Lessons from evolution by natural selection: An unprecedented opportunity to use biomimetics to improve planetary health

Stenvinkel, Peter; Shiels, Paul G.; Johnson, Richard J.

doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.116981

Cited by 4 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 63 publications

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“…These findings have spurred the development of the Nature Step to Health 2022-2032 program, a regional health and environment initiative implemented in the City of Lahti, Finland [44]. Furthermore, compelling evidence indicates that certain animals employ the cytoprotective Nrf2 antioxidant pathway to counteract environmental stress [45]. Intriguingly, numerous Nrf2-interacting nutrients-such as curcumin, resveratrol, and sulforaphane-have demonstrated efficacy in reducing insulin resistance, endothelial damage, lung injury, and cytokine storms, suggesting that the consumption of these foods in certain countries might have contributed to mitigating the severity of COVID-19 [46].…”

Section: A Growing Planetary Health Portfoliomentioning

confidence: 99%

Human health and the health of Planet Earth go together

Antó

2024

J Intern Med

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The emergence of the planetary health approach was highlighted by the report of The Rockefeller Foundation‐Lancet Commission on Planetary Health in 2015 and changed how we comprehend human well‐being. The report advocates integrating the health of other living beings and Earth's natural systems as intrinsic components of human health. Drawing on over three decades of experience in respiratory epidemiology and environmental health, this article outlines how my perspective on human health underwent a transformative shift upon reading the abovementioned report. The planetary health approach offers a lens through which human health issues and potential solutions can be understood within the context of the Anthropocene. It addresses the pressing existential challenges arising from humanity's transgression of planetary limits. Embracing the planetary health paradigm within the field of health sciences can catalyze transformative changes essential for cultivating a sustainable and equitable future.

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Section: A Growing Planetary Health Portfoliomentioning

confidence: 99%

Human health and the health of Planet Earth go together

Antó

2024

J Intern Med

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“… 226 If we could increase our intake of plant-based diets, grains and fermented nutrients and limit the intake of red meat and likely artificial sweeteners, this could not only reduce the risk of burden of lifestyle diseases but also reduce greenhouse gas emission and increase the resistance against environmental threats, such as air and water pollution. 33 , 227 …”

Section: Dietary Impact On Health and Environmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sweet, bloody consumption – what we eat and how it affects vascular ageing, the BBB and kidney health in CKD

Schwarz,

Hernandez,

Arefin

et al. 2024

Gut Microbes

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In today’s industrialized society food consumption has changed immensely toward heightened red meat intake and use of artificial sweeteners instead of grains and vegetables or sugar, respectively. These dietary changes affect public health in general through an increased incidence of metabolic diseases like diabetes and obesity, with a further elevated risk for cardiorenal complications. Research shows that high red meat intake and artificial sweeteners ingestion can alter the microbial composition and further intestinal wall barrier permeability allowing increased transmission of uremic toxins like p-cresyl sulfate, indoxyl sulfate, trimethylamine n-oxide and phenylacetylglutamine into the blood stream causing an array of pathophysiological effects especially as a strain on the kidneys, since they are responsible for clearing out the toxins. In this review, we address how the burden of the Western diet affects the gut microbiome in altering the microbial composition and increasing the gut permeability for uremic toxins and the detrimental effects thereof on early vascular aging, the kidney per se and the blood-brain barrier, in addition to the potential implications for dietary changes/interventions to preserve the health issues related to chronic diseases in future.

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“…Our discussions were therefore framed around the imperative of taking longterm, life-course perspectives on disease prevention that also considers the wider social, economic, and commercial determinants of health [20]. We also explored how ultra-processed food technology has been utilized in the "great plant transition"-calls to move from animal to plant-derived protein sources as part of "planetary diets" [21,22]. While this transition is well-intended to reduce the ecological footprint and health burden of high animal protein consumption, the emergence of ultraprocessed plant-based products as a central part of this strategy may have unintended consequences for both human and environmental health.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As we discuss, many of these "plant-based" products are devoid of nutrients and fiber and inclusive of high sugar, industrial fats, and large amounts of additives. It is our contention that the sense of urgency to "radically transform" global food systems [21,22] for the "great protein transition" to plant-derived sources [22] has unwittingly facilitated the emergence of ultra-processed foods and novel commercial products that include ingredients that may compromise health. Considering the emerging evidence that these ultra-processed food dietary patterns (including macronutrients, micronutrients, and dietary additives) impact neuropsychiatric outcomes [23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34], we approach our discussion from the perspective of mental health.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Beyond Plants: The Ultra-Processing of Global Diets Is Harming the Health of People, Places, and Planet

Prescott

D’Adamo

Holton

et al. 2023

IJERPH

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Global food systems are a central issue for personal and planetary health in the Anthropocene. One aspect of major concern is the dramatic global spread of ultra-processed convenience foods in the last 75 years, which is linked with the rising human burden of disease and growing sustainability and environmental health challenges. However, there are also calls to radically transform global food systems, from animal to plant-derived protein sources, which may have unintended consequences. Commercial entities have moved toward this “great plant transition” with vigor. Whether motivated by profit or genuine environmental concern, this effort has facilitated the emergence of novel ultra-processed “plant-based” commercial products devoid of nutrients and fiber, and sometimes inclusive of high sugar, industrial fats, and synthetic additives. These and other ingredients combined into “plant-based” foods are often assumed to be healthy and lower in calorie content. However, the available evidence indicates that many of these products can potentially compromise health at all scales—of people, places, and planet. In this viewpoint, we summarize and reflect on the evidence and discussions presented at the Nova Network planetary health meeting on the “Future of Food”, which had a particular focus on the encroachment of ultra-processed foods into the global food supply, including the plant-sourced animal protein alternatives (and the collective of ingredients therein) that are finding their way into global fast-food chains. We contend that while there has been much uncritical media attention given to the environmental impact of protein and macronutrient sources—meat vs. novel soy/pea protein burgers, etc.—the impact of the heavy industrial processing on both human and environmental health is significant but often overlooked, including effects on cognition and mental health. This calls for a more nuanced discourse that considers these complexities and refocuses priorities and value systems towards mutualistic solutions, with co-benefits for individuals, local communities, and global ecology.

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Lessons from evolution by natural selection: An unprecedented opportunity to use biomimetics to improve planetary health

Cited by 4 publications

References 63 publications

Human health and the health of Planet Earth go together

Human health and the health of Planet Earth go together

Sweet, bloody consumption – what we eat and how it affects vascular ageing, the BBB and kidney health in CKD

Beyond Plants: The Ultra-Processing of Global Diets Is Harming the Health of People, Places, and Planet

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