The Paleo Diet is selected on the basis of foods
that had been eaten by our ancestors (hunters & gatherers) for thousands of
years. It is the diet which we had been consuming before the advent of
agriculture based surplus of grains and what we may have been genetically
engineered for optimal health as human species. The paleo diet is considered to
have played a great role in human development and is considered prime as early
human beings did not suffer from most modern diseases.
Dr. Loren Cordain is known as the founder of the
Paleolithic diet who is working as a professor of exercise physiology and is
known to be an expert in the Paleolithic diet. According to him five studies,
four since 2007, have experimentally tested contemporary versions of ancestral human
diets and have found them to be superior to Mediterranean diets, diabetic diets
and typical western diets in regards to weight loss, cardiovascular disease
risk factors and risk factors for type 2 diabetes.
This type of diet is not introduced by any
nutritionist, dietician, agribusiness or corporations but is on the bases of
only what nature had been providing throughout the large chuck of human
existence. Human agricultural history on the other hand, comprises a small
duration comparatively. Early humans did not eat too much cereal grains because
they believed that they are difficult to digest by human body without grinding
and cooking. Grinding stones appeared about ten to fifteen thousand years ago
and it was made to grind the natural wheat that was grown by the early man. The
nutritional needs of the man have not changed but man has changed his food. With
the advent of agriculture, man has changed his diet and it has led to increase
death rate, reduced life span, enhanced number of infectious disease, increased
number of bone diseases, weakness, fatigue, anemia, and other mineral defects.
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Paleolithic diet is mainly derived from animal
foods. This is found from the evidence
that early man was hunter gatherers. They were herders and lead a nomadic life.
They moved from place to place in search of finding pastures for their animals.
The paleo diet includes natural foods that we obtain from nature and includes
fish, seafood, grass-fed pasture raised meats, eggs, vegetables, fruit,
mushrooms, roots, nuts, herbs and spices with the exception of grains, legumes,
dairy products, potatoes, refined salt, refined sugar, and processed oils. It
is chiefly protein, fats and plants based diet, with only small amounts of
carbohydrates. This is not in conjunction with the modern diet which is
recommended by the nutritionists. The modern diet includes high carbohydrates,
low to moderate amount of proteins and low in fats. In westernized and
developed countries people are dependent upon the high carbohydrate diet.
Bad Effects of High Carbohydrate Diet
The whole grain cereals are rich in phytate
content and this substance is responsible to create imbalance in the metabolism
of various minerals. This compound also interacts negatively with our immune
system and gastro-intestinal organs thus creating gastric problems. The whole
grain cereals are also rich in lectin that opens the spaces between the
intestinal junctions thus allowing the bigger molecules to pass through it. Your
body starts attacking these larger molecules and this creates an imbalance in
the absorption of nutrients.
Another disadvantage of eating high carbohydrate
diet is that it does not provide sufficient amount of antioxidants like vitamin
C and other micro-nutrients to the body such as beta carotene. These foods are
deficient in essential fatty acids and contain more amount of omega 6 which is
not good for our health. Studies show that when animal models were given high
whole grain cereal diet it resulted in stunted growth and improper development
of sexual organs. This is initiated due to deficiency of zinc produced by high
carbohydrate diet.
People who consume high carbohydrate diet also
suffer from vitamin D deficiency that causes bone problems in children as well
as in adults. Some researchers say that cereal grain diet may interrupt with
the circulation of Vitamin D and also inactivates the action of Vitamin D in
the body. Whole grain cereals such as rye, barley, and oats are not good for
people who suffer from celiac disease. People who depend upon wheat may suffer
from autoimmune disorders such as arthritis, asthma, allergies, etc. Thus, whole
grain cereals are not good because the nutrients available in them are low and
they have high anti-nutrient content.
Health Benefits of Low-Carb Paleolithic Diet
People feel that eating plant based diet which
has low fat content and high carbohydrates will help them maintain healthy
weight. It is true that you have to eat low calorie diet to lose weight but
people who follow this diet pattern do not get good results as they experience
more food cravings after eating a high carbohydrate diet. On the other hand,
paleolithic diet that includes vegetables, fruits, proteins and moderate amount
of fat is good for losing weight. High proteins in your diet will produce more
heat and that helps to burn more calories and gives you satisfaction so you do
not feel hungry after eating a complete diet.
The Paleolithic diet has a low glycemic index
which means that it does not cause high blood sugar level. It helps to maintain
normal levels of sugar in your blood. This prevents many other diseases that
are associated high insulin secretion and blood glucose levels. Other diseases
associated with high insulin and blood glucose level includes hypertension of
high blood pressure, gout, high blood cholesterol level.
Paleo diet is also beneficial in preventing
cancer and reverses back the signs and symptoms. It increases the chances of
recovery for cancer patients. Cancer cells increase in number and size as they
depend on glucose. When glucose level increases in your blood, growth of cancer
cells also increases. When insulin level is high it leads to growth of cancer. Research
evidence suggests that when insulin levels are raised there is growth of tumour
in the body. When there is high level of glucose in the blood there are more
chances of inflammation. When inflammation is present in different parts of the
body it promotes growth of cancerous cells. When a person with cancer start
eating high protein diet, his fighting power increases as high protein diet
lowers the insulin level of the blood and also the blood glucose level. Cancerous
cells fail to get nutrition in the form of glucose and they start reducing in
size and number. Paleo diet also helps to prevent inflammation by boosting up
the immune system.
Paleolithic diet makes the medium of your body
slightly alkaline that helps to restore the acid base imbalance and prevent
diseases such as asthma, loss of sleep, osteoporosis, kidney stones, stones,
and ringing in the ears. The high omega 3 content of paleo diet will help to
improve the inflammatory diseases. Paleo diet helps to improve bone health. After
digestion and assimilation waste products are eliminated through the kidneys. When
your diet creates acidic effect you will need to put alkaline food to
neutralize its effect. High carb diet basically produces acidic effect and to
neutralize the acid effect the calcium from the bones start neutralizing it and
gets eliminated from your body. Foods that are rich in producing the acidic
effect include fatty meats, cereal grains, and processed foods. If you replace
these foods with fruits and vegetables you can regain the acid base balance and
calcium depletion may be stopped. Thus, paleo diet prevents osteoporosis and
maintains healthy bones.
Some people believe that paleo diet which is
rich in animal foods may raise cholesterol level and cause heart diseases. Recent
studies have been done and it is proved that high protein diet helps in
controlling blood cholesterol level as compare to the modern diet eaten by man.
Paleo diet also helps to reduce the homocysteine levels of blood which is
another factor for causing heat problems. The fibre content of fruits and
vegetables is healthy for your heart. This fiber helps to reduce the
cholesterol level in blood because it is easily soluble and digestible whereas
the fiber present in whole grains is insoluble.
Athletes can increase their energy and power by
eating paleo diet. It has been stated by Dr. Loren Cordain that athletes who
follow a paleo diet can increase endurance and muscular strength easily and
quickly. They can increase their performance by eating paleo diet. It is proved
to be an excellent alternative to the diet recommended in most gyms for
reducing weight and remaining fit and healthy.
Paleo diet is also good for curing acne and
other skin problems. Diet plays an important role in the treatment of acne. According
to Dr. Loren Cordain there are four main causes of acne and all the four causes
mentioned by him can be easily targeted by eating paleo diet. By treating the
immediate cause you can feel great relief from acne and can prevent recurrent
attacks of acne and associated symptoms. Paleo diet is rich in all minerals and
vitamins that are necessary for healthy skin. It offers all types of food that
are required to maintain glowing skin.
