Is the Paleo Diet Healthy?
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Episode #61
Is the Paleo Diet Healthy? You Might Be Surprised
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Hey, guys, welcome to another episode of the Super Nutrition Academy Health Class. Today we are going to be dissecting a recent Q-and-A that was posted on CNN.com. Someone was asking: Is the Paleo diet healthy? And the answer, it might be…well, I thought it was a little bit shocking.
The question, as I just mentioned, the person was, they’re saying they’re obese and they’ve been working on losing weight for three years. They’ve been working with a number of different nutritionists and personal trainers, and they stumbled upon the Paleo diet and was wondering if it’s healthy. This is a response from the same author, the same physician-nutrition specialist who, in one of the previous episodes we talked about, had really kind of had it bang-on with respect to the breast cancer diet. This time her answer to the Paleo-diet question was that no, it’s not health and it’s a fad diet.
Paleo Diet Good or Bad?
Obviously, I’m not Paleo. I don’t really label myself as anything. What’s funny is that when you consider that Paleo is actually one of the healthier diets out there, or ways of eating out there, it’s kind of weird that she kind of discredited the health benefits of Paleo.
First of all, what is Paleo? Paleo basically is eating like our Paleolithic ancestors. It’s essentially eating meat, vegetables, fruit, and nuts more or less. There’re thousands of people, millions of people, obviously, following that kind of plan and it works, it’s great. The benefit really is that you’re not consuming dairy; you’re not consuming refined sugar, processed oils. It’s very, for the most part, a clean diet.
My only apprehension with it is that it’s very high in animal products and animal meats, which I’m not too concerned about the saturated fat, which a lot of medical doctors are. For whatever reason, they still think that has a big impact. I’m more concerned about what it does to acidity levels in the body. When we become too acidic, we start manifesting states of acidosis, which then becomes a breeding ground for potential disease. Meat also, again, it’s tough on the digestive system. Obviously, it is tougher to digest a steak than it is to digest an apple, as an example. I’m not saying that you have to have an apple instead of a steak.
Nonetheless, it does have a lot of benefits. There are a lot of health benefits with going Paleo, simply because you’re removing the sugar, the grains, and all that other garbage that is the real culprit of most of the problems we have now with respect to health. This doctor was talking about the cons to this diet.
Four of the cons that she mentions, the first one is that the diet eliminates dairy, “an affordable and widely available source of bone-building calcium,” which is complete and utter garbage, nonsense, and protein. “Yes, calcium can be obtained from other greens and other foods, but it is more challenging to consume adequate amounts,” which is not necessarily true.
Again, this is a huge myth that continues to pollute the minds of millions of people. Dairy is…it’s one of the biggest fallacies of all time. Yes, it has a good amount of calcium, but it also has way too much phosphorous. The ration of phosphorous to calcium is out of whack for human absorption, which means when you drink cow’s milk, you’re consuming higher amounts of calcium, but you’re also drinking higher amounts of phosphorus, and phosphorus inhibits calcium absorption in the stomach. That’s why the countries with the highest consumption rates of milk also have the highest rates of osteoporosis.
Don’t worry about the dairy. Just eat plenty of leafy, green vegetables; they have an abundance of calcium. And if you’re worried about your bones, just make sure you’re physically active—weight-bearing exercise—and that the pH of your blood is more alkaline. If you’re eating more fruits and vegetables, more of a plant-based diet anyways, your blood will be more alkaline. You won’t have any issues, believe me.
Second con according to this doctor is that the diet eliminates all grains, including whole grains, which are a good source of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and heart-healthy fiber and foods such as beans, peanuts, and sweet potatoes, all of which have numerous health-promoting qualities. Yeah, I would probably stick with keeping in the beans, maybe not on a daily basis, because legumes and beans do have things called lectins, which are antinutrients, so you don’t want to go too crazy with them.
But with the grains, as I’ve mentioned before, there really are no, zero, redeeming qualities of bread or whole wheat or whole grains as far as I’m concerned. The only ones, really, we should be eating are the nonglutenous ones; quinoa, amaranth, millet, buckwheat. Everything else, throw it in the garbage. Move away from the bread, move away from the pasta; you don’t need that stuff. There’s no reason you can’t get—first of all, you’re not going to get many vitamins and minerals out of bread. You can get all that stuff elsewhere.
