116: Why Are We Getting Sicker With An Abundance of Food

In this episode, Dr. Steve takes a deep dive into human nutrition, evolution, and the modern food crisis. Inspired by Dr. Bill Schindler’s Eat Like a Human, he explores how our diets have evolved—from plant-eating scavengers to hunters thriving on nutrient-dense foods. Yet, despite more food than ever, we’re sicker and more malnourished. Dr. Steve breaks down the history of our diets, the dangers of processed foods, and how food manufacturing has steered us away from real nutrition. He also unpacks why our digestive systems struggle with modern diets and what we can learn from ancestral eating habits. This episode will challenge everything you thought you knew about food.

[00:01 - 08:56] How Our Diet Shaped Human Evolution

Eat Like a Human by Dr. Bill Schindler explores human dietary evolution.

The book highlights how human bodies have changed—brains and bodies grew, but teeth and GI tracts shrank.

Despite having abundant food today, people are more malnourished than ever.

Humans are the only species that need guidance on what to eat, unlike animals with naturally adapted diets.

[08:57 - 19:41] How Early Humans Evolved Through Food

Early humans started as plant-eaters with large digestive tracts and small brains.

Tool-making enabled meat consumption, fueling brain and body growth.

Fire and cooking made food easier to digest and absorb nutrients.

Fermentation improved food preservation and gut health.

Modern food processing removes key nutrients, reducing health benefits.

[19:41 - 24:28] How the Agricultural Revolution Changed Our Health

15,000 years ago, humans shifted from gathering food to mass-producing crops and livestock.

As food production became industrialized, people lost connection with real, nutrient-dense foods.

Processed foods are abundant but lack essential nutrients, leading to widespread health issues.

Food manufacturers prioritize profits over health, filling shelves with nutrient-poor products.

Understanding real food sources and essential nutrients is key to reversing modern health problems.

[24:29 - 26:46] Closing Segment

Industrialization led to processed, nutrient-poor diets that harm our health.

Understanding food sources and preparation is key to better health.

Exploring plant toxins and their hidden effects on our bodies.

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Tweetable Quotes:

“Human beings are the only animal that has been told what to eat. No other animal does that.” - Dr. Steve Hughlett

“These big food manufacturers, they have no responsibility to put nutrients in it. There's nothing that says that they have to make us healthy. That our health is in their welfare. That was never stated. That's never been said.”  - Dr. Steve Hughlett

“We've got to learn how to get the food that we want and how to prepare the food the proper way so we get the most nutrients out of it.” - Dr. Steve Hughlett