Again we return to the supplement-driven online bodybuilding-magazine ‘Iron Magazine’ and their writer Matt Weik, who in previous articles has shown that he has absolutely no experience or knowledge of human nutrition, or, in truth, anything he writes about.
This time he tackles ‘ancestral health,’ the “study” of rediscovering and applying the dietary and lifestyle habits of our ancestors. While that might sound like a good pursuit, the problem is that most of the people involved in these projects have a background within the bastardized pseudoscience of “nutrition” and “medicine” and they all have agendas, and a lot of them want to make money through selling “ancestral food items” and ancestral or paleo approved supplements. So, while some tidbits might be true and useful, other parts are likely a mixture of ignorance, bad interpretation, misunderstandings of the data, and simply profitable lies.
I personally studied and worked at the highest levels in these fields of nutrition, exercise, supplementation, medicine, and health for the better part of my career — for about 27 years before I discovered the real truths in early 2018. So, yes, I know all their twisted and backwards lies in and out — something that helped me understand the simple truth, that humans are obligate hyper carnivores. And that fact is also backed-up within physiology, biology, and anthropology, if you know how to separate the real research from the lies put forth by paid shills.
So, let’s see what Matt has to say on this subject.
“Well, despite our era of innovation, more people are unhealthy and overweight than ever. Chronic diseases strain finances, and modern culture normalizes weakness and obesity, ignoring the health risks.”
Yes, most of us know this, yet no one addresses the real problem, that of the non/anti-human diet that society has adopted through the deception and propaganda of the food- and pharmaceutical industry — that of a diet full of plant-based and processed garbage, that of a diet with carbohydrates, seed/vegetable oils, and chemicals.
“However, studying our ancestors and hunter-gatherer societies like the Hadza reveals that an ancestral lifestyle promotes robust health. For example, nearly 90% of adults over 40 in the Tsimane tribe have almost no risk of heart disease.”
These are modern tribes that have been forced to relocate over-and-over again to desolate areas as modern society and profit-hungry agricultural companies invaded most of their countries. What these people eat today has very little to do with what they consumed in the past when they were free to roam the country and settle in areas with a large animal population.
There should be 0% risk of heart disease at such a young age as 40. And as we know, the driving force for developing cardiovascular- and heart disease is that of elevated blood glucose from consuming carbohydrates, and also from the toxic and plaque forming effects of seed/vegetable oils and plant defense chemicals and antinutrients.
“Research shows that natural movement and diet, not extreme diets or supplements, maintain strength and health. By adopting ancestral health principles, we can prevent chronic diseases, maintain a healthy weight, and age gracefully.”
Yes, but forget about the buzz-word “ancestral health.” Simply take a look at human physiology. We are carnivores and the only way to get bioavailable nutrition is through animal-based foods, which also renders the very idea of supplements useless.
What is Ancestral Health?
“Ancestral health centers on the idea that optimal wellness comes from adopting the lifestyle habits of our early human ancestors. This concept suggests that many modern health problems arise from the disconnect between our current way of life and the conditions our genetics were designed for.”
Forget about genetics, that is pseudoscience. We simply need to look at our digestive system, from teeth, jaw, to the stomach, gallbladder, and colon. Everything is identical with the average carnivorous species, and in many cases shows that we are indeed hyper carnivores, constructed to scavenge already fallen prey, as well as consuming everything raw.
And yes, by adopting our natural species-appropriate, species-specific way of eating, we will eliminate virtually all “modern” health problems and diseases, and we will perform at our best and maximize our life-span (which actually is 120 to 150 years.)
“This holistic approach integrates diet, physical activity, social interactions, and a close relationship with nature to create a complete health model. It challenges us to reconsider modern conveniences and lifestyles, proposing that some aspects of progress may separate us from our natural physiological needs.”
You make it sound ‘hippie,’ and ‘cult’-like. But yes, these are all good things if you actually understand what ‘natural’ is. And by re-connecting with nature, and especially by adopting our natural human diet, your brain will start to work as intended again, and a lot of these things will come back to you as it is common sense, and also rooted deep inside of you, like instincts. It’s all just been “muddled up” by nutrient deficiencies and toxins from your current non-human diet and lifestyle.
