Feces fossils yield new insights into ancient diets and 'thrifty genes'

University of Chicago Press Journals)Scientists have long speculated that high diabetes rates among Native Americans may have roots in the evolutionary past."Thrifty"genes that helped ancient hunter-gatherers store fat for survival during famine may contribute...

University of Nebraska-Lincoln)A new analysis suggests Natives'"thrifty"gene may not have evolved from a feast-and-famine lifestyle,but from high-fiber,low-fat diets in ancient times.

Research hints that fat-hoarding genes developed from the nature of ancient feasts Why do Native Americans experience high rates of diabetes?A common theory...