OUR STONE AGE BODIES

“If you got sick, you probably wouldn't go to an evolutionary biologist to get treated. But Daniel Lieberman, professor of evolutionary biology at Harvard University, says that his field can help you understand why you got sick, and make you more aware of healthy and harmful behaviors.” That quote is from an interview with Terry Gross yesterday on Fresh Air. He talked about some of the noninfectious diseases that may result from our Paleolithic bodies not being well-adapted to modern conditions. It's a list of ailments big and small, including acid reflux, acne, anxiety, asthma, certain cancers, depression, Type 2 diabetes, flat feet, high blood pressure, iritable boel syndrome, lower back pain, and osteoporosis. In his new, fascinating book, The Story of the Human Body: Evolution, Health and Disease, Lieberman traces these troubles back to their origins. The book will be available in the library before the end of the week. Source: Fresh Air Terry Gross NPR