What is the Paleo Diet?: Benefits and Top Tips For Success

The paleo diet, also known as the hunter-gatherer, caveman, or Stone Age diet is based on the belief that our bodies have not evolved to eat and digest foods produced through modern farming and agriculture.

Advocates of the paleo diet believe that the consumption of foods from cultivation and modern agriculture has contributed to the prevalence of many chronic health conditions, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. (5)

The paleo diet consists of food that our prehistoric ancestors would have eaten during the Paleolithic era, such as lean meats, fish, nuts, vegetables, and fruit.

What is the paleo diet?

The paleo diet consists of food that our prehistoric ancestors would have eaten during the Paleolithic era, such as lean meats, fish, nuts, vegetables, and fruit. The Paleolithic period extended from approximately 2.5 million years ago to 10,000 years ago, ending with the arrival of agriculture and foods like dairy, grains, beans, and legumes. (5)

The paleo diet encourages the consumption of whole, unprocessed foods, including:

• Eggs
• Fish and seafood
• Fruits
• Healthy fats and oils (e.g., olive oil, coconut oil)
• Herbs and spices
• Lean meats and poultry
• Nuts and seeds
• Vegetables (5)

The paleo diet discourages consumption of the following foods:

• Added salt
• Artificial sweeteners
• All grains, including gluten-free grains
• Beans and legumes
• Dairy products
• Hydrogenated oils and trans fats
• Processed foods
• Refined sugars (5)

Download a guide on the Paleo Diet

Paleo diet benefits

Many studies have been conducted examining the effects and potential benefits of the Paleolithic diet on health.

Cardiometabolic health

Research has shown that the paleo diet improves several metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors and may, therefore, be an effective therapeutic diet for individuals with type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease. (5)

One study noted that even a short-term paleo diet resulted in improvements in blood pressure, glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, and lipid profile. (2)

Much of the research on the health benefits of the paleo diet compare its effects to those of other diets. A systematic review of randomized, controlled trials examined the impact of the paleo diet on the risk factors for chronic disease and found that the paleo diet showed greater improvements in risk factors for metabolic syndrome compared to guideline-based diets. (7)

In a 2009 report from Cardiovascular Diabetology comparing a paleo diet to a traditional diabetic diet, the paleo diet resulted in greater improvements in glycemic control and several cardiovascular risk factors, including triglyceride levels, hemoglobin A1c levels, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. (3)

Furthermore, the paleo diet appears to be more effective in improving glucose tolerance when compared to a Mediterranean-type diet. A study compared a paleo diet based on lean meats, fish, eggs, nuts, vegetables, and fruit with a Mediterranean-style diet comprised of whole grains, vegetables, fruit, oils, margarine, fish, and low-fat dairy products. Results from the study showed a 26% decrease in AUC glucose (glucose area under the curve) in the paleo group compared to a 7% decrease in the Mediterranean diet group. (6)

Similarly, another randomized, controlled study compared the effects of the paleo diet and the Mediterranean diet in patients with ischemic heart disease and glucose intolerance or type 2 diabetes. While improvements in glucose tolerance were observed in individuals following both diets, those following a paleo diet demonstrated significantly greater improvements. (5)

Weight management

According to a meta-analysis of 11 studies comparing the paleo diet to a control diet consisting primarily of vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy, the paleo diet exhibited a significant effect on body weight, waist circumference, and body mass index (BMI). Among the studies evaluated in the meta-analysis, the average participant reported a weight loss of 3.52 kg and consequently experienced improvements in BMI and waist circumference. (1)

In one of the previously mentioned studies, participants following a paleo diet experienced greater weight reduction than participants following a Mediterranean-style diet for a three month period. (6)

Paleo diet tips

The key to following any successful diet is to adhere to a few evidence-based recommendations.

Following a few simple tips can help you follow a paleo diet successfully and safely.

Choose good-quality, fresh foods when available

To ensure you’re getting the healthiest and most nutrient dense foods, consume a variety of fresh, local, and organic vegetables and fruits. (8) Varying your sources of vegetables and fruits will help ensure you’re meeting your daily nutrient needs. (9) When purchasing animal products, the best quality and nutrient-dense sources come from organic, free-range, pasture-raised, wild-caught, and sustainable options. (10) Processed meats, such as deli meats, should be avoided as they often contain unhealthy preservatives and nitrates. (4)

Incorporate plant-based sources of protein

When it comes to the paleo diet, you likely think of a diet rich in animal protein. While beans and legumes are excluded from the diet, there are other plant-based protein sources, including a variety of nuts and seeds, that can be included in a paleo diet. An added bonus, these foods are also rich in unsaturated fat.

A paleo diet should include a variety of fresh, local vegetables and fruits to ensure you’re meeting your daily nutrient needs.

Choose natural sugars

There are several acceptable natural sweeteners included in a paleo diet. Moderate amounts of raw honey, maple syrup, blackstrap molasses, coconut sugar, and stevia can be enjoyed. Avoid refined sugars, which spike your blood sugar, and artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame and saccharin.

Try a modified paleo diet

Making sustainable dietary changes can be difficult, particularly when looking to move away from a high-carbohydrate diet like the standard North American diet to a grain-free paleo diet. A modified paleo diet including gluten-free grains and organic grass-fed butter or ghee can help ease the transition.

Support your diet with supplements

While a well-planned paleo diet can provide all the nutrients your body needs to thrive, certain supplements can provide additional support. Be aware of potential calcium deficiency as the paleo diet is typically lower in calcium due to the fact that few people consume bone broth, organ meats, or meat cooked on the bone. Calcium supplementation can prevent deficiencies and associated complications such as bone mineral loss. (3) A broad-spectrum multivitamin can also act as “extra insurance” to fill any nutritional gaps and prevent deficiencies.

The bottom line

Research has demonstrated significant metabolic and cardiovascular benefits associated with the paleo diet. As with any diet, it’s important to ensure that your diet is properly-planned, incorporating a variety of fresh foods to prevent nutrient deficiencies. If you’re a patient, speak to your integrative healthcare practitioner who can help monitor your health, recommend appropriate supplements, and choose the diet best suited to your individual needs.