How to Have Ancestral Health Principles in Your Lifestyle?
“1. Ancestral diet
This nutritional approach includes a variety of natural foods such as meats, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and fruits, all selected based on their sourcing and preparation.
By consuming nutrient-dense, naturally sourced foods, we aim to align our bodies with historical dietary patterns and restore a balanced relationship with natural food cycles and ecosystems. This diet, rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory foods, not only supports individual health by reducing the risk of chronic conditions but also promotes sustainable living.”
Again, humans are obligate hyper carnivores. We are designed to consume other animals, and that is the only way for us to get all essential nutrients and to thrive. In the past, whenever there were animals around, that was the only thing we consumed. In case of shortage, we added some bulk to our diets in the form of some available plant foods as a survival measure, so as not to starve to death. In these cases, our diet could be 80% animal-based, and 20% plant-based. That is still a far cry from what we see today, where it’s been totally flipped around.
Even if anthropology can give us some clues to what we as a species used to eat, humans are the only animal that relies more on instant gratification and feelings than on basic instincts like other animals. We also have a different kind of intellect that many times deceives us, which is especially true in survival scenarios where we will eat anything that will not instantly kill us.
Thus it is important to understand that we as humans, although animal-based foods have always been our staple and most dominant food source, have consumed fruits, berries, and other available plants when given the opportunity just to feel full and satiated. And as our population grew and the ruling elite wanted us to be weak and docile, grains and other man-made vegetables were introduced.
And all these different foods that we have consumed throughout history has absolutely nothing to do with what is appropriate and good for our physiology. We already know through physiology, biology, and biochemistry that humans are obligate hyper carnivores and that every single plant, nut, fruit and seed is ridden with toxins that severely damages our cells. It’s simply human nature to grab and consume as much as possible, no matter if it is good for us or not — as we lost touch with our human nature several thousands of years ago. Even some animals do this, especially domesticated animals such as cats and dogs who many times are conditioned to consume a very toxic and deadly diet, as in dry food or poor-quality meat mixes filled with rice, grains or potatoes. Our poor pets simply trust us and eat, just as the sleeping masses trust the government, the food industry, and the medical field and simply consume toxic garbage 24/7.
Also, and this is where the pseudoscience of nutrition interferes with the concept of “ancestral health,” as there were no vegetables available in the past. All vegetables you see today have been cultivated and genetically modified by humans. None of them has any likeness with what you can or could find in nature. Same goes for all fruit, and the few fruits that actually existed in the past were only available in tropic regions and they were very low in carbohydrates compared to today’s genetically modified abominations.
Whenever our ancestors had to add in plants to their diets, it was the occasional mushroom/fungus, some seasonal berries, a few nuts or toxic seeds, or perhaps some wild fruit or tuber/root-vegetable. On average, that would yield a total carbohydrate intake of 15 to 30 grams! That is equivalent to the 25 grams of carbohydrates you would find in one single apple or a 48 grams Snickers bar today! And that was all they could gather in a day!
In other words, even when our ancestors had to go for plant-based options to avoid starvation, they were still following what we today call a “ketogenic diet,” a diet with less than 30 to 50 grams of daily carbohydrates. And to add to this, I can bet that they also spent a lot more energy moving around than the average person today, simply using these few additional carbohydrates immediately as fuel instead of relying on the body storing them as fat.
In other words, their blood glucose levels were not elevated above normal for long, so the damage was pretty minimal. Compare that to the deceived people today that can easily consume 300 grams of carbohydrates a day, ten to twenty times that of our ancestors, while sitting on their asses.
And also, forget about “antioxidants,” or “anti-inflammatory” (as in anti-healing) that is yet another pseudoscience concept of nutrition and modern medicine that is backwards. Antioxidants are simply plant defense chemicals and they do great harm to our bodies as they are constructed to deter and even kill anyone trying to eat the plant.
“2. Movement
Think about it — did our ancestors spend their days sitting at desks and their nights on the couch, only to sleep for 8 hours? Absolutely not. They stayed active by building their villages, hunting, and gathering water, which kept them fit without the need for “exercise.”
