A quest fulfilled
Skulls in our library. See bottom of post for description.
In 1981 MD and I read a book that changed our lives. I don’t know why because I didn’t have a particular interest in paleontology or anthropology at the time, but I picked up a copy of Lucy: the Beginnings of Humankind by Donald Johanson. The book sat around the house for awhile before I found the time to read it, but when I started reading, I couldn’t quit. It was an absolutely riveting read.
I carried the book with me and read it everywhere. At the time, I was doing a lot of emergency room medicine, so I took the 
book along on one of my 24 hour shifts. As luck would have it, I had a slow night, so instead of sacking out as I would have usually done, making sure I got some shut eye before the inevitable car wreck or gunshot wound showed up to shatter my peace, I read Lucy. I finished it sometime during the middle of the night and the couldn’t get back to sleep for thinking about it. I couldn’t wait to get home to MD and tell her about it and force her – at gunpoint, if necessary – to read it. I couldn’t live with myself if I were this enthusiastic about something and had no one to discuss it with.
She started reading it, and before I knew it, she was as fired up about it as I was. She read a lot of it in bed before we went to sleep, and our conversations went much like this:
Me: What part are you reading?
MD: I’m at the part about the ‘R’ and ‘K’ factors.
Me: Isn’t that cool. Then on to a general conversation between us about R and K.
MD: (Exasperated) Let me get back to the book.
Ten minutes later.
Me: What part are you reading now?
When she finally finished, it seemed that Lucy was all we could talk about for about a month. Just around the time we finished the book, the Little Rock public library had its big, once-a-year, friends of the library sale. People donate old books, new books, magazines, and any and all kinds of reading matter to this fundraising event. I knew that there were usually a lot of old medical and scientific journals there, so MD and I headed on down. When we got there, we hit pay dirt. We found EVERY one of the original journals that contained all the papers written on the discovery of Lucy and the anthropological and paleontological work to figure out what she actually was.
It has just occurred to me in my stream of consciousness writing, driven by my excitement from just thinking about those days, that, for those who don’t know, I haven’t explained who Lucy is. Lucy was a little upright walking creature who lived about 3.2 million years ago in what is now
Ethiopia. Anthropologist Donald Johanson and is team found her almost complete fossilized skeleton while on a dig there about 30 years ago. Although her skeleton (seen at right) might not look like it’s almost complete, it represents a huge find paleontologically. When you consider that many paleontologists go their whole careers and find only a small bone or two. Over a career. Lucy has most of her parts. And those she doesn’t have on one side, she has on the other, so it’s relatively easy to reconstruct her entire skeleton.
The book Lucy details not only Lucy’s discovery, but the history of paleontology until that point (that part probably sounds dreadful, but it’s truly a wonderful read), and all the work to figure out what Lucy really was and where she fit into the hominid spectrum. At the time she didn’t fit into any of the categories of hominids that were known, so Johanson and team ended up calling her Australopithicus afarenses, the forerunner to Australopithicus africanus. The descriptions of how tooth and jaw structure were used to place her where she belongs sound like boring reading, but they aren’t at all. That part of the book was where I got my first notions of the idea that there might be a diet we had evolved to eat.
MD and I swore to one another that somehow, someway we were going to by God see Lucy’s actual skeleton (it wasn’t really her actual skeleton, it was a fossil of her skeleton), even if we had to go to Ethiopia to do it. Not long after we made this vow, we learned that an entire Lucy exhibit was going to be presented at the Museum of Natural History in New York. Neither of us had ever been to New York at that time, but we made plans to go. When the exhibit opened, we were there. And a fabulous exhibit it was. It had the Taung child skull, which figures prominently in the history of man, and many of the other famous fossils we had read about. When we finally got to Lucy and read the little plate on the display case with her skeleton, we were devastated to learn that it wasn’t really Lucy’s skeleton we were seeing, but a reproduction of Lucy’s skeleton. The real Lucy’s skeleton was still in Ethiopia where it had been repatriated. And the Ethiopian authorities weren’t about to let her go on tour.
We were mightily disappointed and figured we would probably have to go to Ethiopia to see Lucy if we were ever going to see her in the flesh, so to speak.
But a couple of days ago we were driving along in Seattle and I noticed a sign advertising a Lucy exhibit at the Pacific Science Center. I found out that the exhibit was called Lucy’s Legacy: The Hidden Treasures of Ethiopia. The brochure promised that the exhibit
provides visitors with an extraordinary opportunity to come face to face with Lucy, the oldest, most complete, and best preserved adult fossil of any erect-walking human ancestor.
