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Study Reveals That The Turkana People Of Kenya Developed Unique Genetic Adaptations To Survive In Arid Environments Related To Diet And Health
A study published in the journal Science this Friday (19) provided new details on how the Turkana people, who live in northern Kenya, manage to adapt to one of the driest regions on the planet.
The research was conducted by African and American scientists, who analyzed 367 complete genomes.
In the process, they found over 7 million genetic variants associated with survival in this hostile environment.
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The Role Of Gene STC1
Among the findings, the STC1 gene stood out. It is related to the organism’s ability to cope with dehydration and the processing of foods rich in purine. Meat and blood, staples of the local diet, have high concentrations of this substance.
Despite the high consumption, the Turkana almost never exhibit diseases like gout. This caught the attention of experts because 90% of those evaluated were dehydrated but in good health, as highlighted by Julien Ayroles from the University of California in an interview with The Guardian.
Diet Shaped By Scarcity
The current diet of the Turkana reflects the lack of water and vegetation in the region. It is estimated that 70% to 80% of the diet comes from animal sources.
This pattern is common among pastoral communities, where agriculture cannot thrive due to the arid soil.
According to researchers, these genetic adaptations began to emerge about 5,000 years ago, when the territory underwent an intense process of aridification.
The Risk Of Evolutionary Discrepancy
However, changes in lifestyle also bring challenges. The study points to what is called evolutionary discrepancy.
When Turkana families migrate to urban centers, they face problems such as hypertension and obesity.
This occurs because genes that previously provided an advantage in an arid environment become detrimental in modern contexts, with a more varied diet and less physical effort.
Science In Dialogue With Tradition
The project lasted almost a decade and combined genetics, ecology, and anthropology. Evening meetings around the campfire, with leaders and residents, helped discuss topics such as health and dietary changes.
As a result, the scientists announced a podcast in the Turkana language and practical recommendations for the community.
Researchers also suggest that other pastoral peoples of East Africa, such as Rendille, Samburu, and Borana, exhibit similar adaptations.
“The discovery adds another piece to the understanding of how climate shapes human evolution and health,” stated Dino Martins, director of the Turkana Basin Institute.
With information from Revista Galileu.
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