PubMed · 1435101
Humans, lipids and evolution.
Abstract
The genetically ordered physiology of contemporary humans was selected over eons of evolutionary experience for a nutritional pattern affording much less fat, particularly less saturated fat. Current dietary recommendations do not accord exactly with those generated by an understanding of prior hominoid/hominid evolution. Similarly, widely advocated standards for serum cholesterol values fail to match those observed in recently studied hunter-gatherers, whose experience represents the closest living approximation of "natural" human lipid metabolism. The evolutionary paradigm suggests that fats should comprise 20-25% of total energy intake, that the ratio of polyunsaturated to saturated fat should exceed 1.0, and that total serum cholesterol levels should be below 150 mg/dL (approximately 4 mM/L).
Explore related subjects
Keep this discovery
Explore connections, maps & timelines
S B Eaton. 1992. Humans, lipids and evolution.. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf02535856
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.