Other than the fact that we’re just so accustomed to eating bread and all that kind of garbage all the time and cereals, and, remember, there’s a huge amount of money and lobbying behind the whole grain industry. We don’t need to go down that path, but when I see this kind of stuff, it just makes me cringe. We don’t need whole grains; it’s not the end of the world. If you’re without them, you’re going to be a lot better off. We know that wheat and gluten is associated with over 190 autoimmune disorders and a host of other problems.
Con number three is that the Paleo diet is high in animal protein, which could lead to an excess intake of saturated fat, resulting in elevated cholesterol levels, an increased risk in heart disease, an increased risk of certain types of cancer. Yes, I would agree to some degree with that. I’m not a huge proponent of eating a huge amount of animal. I think maybe a few times a week is more than enough. And at that, you only need, a piece of meat the size of the palm of your hand is more than enough. We eat way too much meat as far as I’m concerned.
Yes, you’re getting an increased intake of saturated fat, but saturated fat’s not necessarily the worst thing depending on the source of where it’s coming firm. If you’re getting saturated fat from grass-fed beef, which most of us aren’t, then that’s a different type, different quality of saturated fat than if you’re getting it from commercially raised cows that are injected with hormones and antibiotics. Remember, all that stuff is going to sit and reside in the fat tissue.
Again, my main concern is that it upsets the pH balance in the bloodstream, which makes you more acidic, which leads to a whole host of other things like acidosis-related problems like bone deterioration, potentially cancer down the road, arterial scarring, which can lead to cholesterol deposits, and all that fun stuff. The other thing is that high amounts of animal protein can lead to things like gout as a result of high amounts of uric acid being deposited.
Animal protein, if you’re going to eat animal products, that’s fine; just keep it in moderation. Remember, my rule of thumb is: More plant-based is the way to go. But it’s not about being 100 percent plant-based if that’s not right for you. Eating more plant-based foods, adding in quality meats and animal products where necessary, and that means free-run, organic, or grass-fed. That’s ideally what you want to be looking for. I know it’s not as accessible or achievable or financially viable for everyone, but just do your best.
Fourth con she mentions here is that, “Finally, the diet can be expensive. Grass-fed, organic meats and eggs are more expensive and inconvenient due to the limitation of food choices, both of which make the diet less practical for the average person long-term.” Well, here’s my question: What are you eating instead? What are you eating instead of grass-fed beef? Even if you ate commercially raised beef, you can still follow a Paleolike plan.
Is the Paleo Diet Healthy?
It’s not like…unless you’re eating completely plant-based—here’s the way I see it, and I talked about this with Abel on one of our podcasts on this Paleo issue. The only difference between being vegan and Paleo is that Paleo adds in some meat. That’s it, right? Both parties, both philosophies are all about eating tons of plant foods. Paleo simply adds in meat. That’s pretty much the biggest difference.
My question is: If you’re not following a Paleo diet or a way of eating where you’re eating a lot of fruits an vegetables and then some animal products, how are you eating? Are you a vegan? If so, that’s fine, but if you’re not that, what are you doing? And even if you’re vegan, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re healthy. Even if you’re Paleo, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re healthy.
The thing I like about Paleo is that it really focuses on real food. It’s going back to nature, going back to real food, and I don’t see why that’s a problem. I don’t see any of these people talk about the real big problem, which is the packaged, processed garbage that we find in our supermarkets. If grass-fed beef is too expensive, then what are we eating instead? Kraft dinners, cereal, all that crap that’s really causing the problem? You’re better off maybe having two, three cuts of good-quality meat a week, and the other days you’re more plant-based or whatever else. But, again, just really steer clear of the stuff in packages and boxes. You’ll be a thousand times better off. That’s the recommendation.
Her final conclusion was that, she says, “Overall, I would steer clear of the Paleo diet, but we can take away something from our ancestors by eating foods closer to their natural state,” obviously, “which are more nutrient-dense and digested more slowly by the body. In most cases they lead to better hunger control, more stable blood sugar levels, and weight loss if calories are reduced and exercise is increased.”
That kind of actually sounds like a little bit of an endorsement for the Paleo diet right there. Everything she just mentioned—more nutrient-dense, digested more slowly, stabilizes blood sugar, stabilizes hunger, enables weight loss—those are all pretty good benefits of following a Paleo diet. So, if the real issue is cost, then, by all means, don’t go grass-fed. Just eat less meat, maybe choose better quality where possible; choose organic wherever possible.
But even if you don’t, if you’re eating commercially raised meat, yes, it’s bad but… Again, the whole idea is just to go back closer to real foods; foods that are found in nature; foods that are grown naturally, animals that are raised naturally. That’s the key. And move away from the stuff that’s found in packages, boxes. That, I think, is a real issue.
