Friday, 31 Oct 2025
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • DMCA
logo logo
  • World
  • Politics
  • Crime
  • Economy
  • Tech & Science
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
  • More
    • Education
    • Celebrities
    • Culture and Arts
    • Environment
    • Health and Wellness
    • Lifestyle
  • 🔥
  • Trump
  • VIDEO
  • House
  • White
  • ScienceAlert
  • Trumps
  • Watch
  • man
  • Health
  • Season
Font ResizerAa
American FocusAmerican Focus
Search
  • World
  • Politics
  • Crime
  • Economy
  • Tech & Science
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
  • More
    • Education
    • Celebrities
    • Culture and Arts
    • Environment
    • Health and Wellness
    • Lifestyle
Follow US
© 2024 americanfocus.online – All Rights Reserved.
American Focus > Blog > Tech and Science > We evolved to match local micronutrient levels, which may be a problem
Tech and Science

We evolved to match local micronutrient levels, which may be a problem

Last updated: September 26, 2025 10:25 am
Share
We evolved to match local micronutrient levels, which may be a problem
SHARE

Humans

Human populations have adapted to varying levels of essential micronutrients like zinc in their environments, but these adaptations may lead to health complications in the modern world.

By Michael Le Page

Central market in Acanceh, Yucatan state, Mexico

Acanceh in Mexico is home to many Maya people

Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

The historical availability of zinc and other trace minerals in human diets has largely been dictated by local soil conditions. Recent research reveals that as early human populations migrated globally, they adapted to local disparities in micronutrient levels.

This adaptation may carry certain unintended consequences. For instance, it has been proposed that the smaller stature seen in some populations is a result of adaptation to low iodine availability. Furthermore, these ancient modifications may result in contemporary individuals experiencing an inappropriate balance of micronutrient intake.

“For the majority of human history, the micronutrient make-up of diets was intrinsically linked to local geochemical factors,” states Jasmin Rees from the University of Pennsylvania.

In her groundbreaking research, the team studied nearly 900 genomes globally to uncover signs of adaptation in relation to 13 trace elements, including iron, manganese, and selenium. The researchers specifically searched for positive selection indicators in 270 genes connected to the absorption of these elements, aiming to identify genetic variations that have proliferated due to their associated benefits.

The most compelling evidence emerged from analysis of genes related to iodine in the Maya populations. Similar genetic markers were also identified in the Mbuti and Biaka communities in Central Africa, populations noted for their shorter stature relative to others.

See also  Qualcomm New AI Feature Fixes One Big Video Call Problem

Previous studies have suggested that the shorter physical height of the Mbuti and Biaka could be attributed to adaptations to lower iodine levels, as these iodine-associated genes have implications on thyroid hormone regulation, directly influencing growth metrics. Interestingly, these groups also experience lower instances of goitre, a condition that signifies iodine deficiency.

Notably, Rees points out that the Maya community also exhibits shorter average heights, supporting the hypothesis that low iodine adaptation could impact growth. Rainforest soil, commonly low in iodine, aligns with this perspective.

“We acknowledge the speculative nature of these findings,” she mentions. “While we cannot definitively state the cause of these growth patterns, our observations reveal intriguing correlations between iodine gene selection and shorter populations.”

In populations such as the Uyghurs and Brahui of Central and South Asia, where there are elevated levels of soil magnesium, researchers noted significant selection pressures on genes linked to magnesium absorption. Certain variants that are associated with reduced magnesium uptake have been observed, possibly as protective mechanisms against potential toxicity linked to environmental abundance.

This represents merely a fraction of the broader findings—evidence of positive genetic selection for micronutrient adaptation was observed universally across various global populations. “We are seeing extensive indications of adaptation in these genetic markers,” asserts Rees.

This study marks a new frontier, with further investigations required to clarify the implications of numerous gene variations identified. In our globally traded food market, future research might reveal that certain populations require varying levels of specific micronutrients compared to what they currently consume. Rees draws a parallel to guidelines in countries like the UK, where individuals with darker skin are advised to take vitamin D supplements year-round rather than only in winter.

See also  Simone Biles shares glimpses of reunion with Rebeca Andrade as she attends her first soccer match in Madrid

“Understanding whether specific populations necessitate extra micronutrient supplementation could be vital for public health planning,” mentions Mark Stoneking from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Germany.

“Their research exemplifies top-tier work in identifying selection signatures within genomic data,” he adds, emphasizing, however, that further verification is required to ascertain which signatures are truly indicative of selective pressures, as some may likely turn out to be misleading.

Topics:

This rewritten article maintains the original structure and HTML tags while ensuring the content is unique and suitable for a WordPress platform.

TAGGED:evolvedlevelsLocalMatchmicronutrientproblem
Share This Article
Twitter Email Copy Link Print
Previous Article Luke Wilson Reunites With Will Ferrell in Netflix Golf Comedy Series Luke Wilson Reunites With Will Ferrell in Netflix Golf Comedy Series
Next Article Teen suspected of killing 13-year-old outside NYC Dunkin’ Donuts, surrenders to police Teen suspected of killing 13-year-old outside NYC Dunkin’ Donuts, surrenders to police
Leave a comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Popular Posts

See Images of New Yorkers and Their Pets Across Three Centuries

The bustling streets of New York City have always been home to a diverse array…

August 25, 2024

Free Celebration Jan 27-Feb 2, 2025

Have you marked your calendars for Crayola Creativity Week? This exciting event is set to…

October 3, 2024

ManéMané Spain Fall 2025 Collection

ManĂ©ManĂ© Celebrates 10 Years with a Forward-Thinking Runway Show ManĂ©ManĂ© is celebrating a milestone this…

May 19, 2025

Disney+ Subscribers Reach 120 Million, Inside Out 2, Deadpool Earnings

Disney had a successful end to its 2024 fiscal year, with a total of 122.7…

November 14, 2024

Second Patient Death After Gene Therapy: Implications For The Future

Gene therapy, a groundbreaking field of medicine, is currently facing a critical juncture following the…

June 17, 2025

You Might Also Like

iPhone 17 Tips and Tricks That Pros Use
Tech and Science

iPhone 17 Tips and Tricks That Pros Use

October 31, 2025
Deep Beneath The Pacific Ocean, Earth’s Crust Is Tearing Itself Apart : ScienceAlert
Tech and Science

Deep Beneath The Pacific Ocean, Earth’s Crust Is Tearing Itself Apart : ScienceAlert

October 31, 2025
AI mania tanks CoreWeave’s Core Scientific acquisition; it buys Python notebook Marimo
Tech and Science

AI mania tanks CoreWeave’s Core Scientific acquisition; it buys Python notebook Marimo

October 31, 2025
How Supermassive Black Holes Can Become Cosmic Nightmares
Tech and Science

How Supermassive Black Holes Can Become Cosmic Nightmares

October 31, 2025
logo logo
Facebook Twitter Youtube

About US


Explore global affairs, political insights, and linguistic origins. Stay informed with our comprehensive coverage of world news, politics, and Lifestyle.

Top Categories
  • Crime
  • Environment
  • Sports
  • Tech and Science
Usefull Links
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • DMCA

© 2024 americanfocus.online –  All Rights Reserved.

Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?