The Paleo Diet

The paleolithic diet / paleo diet is the oldest and most basic diet which humans have evolved with; it is basic to our biology, our digestive system and is what provides us with good health.

Un-fortunately, many people are clueless as to how modern food techniques have damaged the quality of healthy food, of how chemicals and cacogenics enter our body almost every second of the day, how important sleep is to our health and how a good diet based off the foods we where created to eat can dramatically alter the quality of our health.

The paleo diet focuses on consuming foods we as humans evolved to eat, while simultaneously eliminating the over processed sugar laden foods now linked to causing the many, many diseases we are faced with in society today.

Around 40thousand years ago, us humans lived as hunter gatherers; we lived off the land and what the land provided for us to eat and drink. As hunter gatherers, we fed off fresh fruits and vegetables in season, nuts, seeds and animals. There are many people who still live off the land, many villages in Africa and China will grow their own crops and eat what is available to them.

So What Foods Make up The Paleo Diet?

Meat
Fish
Plants
Vegetables
Fruits
Nuts and Seeds

These foods are available through mother nature with no agricultural or processing needed to be edible.

But things have changed. No more than 100-200yrs ago the industrial revolution began to refine and process foods until hardly any nutrition was left within those food products. Bread became whiter and whiter, dairy went from raw to pasteurised and sugar began to make its way into almost every modernised food product.

We are living in a society where the rate of illness and disease is on a continuous rise, in America alone there are 23million people diagnosed with cancer every year, 41million people diagnosed with heart disease, 50million people with high blood pressure, 80million people with diabetes (and that’s expected to double in 2 generations) and 64% of adults in America are either overweight or obese.

Nutrition has the ability to take charge of our health, wellness and longevity. Whether the nutrition is good or bad, the foods we put into our mouth can dramatically alter our hormones, our energy levels and of course, our well-being.

Studies have shown that 70% of all deaths in America are diet related, I wouldn’t be surprised however if that statistic was more like 90%.

There is a common link towards nutrition and health, and nutrition for treating illness. As Hippocrates said “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food“.

Good nutrition, obtainable through the consumption of nutritionally rich foods making up the paleo diet has and continues to treat and cure many conditions which go un-treated (and sometimes looked at as un-treatable) every day. Illnesses such as epilepsy, a condition many children and adults continue to face on a daily basis has been cured many times in both children and adults through the dietary changes of following a paleo diet. Unfortunately in most cases medication will be prescribed and often continue to be prescribed for a lifetime.

7 Responses to The Paleo Diet

Colleen said on July 14, 2011:

Thank you for all your useful info I have been living Paleo for the last 13 weeks and hope to continue forever. I have lost 36 lbs and numerous inches my BP has gone from 210/120 (SCARY) to 118/68 (Normal). I will be 46 years old soon and say it is never to late to get healthy. Thanks again

Arlena Bergmann said on September 5, 2011:

Nice post. I was checking constantly this blog and I’m impressed! Extremely useful info specially the last part I care for such information a lot. I was looking for this certain information for a long time. Thank you and good luck.

Gayle Weed said on September 9, 2011:

I have been a type 1 Diabetic to 26 years. (WAAAYYYYY TOO LONG!!!) I have NEVER been able to get it under control. Never! I also have other health issues. How safe is this diet for someone such as myself? I’m desperate to feel healthy!

Gayle Weed said on September 10, 2011:

Also, can you explain to me why dairy is so bad for you. And how to determine what eggs to buy? Is “vegetarian” feed chickens what I’m looking for? I thought all chickens were vegetarians. I found some eggs that said this on the container. And is “grass fed” the same as organic? Or does organic just mean “no pesticides”?

Rachelle said on October 7, 2011:

The last paragraph certainly jumped out at me. My daughter has epilepsy and my son is allergic to dairy(protein). I am very interested in going the paleo route, but need more info. Can you point me in the right direction with (hopefully) Dr. recomendations. thanks so much. Thanks for posting this btw!

