Ancel Keys was a renowned American physiologist who made groundbreaking discoveries on the role of diet and lifestyle in health and disease. He was the first to establish the link between cholesterol and heart disease, the creator of the K-ration for the US military, and the promoter of the Mediterranean diet. He was also a centenarian, living to the ripe age of 100. How did he achieve such a remarkable longevity? What was his cause of death? And what can we learn from his legacy?
The Life and Work of Ancel Keys
Ancel Keys was born in Colorado Springs in 1904 to a family of modest means. He was a gifted and curious child, who left high school to pursue various jobs and adventures, such as shoveling bat guano, working in a mine, and sailing to China. He eventually returned to his studies and graduated with a BA in economics and political science, and an MS in zoology from the University of California at Berkeley. He then obtained a PhD in oceanography and biology from the same university, and another PhD in physiology from Cambridge University.
Keys began his scientific career as a fish physiologist, studying the effects of salt and water balance on marine animals. He then shifted his focus to human physiology, especially the nutritional basis of human performance. During World War II, he developed the K-ration, a compact and nutritious meal for combat soldiers. He also conducted a landmark study on the effects of starvation and rehabilitation on men, which provided valuable insights for treating famine victims.
After the war, Keys became interested in the epidemiology of cardiovascular disease, which was rapidly increasing in the US and other industrialized countries. He hypothesized that dietary fat, particularly saturated fat, was a major risk factor for heart disease, as it raised blood cholesterol levels. To test his hypothesis, he launched the Seven Countries Study in 1958, which followed more than 12,000 men from 16 regions in seven countries (USA, Finland, Netherlands, Italy, Greece, Yugoslavia, and Japan) for several decades. The study found that the rates of heart disease varied widely among different populations, and that they were strongly correlated with the intake of saturated fat and cholesterol. The study also identified other risk factors, such as smoking, blood pressure, obesity, and physical activity.
Keys also discovered that some populations had very low rates of heart disease despite consuming a high-fat diet. These populations were mainly from the Mediterranean region, where people ate mostly plant-based foods, fish, olive oil, nuts, and wine. Keys attributed their health benefits to their dietary pattern, which he called the Mediterranean diet. He and his wife Margaret popularized this diet in their best-selling books: Eat Well and Stay Well (1959), The Benevolent Bean (1967), and How to Eat Well and Stay Well the Mediterranean Way (1975).
Keys was a professor and director of the Laboratory of Physiological Hygiene at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health from 1940 to 1972. He received numerous honors and awards for his scientific contributions, including the Lasker Award (1952), the Gairdner Foundation International Award (1963), and the National Academy of Sciences Public Welfare Medal (1977). He also served as president of the American Physiological Society (1952), president of the International Society of Cardiology (1962), and president of the International Union of Nutritional Sciences (1966).
The Death and Legacy of Ancel Keys
Ancel Keys retired from his academic position in 1972 and moved to a villa near Naples, Italy. He continued to conduct research and write books until his late nineties. He died peacefully at his home in Minneapolis on November 20, 2004, at the age of 100. His wife Margaret died two years later at the age of 97.
Keys attributed his longevity to his healthy lifestyle: he followed a Mediterranean diet, exercised regularly, maintained a normal weight, avoided smoking and excessive drinking, and kept his mind active. He also had a strong sense of purpose, passion for science, and love for his family.
Keys left behind a rich legacy that has influenced nutrition science and public health for decades. His findings on the role of dietary fat and cholesterol in heart disease have been confirmed by numerous studies and meta-analyses, and have shaped dietary guidelines by health organizations. His promotion of the Mediterranean diet has inspired millions of people to adopt a more plant-based eating pattern that has been shown to reduce the risk of chronic diseases. His Seven Countries Study has been recognized as one of the most important epidemiological studies ever conducted, and has spawned many follow-up studies that have provided valuable insights into the determinants of health and longevity .
Ancel Keys was a pioneer of nutrition science who lived to 100. He was a visionary who challenged the conventional wisdom and pursued the truth with rigor and integrity. He was a leader who assembled a team of like-minded scientists from different countries and cultures. He was a teacher who educated the public and the professionals about the importance of diet and lifestyle for health and well-being. He was a legend who changed the world with his ideas and actions. He was Ancel Keys, and he deserves our respect and gratitude.