Genes and epigenetic mechanisms, by which we function today, were laid down between 50,000 and 100,000 years ago in Africa.  Evolution has continued to this today.  However, our basic lifestyles (diet, exercise) have changed drastically over time, and basic food patterns are considerably different today.  With human world-wide migration, diets changed from the original patterns, resulting in degenerative diseases, like arteriosclerosis, cancer, hypertension, obesity, and diabetes.

In our origins in East Africa, paleolithic plant/animal ratios would have been 1:1, and people would have been alkaline which is best for physiology, chemistry and bone health.  Fish and shellfish made up a large part of Paleolithic people’s animal diet, but by the time the Inuit people had reached the far north, their diets would become quite acidic with few vegetables.  They would develop severe problems with osteoporosis.

Populations which continue to live in Paleolithic styles have low incidence of degenerative disease.  Future research should be guided by this information.

CONCLUSION:  A consensus seems to be developing that a return to the basic Paleolithic lifestyle would mean that ‘diseases of civilization’ would become less of a problem, including inflammatory and degenerative diseases.

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PMID:  20042522.

Summary #603.