Paleo said on October 18, 2011:

The more you can learn about paleo and diet for epilepsy the greater your understanding of how powerful nutrition can be for really keeping these conditions under control. You may be interested in watching a movie based off a true story called “at first do no harm”, this is an older movie but being based off a true story shows the situation of a boy with epilepsy who stopped his treatments continued to be unhelpful, to the extent the doctors wanted to perform brain surgery – they refused to admit diet could have any benefit but at the end of the day diet (outside of the doctors recommendations) was able to manage the condition and he was able to live a life without worrying about epilepsy – and there are many people who have been able to do the same through diet. This may help you with looking into the right type of dietary approach for epilepsy as trial and error may come into play with this as well.

Reply

Sonja said on April 5, 2012:

So basically your cutting out dairy, grains and other important food groups. All on some cockied idea that its better for you to deprive your body of essential foods.

As said on another paleo website: People who eat low-fat foods high in vegetable oils (instead of natural, saturated fats like butter), don’t receive the critical message from the brain, “I’m full”, so they tend to overeat. Most fats consumed by people today come from these unhealthy oils, trans-fats and from omega-6 fats.

First off….Untrue.

People that eat low fat foods actually do recieve that critical message from the brain, “I’m full”. So I suggest some actual real research before spouting off.

Two: butter is very fattening and not that healthy for you in big doses.

Three: Omega-6 fats are important for the body to have.

Four: Canola spray’s are actually better for you, as it helps lower your cholesterol.

Fat is a much more powerful fuel for our bodies than sugar and starch…. Uh.. You actually NEED a balance of fat and sugar in your body or you are forcing your pancreas and liver to work over time, trying to produce what you are NOT even feeding it. Which can cause it to stop working and guess what. You are now a diabetic.

Grains can irritate the gut and can lead to hypoglycemia…. Uh.. Grains, especially whole grains, are an essential part of a healthy diet. All types of grains are good sources of complex carbohydrates and some key vitamins and minerals. Grains are also naturally low in fat. All of this makes grains a healthy option. Better yet, they’ve been linked to a lower risk of heart disease, diabetes, certain cancers and other health problems. Things your body NEEDS.

Many followers of the Paleo diet think dairy is out because of the idea that the hunter would have consumed the milk of their own species during the suckling period. However, most Paleo followers believe that cows’ milk was not consumed during this period. There is plenty of good research indicating that milk is not an optimal food. Milk has some good qualities; some people thrive on milk- but most do not because it’s high in sugar and lactose. Lactose digestion is difficult for many, and some are allergic to casein, the protein in milk….Uh.. There is such a thing as lactose free milk. If you are allergic to casein, then don’t drink milk. Calcium is needed for good teeth and strong bones and for the proper function of nerves, muscles, kidneys, and the heart. Not having enough calcium in the diet is one of many factors associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis, a disease that speeds up the process of the natural loss of calcium in the bones. This causes the bones to become weak and fragile, leading to loss of height, curved spines, and bone fractures, especially in women. In recent years, the recommended amount of calcium has been increased from 800 mg to 1000 to 1200 mg per day.

Yes, a lot of starch’s and carbohydrates are bad for you, as is anything in an excessive amount. Its all about control, proper eating habits and exersize. When I say proper eating, I’m refering to little amounts of starch’s, carbohydrates, meat, dairy, grains, sugars.

This is NO different than vegitarians that deny their bodies meat. No wonder they look like crack addicts. They are extremely thin, pale, dark circles, their bodies are weaker, rail skinny. They practicially have to take every viatmin out there to barley get half of meat eaters get. Then you have vegans that only eat soy made meat. Yea as IF that’s actually healthy. Soy is loaded with salt. Now we have this lunacy. People denying their bodies ESSENTIAL foods. And for what? to copy the way cave people ate? This is serious INSANITY.

