Understanding and applying medical anthropology Ch. 2-8

Our bodies evolved for a hunter-gatherer lifestyle—lots of physical activity and natural foods—but modern life is sedentary and full of processed, high-calorie foods. This mismatch causes many modern health problems.

Paleolithic diet: lean meat, fish, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, high fiber; little fat, salt, or sugar.
Modern diet: processed foods, refined sugars, high salt, saturated fats.
The Paleolithic diet had more nutrients, less fat, and no processed sugars.

Stay active, eat unprocessed foods, consume more plants and lean protein, and avoid refined sugar, salt, and fat—reduces risk of heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and cancer.

Evolutionary medicine looks at the ultimate causes (why diseases exist, via evolution).
Biomedicine looks at the proximate causes (how diseases occur—pathogens, genetics, physiology).
Evolutionary medicine focuses on long-term adaptation and trade-offs shaped by natural selection.