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Summary: "A study published on Thursday in the journal Science reported that the ancestors of the Inuit evolved unique genetic adaptations for metabolizing omeg

by henryw 11y ago

Summary: "A study published on Thursday in the journal Science reported that the ancestors of the Inuit evolved unique genetic adaptations for metabolizing omega-3s and other fatty acids. Those gene variants had drastic effects on Inuit’s bodies, reducing their heights and weights. ... the discovery raised questions about whether omega-3 fats really were protective for everyone, despite decades of health advice. “The same diet may have different effects on different people,” he said."

jobu 11y ago
"The same diet may have different effects on different people" This is a very key point. We're just beginning to scratch the surface on how genetics and diet interact.
- gxs 11y ago
  The fact that most of the discussions I encounter on a daily basis never address this is maddening. I blame it on our cultural ideals stating that everyone is equal. As Americans, we have severe reservations about claiming people are genetically different.
  - DennisP 11y ago
    It's hard to study diet's effect on health even assuming the effects are the same for everybody. Either it's a population study with all sorts of uncontrolled variables and uncertain data, or it's a controlled experiment which only lasts for a short time. Adding genetic factors makes it even more complicated...though if it increases the effect size enough, maybe it'll help. Differences in gut flora could be another factor.
  - Vexs 11y ago
    That sounds racist. /s Seriously though, this is a core part of dietary concerns, it's almost a certainty that a Russian is going to have a slightly different reaction to foods than a European, due to centuries of eating different foods. I think it's only recently we've really started to discover that evolution isn't just survival of the fittest, but a considerably more complex mechanism that has immediate impacts after very few generations to very slight stimuli. Not to mention stuff like gut flora, environment during pregnancy, etc.
cornewut 11y ago
As a Northern European I'm often amused by all the studies of allergenic properties of milk coming in from different parts of world.

by henryw 11y ago

jobu 11y ago

"The same diet may have different effects on different people" This is a very key point. We're just beginning to scratch the surface on how genetics and diet interact.

gxs 11y ago
The fact that most of the discussions I encounter on a daily basis never address this is maddening. I blame it on our cultural ideals stating that everyone is equal. As Americans, we have severe reservations about claiming people are genetically different.
- DennisP 11y ago
  It's hard to study diet's effect on health even assuming the effects are the same for everybody. Either it's a population study with all sorts of uncontrolled variables and uncertain data, or it's a controlled experiment which only lasts for a short time. Adding genetic factors makes it even more complicated...though if it increases the effect size enough, maybe it'll help. Differences in gut flora could be another factor.
- Vexs 11y ago
  That sounds racist. /s Seriously though, this is a core part of dietary concerns, it's almost a certainty that a Russian is going to have a slightly different reaction to foods than a European, due to centuries of eating different foods. I think it's only recently we've really started to discover that evolution isn't just survival of the fittest, but a considerably more complex mechanism that has immediate impacts after very few generations to very slight stimuli. Not to mention stuff like gut flora, environment during pregnancy, etc.

cornewut 11y ago

As a Northern European I'm often amused by all the studies of allergenic properties of milk coming in from different parts of world.