An Unstoppable Force
Martina Canchi Nate is walking over the deep Bolivian forest when the flutter of crimson butterflies fills her surroundings. She moves with incredible vitality even at 84. We implore her to stop; our squad strains to keep up. Martina finds three yucca trees in less than 10 minutes, efficiently harvesting their tubers, and with only two quick knife strokes, she collapses a plantain tree. Starting her journey home from her chaco—a plot where she grows cassava, corn, plantains, and rice—she slung a heavy bundle of plantains on her back.
A Glimpse into the Tsimane Life
Pronounced “chee-may-nay,” Martina is one of 16,000 Tsimanes, a semi-nomadic indigenous community living deep in the Amazon jungle, around 600 km (375 miles) north of La Paz, Bolivia’s biggest city. Her vigour is not unusual among Tsimanes of her age. According to researchers, this population has the healthiest arteries ever examined, and their brains age more slowly than those of people living in North America, Europe, and other regions of the globe.
A Unique Way of Life
One of the few communities on Earth to lead ultimately subsistence lives, the Tsimanes hunt, forage, and farm. For two decades, scientists have researched them; they are also sufficiently plentiful to offer a sizable scientific sample. Tsimanes are often buoyed in roof weaving, food gardening, and hunting. Compared to 54% in industrial communities, just 10% of their daytime hours are spent in sedentary pursuits. For example, a typical hunt involves 18 miles over eight hours.
A Diet Rooted in Tradition
The Tsimanes have had little exposure to manufactured foods, alcohol, or cigarettes, living along the Maniqui River, nearly 100km by boat from the closest town. Comparatively to 34% in the US, studies show that just 14% of their calories come from fat. With 72% of their calories coming from carbs rather than 52% in the US, their diet is fibre-heavy. The creatures they hunt—birds, monkeys, and fish—provide the proteins. Their ancient culinary techniques exclude fried food.
Scientific Insights into Longevity
At first, Tsimanes’ study started with anthropological investigations. Observations showed that older Tsimanes did not show typical age-related ailments like heart problems, diabetes, or hypertension. A 2013 research looking at mummies from ancient Egyptian, Inca, and Unangan cultures using CT scans attracted interest. Since some of the mummies showed evidence of artery thickness and hardness, this investigation disproved the presumption that atherosclerosis was just the result of modern living.
A Revolutionary Discovery
While looking for coronary artery calcium (CAC), a sign of blocked blood arteries and heart attack risk, researchers cooperated to do CT scans on 705 Tsimanes over 40. Of Tsimanes over 75, 65% showed no CAC, according to the results. By contrast, most Americans of that age—about 80%—show symptoms of CAC. As noted, the arteries of a 75-year-old Tsimane resemble those of a 50-year-old American.
Brain Health Beyond Compare
According to later research, older Tsimanes showed up to 70% less brain shrinkage than those of the same age in developed nations such as the US, Japan, and thearch. Notably, “We found zero cases of Alzheimer’s among the entire adult population—it is remarkable.”
The Challenge of Aging
figuring out the Tsimanes’ ages takes work. Many have needed more formal schooling and find counting difficult. They depend on documentation from Christian missionaries or the length of their ties. For instance, Hilda said her family recently celebrated her “100th birthday or something like that,” even though documents show she is 81 after they killed a pig.
Juan hunts with us; he claims to be 78. His energy is reflected in his dark hair, bright eyes, and strong, muscular hands. He follows a little taitetĂş, a hairy wild pig that avoids capture using the forest undergrowth. Juan says, “Now, the most challenging part is my physique. I only walk a little distance now; two days at most is all. Martina agrees, pointing out that Tsimane women usually make roofs of jatata, a forest plant. She confides, “I do it once or twice a month, although now it’s harder for me. I must walk six hours to gather the branches.”
The Trials of Survival
Many Tsimanes do not reach old age even with their remarkable lifespan. Their average life expectancy was barely 45 years at the beginning of the research; today, it is 50. At the clinic where scans are done, one asks about the families of the older women. Using her fingers, one mother regretfully tells of having six children—of which five passed away. Another had nine live children, but three have departed; another had twelve children, with four dying. “These people who reach the age of 80 were the ones who managed to survive a childhood full of diseases and infections,” said one observer.
Infection as a Factor
According to researchers, every Tsimanes has had worms or parasite diseases all their lifetime. High degrees of inflammation and pathogens point to their bodies’ continuous battle against diseases. This has led researchers to wonder whether these early illnesses and nutrition and exercise help senior Tsimanes remain healthy.
Changing Times
Nonetheless, the way the Tsimanes live is changing. Juan says he has been unable to track a significant animal for months. In late 2023, forest fires devastated about two million hectares of forest and drove animals fleeing. He has begun farming animals and showed us four beef steers he intends to feed his family later this year for protein.
Changes also resulted from the advent of boats with outboard engines, sometimes called peque-peque. These boats enable Tsimane to reach marketplaces more efficiently, providing access to consumables such as sugar, wheat, and grease. Still “one of the most demanding physical activities,” they indicate they are rowing less.
Health Impacts
Twenty years ago, among the Tsimanes, diabetes practically disappeared. Cases are starting to show up now, and younger people’s cholesterol is growing. It has been noted that “any little change in their habits ends up affecting these health indices.” By enhancing healthcare access, including cataract procedures and treatments for fractured bones and snake bites, the researchers have affected the Tsimanes’ lives.
A Resilient Spirit
Old age for Hilda is greeted with a sense of humour and grit. Laughing, she continues, “I’m not afraid of dying since they’re going to bury me and I’m going to stay there… very still.”
