FOOD AND THE GUT

A. R. P. Walker pioneered the research into the association between fo od, gut function and disease patterns in southern Africa.(1-3) His att ention to ways in which dietary differences can explain geographical d ifferences in disease patterns has led to the realisation that civilis ation and modern food technology can exert a strong influence on dieta ry practices, gut function and disease tendencies. Recognition that So uth African blacks have a very low incidence of colonic problems such as diverticulitis, adenomatous polyps and carcinoma drew attention to the possibility that the traditional African diet, with a high fibre c ontent, may maintain colonic health and prevent disease in old age. Th is review explores some of the mechanisms that may account for these d ifferences and also examines ways in which malnutrition alters gut fun ction. To quote Walker's conclusions: 'There is a need, indeed a duty, for writers on nutrition to devote a portion of their space to the nu tritional lessons to be learned from the past, from war-time experienc es and from present day Third-World populations.'(4)