Evolutionary Medicine: The Ongoing Evolution of Human Physiology and Metabolism

Frank Rühli; Katherine van Schaik; Maciej Henneberg

doi:10.1152/physiol.00013.2016

Evolutionary Medicine: The Ongoing Evolution of Human Physiology and Metabolism

Physiology (Bethesda). 2016 Nov 1;31(6):392-397. doi: 10.1152/physiol.00013.2016.

Authors

Frank Rühli¹, Katherine van Schaik², Maciej Henneberg³

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Evolutionary Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; frank.ruehli@iem.uzh.ch.
² Institute of Evolutionary Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Harvard Medical School and Harvard Department of the Classics, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts; and.
³ Institute of Evolutionary Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia.

Abstract

The field of evolutionary medicine uses evolutionary principles to understand changes in human anatomy and physiology that have occurred over time in response to environmental changes. Through this evolutionary-based approach, we can understand disease as a consequence of anatomical and physiological "trade-offs" that develop to facilitate survival and reproduction. We demonstrate how diachronic study of human anatomy and physiology is fundamental for an increased understanding of human health and disease.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adaptation, Physiological / physiology*
Animals
Biological Evolution*
Environment*
Humans
Medicine* / trends
Physiology, Comparative / methods
Reproduction / physiology*

Grants and funding

T32 GM007753/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States