Paleolithic diet

History:

The Paleolithic diet arose through ideas of a gastroenterologist in 1975, Dr. Walter Voegtlin (1). Within the next 10 years, papers about Paleolithic nutrition began to be published. However, it was not until 2002 that the diet became popular by Dr. Loren Cordain, founder of the Paleo Movement. The diet consists of foods thought to mirror what was eaten during the Paleolithic era, which dates from approximately 2.5 million to 10,000 years ago. While no one truly knows exactly what was eaten during this time, researchers believe their diet consisted of whole foods, and through diet and an active lifestyle there was less disease. The Paleolithic diet is often referred to as the Paleo diet, caveman diet, or stone-age diet. This diet ranked 29 out of 35 in US News Best Diet Overall for 2020.

Purpose:

This diet aims to return to a way of eating that is more like our ancestors, otherwise referred to as "hunters and gatherers” (2). Supporters of this diet claim it aids in weight loss, improves glucose tolerance, controls blood pressure, lowers triglycerides, and treats metabolic syndrome, although science has yet to prove those claims

General dietary practices:

The Paleo diet focuses on whole, nutrient-dense foods, such as fruits, vegetables, meats, eggs, fish, nuts, and seeds while eliminating grains, legumes, dairy, potatoes, refined sugar, and processed foods (2). The macronutrient composition of the diet is 30% carbohydrates, 40% fat, and 30% protein.

Key concerns:

There is limited long-term data available about the Paleo diet. Due to the restrictive nature, there are concerns surrounding nutrient deficiencies specifically vitamin D and calcium, which could lead to compromised bone health (1). Moreover, most grains are fortified with nutrients, therefore, this diet may lead to deficiencies in B vitamins such as thiamine, folate, niacin, and riboflavin. Saturated fat and protein may be consumed above the recommended levels, increasing the risk of kidney and heart disease and potentially certain cancers. Long term clinical studies are needed for potential risks and benefits of the Paleo diet. Vitamin D, calcium and a fish oil supplement is recommended while on this diet.

Further Resources:

Websites:

Apps: Paleo Plate

Books: 


**The information presented provides an overview of the diet along with credible resources to refer to in order to learn more. This is not intended to make any dietary recommendations, rather an education tool for our clients.**


Reference: 

  1. Paleolithic diet. En.wikipedia.org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paleolithic_diet#History_and_terminology. Published 2020. Accessed July 26, 2020.

  2. Paleo diet: Eat like a caveman and lose weight?. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/paleo-diet/art-20111182. Published 2017. Accessed July 26, 2020.