Evolutionary Nutrition

3 units

This course explores the interrelationships between human nutritional requirements/adaptations and evolution. We will examine ideas and evidence concerning such concepts as biochemical individuality, nutritional genetics and genomics, evolutionary medicine and the microbiome, among others. Lecture-discussions will focus on material from the texts recommended for this course. Drawing upon the latest research into the original human diet (from peer-reviewed scientific journals), students will create literature review case studies related to lecture topics. The overall objective of this course is to understand how each individual's unique body chemistry gives rise to their specific metabolic type with its own specific nutritional requirements.