Medicosnext
Dr Bodhraj Acharya, PhD, FAACC
“The introduction of processed sugars and the seductive quick-fix of dopamine release led to a collective amnesia about our metabolic flexibility.”
If we look back into history of human evolution, our ancestors were hunter-gatherers, creatures of necessity and survival, whose lives were cycles of feast and rest. This ancient rhythm inscribed a genetic blueprint deep within us, programming our bodies to store fat for times of scarcity. Our primary nourishment stemmed from the proteins and fats of natural animal and fish meat, complemented by the carbohydrates and minerals from fruits and berries. However, as the agricultural era unfolded, it brought about a huge shift, anchoring us to the soil and flooding our diets with carbohydrates. Furthermore, we were tamed to transition from natural, unprocessed grains to unhealthy refined starches. As societies advanced, we started leading sedentary lives and we kept on tweaking our diets, gradually forgetting how to use our bodies’ ability to burn both fatty acid and sugar for energy and solely relying on carbs and finally resorting to refined starch and sugar. We have completely forgotten how whole food diets looks like?
“Our food environments are cluttered with unhealthy options, with genuine nourishment relegated to the periphery in a grocery store, both physically and metaphorically.”
The introduction of processed sugars and the seductive quick-fix of dopamine release led to a collective amnesia about our metabolic flexibility. The sugar industry, capitalizing on this vulnerability, waged a psychological campaign, manipulating human consumption patterns to favor their products. Our cultural practices, once rich with periods of fasting endorsed by religions like Hinduism—which recognized the health benefits such as detoxification and mitochondrial enhancement—were overshadowed by the modern dictate of frequent meals. We were preached to adopt a modern lifestyle replacing ancient practices of meditation and natural living with the excesses of alcohol and fleeting pleasures. This shift not only affected our dietary choices but also our neural architecture, predisposing us to prefer processed foods and sugars. Our food environments are cluttered with unhealthy options, with genuine nourishment relegated to the periphery in a grocery store, both physically and metaphorically. Our very approach to health and wellness has been co-opted by interests that prioritize profit over well-being. From the antibiotics-laden meats that disrupt natural growth processes to the glorification of quick fixes and medical dependence. The communal aspect of eating, a fundamental social ritual that has bound communities together for millennia, has been eroded by individualistic and isolated eating patterns. The rise of eating alone, fast food, and meals consumed in a rush detract from the experience of shared meals that foster connection and collective well-being.
“Humans were evolved to keep both systems in balance; however, while sports and entertainment achievements are lauded, the quieter pursuits of meditation and self-reflection are undervalued.”
We started holding high esteem for athletes like football and cricket players. Our society has developed in a way that prioritizes the activation of the sympathetic nervous system—the biological mechanism designed for ‘fight or flight’ responses. Artists and their contributions are not as celebrated as those of athletes. The parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for relaxation and restorative activities such as meditation, art, and deep reflection has been undermine and thrown under the bus. Humans were evolved to keep both system in balance however, while sports and entertainment achievements are lauded, the quieter pursuits of meditation and self-reflection are undervalued, reflecting a deep dissonance in our societal norms. As a result, the restorative power of the parasympathetic nervous system is undermined, leaving us in a state of chronic stress and alertness. Stress, anxiety, and depression, which are rampant in today’s fast-paced society are the end results of us not nurturing the other side of our neural networks.
“The challenge before us lies not merely in trying to treat the symptoms of this metabolic crisis but in addressing its foundational causes, reforming our practices, and realigning our values towards health, sustainability, and mindfulness.”
Contrary to common belief, metabolic diseases are not merely the result of environmental exposures or genetic predispositions; rather, they are a consequence of these shifts forced in our dietary and lifestyle habits. All of these forced transitions are the primary cause for the metabolic diseases like diabetes, inflammatory conditions, and autoimmune disorders. The pharmaceutical industry, seizing the opportunity, started thriving by focusing on treating symptoms, particularly with medications like metformin for conditions such as type 2 diabetes, rather than prioritizing disease prevention. We are caught between the ancestral wisdom of our biological heritage and the modern temptations that lead us astray. The challenge before us lies is not merely trying to treat the symptoms of this metabolic crisis but to address its foundational causes, reform our practices, and realign our values towards health, sustainability, and mindfulness. The path forward requires a philosophical reawakening to the inter connectedness of our choices, our health, and the environment we inhabit before the human race get fully cheated and completely wiped from the face of the earth.
About Dr Bodhraj Acharya
With over two decades of experience in laboratory medicine, Dr Bodhraj Acharya stands as a renowned leader in his field. Currently serving as the Chief of Laboratory at Bio-reference Laboratory in New Jersey, USA. Dr Acharya’s journey in medical science spans multiple degrees and continents, including a Ph.D. in Clinical Chemistry and a post-doctoral fellowship in Medical Immunology at the University of Maryland, USA. Dr Acharya is a Six Sigma Black Belt certified by the American Society of Quality and holds a prestigious license as a medical laboratory director in the U.S. He is a passionate researcher and speaker, Dr. Acharya has contributed extensively to clinical laboratory science through numerous peer- reviewed publications and international forums, securing his reputation as a luminary in the scientific community.
