Mind & Matter Benefits & Risks of UV Radiation & Sunlight, Skin Health, Vitamin D, Nitric Oxide, Evolution of Skin Color | Richard Weller | 104
Jan 23, 2023
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Human Evolution: Hairless & Dark Skin
- Humans evolved to be unique endurance runners by losing fur and developing abundant sweat glands to shed heat.
- This led to dark skin evolution in Africa as UV protection due to exposed naked skin.
Sweat Gland Adaptation Anecdote
- Richard Weller shared his brother-in-law's military experience adapting sweat glands for desert conditions in Afghanistan.
- Sweat gland plasticity helps people manage extreme heat with proper acclimatization.
Pale Skin Evolution Factors
- Pale skin evolved multiple times in relation to humans migrating to low light, high latitude, farming environments.
- Farming lifestyle combined with low UV prompted selection for lighter skin to improve physiological responses.