Known by names like the caveman diet, the Stone Age diet and the hunter-gatherer diet, the Paleo diet is a throwback to the Paleolithic era, when humans relied on hunting and foraging instead of farming for sustenance. As such, this diet consists of foods that can be hunted or gathered, such as fish, fruits, lean meats, nuts, vegetables and seeds. This excludes foods obtained through farming, such as dairy products and grains.

The concept of the Paleo diet was based on the “evolutionary discordance hypothesis,” which states that the human genome — the complete set of genes carried by an organism — is no longer compatible with the conditions that exist today. These include changes to the human diet brought about by farming and other modern industries. The hypothesis further states that the changes happened too fast that the human genome was unable to adapt. This, in turn, led to a discordance that is the root of chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease and cancer.

To prevent diseases and maintain optimal health, the Paleo diet recommends going back to the earliest dietary pattern known to men. This means only meats from wild game and grass-fed animals, fatty fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids, fruit and nut oils, and plant-based nutrient sources. No sugars, legumes, salt, processed foods, dairy products or even whole grains. The Paleo diet also requires that all foods be organic — no added hormones, antibiotics or preservatives. This ensures that anything that you eat won’t cause inflammation — the root of all chronic diseases.

The health benefits of the Paleo diet

According to Dr. Mark Hyman, director of the Cleveland Clinic of Functional Medicine, while the Paleo diet limits your food choices considerably, it nonetheless provides you with enough nutrition.

“It may not seem like much, but what you’re left with are nutrient-packed foods, many of which are excellent sources of fiber, which helps you feel satisfied and full,” he explained.

In case you’re willing to try the Paleo diet, here are some of the benefits it provides, according to experts: (h/t to Diabetes.co.uk)

Weight loss

Eating unprocessed foods is the best thing you can do for your body. Raw or fresh, organic unprocessed foods, especially those allowed by the Paleo diet, are not only rich in nutrients, they are also low in simple carbs. This helps reduce the amount of fat in your body, which can help you lose and maintain a healthy weight.

Increased insulin sensitivity

The Paleo diet is especially helpful for people with diabetes. This is because it includes mostly low-carb foods, which are perfect for diabetics. Carbs are converted into sugar inside the body and can increase blood sugar levels in people with impaired insulin production. A study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition also found that, compared to a normal diet, the Paleo diet can improve blood pressure, glucose tolerance, blood cholesterol and insulin sensitivity.

Improved heart health

Besides improving symptoms of diabetes, the Paleo diet also promotes heart health. This is another useful benefit of the Paleo diet for diabetics as heart disease is a common diabetes complication. In a recent study, researchers from Eastern Michigan University reported that the Paleo diet can lower bad (LDL) cholesterol and increase good (HDL) cholesterol levels more effectively than recommended hear-healthy diets. This makes it a promising strategy for the nutritional management of hyperlipidemia (high blood lipid levels).

Reduced inflammation

Chronic inflammation is linked to a variety of serious health conditions. On the other hand, foods like fatty fish, which are rich in omega-3s and are part of the Paleo diet, have anti-inflammatory properties that can help prevent inflammation. Research also suggests that switching to a low-carb, low-calorie diet like the Paleo diet can help reduce inflammation inside the body.

The Paleo diet is a heart-healthy diet that may sound extreme but is a great alternative to the Western diet. Many of the things the Paleo diet eliminates are food elements that your body can do without and may actually contribute to diseases in the long run. If you’ve decided to follow the Paleo diet, make sure to consult with your naturopathic health care provider first. Making drastic changes to your diet may affect your health negatively if you do it incorrectly or if you have an existing health condition that must be considered.

Sources:

MayoClinic.org

Rainbow.coop

EverydayHealth.com

Diabetes.co.uk

Nature.com

ScienceDirect.com