Hmmm, thinks I. Could it really be? I worried about the styling of the exhibit. Lucy’s Legacy? What does that really mean. Hidden treasures of Ethiopia? What hidden treasures? We were in the midst of an extremely busy few days, but we didn’t want to miss out if this truly was an opportunity to see the real Lucy. We got tickets and showed up at the appointed time (they were letting people in in 15-minute increments).
When we got in, we walked through exhibit after exhibit of Ethiopian history, Ethiopian languages, Ethiopian religion, Ethiopian writing, Ethiopian art, Ethiopian everything, but no sign of Lucy. As I was beginning to despair, we finally rounded a corner and there was at least an exhibit on hominid fossils. We went through that part of it and finally came to the same reproduction of Lucy (or at least one that looked the same) as we had seen in New York. Then we found, in a case in a darkened room, the actual, real, honest-to-God fossil of Lucy. It was the same size and shape as the model we had seen, but was a different color. Whereas the model looked kind of yellowish, the way old bones look, Lucy’s fossil was a grayish white. It looked like, well, rock. Which it is.
At any rate, now we don’t have to go to Ethiopia because the Ethiopian authorities made Lucy available to us. Despite the fact that these authorities used Lucy to pimp for Ethiopia, we were damned glad to see her.
I can’t recommend the book Lucy enough. It should be a part of every low-carbers library. Once you read it, you will know what it means when you read that Australopithicus africanus had elevated levels of Carbon-13. You will realize how far back in our lineage we were meat eaters. And you will find out what happened to the branch of pre-humans who evolved down the plant-eating road.
The photo at the top of this post are of skulls and skull models in my library. The one on the left is Australopithicus robustus, a branch that came to a bad end. The skull next to that one is a mountain lion, the next is Homo habilis (a descandant of Lucy’s), and the one on the far right is a black bear. Looming behind them all is the cave bear skull we wrote about in the Protein Power LifePlan.
If I am even remotely close on my position that the RDA is not based on science, the opposition to the recognition and acceptance of low carb diets has nothing whatsoever to do with science. Instead, the offensive battle is being waged by economic interests with enormous power in the way of resources and political influence who have been systematically funding research intended to question the safety of reducing carb intake and consuming fat (also, carb reduction) while concurrently establishing a position that carbohydrate, even if not essential in human nutrition, has so much value that the lack of proved ‘essentiality’ is moot and therefore, irrelevant.
Toward this end the position expressed in Journal of Nutrition (dialog on Carbohydrate under the Nutrient Information heading (http://jn.nutrition.org/nutinfo/) should be of great concern to the proponents of low carb diets. While acknowledging in a convoluted and indirect manner that carbohydrate is not essential in the human diet it is stated that the idea that carbohydrate is converted to fat in the human body has been disproved by new research. The article then implies (without actually referencing carbohydrate) that carbohydrate is not toxic and can be eaten in unlimited quantities with no adverse effects.
It appears as if the beachhead for the pro-carbohydrate battleground was established back in 1916. But the real pro-carbohydrate offensive probably started in the 1950s with the demonizing of fat. If this is true, more that 50 years have elapsed with no offensive response. Instead, academics such as Taubes who have both the knowledge and insight to smell a dead fish rotting have been waging offensives on battle grounds that are far better fortified and defended than a lack of science behind the RDA is.
At this point the low carb battle may have been technically lost years ago. If this is the case then under the guise of preserving the health of the nation the day could soon come where it may be illegal to discuss, let alone promote, low carb diets.
I’m surprised that the Journal of Nutrition says that the conversion of carbs to fat is negligible. It’s anything but. Of course, when you see the MyPyramid logo, you know you’ve got to be way of any information provided.
I don’t think the low-carb battle is lost. But I do think we have a fight ahead of us.
” Estrogen is both stored in the fat cells and activated in the fat cells. As fat is released from the fat cells due to insulin lowering, the estrogen is released as well. Sometimes this plays havoc with the menstrual cycle in the same way as taking estrogen. Usually things stabilize after the fat cell mass decreases.”
Since I started losing weight on a PPLP type diet, I have been getting hot flashes, although previously I thought I was done with them. (I’m 55 and definitely well past menopause.) My guess was that estrogen release from the fat cells was causing this, but I am glad to have this confirmed. I am also happy to know that it should eventually go away!
Thank you for clarifying that.
Here is the Science Daily description for the Layman study above: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090304114256.htm
“Any diet will do? Not if you want to lose fat instead of muscle. Not if you want to lower your triglyceride levels so you’ll be less likely to develop diabetes and heart disease. Not if you want to avoid cravings that tempt you to cheat on your diet. And not if you want to keep the weight off long-term.”
