Eat like a Caveman Be Healthy

The "caveman" Paleolithic diet could be the healthiest choice

When weight loss experts had rated diets for U.S. News, the Paleo diet had finished last. Twenty-two experts had ranked the diets. Among the experts were cardiologists, nutritionists and diabetologists.

Now comes the advocates for the Paleolithic diet not only defending the diet but associated research as well. Advocates remark eating like a caveman could be the healthiest thing a person can do.

The food plan consists of lean meats, fish, nuts, fruits and vegetables. The diet avoids foods such as such as salt, sugar and grains and milk. During the Stone Age there was no access to these types of food.

Following the diet rankings being posted, Dr. Loren Cordain, Ph.D, professor of health and exercise at Colorado State University and leading voice for this diet had posted a rebuttal online. Dr. Cordian had noted five clinical studies on the Paleo diet which had revealed the diet decreased blood pressure, cholesterol and had improved insulin resistance. Even though these trails had been noted to be small (none had over 30 participants), Dr. Cordain's post had received attention from followers of this diet vouching for the eating style through numerous posts.

Over 30,000 responses flooded in noting this diet had worked for them with 80 postings saying the diet had failed for them. Weight Watchers which held the number one spot had shown 1,883 for the diet and 800 saying it did not work.

Dr. Cordian remarks that the clinical trails had revealed the diet to be a powerful method tp establish good health.

Ben Harder, general manager of Health and Science at U.S. News & World Report had remarked concerning the Paleo diet that additional evidence is required to positively confirm whether or not it is as effective as claimed. He continues that they are hoping researchers will publish larger studies so health experts including their panel will have more evidence in the future to consider.

According to Dr. Cordian "We're stone-agers misplaced in space-age time."

One panel member, Dr. David L. Katz, director of Yale University Prevention Research, did not rate the diet last but had raised some issues over what the diet really means noting that our ancestors gathered more than hunted making it a plant-based diet.

As Dr. Katz had pointed out the meat was different back then, there are no mammoths today.

Dr. Katz does mention the idea guiding the diet is a good one but could easily be misinterpreted.

Dr. Keith Ayoob, assistant professor of pediatrics at Elbert Einstein College of Medicine in Bronx, New York, stated he has no issues with people consuming plenty of lean protein, fresh fruit and vegetables. He does have an issue with the lacking of whole grains and low-fat dietary.

Dr. Ayoob will not promote the diet because it omits whole food groups, along with foods such as low-fat yogurt, milk and whole grains. Noting if you omit dairy for life you run the risk of osteoporosis and low bone density. In the stone age, the men had not worried about this issue due to the fact life expectancy was at age 40. Today's society would like to stay around longer.

In an opposing comment Dr. Cordain points out dairy is not a required diet staple. He further notes that 65% of people are lactose intolerant and it was not until recent times that people began drinking mammal milk. He continues that they had lived outdoors and had greater sun exposure and that there blood concentration of vitamin D most likely was higher. This had enhanced calcium absorption in their diets.

Dr. Cordain continues that we are always thinking more and more calcium however, it is just as much about how much calcium we absorb as to how much we put into our bodies.

Professor of medicine at the University of California at San Francisco, Dr. Lynda Frassetto, did conduct research on the Paleo diet but not on the weight loss aspect. Dr. Frassetto did remark that those people on a strict Paleo diet did lower their cholesterol, lipids and their insulin showed improvement.

Those who support the Paleo diet form the argument that obesity and diabetes had no occurrences 10,000 years ago. Therefore, the eating habits and lifestyles are worth examining for a modern day method to these wide spread health conditions.

Dr. Ayoob, did give a plus to this theory of caveman noting that even though they did not live long enough for these conditions to occur they did perform high amounts of physical labor which is one aspect he could stand behind. As he notes that physical activity is an influencing factor for many chronic health issues. Remarking that type 2 diabetes is related to obesity and that instead of focusing on diet only, activity also needs to be focused on. Physical activity could affect insulin resistance, body weight, joint health and so forth. Without physical activity there is not a balanced lifestyle.

Most health experts will agree on the fact that a healthy diet is also a diet for long life. Experts will also agree that fresh fruit and vegetables is the way to go for disease prevention from things such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes. The bonus point it does help fight obesity.

Either way you look at it lean meat, fruit and vegetables will always rank as components for disease prevention, good health and long life.

You can check out the Paleo diet online at Paleo diet.

Sources:

ABC News

HHHW Center

Medicine Net