is ongoing to find why this is so. It cann't be percent
of starch, that hasn't changed much, it is in the additional things in the
protein and fat areas they now eat much more of and the generally reduced
physical activity level. If one goes to e. asia the typical everyday meal
is to have heaping bowls of steamed refined grain and/or noodles made of
same to which many vegetables and a very small amount of meat is added, or
among the poor bean curd for what is called "the poor man's meat"; even
though all classes eat bean curd. This page explains it all, including
the previously low risk levels that can still be found in some rural
areas; using china as an example:
http://my.webmd.com/content/pages/10/1671_51429?z=3234_2038_0005_00_03