Aim for at least 30-60 minutes of intense strength training three times a week. Muscles are the most metabolically active tissue and must be used to stay healthy. Without regular stimulation, muscles deteriorate with age (also known as sarcopenia), leading to weakness and increased susceptibility to disease.”
Yes, this is common sense. And as I’ve been in the bodybuilding-, fitness-, elite sports-, medical- and gym-business most of my career, I do have a personal preference and bonding with weight-lifting. That is how I personally compensate for the physical work I miss out from my ancestors’ lifestyle. And, if done in moderation, it is a great way to keep a healthy and useful amount of muscle mass and strength, as well as bone density and avoid injuries.
Still, to be healthy, you only need to be somewhat physically active. What you do is up to you. However, prolonged exercise is very detrimental to our health and longevity, especially “endurance like activities” like jogging, running, swimming, bicycling, and so on. I’ve covered this in several articles.
“3. One with nature
Reconnecting with nature is crucial in ancestral health. As per history, outdoor life shaped our physical and emotional well-being.
Whether through outdoor workouts, mindful walks in green spaces, or dining outside, stepping outdoors links us to our roots. This not only provides sunlight and fresh air but also restores our instinctual connection to nature.”
On this, I agree fully. Always try to be outdoors in green spaces as much as you can every day. And always do your best to get some sun exposure.
“4. Sleep and rest
A hunter-gatherer isn’t imagined lounging on a sofa. Though often active, they also rested, balancing strenuous days with periods of relaxation to avoid injury and fatigue.
In contrast, modern society prioritizes constant productivity, viewing rest as unimportant. Many consider “resting” to be browsing the internet or using electronic devices, which disrupts true relaxation. This constant activity leads to chronic stress, unlike our ancestors who balanced stress with calm.
Research shows chronic stress harms our bodies, highlighting the need to rediscover genuine relaxation.”
Yes, relaxation is important, and especially sleep quality. I’ve addressed this many times in the past. Always dim the lights in the evening and avoid screens after 8 p.m. Always get in bed before 10 p.m. and focus on deep- and REM-sleep cycles. Again, sleep quality is much more important than sleep duration.
Also, sleep will improve as you fix your diet and lifestyle, as poor sleep often is the result of stressed organs and a high toxic load, especially from processed foods.
Is Ancestral Lifestyle Right for You?
“While our modern quality of life surpasses that of our ancestors due to technology, medicine, and food production, their wisdom shouldn’t be dismissed. Integrating both modern science and ancestral practices is crucial for achieving good health.”
You were doing pretty good up to this point, Matt. Medicine and food production? You mean the two largest reasons why people are extremely unhealthy, ridden with “disease” and dying only halfway through their life expectancy?
We need to remove that infected, hijacked and backwards “science.” Modern medicine and the food industry needs to be abolished, and totally reformed.
Simply begin with slowly removing everything you eat that comes with a list of ingredients, then remove everything that is plant-based, and while you do this, slowly introduce more and more animal-based products. This transition from your current way of eating to our natural human diet should take about 4 to 8 weeks, or even longer if your body is severely damaged.
Just do small continuous improvements, and if you experience severe symptoms, simply take one step back and then try again a few days later. Key is to progress slowly so your body can adapt, adjust, and begin to heal.
Once you are fully animal-based, or even ‘carnivore,’ you will feel like a completely new human. It might take a few weeks or even several months, but once you do, it’s a life-changing transformation and you will experience what it really is to be human, to be really alive — especially on a conscious level. And once you reach this destination, a lot of suppressed and hidden things inside of you will wake up, such as the urge to reconnect with nature, to feel the sun on your face, to declutter your life and get rid of unnecessary materialistic rubbish, to explore new areas in life, to uncover hidden truths and to expose lies and injustices, and to connect with other like-minded and evolved people.
To put it simply, you will become human again.
You do not need a label on this experience such as “ancestral lifestyle” or “ancestral health,” nor do you need books or courses, or approved food items sold to you by these charlatans. And you should absolutely not include any plant-based edibles. All you need is animal-based nutrition and an open mind. You will flourish from there.
If you need help with your health, nutrition, and/or transitioning from your current way of eating to our natural species-appropriate, species-specific way of eating, I’m available for both coaching and consultation.
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