CU Anschutz expert discusses how we evolved to overeat and what we can do about it
For years, Richard Johnson, MD, professor of renal medicine in the Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, has investigated the impact of sugar, especially fructose, on the human body and how we process it. He recently published "Nature Wants Us to be Fat," a book outlining why evolution has programmed us to overeat on the promise that we will lose the weight during lean times.
But what happens when it's no longer feast or famine - just feast? And what does Johnson mean when he says we all have a "survival switch" that protects against starvation, but it's now stuck in the 'on' position? We talked with him recently to find out.