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How Our Modern Lifestyle Clashes with Ancient Genes: Reclaiming Health in a Changing World

Writer's picture: Kirsty BednarKirsty Bednar

Our evolutionary biology has equipped us with a natural tendency towards inflammation—a powerful survival mechanism designed to help us fight infections, heal wounds, and maintain vigilance against threats like predators.

However, our modern lifestyle has disrupted this delicate balance. Overusing hand sanitisers and antibiotics, along with reduced interaction with animals and nature, has diminished microbial diversity. This loss reduces essential immuno-regulatory input, tipping the scales toward an exaggerated inflammatory response.

When



combined with environmental and psychological stress, this chronic inflammatory state may explain the high rates of comorbid conditions like depression, autoimmune diseases, allergies, and other inflammatory disorders.


The Disconnect Between Our Genes and Modern Life


Our ancestral genes were perfectly suited for the environment of our ancestors. The issue today isn’t faulty genetics but rather an environment that no longer supports those genes. Many modern illnesses are simply the body’s way of trying to protect itself in a hostile environment. Symptoms are survival mechanisms—our body’s cry for help.

For example:

  • Insulin resistance once helped sustain blood sugar during starvation but now contributes to metabolic diseases like diabetes.

  • Hyperandrogenism, which boosted strength and energy, now manifests as hirsutism or conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

  • Enhanced energy storage, once critical for survival, now leads to obesity.

  • Decreased fertility, once protective during periods of scarcity, has become a barrier requiring infertility treatments.


Ancient Practices to Offset Modern Challenges


To thrive, we need to realign with the foundational principles of health that have supported humans for centuries. These include:

  1. Heat Therapy: Saunas or hot baths to improve circulation and detoxification.

  2. Breath Work: Practices like deep diaphragmatic breathing or meditation to reduce stress and inflammation.

  3. Fasting: Controlled periods of fasting to support metabolic health and cellular repair.

  4. Cold Therapy: Exposure to cold, such as ice baths, to stimulate resilience and improve circulation.

  5. Light Therapy: Exposure to natural sunlight or red light to regulate circadian rhythms and boost mitochondrial health.


The Foundations of Health


Before turning to supplements or advanced bio hacks, it’s essential to focus on foundational habits:

  • Nourish your body: Choose organic, locally grown, seasonal, unprocessed, nutrient-dense foods rich in omega-3s.

  • Move naturally: Incorporate daily physical activity like walking, gardening, or manual tasks into your routine.

  • Align with nature: Respect your circadian rhythms by syncing sleep, eating, and activity with natural light and seasons.

  • Manage stress: Prioritise stress-reduction practices, such as mindfulness, relaxation routines, or cultural traditions that foster resilience.

  • Reduce environmental toxins: Drink filtered water, purify your air, and choose chemical-free body and cleaning products.


When these foundations are in place, supplements, herbal medicines, and advanced therapies can be much more effective.


To truly thrive in today’s modern world, we need to return to the basics—nourishing our bodies, managing stress, detoxing from harmful exposures, and aligning our habits with the rhythms of nature. These foundational practices are essential for reducing inflammation, rebalancing our systems, and supporting our ancient genes in a modern environment.


If you’re ready to take control of your health, reset your body, and detox your lifestyle, join my 2-Week Health Reset. This program is designed to help you establish the essential habits for optimal health, detoxify your body, and create a strong foundation for lasting vitality.




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Naturopath

EmpowerU Natural Health

5/115 Elder Street

Lambton NSW 2299

Australia

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Tel: 0438 734 063

KIRSTY BEDNAR

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