Episode 2: Is the “Paleo Diet” helpful for weight loss? And what the heck is the “paleo diet” anyway?

Supposed benefits of the paleo diet
•    Reduced disease (heart, diabetes, cancer, etc.)
•    Weight loss
•    Fitness
•    Longer life

What is a “paleo diet”?

•    Eat foods that were available to ancient (paleolithic) man
•    Whole foods
•    Not processed foods
•    No synthesized foods or chemical additives/preservatives
•    Animal products (meats, eggs, organ meats), fish, veggies, fruits, roots, nuts, seeds

You didn’t mention grains or dairy? They existed back then so wouldn’t they be paleo?

•    Grains and dairy did exist during paleo times but would not have been consumed regularly
•    No domesticated cattle. Can you imagine milking a wild ox or wildebeest?
•    No grain fields
•    Grains are very hard- grinding burns more calories than they contain
•    They would contribute to starvation

So why is a paleo diet “better”, or is it?

•    If done right, paleo diets are compatible with our genetics
•    We get ALL of the essential nutrients in abundance
•    We avoid chemical additives, preservatives, dyes, sweeteners, refined foods
•    Digestion is better
•    Blood sugar is generally more easily managed on a paleo diet than a SAD
•    Insulin is well controlled to we will have a better chance to burn body fat for energy (Liberate)
•    All of the problems associated with insulin are also better controlled (diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, metabolic syndrome, etc)

Should everyone follow the same paleo diet?

•    Did paleo men in Southern Africa eat the same foods as those in Norway? What about those in the tropics?
•    The “paleo diet” as discussed in lots of popular books gets you in the right ballpark
•    Blood typing and genetic testing can help you fine tune or customize your diet

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