We Are What Our Ancestors Ate: Part 2

SCIENCE GEEK ALERT:  As previously mentioned, I am alarming you before I get into the nitty gritty of nutrition!

Food can be considered an environmental factor to which our bodies adapt for optimal function.  In fact, the relatively new fields of nutrigenomics and epigenetics aim to explore how foods and the environment (respectively) influence genetic expression and what are known as genetic polymorphisms.  Genetic polymorphisms are differences in the genetic code among a given species giving rise to different characteristics.  In our case, examples include blood type and skin complexion caused by differences in melanin production.

We Are What Our Ancestors Ate: Part 1

This past weekend, I was in the midst of an adamant Paleo-enthusiast who had her 2-minute pitch down pact.  Not to discredit her enthusiasm or anything, but…..The personal trainer by day and sustainable agriculture advocate by night was following the “lifestyle” 80% of the time and 20% of the time downing pizza and burgers to get in her Western-diet fix. She certainly ran a good pitch by including arguments such as the importance of fruit and vegetables, the diminished ability to process the sugar (lactose) in milk in some adults, and the rising rates of gluten intolerances.  And because of these somewhat logical supporting explanations, this diet especially speaks to the hearts of nutrition purists seeking optimal health.  As with most fad diets however, this is one with many restrictions and is based on unsubstantiated evidence.  Although the diet may work for some, it assumes the premise that we are all alike, physiologically and biochemically.