If you want to lose weight, be or feel healthier. It requires proper and essential nutrition and exersize. Pay attention to what you eat, how much you eat. Cut down on certain things, do not take away unless you are allergic, its to high in fat, or it just plain out makes you sick. STOP USING SALT!! I can NOT stress that enough. Foods already have enough salt, stop dumping half of your salt shaker onto your food. Salt causes weight gain, bloating, irritation, and so many other things. This includes anything with the name salt on the bottle. Use herbs and spices. Anything that contains the word salt. DUMP IT IN THE TRASH. Replace is with herbs, powders.

If you don’t like red meat, pork don’t eat it. You are not missing a whole lot by not eating them. Chicken, turkey, fish. They will replace red meat and pork.

And a very important message for women with PCOS. This paleo diet is NOT for you. You require High Grains, High Protiens, NO starch’s and carbohydrates. Your body feeds off it like its crack and turns it into fat. You NEED High Energy foods. Dairy, Grains, Whole Wheat breads pasta and such, Chicken, Turkey, Fish. All GOOD AND NEEDED! Eating naturally overly fattening foods like butter is like sitting down and eating a 5 course meal.

I do not mean to offend anyone but you are DENYING your body ESSENTIAL and NUTRITIONAL FOODS that keeps it healthy.

Colleen said on July 14, 2011:

Thank you for all your useful info I have been living Paleo for the last 13 weeks and hope to continue forever. I have lost 36 lbs and numerous inches my BP has gone from 210/120 (SCARY) to 118/68 (Normal). I will be 46 years old soon and say it is never to late to get healthy. Thanks again

Arlena Bergmann said on September 5, 2011:

Nice post. I was checking constantly this blog and I’m impressed! Extremely useful info specially the last part I care for such information a lot. I was looking for this certain information for a long time. Thank you and good luck.

Gayle Weed said on September 9, 2011:

I have been a type 1 Diabetic to 26 years. (WAAAYYYYY TOO LONG!!!) I have NEVER been able to get it under control. Never! I also have other health issues. How safe is this diet for someone such as myself? I’m desperate to feel healthy!

Gayle Weed said on September 10, 2011:

Also, can you explain to me why dairy is so bad for you. And how to determine what eggs to buy? Is “vegetarian” feed chickens what I’m looking for? I thought all chickens were vegetarians. I found some eggs that said this on the container. And is “grass fed” the same as organic? Or does organic just mean “no pesticides”?

Rachelle said on October 7, 2011:

The last paragraph certainly jumped out at me. My daughter has epilepsy and my son is allergic to dairy(protein). I am very interested in going the paleo route, but need more info. Can you point me in the right direction with (hopefully) Dr. recomendations. thanks so much. Thanks for posting this btw!

- Paleo said on October 18, 2011:
  
  The more you can learn about paleo and diet for epilepsy the greater your understanding of how powerful nutrition can be for really keeping these conditions under control. You may be interested in watching a movie based off a true story called “at first do no harm”, this is an older movie but being based off a true story shows the situation of a boy with epilepsy who stopped his treatments continued to be unhelpful, to the extent the doctors wanted to perform brain surgery – they refused to admit diet could have any benefit but at the end of the day diet (outside of the doctors recommendations) was able to manage the condition and he was able to live a life without worrying about epilepsy – and there are many people who have been able to do the same through diet. This may help you with looking into the right type of dietary approach for epilepsy as trial and error may come into play with this as well.
  
Sonja said on April 5, 2012:

So basically your cutting out dairy, grains and other important food groups. All on some cockied idea that its better for you to deprive your body of essential foods.

As said on another paleo website: People who eat low-fat foods high in vegetable oils (instead of natural, saturated fats like butter), don’t receive the critical message from the brain, “I’m full”, so they tend to overeat. Most fats consumed by people today come from these unhealthy oils, trans-fats and from omega-6 fats.

First off….Untrue.

People that eat low fat foods actually do recieve that critical message from the brain, “I’m full”. So I suggest some actual real research before spouting off.

