For detailed information on what is the Paleo Diet, there is an abundance of information available on the internet. It is also called the Caveman or Paleolithic Diet. The logic behind it is the fact that our prehistoric ancestors thrived on it.
The Paleolithic Period is a geologic time frame extended from around 2.6 million years ago to the end of the Pleistocene Epoch around 12 thousand years BP (Before Present, also known as Before Physics). In archaeological terms, this Period coincided with the Stone Age. During this time, humans gathered together into units known as bands of roughly thirty to fifty people. They subsisted by scavenging or hunting wild animals and by gathering plants.
Our early ancestors ate fruits, vegetables, seeds, fish, roots, nuts and meat from animals raised on a pasture and fed grass. They did not eat legumes, grains, salt, dairy products, refined sugars or heavily processed foods. The rationale behind this is that the prehistoric diet was feeding a human digestive system that was ideally evolved for it.
Since the end of the Paleolithic Age, our dentition and digestion have remained the same while it is our eating habits that have evolved, some would say deteriorated. There are, however, experts who think it is the fact that cave men ate fewer calories and got a lot more exercise that explains why they may have been so much healthier than the couch potatoes of today.
Dairy foods (milk, cheese, butter, yoghurt) and cereal grains (rye, corn, oats, rice, wheat) were notably absent from paleolithic menus. The end of the Paleolithic saw a dramatic fall in both human health and body mass. There are those who believe this was the result of introducing cereal grains onto the dinner plate.
Another noteworthy omission from the ancestral fridge was dairy. It was not until the Neolithic Revolution (10,000-7,000 BP) that we began drinking milk. The genetic ability to process the milk sugar, lactose, turned up in Northern Europe, a part of the world not known for abundant sunshine, the normal source of Vitamin D. It is thought that this conferred a selective advantage on people living in that gloomy part of the world. Enter lactose tolerance into the general gene pool.
What is the Paleo Diet mimics from our impression of what our early ancestors were eating to stay alive. The few formal studies that have been conducted so far indicate that there is a definite advantage in following this regime. It is recommended for those that are considering trying this to first consult their regular medical professional.
For more information check out our website Paleo Diet Review where you you find information on Delicious Paleo Meals and more.
Ellie
Ellie Baker is a writer and researcher with an interest in acne. You can find out more by visiting her at http://www.whatisacnevulgaris.com
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Some extremely valid points!
on April 15, 2012 at 2:27 pm tips for weight lossEllie,
Seems a good idea but not so sure when the average life span was 34.5 years for men and 30 years for women. Yes most though illness but probably from lack of immune system because of poor diet.
Keith
on June 7, 2012 at 10:09 am keithHi Ellie 🙂
on April 18, 2012 at 2:37 pm BrookeWelcome to talkhealth! I just wanted to say that and also, I’ve tried this diet for my eczema and my skin did start feeling better and I never felt ill or had any headaches, it was fab! However, after 17 years of junk food I found it so hard to resist foods I love so I did cheat every now and then unfortunately. I’m off the diet now because I’m on tablets for my skin but after I’m off the tablets I’m planning on following the diet MOSTLY; I will be eating some non-Paleo foods but I will mostly stick to Paleo because it is definitely so much healthier and made me feel full of energy all the time 🙂
Best wishes,
Brooke.