Why You're Sick — and What to Do About It

📅 Posted by Dr Josh Taylor

Emergency Medicine | Ancestral Health Coach

🤒 Chronic Illness Is Everywhere — But It’s Not Inevitable

You might think that feeling tired, anxious, inflamed, overweight, or reliant on multiple medications is just part of getting older. However, it’s not. It’s the byproduct of a life your body didn’t evolve for. Almost no one in the mainstream is discussing this crucial issue.

🌾 The Agricultural Error

Humans, in their latest speciation, have existed for at least 300,000 years. For 99% of that time, we didn’t farm. We didn’t sit at desks. We didn’t consume seed oils, snack six times a day, or live under fluorescent lights until midnight. This all began just 10,000 years ago with agriculture — a blink of an eye in evolutionary terms.

Our biology is still wired for the pre-agrarian environment. When we depart from it, things start to break.

🧬 Your Biology Is Not Broken — Your Inputs Are

You don’t have a medication deficiency. You have an environment mismatch. Your genes are waiting for:

• Sunlight in the morning

• Darkness at night

• Real food (not grains, seed oils, or sugar)

• Movement, rest, rhythm

• Social connection, physical stress, and natural sleep

  
  

What they’re getting is:

• Blue light at 11 PM

• Constant carbs

• Chronic stress

• No sun

• No stillness

• No signal that you’re living like a human at all

  
  

As a result, the body adapts — but in all the wrong ways.

🧪 But Where’s the Evidence?

This isn’t fringe. It’s called evolutionary biology. You won’t find randomised controlled trials on "ancestral living" versus modern life — because it’s not a drug. However, you will find:

• Evidence that circadian disruption affects everything from obesity to cancer (1)

• Evidence that high seed oil intake increases inflammation and oxidised LDL (2)

• Evidence that nutrient-dense animal foods reverse insulin resistance (3)

• Evidence that processed food leads to overconsumption and metabolic disease (4)

  
  

What do all these have in common? They’re modern. And your body never asked for them.

🛠️ So What Do You Do?

Don’t chase symptoms. Fix the inputs. Start with this:

• Eat food that existed before farming. Meat, fat, fish, eggs.

• See the sunrise. Block artificial light at night.

• Move like a human. Walk, lift, carry, play, and sprint sometimes.

• Sleep early. Don’t medicate insomnia — fix your light.

• Rest and connect. You’re not a machine.

  
  

🔁 Start Thinking Like a Human Again

If your body is breaking down, don’t ask what drug you’re missing. Instead, ask what part of your environment — your light, food, movement, or rhythm — is no longer natural.

If it didn’t exist before farming, your body didn’t evolve with it. Be skeptical.

✋ You Don’t Need More. You Need Less.

Less processed food. Less artificial light. Less fake comfort. More simplicity. More rhythm. More of what your biology expects — the way it was for 99% of human history.

👣 Ready to Learn More?

This blog is free. However, if you're serious about reversing chronic symptoms, fixing your lifestyle, and reclaiming your health through evolution-aligned principles, I'm doing 1:1 coaching, you can check out my Instagram (@the_ancestral_doc) and Substack (ancestraldoc.substack.com). You don’t need a diagnosis. You need a reset.

🌍 Understanding Chronic Illness

Chronic illness is a growing concern in today’s society. Many people feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information available. It can be confusing to navigate through various health advice.

The Importance of Awareness

Awareness is the first step toward change. Understanding how our modern lifestyle impacts our health is crucial. Many individuals are unaware of the subtle ways their environment affects their well-being.

The Role of Nutrition

Nutrition plays a vital role in our health. Eating a diet rich in whole, unprocessed foods can lead to significant improvements. It’s essential to focus on nutrient-dense options that nourish the body.

Movement and Its Benefits

Regular movement is essential for maintaining health. Engaging in physical activity helps to regulate hormones and improve mood. It’s not just about exercise; it’s about moving naturally throughout the day.

The Power of Sleep

Sleep is often overlooked but is critical for overall health. Quality sleep helps the body recover and rejuvenate. Establishing a consistent sleep routine can lead to better health outcomes.

Building Connections

Social connections are vital for mental and emotional health. Engaging with others can provide support and reduce feelings of isolation. Building a strong community can enhance overall well-being.

Conclusion

In conclusion, chronic illness is not an inevitable part of aging. By understanding the mismatch between our modern lifestyle and our evolutionary biology, we can take steps to improve our health. Embrace simplicity, focus on natural inputs, and reclaim your health.

🧠 Dr Josh Taylor

MBBS, BSc, Emergency Medicine | Ancestral Health Coach Helping people reclaim their health by returning to what works.

📚 References

1. Roenneberg, T. et al. “Epidemiology of the human circadian clock.” Sleep Medicine Reviews (2012)

2. Ramsden, C.E. et al. “Dietary linoleic acid and oxidative stress: A review.” Progress in Lipid Research (2016)

3. Hyde, P.N. et al. “Dietary carbohydrate restriction improves metabolic syndrome independent of weight loss.” Journal of Clinical Investigation Insight (2019)

4. Hall, K.D. et al. “Ultra-Processed Diets Cause Excess Calorie Intake and Weight Gain.” Cell Metabolism (2019)