Modern life has completely transformed the way we eat, move and rest, and the results aren’t good. Chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, autoimmune diseases, and obesity have skyrocketed despite greater access to medical knowledge and health information than ever before. So what happened?
Below, we look at how the replacement of natural fats with vegetable oils, the proliferation of refined sugars and ultra-processed foods, the prevalence of environmental toxins, the increase in electromagnetic fields (EMFs), a sedentary lifestyle, and chronic sleep deprivation all combine to undermine our well-being.
Why were natural fats replaced by vegetable oils?
For thousands of years, humans have cooked with stable animal fats such as butter, lard, and tallow.1 Things changed dramatically in the 1900s when industrially processed vegetable oils (also known as seed oils) took center stage. This was partly due to an aggressive marketing campaign demonizing animal fat.
• Soaring Omega-6 Consumption — By 2023-24, global vegetable oil consumption will exceed 200 million metric tons, a more than eight-fold increase since 1961.2,3 In the United States, soybean oil is the top choice, accounting for more than 12 million tons of annual cooking oil consumption.4
• Distorted fat percentage — Historically, humans consumed approximately equal amounts (1:1) of omega-6 and omega-3 fats. Modern diets have changed this ratio to 20:1, and linoleic acid (the primary omega-6 in seed oil) now accounts for 25% of total daily calories in the Western diet.5,6
• Chronic inflammation and metabolic disorders — Excessive linoleic acid is easily oxidized, damaging cells and impairing mitochondrial function. This causes chronic inflammation, a major cause of metabolic disorders such as obesity, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.7
• Stored in body fat — The half-life of LA in human tissue is approximately 600 to 680 days. This means that even if you stop eating seed oils today, it may take years to lower linoleic acid levels in your body.8
For more insight into the dangers of excess linoleic acid, check out “Linoleic Acid – The Most Destructive Ingredient in Your Diet.” To learn more about how agricultural changes affect your diet and health, read “What Are the Side Effects of Glyphosate?”
How have refined sugars and ultra-processed foods taken over the modern diet?
In the past, we satisfied our sweet cravings with minimally processed, whole foods like fruit and honey.9 Industrialization has turned sugar into an everyday staple and ultra-processed foods into a multibillion-dollar industry.
• Sugar consumption soars — In 1822, Americans consumed the same amount of sugar in five days as would be found in a 12-ounce glass of soda today. The average American now consumes 34 teaspoons of sugar each day (more than 100 pounds per year).10
• Dominance of High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) — HFCS has replaced sucrose (table sugar) in many products and now accounts for about 8% of daily calories in the American diet, despite not being available in the home.11,12
• White flour vs. whole grains — Traditional grains are minimally processed and fermented or soaked to increase nutrient availability. Modern white flour, often treated with pesticides and fortified with synthetic iron, digests quickly and causes blood sugar spikes.
• Ultra-processed foods and cravings — Nearly 60% of all calories in the U.S. come from ultra-processed foods manufactured for “excessive flavor,” which ignores natural satiety signals and encourages overconsumption.13
Read “Glucose – The Ideal Fuel for Your Cells” to understand why glucose is essential for your cells but can be harmful if consumed in excess.
What environmental toxins are we exposed to today?
Although our ancestors had minimal exposure to toxins, modern industry has released tens of thousands of synthetic chemicals. From pesticides to plastics to pharmaceuticals, it’s nearly impossible to avoid these pollutants.
• Pesticides — More than 1 billion pounds are sprayed annually in the United States;14 It has increased 50 times compared to the 1950s.15 Glyphosate, the most widely used herbicide, is detected in 80% of human urine samples.16
• Microplastics — It is found in human blood, lungs, liver, placenta, heart, brain, and even testicular tissue.17 On average, people consume as much plastic as a credit card each week.18
• Hormone disruptors — Chemicals such as bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates interfere with estrogen and testosterone, contributing to decreased sperm count, early puberty, and increased risk of hormone-related cancers.19
• Medicines in water — Drugs enter drinking water through wastewater treatment. Trace levels of antibiotics, mood stabilizers, and hormones have been found in tap water in some major U.S. cities.20
For more information about toxic exposures and how to minimize them, see “The Cellular Health Revolution – Revealing Hidden Threats and Empowering Solutions.”
Are EMFs a hidden threat to our health?
Wireless technologies have enabled 5G, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth, while also increasing our exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) exponentially. Natural EMFs from the Earth are generally safe, but man-made EMFs can pose risks.
• How EMF affects the body — EMFs can activate voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCC) to form peroxynitrite, a reactive free radical that damages cells, mitochondria, and DNA.21
• Neurological problems — The high density of VGCCs in the brain means the nervous system is particularly vulnerable.22 Chronic EMF exposure can weaken the blood-brain barrier, allowing toxins to penetrate and promote neuroinflammation.23
• Sleep disruption — EMF reduces melatonin production, which reduces sleep quality and causes circadian rhythm imbalance.24,25
Although research is still ongoing, if you experience unexplained headaches, fatigue, or sleep problems, we recommend reducing your EMF exposure by turning off Wi-Fi at night and using a wired connection whenever possible.
