The De-Evolution Theory - The Reversal of Human & Canine Evolution

Modern humans are one of the most fascinating, intriguing, and mysterious marvels this planet has ever witnessed. As far as we know, we are the most advanced species to have ever occupied Earth. We are technologically advanced problem solvers with an intricately structured social and economical infrastructure that has adapted to occupy, survive, and thrive in every environment imaginable. With most of our history being undocumented, the question of how we’ve reached this point has been a hotly debated topic by scientists and anthropologists for decades. While the answers are still uncertain, much of the evidence tends to suggest that evolution played a major role.

Research has shown that the human brain has increased in size from 375-550 ml to 1,350 cc between the time of Australopithecus to Homo Sapiens, and that much of this growth can be attributed to the diet and lifestyles of our ancestors. A diet consisting primarily of large, fatty, ruminant animals appears to have advanced our evolutionary progression and shaped us into the species we are today. Omega-6 arachidonic acid (ARA), omega-3 docosatetraenoic acid (DTA), and omega-3 docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids make up 90% of the fatty acids found in our brains. The regular consumption of fatty animal meat meant not only more bio-available nutrients and energy for our daily activities, but more for our brain function and brain growth as well. It’s without question that this is one of the reasons these key ingredients make up the majority of human breast milk, while cow’s milk does not, and our brains are 50% larger than that of a cow’s. However, within the last 20,000 years our brain size has decreased by around 150 cc, a reduction of about the size of a tennis ball.

Similarly, when we look at domesticated canines, we see a similar trend. Dog's brain size has shrunk 10-15% compared to their ancestors. Wolves have larger brains and are very determined and sophisticated problem solvers, using their instinct and insight to their advantage for survival in the wild. Domesticated dogs on the other hand rely more on the coaching and help of their human counterparts, being more likely to fail or give up when trying to solve complex problems in their absence.

The correlation between brain size can be traced back to the similarities in our digestive systems. Humans and canines share a similar digestive tract, with the small intestine in humans accounting for nearly 50% of our gut’s volume and our large intestine accounting for only 20%. Compare that to chimps and we see the opposite, with their large intestine accounting for around 53% and the small intestine accounting for only 25% of their gut’s overall volume. The relationship being, that a human’s digestive system is shorter and most of the digestion and nutrient absorption occurs in the small intestine, much like other carnivorous animals, indicating that we are designed to extract a significant amount of nutrients from much less food by volume. The primary food that fits this description is meat and animal fat, as it is calorie dense, packed full of nutrients, and one of the most bio-available foods on the planet. With our brain accounting for 20-25% of our energy consumption and a diet that contains around 80% less meat than that of our ancestors, a link begins to appear. Is it possible that the reduction of brain size in humans and dogs is a direct result of a diet that has strayed away from meat and animal fats?

When it comes to de-evolution, our brains aren’t the only things trending in this direction. Recent studies indicate that within the last few decades testosterone levels in males aged 45 and older have seen a decline of about 40% from normal baselines. Males aged 80 and older have seen an even greater decline of around 50% from average baselines. Additionally, more scientific studies are beginning to acknowledge and research the topic of dental crowding and our ever-shrinking jaw. Many scientific studies relate this phenomenon to mouth breathing and the adoption of modern agriculture, stating that dental orientation and hygiene was near perfect during the time when our ancestors were thriving on meat-heavy diets. Bones have degraded also, with anthropologists discovering that human skeletons have become weaker and lighter, specifically in relation to joint bones. As it relates to canines, we once again see a strong correlation, with domesticated dogs having smaller teeth, flatter faces, floppy ears, and smaller, more slender builds than that of their ancestors. But why is this important? Obviously humans and dogs are still extremely intelligent problem solvers and survivalists, so are these traits of decline really a concern?

While it is possible that these de-evolutionary indicators may not significantly affect our current generation, we are beginning to see the impacts, and there is mounting concern that the rate of decline has accelerated within recent years. If these trends continue it could have dire consequences on future generations and the future of our species. In the time of our ancestors, poor dental condition and weak bones could have easily led to malnutrition, injury, and death, completely changing the direction of our future. With fierce mating competition and much lower likelihood of contraception, lower testosterone levels could have spelled disaster for the survival and growth of our species. With the total fertility rate (TFR) in the United States dropping to 1.64 in 2020, the lowest level ever recorded, and a TFR of 2.1 required to maintain a steady population, the sharp and recent decline in testosterone levels could quickly spell disaster for our infrastructure, way of life, and for our species as a whole.

Luckily, humans are advanced problem solvers and there appears to be an easy solution to reverse the de-evolution of our species, as well as that of our furry friends. With much of the research indicating that diet and the adoption of modern agriculture being one of the driving factors for these changes, one of the most important things to consider is the impact of adding more meat back into our diets. The shift away from a meat-centric diet full of fatty meat, bone marrow, connective tissue, organs, and other animal products appears to have caused severe detriment to our species. Making this one change may be enough to change the tide, but just as importantly is the need to remove processed and manufactured foods from our diets (this includes kibble for our dogs). These foods contain artificial and synthetic ingredients, GMOs, sweeteners, processed carbohydrates, rancid oils, and harmful additives that wreak havoc on our endocrine and reproductive systems, leading to metabolic dysfunction, obesity, sub-optimal hormone function, decreased fertility, and chronic disease. Additionally, many pharmaceuticals can be harmful to our body’s natural cycles, leading to unwanted and detrimental side effects when used long-term. Adopting a healthy lifestyle and eating a healthy, whole-foods diet rich in meat and fat from ruminant animals often reduces the need for pharmaceutical intervention, can promote weight loss, balance hormones, and reverse chronic disease.

Focusing on movement and daily activity to combat what has become, for most of us, a sedentary lifestyle, also plays an important role in resetting our body’s natural hormone cycles and boosts our immunity by activating the lymphatic system. And finally, steering clear of various negative environmental factors that may be disrupting our bodies ability to function optimally can also play a major role. Things such as the avoidance of eating and drinking from estrogen-promoting plastic containers, eliminating synthetic materials and wearing clothing made from natural fabrics, avoiding or shielding yourself from electromagnetic fields (EMF) whenever possible, drinking naturally sourced or properly filtered water, getting enough sunlight, proper breathing, cooking with stainless or cast-iron cookware, switching to natural cleaning, hygiene, and beauty products, and sourcing your food from responsible, sustainable, and regenerative farms can go a long way in improving health outcomes and allowing our bodies to grow, function, and evolve naturally.

De-evolution is a significant concern, but it is important to understand that like most modern chronic diseases, it is a condition of a much deeper problem. If we can fix the root cause, we can fix the problem and continue to further evolve and grow our species, reaching new and unimaginable heights.

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