“The protein diet was easier to follow and maintain long-term, with 64 percent of the moderate-protein dieters completing the study compared to 45 percent of dieters using the high-carbohydrate diet, Layman said.”
Seems like a recommendation for the PP plan
Indeed it does.
I retired in June 2008 and found your blog in September. This comment is to tell you how much you and your blog mean to me. I have sent links to several folks that I know and some are starting to come around to the low carb diet. You are a walking gold mine of information for a person like me. I love you book recommendations. Hope Amazon tips you for my purchases. Keep up the good fight.
Thanks for the compliment. I really appreciate it. I’m glad the posts are having an impact on some of the people you’re sending them to. Amazon tips me about a buck for every hard cover book ordered that goes through this site. I appreciate the help. And my web guy really appreciates it since it allows me to pay him.
Yes Doctor, you are right. while the koreans eat alot of sugar and junk food, their portions sizes are certainly smaller than those in the US, Canada and other Western countries. In fact, i haven’t come across any “super size me” options.
Thanks for posting about the Lucy exhibit! We were in Seattle on Saturday to visit my parents and invited them to go see it with us. I thought the exhibit was really disjointed (no pun intended) as far as the Ethiopia part (focused on religion and political history) having little connection with the Lucy exhibit and the film afterward.
As far as the Lucy exhibit itself, it was amazing. You’ve pretty much said it all, though did you check out the mural depicting the evolution of H. Sapiens? The earliest scene depicting A. Kadabba reaching for a firefly immediately made me flash on the Michelangelo’s “Creation of Adam” in the Sistine Chapel. Somehow I doubt the resemblence was accidental.
Off topic – I ordered two copies each of Fat Head and Lucy (the book) from Amazon via your site. I enjoyed the movie very much, and will give the other copy to my parents. I think it will reach my mother better than GCBC (I couldn’t get her to read it, though my father devoured it in a couple days). I wish the movie were shorter though, because aside from the length it would be the perfect “wellness” lunch time activity at work. I’m afraid if I have to split it up over two sessions it won’t reach nearly as many people. If you know of a similar resource that’s no more than an hour long (or could maybe talk Tom Naughton into editing it down a bit) please let me know.
Thanks very much for the orders through the site. Unfortunately, I don’t know of a shorter film on the benefits of low-carb. Maybe other readers will. I did love the mural. I can’t believe I didn’t include something about it in my post.
Typing in a rush…trying to get two kids to bed shortly…my apologiesI bumped into some info in the past few days…not sure if you have addressed it here previously, and I don’t remember seeing it in your new book (although maybe I should reread).
) says something about reduced glycemic control in diabetics using EPA/DHA/Omega 3 supplements?
Does fish oil negatively impact blood sugar? The FDA (I know, useless
I haven’t pulled up the original study but the blurb I read listed this reference:
Stacpoole, P, Alig, A., Ammon, L, October), 1989, pages 946-956 (this was how it was listed…no journal name).
It also mentioned another study
The report is titled “Omega 3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids, Inflammation and Immunity,” by Philip C. Calder, Institute of Human Nutrition, University of Southampton, Bassett Crescent East, Southampton, UK.
Supposedly indicating that fish oil may suppress some immune function?
LIke I said, I haven’t had time to go digging yet, but if you are familiar w/ these studies I was wondering if you might comment. As a non-overweight woman with PCOS, I’m trying to figure out whether fish oil might worsen insulin resistance? (I don’t test + for IR based on a 2 hour GTT but I do better on metformin and eating lower carb, at least in terms of it making my cycles (somewhat) more regular.
In my experience fish oil neither suppresses immunity nor destabilizes blood sugar levels. If you are concerned yet want to increase intake of omega-3 fats, try krill oil. You get less EPA/DHA but more bioavailability.
You might like the book Big Brain by Richard Granger and Gary Lynch, of which a good chunk is about the Boskops and their huge skulls in the 1900 cc range, dating from around 10,000 years ago in South Africa.
Have been reading your blog and books for just over a year now and have gained so much.
Many thanks
Thanks for the book tip. I haven’t read that one.
Hey Doc,
My psychology professor and I got into an argument about how the brain processes energy. I said that while the brain will use glucose primarily it can use keytones and they are actually preferred. He was trying to say that it is a last resort in starvation, etc.
Is there any studies that are available to show him?
Thanks
Evidence seems to indicate that ketones may be the preferred fuel for the brain. It’s a tricky explanation as to why and better reserve for an entire post. Off the top of my head, I don’t know any specific studies to show your professor, but if he’s smart and has a logical mind, he ought to be able to figure it out. I just did, tooling down the highway at 79 miles an hour.
