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[Title Undetermined]

How Women's Sexuality Shaped Human Evolution
Apr 21, 2011
The problem with Shlain’s argument is that it is not consistent with the findings of many epidemiological studies. If early “hunter-gatherer” Homo sapiens relied on meat as their main source of iron, the bodies of modern humans would be well-adapted to meat-eating. A number of studies – such as those by Dr. Colin Campbell, Dr. Dean Ornish, and Dr. Joel Fuhrman, among others – have demonstrated that humans live longer, healthier lives on average if they do not eat meat. Heme iron is found in meat, but non-heme iron is found in plants, and is well-absorbed by the human body if it is needed. Heme iron, on the other hand, is always absorbed by the human body, whether or not it is needed, which can cause severe problems for those afflicted with hemochromatosis, Canada’s most common genetic disorder. Shlain’s book may be some consolation to those wishing to explain the existence of both omnivorousness and patriarchy, but it is heavily reliant on mythology about “hunter-gatherers” that is purely speculative. Since doctors are not required to obtain training in nutrition, it is not surprising that a doctor would write a book of this nature.