Hi, Sheldon. Old thread, but I though I'd trow in my .02 anyway.

Back a while ago, I took a few anthro courses. Of course, we discussed hunter-gatherer cultures. They are way more healthy than agricultural societies. They tend to consume fewer calories, obviously fewer carbs (almost none), and get quite a bit of exercise in their daily routines. The few that are left today have very low cholesterol and extremely low incidences of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

I think life spans increased with advent of an agriculture because it was safer to an extent. You are less likey to die from plating corn, than say from running down a gazelle or by chance being bitten by a snake while gathering. Also, an agricutural society allowed people to set down roots, which in turn gave them the ability to start looking into things like medicine.

Just my .02.