So here’s the best nutritional advice our national news broadcaster (CBC) can come up with – unbelievable!
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2009/03/11/f-nutritionmyths.html
It’s going to be a long slow road to getting the truth out to people, please don’t lose heart, Drs. Eades!
You don’t have to read much of this drivel before you realize you’re in the presence of a real dolt. How do these people get published?
Dr. Mike,
I have been a supporter of low carb dieting for almost 9 years now. I have a question about a private matter on which I would dearly love to get your feedback. Would you be willing to email me off-list? My email address is dmcallahan4@gmail.com. It is in regards to low carb and liver disease.
Sincerely,
Deana Callahan
Cincinnati, OH
Wow. Sorry for the poor grammar. It was late.
No problem. I do it, too.
Dan wrote: So here’s the best nutritional advice our national news broadcaster (CBC) can come up with – unbelievable!
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2009/03/11/f-nutritionmyths.html
Andrea admonished: Be fair, now, at least the brown vs. white eggs issue was resolved properly, and the writer admits that eating eggs does not raise cholesterol. One and a half right out of ten is…okay it’s frightening.
What a cool post this was. I’ve had a passing interest in paleoanthropology since reading the gripping children’s book, ‘The First Men in the World’ by Anne Terry White some 40+ years ago (pre -Lucy). I loved that book so much I read it multiple times in my childhood, but had not read anything on the subject in years. After reading this blog post I took “Lucy” from the library. What a fascinating read. Interesting that A. robustus, with the large crushing molars designed to break down plant materials came to a dead-end, but the smaller-molared, more omniverously-oriented teeth found in Lucy and her kind were the sort that continued on into genus Homo.
But thinking of those teeth help keep my focused during discouraging weeks like this one where I’ve currently gained five pounds, despite staying faithfully low carb, sugar-free, grain-free, and keeping my ECC in the 20-40 range. (and no it’s not any sort of pre-menstrual fluid gain since I’m some years past that). Sad to think that calories must still count. Even on low carb I can not seem to be able to eat enough to be satisfied and hope to lose weight.
I’m glad you enjoyed Lucy. It’s the best, by far, of all the books that have come along since. BTW, I met Johanson this past weekend at a conference.
Hey Doc, thanks for the heads up re estrogen release from fat cells. Could this be why my TST levels are flucuating between 2 and 4 like a yoyo? Lost 50 #s so far, BGs finally averaging in the 120s. Still on Mazxide, down to 750 ER Metformin, dropped Januvia & Cozaar in Jan…delighted with my progress & continuing wt loss, still have lots to lose. ‘nother question: fell last month (then cellulitis, IV antibiotics, and got laidoff)…stress drove average BGs to 140, then my systolic BP went up. I had to add 1/4 dose Cozaar to get it back down. If I understand the Brownlee article (you posted a link) on the pathobiology of diabetic complications, did my BP go up as my endothelial cells were irritated, um, damaged from first the infection, then IV treatment, and finally the increased BGs? If that is true, then I can drop the Cozaar unless my average BGs start going higher than the high 130s (I really dislike the breathlessness that I get with continued dosing of Cozaar). Or, did he mean long-term effects and not relatively short-term effects as I appear to have experienced — or am I making unreasonable assumptions?
from his article:
“thiamine derivative called benfotiamine” is this safe to take? I read that some report reduced systolic taking 150 mgs twice/day
“PARP inhibitor” is there one that is safe to take?
“SOD/catalase mimetic” is there one that is safe to take?
Brownlee presents powerful albeit non-human evidence for his theory of a unified cause of the pathobiology.
I’m sorry, but medico-legal issues prevent me from being able to answer specific medical questions.
Just found this on Drudge Report. After reading just a little bit of Lucy, I think this must be wrong:
MONKEY SKULL FOUND: THE LINK IN HUMAN EVOLUTION?
This fossil predates Lucy by about 40 million years. It is supposedly the ancestor of all primates, but I’ll be curious to see what kind of controversy it stirs up once all the paleontologists get a chance to evaluate it.
I was amazed to see “Lucy” on your 2009 bestseller list! My grandfather, Mait Edey, was the author of “Lucy”. Don Johanson was the scientist/researcher, but my grandfather did all the writing. I’m thrilled that you loved the book and are recommending it to others.
Your grandfather did a bang up job in the writing. It read like an exciting novel. A real page turner. Thanks for writing.
I believe you need to read “Your Inner Fish” if you find “Lucy” interesting as well.
Wonderful!