Too Much of a Good Thing: How Four Key Survival Traits Are Now Killing Us

Obesity, high blood pressure, depression, and heart disease are leading causes of death in the United States today. The statistics are startling—more than one-third of Americans are obese and an additional one-third are overweight; approximately 30 percent of adults have high blood pressure; one in ten have depression; and more than 600,000 die every year from heart disease. Here Goldman (MD, Columbia Univ. Medical Ctr.) argues that each of these diseases has its roots in the basic needs of our prehistoric ancestors to eat, remain hydrated, evade danger, and stanch bleeding. These predecessors developed behaviors—calorie loading, salt cravings, anxiety, and rapid clotting—that helped them survive. Now, these behaviors result in serious health problems. Goldman writes persuasively about each of these traits, tying present problems to past instincts and weaving biological explanations with historical research. He expresses skepticism that humans can overcome these problems through behavior modification or natural genetic selection, but he is optimistic about future medical treatments, including surgery, medications, and gene therapy.