Is modern life making us less mobile?
Physical activity was a part of everyday life, from manual labor to walking as the primary means of transportation. Fast forward to today’s office jobs, streaming services, and food delivery apps, and you have a recipe for serious inactivity.
• Amazing statistics — In 2020, only 24.2% of U.S. adults met both aerobic exercise and muscle strengthening guidelines.26 Only 23.9% of high school students reported 60 minutes of daily activity.27
• Increase screen time — Millennials often sit for more than 60 hours a week, splitting their time between work, commuting, and screen use for entertainment.28
• Cut physical education in schools — Only 4% of elementary schools and 2% of high schools offer physical education every day, year-round, and 22% have stopped physical education altogether.29
• Health Effects — Physical inactivity has been linked to obesity, heart disease, insulin resistance, and more. It is estimated that approximately 5 million people worldwide die each year due to physical inactivity.30
If you want a simple place to start, doing short bursts of movement (walking, bodyweight exercises, stretching, etc.) throughout the day can help reduce the health risks associated with sitting.
Why are we sleeping less than before?
In 1910, Americans slept an average of nine hours each night.31 With the advent of electric lights, late-night TV, shift work, and smartphones, sleep is now optional for many people.
• Sleep Statistics — Teenagers are especially affected. Up to 84% of American high school students do not get eight hours of sleep, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) 2021 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey.32
• Blue light exposure — Devices like cell phones and tablets emit blue light, which interferes with melatonin production. This affects sleep quality and overall circadian rhythm.33,34
• Overwork and stress — Cultural norms around “hustle” and productivity encourage staying up all day and all night.35 Coffee becomes a crutch and further disrupts your natural sleep cycle.36
• Health Effects — Chronic sleep deprivation has been linked to increased obesity, insulin resistance, mood disorders, weakened immune function, and even shorter lifespan.37,38,39
For tips on healthy sleep habits and circadian alignment, check out “Top 33 Tips to Optimize Your Sleep Routine.”
5 ways to restore your normal quality of health
Our ancestors stayed healthy by the basics: eating unprocessed, nutrient-dense foods, consistent movement, minimal exposure to toxins, and a rhythm of daylight and darkness. Modern conveniences have made life easier in some ways, but have weakened our physiology in others.
1. Eat like your ancestors — Choose whole foods, minimize seed oils, and reduce added sugars to restore a healthier omega-6 and omega-3 balance and stabilize blood sugar.
2. Move more and sit less — Support cardiovascular and metabolic health by incorporating short exercise breaks, resistance training, and outdoor activities.
3. Reduces toxins — Buy organic when possible, purify your water, avoid plastic, and look for household products that are free of toxins.
4. Limit EMF exposure — At night, turn off unnecessary wireless devices, use wired Internet, and keep your cell phone away from your body.
5. Prioritize sleep — Stick to a regular bedtime, reduce screen time before bed, and create a dark, cool sleep environment.
The goal is not to abandon modern life, but to bring our bodies into alignment with its basic biological needs while taking advantage of its benefits. By making small, consistent changes, you can increase your metabolic health, cellular energy, and overall vitality.
Top FAQs about modern life and poor health
cue: Why have vegetable oils replaced natural fats?
no way: Seed oils became popular in the 20th century due to industrial mass production and marketing campaigns against animal fats. As a result, they are cheaper to produce and easier to include in processed foods, leading to a surge in omega-6 intake and associated health problems.
cue: How much sugar are we really consuming these days?
no way: The average American consumes about 34 teaspoons of sugar per day (more than 100 pounds per year). This is much more than the typical minimum in the 1800s. This rapid increase in consumption plays a role in obesity, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.
cue: What toxins are of greatest concern in modern life?
no way: Top offenders include pesticides such as glyphosate, plastics (e.g. BPA, phthalates), and pharmaceutical residues in water. Many substances have hormone-disrupting effects and can cause chronic diseases ranging from cancer to infertility.
cue: What should I do about EMF exposure?
no way: It is best to limit or reduce exposure. Consider turning off Wi-Fi at night, using a wired connection, keeping your phone away from your body, and protecting your devices if they are particularly sensitive. Although research is ongoing, many experts recommend a precautionary approach.
cue: Why is sleep so important, and what can you do to improve your ability to sleep?
no way: Sleep is essential for everything from hormonal regulation to cognitive function. To improve sleep, maintain a consistent bedtime, reduce evening screen time (especially blue light), and optimize your sleep environment (cool, dark, quiet).
