Top Reasons Why You Should Go Paleo

1. Because It Helps Eliminate Foods That Causes Inflammation in the Body

Excess sugar found in processed foods, drinks, and many western diet foods have been shown to cause detrimental effects to our health. Excess sugar has been linked to chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes, obesity, and heart disease [7-12]. A Paleo Diet eliminates the excess sugar and chemicals from processed foods and replaces them with whole foods like lean meats and mineral-rich vegetables. [1,2]

1. Because It Makes You Eat Quality Local Foods

Since The Paleo Diet consists of organic, farm-to-table foods, you’ll be more inclined to shop locally. By visiting your local butcher for lean meats, or visiting your local farmer for fruits and produce, you’ll be eating healthy and quality foods while knowing that you’re supporting your local economy. [4]

1. Because It’s Science-Based

A simple Google search will bring up over 30 peer-reviewed studies that promote The Paleo Diet. And that list is growing fast. It’s not a fad and it’s not going to disappear. Evidence-based research is available online and on print.

1. Because You’ll Be A Part Of A Supportive Community

You won’t feel alone on your journey to Paleo. Once you decide to commit to the Paleo lifestyle, you’re immersing yourself in a supportive community of people who have been Paleo for years, as well as people who are also new to this lifestyle.

1. Because It’s More Than a Diet

The Paleo Diet is more than just the food you eat. Unlike other diets and fitness programs that focus solely on food and exercise, The Paleo Diet is a holistic approach to achieve a healthier and happier life. It’s more than just about the food you eat, it’s foundations are based on a clean, healthy diet, having an active lifestyle, and mindfulness.

1. Because It’s The Best Diet For Your Brain

You may be wondering; how can The Paleo Diet affect your brain health? Your diet can affect inflammation in the body, which has a significant effect on your mental health. A diet that includes inflammatory foods like sugar, industrial seed oils, trans fat, and gut irritants, can impact the brain and is linked to serious mental illnesses like Alzheimer’s disease and depression. The Paleo Diet is rich in anti-inflammatory foods like vegetables, fruits, and seafood, which can promote better mental health and cognitive functioning [9, 13, 14].

Credits: Images used courtesy of Ultimate Performance Los Angeles

References

1. O'Keefe, J.H., Jr. and L. Cordain, Cardiovascular disease resulting from a diet and lifestyle at odds with our Paleolithic genome: how to become a 21st-century hunter-gatherer. Mayo Clin Proc, 2004. 79(1): p. 101-8.
2. Eaton, S.B., M.J. Konner, and L. Cordain, Diet-dependent acid load, Paleolithic [corrected] nutrition, and evolutionary health promotion. Am J Clin Nutr, 2010. 91(2): p. 295-7.
3. Cordain, L., et al., Origins and evolution of the Western diet: health implications for the 21st century. Am J Clin Nutr, 2005. 81(2): p. 341-54.
4. Blomquist, C., et al., Attenuated Low-Grade Inflammation Following Long-Term Dietary Intervention in Postmenopausal Women with Obesity. Obesity (Silver Spring), 2017. 25(5): p. 892-900.
5. Jonsson, T., et al., Beneficial effects of a Paleolithic diet on cardiovascular risk factors in type 2 diabetes: a randomized cross-over pilot study. Cardiovasc Diabetol, 2009. 8: p. 35.
6. Manheimer, E.W., et al., Paleolithic nutrition for metabolic syndrome: systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Clin Nutr, 2015. 102(4): p. 922-32.
7. Feinman, R.D., et al., Dietary carbohydrate restriction as the first approach in diabetes management: critical review and evidence base. Nutrition, 2015. 31(1): p. 1-13.
8. Eaton, S.B., L. Cordain, and P.B. Sparling, Evolution, body composition, insulin receptor competition, and insulin resistance. Prev Med, 2009. 49(4): p. 283-5.
9. Pase, M.P., et al., Sugary beverage intake and preclinical Alzheimer's disease in the community. Alzheimers Dement, 2017. 13(9): p. 955-964.
10. Malik, V.S., et al., Sugar-sweetened beverages, obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular disease risk. Circulation, 2010. 121(11): p. 1356-64.
11. Hu, F.B. and V.S. Malik, Sugar-sweetened beverages and risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes: epidemiologic evidence. Physiol Behav, 2010. 100(1): p. 47-54.
12. Xi, B., et al., Sugar-sweetened beverages and risk of hypertension and CVD: a dose-response meta-analysis. Br J Nutr, 2015. 113(5): p. 709-17.
13. Akiyama, H., et al., Inflammation and Alzheimer's disease. Neurobiology of Aging, 2000. 21(3): p. 383-421.
14. Kebir, H., et al., Human TH17 lymphocytes promote blood-brain barrier disruption and central nervous system inflammation. Nat Med, 2007. 13(10): p. 1173-5.