Once We Were Hunters: A Study of the Evolution of Vascular Disease - Softcover

Belcaro, Giovanni Vincent

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1860942628 ISBN 13: 9781860942624

Publisher: Imperial College Press, 2001

Synopsis

We emerged after millions of years of evolution, first in the rainforest and then in the dry savanna bush. This nomadic way of life was characterised by seasonal and geographical variation of food; scarcity, particularly of high-energy food containing fats and sugar; and walking as the main form of exercise, with sudden bursts of energy either to catch prey or to avoid becoming prey. Society was organised into structured, small-groups, contact among whom was very limited under normal conditions.After this 25 million-year period of evolution, however, we have now entered a period of de-evolution, in which we shape the world instead of it shaping us. We now have plenty of food (particularly fats, sugar and proteins), with regular 'social' feedings even when we do not need food. Food in supermarkets is not subject to seasonal variations and we are fairly static physically (watching television being more frequent than exercise), without sudden use of high levels of energy. Socially, there are too many people, too much contact, causing stress and confusion. We must look to the small pockets of our former way of life which still survive in some parts of Africa to explain our real evolutionary background and nature. We cannot go back, but knowing who we are will help us to survive and to create a better world, according to our true evolutionary plan.

About this title

Synopsis

The kind of life associated with primitive man involved a scarcity of food and salt, irregularity of feeding, seasonal and geographical variation of food, nomadic life, in which walking was the main form of exercise and sudden outbursts of energy either to catch prey or to avoid being prey. Life was organized in a small-group, structured social style. Contact among groups was limited. Now we control our world in a period of de-evolution, changing the rules of the game. We shape the world instead of the world shaping us. We have plenty of food and regular "social" feeding even when we do not it; there is static life (watching television) and there is no sudden use of high levels of energy; there are too many people everywhere, too many contacts, causing stress and confusion in our life. The pristine playgrounds, just small patches, still survive in some places in Africa to explain the real evolutionary playground for us and our real nature. We cannot go back, but knowing who we are will help us to survive better and to create a better world according to our real evolutionary plan. This is a study of the evolution of vascular diseases and man's adjustment to them.

Edition details

• Publisher: Imperial College Press
• Publication date: 2001
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1860942628
• ISBN 13: 9781860942624
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 136