The Nature of Nutrition: A Unifying Framework from Animal Adaptation to Human Obesity

The first unified scientific framework for understanding nutrition’s role in all life

For too long, nutrition has been fragmented across disciplines—until now. In this groundbreaking work, biologists Stephen Simpson and David Raubenheimer present the Geometric Framework, a transformative approach that reveals how nutrition shapes:

• Individual physiology – from gene expression to lifespan
• Animal behavior – feeding strategies to social dynamics
• Ecosystem structure – population health to food webs

Why This Book Redefines Nutrition Science

1. Bridges biology & ecology – Shows how nutrient needs drive evolution in species from slime molds to humans
2. Solves real-world problems – Applies to:

• Human health (obesity/metabolic disease)
• Conservation (diets for endangered species)
• Agriculture (optimized livestock feeding)

3. Unifying theory – Connects molecular mechanisms to planetary-scale patterns

Key Innovations

1. The Geometric Framework – A mathematical model for analyzing:

• Nutrient-specific appetites

• Life-history tradeoffs

• Ecological niches

2. Cross-species insights – How:

• Locust swarms optimize protein/carb intake

• Humans develop metabolic disorders

• Coral reefs collapse from nutrient shifts