Primal Primer 19 (Fitness)
Exposure to hot environments helped Homo sapiens survive in several crucial ways, shaping biology, behavior, and culture.
Bipedalism & Thermoregulation – Walking on two legs reduces sun exposure (upright walking limits surface area sun exposure to sun), while increasing wind exposure (increasing evaporation of sweat & further cooling), and more efficient movement (less heat generation and calorie / energy conservation when hunting & gathering).
Skin Pigmentation Evolution – Evolving in the hot African savannas, developing darker skin through higher levels of melanin, increased protection from UV sun radiation. Pigment’s natural sunscreen reduces the risk of cancer while preventing the breakdown of folate, an essential nutrient sensitive to UV radiation. Melanin also plays role in balancing the body’s ability to synthesize vitamin D for bone health.
Behavioral & Cultural Evolution – As Homo sapiens evolved in hot environments, they developed cultural practices incorporating regular heat exposure conditions such as sauna, steam baths, or hot springs; helping with hygiene while stimulating heat shock proteins.
Heat Shock Protein Production
In response to stressful environments (particularly hot ones), cells produce heat shock proteins to protect and repair proteins damaged by heat.
Protein Folding & Stability – HSPs are cellular chaperones aiding in folding and stability of proteins made in the body. By stabilizing proteins and preventing damage, processes of cell death are arrested, ensuring cells recover and continue functioning after heat stress.
Stress Response & Increased Resilience – This stress response system isn’t just limited to heat, but also providing protection to oxidative stress, infections, toxins, and exercise; the body becomes more resilient to a variety of harmful conditions from heat shock protein generation.
Increased Heat Tolerance – Regular exposure to heat conditions increases the production of HSP; acclimatizing the body to more robust tolerances to hot conditions through efficiencies of repair and protection.
Endurance & Exercise Benefits – HSP are not only activated by environmental heat, but also by internal heat generated during physical activity. During endurance activities, the body creates heat shock proteins to mitigate negative effects of strain, and protecting muscle proteins from damage (critical for performance). Muscle recovery is also enhanced as HSP promotes faster recovery and repair from strenuous activity.
Immune System Support – HSP modulate the immunity by presenting damaged proteins to the immune system; enhancing elimination of infected or damaged cells caused by infection.
Increased Longevity & Stress Adaptation – Exposure to stressors such as heat, induces a phenomena known as hormesis; where low levels of stress improve the organisms overall resistance to higher stress. HSPs play central role in protecting against cellular damage and promoting recovery through hormetic response. A process linked to increased longevity and better overall health; giving humans an evolutionary advantage in resilience and long term survival.
Sapiens Are Made Of The Elements & Should Be Exposed To Them
We live in a climate controlled crisis. Modern sapiens habitat between the cushioned temperatures of 70-75 degrees independent of season. Our circulatory system no longer has the cyclic stimuli that attenuates to the high lows of night / day & winter / summer. Re-engage the bodies amazing ability to adapt to stress through exposure of high internal and external temperatures. Conditions of heat stimulate mechanisms of heat shock proteins: accessible via modalities of sauna, outdoor summer workouts, or layering clothing during work.
~Cave Implementation~
Expose yourself to the discomfort of heat everyday. Leveraging sauna, or artificIal sauna (exercising with layers, heaters, or outside with maximum UV exposure) activates a myriad of adaptive pathways. Timing varies and scales according to your mode of misery. Seek uncomfortable conditions.
Seek Uncomfortable Conditions & Thrive In Inviting Resilience.
