Contemporary US guidelines suggest that total fat intake should be reduced to 30% of total calories for the present level of about 33-35% (down from about 38-40% about 15-20 years ago). Increased vegetable, fruit and cereal grain consumption is encouraged.

While there is evidence that fat intake may have declined in recent years, there is virtually no change in vegetable intake.

Data from this study in rural China suggest that the highly sought after reduction in chronic degenerative disease incidence induced by this guideline is not likely to come true. Instead, the findings from this study in rural China strongly indicate that a substantial change in American dietary patterns from animal based foods to plant based foods must occur for there to be a substantial change in disease incidence patterns.

| National Development | Health Care Costs | Alternative Health Care

National Development

Among lower income countries, these findings support food and agriculture policies which emphasize the development of a variety of traditionally used plant based foods. Emphasis primarily should be given to the improvement of food distribution and preservation programs, not to the development of animal based agriculture.

Among higher income countries, these findings support food and agriculture policies which de-emphasize livestock based food production systems.

For countries at both ends of the economic spectrum, the goal is virtually the same. Programs which foster the consumption of a variety of fresh or well preserved foods of plant origin should be the result, with each country maintaining its own distinctive cuisine.

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Health Care Costs

Health care costs could be dramatically reduced were citizens to opt for low-fat plant based diets. Rates of high cost chronic degenerative diseases not only would be reduced, but also increasing evidence suggests that these same diseases may be ameliorated or even cured by this same diet.

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Alternative Health Care

These findings may be regarded as the core of alternative medical care systems. Dependence on radical disease treatment (drugs, radiation and surgery) should become less likely, disease control would be more in the hands of individuals, and care of ailing citizens should shift away from high cost medical practitioners.

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