Science tells us quite clearly that humans are omnivores and as such are genetically predisposed to eat both plants and animals. Our teeth are designed by evolution to tear animal flesh but also to grind plants. Our stomachs produce an enzyme specifically produced to break down “elastin”, a type of protein found only in meat and nowhere else. Our metabolisms require specific chemicals only encountered in plants such as vitamin C and others only provided by animals like vitamin B-12. As such, our omnivorous nature is a biological necessity. We are literally designed to eat both plants and animals. This is a fact. This is not an opinion.
The notion that humans were meant to be vegetarians runs contrary to every shred of evolutionary evidence from both the fossil record and anthropological study. In fact, scientific evidence overwhelmingly suggests that animal proteins are what originally separated us from our wild ancestors in reference to our brain size and thus our ability to think and reason. Genetically we are roughly 98.3% identical to chimpanzees. Our bellies are about 40% smaller and our brains three times larger than these animals. It was 5 to 7 million years ago when our distant ape-like ancestors began eating more animal proteins these changes began. What our ancestors were eating were the original “good” monounsaturated fats and proteins with the correct and historical levels of the omega 3 fatty acid (DHA).
In a landmark series of studies, Mike Richards, at Oxford University, studied the bones of Paleolithic people who lived in England some 12,000 years ago. Their diet, he confirmed was almost identical to that of top level carnivores such as wolves and bears. Still, it is this balance of plant and animal food that keeps us healthy.
Archeological records show a general trend of ill-health in people as they replaced their Paleolithic diet with one based on cereals and grains. Studies in Turkey and Greece for example, indicate pre-agricultural men on average stood 5 foot 9 inches tall and women 5 foot 5 inches. By 3000 B.C. their respective heights had fallen to 5 foot 3 inches and 5 feet. Studies of their bones and teeth revealed more: they had more infectious diseases, greater childhood mortality and shorter life spans. They had osteoporosis and other bone mineral disorders to a far greater degree. They were also plagued with vitamin and mineral deficiency diseases, including scurvy, beriberi, pellagra, anemia and tooth decay. (2,44)
I have some great friends who are vegetarians. Please do not take this analysis of this topic as a damning of all things vegetarian. Vegetarians, I believe are fantastic people by their very nature. That is, they choose not to eat other animals. This to me is a profound and spiritual decision. It is a sacrifice of great consequence. It’s just not the choice I wish to make. I choose to remain an omnivore as my natural right. The solid premise of our human evolutionary diet disproves vegetarianism objectively and scientifically as somehow healthier or better than our original diet. It is absolutely not. We are simply not vegetarian animals. In fact, eating only fruits and vegetables will eventually result in death from lack of the essential vitamin B-12. From a biological point of view, we will always win this argument with our vegan and vegetarian friends. If you’re looking for a diet plan that’s based on both scientific data as well as on the natural eating patterns of our ancestors, then please check out the eco-diet at http://www.eco-diet.com
Regardless, I believe the ethical or spiritual side of their argument to be not only sound but very compelling. Vegetarians have chosen to transcend our natural predilections and instincts. This has deep meaning and value. It shows that we can be greater than the sum of our natural instincts for higher reasons. The Eco-diet book is not about that, though. It is about how to follow your true evolutionary diet in modern times. It is about how to get as healthy, fat free and as fit as possible.