Based on Google’s study of the most popular searches, 2013 was the year when Paleo diets emerged from the cave. Now a new study might make the Paleo low carb diet even more attractive: Researchers have discovered that women lose weight twice as fast when they follow the Paleo plan guidelines.
Scientists in Sweden teamed up with Cambridge University researchers to conduct their study of how female dieters might benefit from the Paleo diet. The women were divided into two groups. One ate a strict caveman diet, while the other ate a tradi tional low-fat food plan. And the results were good enough to make a cavewoman roar with delight.
The hunter-gatherer Paleo diet group lost twice as much body fat in just six months. They whittled their waistlines more, and had lower levels of triglycerides. Reflecting on their findings in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the researchers said: “A paleolithic diet has greater beneficial effects than a Nordic diet regarding fat mass, abdominal obesity and triglyceride levels in obese postmenopausal women.”
What’s the lesson from this? A recent Twitter exchange among experts might explain it. One of those experts, Loren Cordain, is regarded as the ultimate Paleo diet guru. He’s the author of “The Paleo Diet Revised: Lose Weight and Get Healthy by Eating the Foods You Were Designed to Eat” (click for details).
Loren defined the Paleo plan as “the optimal lifestyle mimicking our ancestors’ dietary habits. Eat well, feel better.” And a key to following the Paleo diet correctly: Avoid processed foods by focusing on “a diet that emphasizes nutrient-dense foods we’re well adapted to eat, and restricts modern foods we’re not well adapted to,” added Chris Kresser, author of “Your Personal Paleo Code: The 3-Step Plan to Lose Weight, Reverse Disease, and Stay Fit and Healthy for Life” .
And both experts agree with the results of the newest study showing it works for weight loss.
“The vast majority of people lose weight on Paleo. Even better, they do it without even trying. No calorie counting required,” declared Chris.
Loren cited eight controlled trials showing that Paleo diets are helpful in shedding pounds while enhancing health. And while body fat goes down, the overall energy level goes up, noted Nora Gedgaudas, author of “Primal Body, Primal Mind: Beyond the Paleo Diet for Total Health and a Longer Life” (click for details). One study, for example, showed that “85% of Paleo adherents report improvement in their body composition,” stated Nora.
So what do you eat on a Paleo diet?
“Grass-fed meat, natural fats, mostly fibrous vegetables and greens, nuts, seeds and some seasonal fruit,” according to Nora. “Eating “nose-to-tail” (organ meats, skin, cartilage, bone broth, etc.) is important,” added Chris. And in addition to weight loss, Chris says that the specific health benefits are impressive.
“As a clinician I’ve seen Paleo reverse autoimmune disease, diabetes, lipid abnormalities, obesity, depression, IBS and more,” he commented.
Although the high protein Paleo diet topped the list of most popular diets in 2013, the high fat ketogenic diet also ranked high, according to Google. Both diets reflect the increasing evidence showing that by eliminating foods that contain gluten and sugar, you can boost your weight loss while enhancing your overall health. Among the advocates of this approach is neurologist Dr. David Perlmutter, who contends that grains and sugar are the enemy when it comes to conditions ranging from diabetes to depression to obesity. He’s the author of “Grain Brain: The Surprising Truth about Wheat, Carbs, and Sugar–Your Brain’s Silent Killers.”