If this person wants to lose weight, as far as I’m concerned, the Paleo diet is not a fad. It was here since the beginning of humans and it still exists. Countless people are using it successfully. But, again, there are principles that work that will help pretty much any diet. Whether you’re following Atkins, Zone, or anything else, people will succeed on those diets. Maybe we’ll talk about those principles in an upcoming episode.
Anyways, that’s all for today. I want to hear what your personal philosophy is on nutrition. I’d love to hear your feedback, what you kind of follow in terms of dietary advice. Again, I don’t care about the labels. If you call yourself Paleo or vegan or whatever it is, that’s fine, but I’d love to hear your feedback.
Join me at the blog, SuperNutritionAcademy.com/blog, find post Episode 61: Is the Paleo Diet Healthy? And let me know, are you plant-based? Do you eat meat all the time? What’s your diet look like? I’d love to find out; I’d love to hear your feedback. Join me on the blog, leave me your comments there, and I look forward to seeing you guys in the next episode.
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Tags: Is the Paleo Diet Healthy, paleo diet good or bad
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Kris
I personally switched to paleo after doing the Virgin Diet. I had such good results that I didn’t want to even try introducing certain foods back to my system. After over 7 months I’ve lost over 35lbs, but that’s just the begining! I’ve come off all medications for fibromyalgia, my workouts are better and just have an overall sense of well being. BUT~ the biggest flaw I’ve found in the article and reply is that paleo isn’t about consuming high amounts of meat. The majority of any meal should be based on veggies, berries some fruit and nuts here and there and at most 3 oz*of meat at a meal. (* for women). There is no rule that says you have to eat meat at every meal or that that meat has to be “beef”. I happen to enjoy a variety and my most favorite being fish ;). As far as cost, yes it might seem more costly, but I agree what would you be buying otherwise and more over by spending a bit more on quality foods, what are you saving on health care cost from eating frankenfoods in the long run?
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This myth that dairy is a good source of calcium is so entrenched in our minds, that I don’t think we’re going to see the back of it any time soon! I was fortunate to have a lactose intolerance which forced me to consume other types of “milk” such as oat, rice and almond.
I worry about the baby boomers who are heading into old age and poor health with their “healthy” breakfast cereals and multigrain sandwiches (spread with margarine), but what can you do? -
Lio
Hi Yuri,
Thank you for another great lesson .
After you changed my life(eating habits;) I was waiting to hear
What you have to say on the Paleo diet.
Great stuff from you
Once again
I think it’s still hard for me to get enough protein
on the raw vegan days.
Eating for energy 😉
Lio -
Marilyn
Thank you for your wonderful articles. I stay pretty close to Paleo. I was always a big meat eater and I’m trying to incorporate more fruits and vegetable and less meat into my diet. I love fish, but the quality of fish I would want to eat is pretty cost prohibitive, so I don’t eat it as often as I’d like. I had an awakening one day when I was in the supermarket and had a bag of potato chips in my basket. I think the price on them was $3.49. I was browsing around the fresh vegetable isle, and picked up a head of cauliflower which was $2.99. I was putting the cauliflower back thinking that it was too expensive, and the bag of chips caught my eye. Needless to say, my mind said to me, “what the heck are you thinking.” Now when I think of what is being sold in the center isles of our supermarkets, I almost quiver. I wonder sometimes how we got to be where we are. It’s pretty frightening to think what most people are loading their bodies up with, and I believe that most of them don’t really have a clue. It really is sad.
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Hi Yuri, I agree with you 100% !! I consider myself Paleo but I too think we don’t need as much meat as we typically consume. I have lost 52 lbs. and I feel great !! When I stopped gluten and dairy almost 2 years ago my chronic back pain went completely away !!!! I had back pain for 35 years !!
