The Evolutionary Journey from Mitochondria to Modern Metabolism

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Eukaryotic cells engulfed mitochondria around 2 billion years ago, marking our connection to a bacteria relic power source. This evolution led to the development of warm-blooded mammals around 220 million years ago after reptiles decided to accelerate metabolism. Primates emerged 65 million years ago, with the lineage of apes dating back 20 million years, leading to our 7 million year branch. The genus Homo, including homo sapiens, began shaping modern metabolism around two and a half million years ago.

*Content warning up top: This episode discusses sensitive themes like diet culture, caloric intake, the psychological & physical effects of food restriction and includes many listeners’ personal experience with the term “obesity." It may be triggering for those with a history of or sensitivity to disordered eating. We also discuss the Body Mass Index, still used by medical professionals, but acknowledged by many sociologists to be rooted in structural oppression.*

Let’s explore our human machinery. And talk about Brazilian butt lifts. Professor of Evolutionary Anthropology and metabolism researcher Dr. Herman Pontzer gives us the data on mitochondrial backstories, muscle mass and hormones, our expanding brains, the flaws of the Body Mass Index, humans’ relationships with nutrition, why crash dieting can change your metabolism, perspectives on sticky medical terms, isotope magic, how much exercise hunter gatherers get, carnivore diets, scales, and what to do if you're grappling with sadness.

Visit the Pontzer Lab website

Browse Dr. Pontzer’s papers on ResearchGate and follow him on Instagram and X

Buy Dr. Pontzer’s book, Burn: New Research Blows the Lid Off How We Really Burn Calories, Stay Healthy, and Lose Weight

A donation went to Hadza Fund