Even we have god-like technology, we still stuck at paleolithic body
5/2/20253 min read
What so special about homo sapiens that make us conquered the world? One of our advantage come down to one word: Adapt
Cyanide Exposure☣️
Some human populations have adapted to diets containing cyanide, a lethal toxin in small doses.
For example, people in Africa and Southeast Asia who rely on cassava—a root vegetable naturally high in cyanide
They use preparation methods (like soaking and cooking) to reduce cyanide levels
Additionally, certain groups have genetic mutations that enhance cyanide detoxification,
allowing them to safely consume these foods over generations.High Altitude⛰️
Humans living in high-altitude regions, such as the Tibetans in the Himalayas and the Andeans in South America,
demonstrate remarkable adaptability to low-oxygen environments.
Tibetans, for instance, possess a variant of the EPAS1 gene, which improves oxygen efficiency in their blood.
This genetic adaptation, combined with larger lung capacities and more efficient oxygen use,
allows them to thrive at altitudes above 4,000 meters (13,000 feet),
where others might suffer from altitude sickness or hypoxia.Holding Breath for Longer🥽
The Bajau people, sea nomads of Southeast Asia, are an extraordinary example of breath-holding adaptation.
They can dive for over 5 minutes—sometimes up to 10 minutes—on a single breath while hunting underwater.
This ability stems from larger spleens, which store more oxygen-rich blood, a trait that has evolved over time.
This biological adaptation enables them to exploit marine resources in ways most humans cannot
But adaptability come at a cost🏷️
Muscle Loss in Astronauts or Bedridden Patients👨🏻🚀
In microgravity (like space) or during prolonged inactivity (like bedrest), humans lose muscle mass rapidly.
This happens because our bodies adapt to reduced physical demand by conserving energy,
breaking down muscle tissue that’s no longer needed.
For astronauts, this can mean losing up to 10 years of fitness level after just 14 days in space,
while bedridden patients may experience similar atrophy.
Hence born the word "USE it or LOSE it."
"We dont stop moving because we get old, we get old because we stop moving" Dr. Peter Attia
When paleolithic can't catch up with modern life
Our Paleolithic bodies, evolved over millions of years for natural environments,
cannot keep pace with the rapid technological and environmental shifts of modern life,
creating mismatches that impact our health, well-being, and social structures.
It's not saying our body is inferior, it's just incompatible.
1. Diet and Digestion🥗
Paleolithic Society
Food Sources: Whole, unprocessed foods like meat, fish, fruits, vegetables, and nuts, up to 100g fiber a day.
Eating Habits: Meals required extensive chewing and digested slowly, providing steady energy and supporting a healthy gut microbiome with high fiber intake.
Health Outcomes: Low incidence of chronic diseases due to a diet aligned with human digestion and metabolism.
Modern Society
Food Sources: Processed foods high in refined sugars, grains, and artificial additives dominate diets.
Eating Habits: Quick digestion of calorie-dense, low-fiber foods leads to blood sugar spikes, overeating, and poor gut health.
Health Outcomes: Our bodies, built for slow-digesting whole foods, struggle with modern diets, contributing to obesity, diabetes, and digestive disorders.
2. Social Structure and Connection👥
Paleolithic Society
Community Size: Small, tight-knit groups of 20-50 people, often kin-based, with constant interaction.
Social Roles: Cooperative living where tasks like hunting and child-rearing were shared, reinforcing bonds and support networks.
Emotional Impact: Strong sense of belonging and minimal isolation due to frequent, meaningful contact.
Modern Society
Community Size: Smaller, often isolated units like single-person households or nuclear families, especially in cities.
Social Roles: Individualistic focus with less reliance on group cooperation, often replaced by digital interactions.
Emotional Impact: Increased loneliness, anxiety, and depression as our social brains miss the deep connections of communal living.
3. Physical Activity🏃🏻
Paleolithic Society
Daily Movement: High activity levels from hunting, gathering, and building, integrated into survival.
Exercise Type: Varied, full-body tasks like running, lifting, and climbing kept bodies strong and adaptable.
Physical Health: Robust fitness with low rates of lifestyle-related illnesses.
Modern Society
Daily Movement: Sedentary habits from desk jobs, cars, and screen time dominate daily life.
Exercise Type: Limited to optional, often infrequent workouts that don’t match natural movement patterns.
Physical Health: Inactivity leads to muscle loss, obesity, and chronic conditions our active ancestors rarely faced.
4. Sleep Patterns💤
Paleolithic Society
Sleep Timing: Aligned with natural light cycles—sleeping at dusk, waking at dawn, possibly with naps.
Sleep Quality: Dark, quiet environments promoted deep, restorative rest.
Health Benefits: Supported physical recovery and mental clarity.
Modern Society
Sleep Timing: Disrupted by artificial lights, screens, and irregular schedules, delaying or shortening sleep.
Sleep Quality: Noise, stress, and light pollution reduce restfulness.
Health Benefits: Sleep deprivation weakens immunity, cognition, and mood, clashing with our natural rhythms.
5. Stress and Mental Load🤯
Paleolithic Society
Stress Sources: Short-term threats like predators or hunger, resolved quickly with rest afterward.
Mental Demands: Focused on immediate survival tasks, free of chronic overload.
Stress Response: Brief activation of fight-or-flight, followed by recovery.
Modern Society
Stress Sources: Ongoing pressures from work, finances, and constant connectivity.
Mental Demands: Overwhelmed by information and multitasking, straining focus and decision-making.
Stress Response: Chronic stress overtaxes our systems, leading to burnout and health decline.
