The Paleolithic Diet

A Paleo Diet is an adaptation of the diet that was consumed during the “Palaeolithic Era” or “Old Stone Age”. This way of eating has also been commonly called the Cave Man Diet or Stone Age Diet and has many different subsets. Modern Day Palaeolithic Diets feature the consumption of meat, vegetables, fruit, nuts, seeds, eggs and fish and excludes foods such as Grains, Legumes and Dairy. One of the reasons this diet has gained in popularity is because it is believed to bring the Microbiome of the individual back to a more ancestral configuration when our world was void of modern day diseases.

This way of eating has shown to be efficacious against various different illness i.e. Diabetes, Inflammatory Bowel Disease and several other Autoimmune Conditions. Although there is plenty of research stating that whole grains and legumes can be part of a healthy Mediterranean Diet, many individuals claim that they feel better once they remove grains and legumes from their diet.

Grains have a high concentration of a protein called Lectins. There are two sub-classes of lectins; prolamins and agglutin’s which are of particular concern for human health. In certain individuals who are sensitive to gluten and lectin’s, these proteins can damage the lining of the gut and cause a “Leaky Gut”. This term leaky gut has shown to initiate many chronic diseases.

The rise of Industrialization paired with modern day diseases gives this diet an even bigger place in today’s world. A well formulated Palaeolithic Diet can be very useful if you are suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome or an Autoimmune Condition. This diet, containing a huge variety of plant foods and animal based meat and fish, provides nutrient density by ensuring an adequate amount of B-vitamins, Magnesium, Zinc, Sulphur and several micronutrients which is vital to maintaining one’s health. Vitamin D is often supplemented and Calcium intake needs to be well managed.

If you are interested in trying a Paleo Diet to manage your Autoimmune Condition or for general health reasons, please get in touch. I can help formulate a well-structured and balanced Paleo Diet and work alongside your GP if you are managing your Autoimmune Condition with certain medications.