Two: butter is very fattening and not that healthy for you in big doses.

Three: Omega-6 fats are important for the body to have.

Four: Canola spray’s are actually better for you, as it helps lower your cholesterol.

Fat is a much more powerful fuel for our bodies than sugar and starch…. Uh.. You actually NEED a balance of fat and sugar in your body or you are forcing your pancreas and liver to work over time, trying to produce what you are NOT even feeding it. Which can cause it to stop working and guess what. You are now a diabetic.

Grains can irritate the gut and can lead to hypoglycemia…. Uh.. Grains, especially whole grains, are an essential part of a healthy diet. All types of grains are good sources of complex carbohydrates and some key vitamins and minerals. Grains are also naturally low in fat. All of this makes grains a healthy option. Better yet, they’ve been linked to a lower risk of heart disease, diabetes, certain cancers and other health problems. Things your body NEEDS.

Many followers of the Paleo diet think dairy is out because of the idea that the hunter would have consumed the milk of their own species during the suckling period. However, most Paleo followers believe that cows’ milk was not consumed during this period. There is plenty of good research indicating that milk is not an optimal food. Milk has some good qualities; some people thrive on milk- but most do not because it’s high in sugar and lactose. Lactose digestion is difficult for many, and some are allergic to casein, the protein in milk….Uh.. There is such a thing as lactose free milk. If you are allergic to casein, then don’t drink milk. Calcium is needed for good teeth and strong bones and for the proper function of nerves, muscles, kidneys, and the heart. Not having enough calcium in the diet is one of many factors associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis, a disease that speeds up the process of the natural loss of calcium in the bones. This causes the bones to become weak and fragile, leading to loss of height, curved spines, and bone fractures, especially in women. In recent years, the recommended amount of calcium has been increased from 800 mg to 1000 to 1200 mg per day.

Yes, a lot of starch’s and carbohydrates are bad for you, as is anything in an excessive amount. Its all about control, proper eating habits and exersize. When I say proper eating, I’m refering to little amounts of starch’s, carbohydrates, meat, dairy, grains, sugars.

This is NO different than vegitarians that deny their bodies meat. No wonder they look like crack addicts. They are extremely thin, pale, dark circles, their bodies are weaker, rail skinny. They practicially have to take every viatmin out there to barley get half of meat eaters get. Then you have vegans that only eat soy made meat. Yea as IF that’s actually healthy. Soy is loaded with salt. Now we have this lunacy. People denying their bodies ESSENTIAL foods. And for what? to copy the way cave people ate? This is serious INSANITY.

If you want to lose weight, be or feel healthier. It requires proper and essential nutrition and exersize. Pay attention to what you eat, how much you eat. Cut down on certain things, do not take away unless you are allergic, its to high in fat, or it just plain out makes you sick. STOP USING SALT!! I can NOT stress that enough. Foods already have enough salt, stop dumping half of your salt shaker onto your food. Salt causes weight gain, bloating, irritation, and so many other things. This includes anything with the name salt on the bottle. Use herbs and spices. Anything that contains the word salt. DUMP IT IN THE TRASH. Replace is with herbs, powders.

If you don’t like red meat, pork don’t eat it. You are not missing a whole lot by not eating them. Chicken, turkey, fish. They will replace red meat and pork.

And a very important message for women with PCOS. This paleo diet is NOT for you. You require High Grains, High Protiens, NO starch’s and carbohydrates. Your body feeds off it like its crack and turns it into fat. You NEED High Energy foods. Dairy, Grains, Whole Wheat breads pasta and such, Chicken, Turkey, Fish. All GOOD AND NEEDED! Eating naturally overly fattening foods like butter is like sitting down and eating a 5 course meal.

I do not mean to offend anyone but you are DENYING your body ESSENTIAL and NUTRITIONAL FOODS that keeps it healthy.

The Paleo Diet

7 Responses to The Paleo Diet

Leave a Reply