I have at least one green smootie a day and I rarely eat anything out of a package. Although the other day I did eat some corn chips with hummus. I hate when I do that !! There are times when I miss bread and pasta and cheese but I have Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis so I know gluten is a no-no. I just wish I could get my husband and kids more on board with veggies. I need so make them more interesting I guess. I love your news letters and your video’s. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us !! -
Susanne Fenech
I guess I could class myself as using a Paleo diet, but I do indulge once or maybe twice a week in ‘coffee and/or cake’ with a friend (gluten free only). I mainly eat veggies (cooked and raw). free range or organic wherever possible, same with meat, chicken, eggs. I have fruit, nuts. seeds, occasionally organic yogurt, almond milk, breakfast smoothies, green leafy smoothies, herb teas, I haven’t found anything better than this style of living, and there is obviously room for improvement, but I have been examining diet, health and nutrition of my own volition for years, and continue to learn new things. I am experimenting with my own healthy recipes, and gathering ones that suit my diet, gluten/ grain/ dairy/ sugar free. I have had quite some opposition over the years about being ‘obsessed with studying about food’, etc, but my family have really ‘cottoned on’ in many ways for themselves. Friends are starting to see these things for themselves after finding out what I’ve said over the years in now newsworthy. A recent health diagnosis has assured me I have been doing the only thing possible to keep ahead of symptoms – diet, high nutritional foods and some supplementation. All worth it!!!!
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Hi Yuri,
I’ve been enjoying receiving your emails and the great information. I personally don’t put a label on myself either, although I’m labeled as being the healthiest person people know when it comes to my friends lol. I do however eat meat consisting of mostly fish, chicken, and sometimes turkey but my plate consists of mostly greens at each meal. I’m gluten, dairy and soy free I’m currently competing so with that being said I’ve been eating more protein then I would usually. My sources are from eggs, fish, chicken and a whey protein powder that I love. What’s your thought on contest preperation?
Thanks,
Trina
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YuriElkaim
Competing for what? If you’re very active you’ll need to increase your carbohydrate intake more so than your protein intake.
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I have been a vegetarian for years and years! I love my fruits and vegetables. I feel terrific and teach 13 fitness classes a week. My weight is low and stabilized. Once a week, I do eat a small amount of cheese. But that is the only dairy I consume.
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YuriElkaim
That’s great Chris. Good for you. Keep it up!
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isa
Thanks so much, Yuri. I’ve been wondering what your thoughts are about the Paleo diet. I loved your book, Eating for Energy but I also love the Paleo concepts. I discovered the Paleo community through you, as a matter of fact. Since then I’ve lived in confusion, trying to decide between both of these seemingly opposite eating programs. After reading this article, I had a moment of clarity and now understand how to tie it all together.
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Eating Paleo can also mean eating fish and chicken eggs, you don’t necessarily have to eat red meat -> if that’s someone’s biggest ‘hit’ against it.
Since removing wheat from my diet, my 8yr rash disappeared, I require less food to avoid hunger, and my brain is better -> it sound funny, but I’m more disciplined, make better decisions and just think clearer over all. Oh, I lost 50 lbs in 60 days during Mar and Apr of this year.
If you ask any doctor(after many tests), they will tell you that I have no bio markers against wheat and I’m making it up. I actually had a doctor call his colleague into the room so they could both have a chuckle. He ended up prescribing me an anti-inflamatory, despite him not being able to confirm the cause of my rash. 🙂 I crumpled up the prescription in front of him.
I’m also not Paleo… I’m whatever it takes to up my energy and health.
Thanks Yuri!
Rob-
YuriElkaim
That’s awesome Rob. Thanks for sharing that and for yet another ridiculous story of the medical profession.
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Sue
I hate the diet word,some says eat this& that other says that’s all wrong .So I came to my won conclusions. Eat every thing in moderation.No proses or cardboard boxes no refined flour fat & sugar. Moderate exercise,because before I use to be a fanatic about every thing & still have a heart attack.
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Lynette
As you mentioned in an earlier post how is eating whole food that is fresh, organic, grass feed, free range not advantageous? I’ve eaten “paleo” off an on for a year now along with working out and have lowered my cholesterol, blood pressure, triglycerides, liver enzymes and lost 20 lbs. I found that grass fed beef is wayyyy more filing than corn or soy fed beef. In fact my husband who only eats meat and potatoes can only consume less than a palm size steak and feel full when typically he would have easily eaten a 1 pound porterhouse steak by himself. The beef itself is so much more nutrient dense that it doesn’t take a lot to feel satiated and full. The other thing is that pure grass fed beef has up to 30% less sugar than regular beef and more protein, it can have as much or more Omega 3 oil than salmon, sardines or mackerel. I am fortunate to have found a source for this beef but it took me years to find. I still have my off days where an occassional treat sneaks in but overall my health has improved for the better by going paleo. The proof is when I go to my MD for annual checkups, the numbers keep dropping.
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Erin
Isn’t sprouted grain bread (Ezekial bread) supposed to be ok?
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YuriElkaim
Some say it’s actually a little worse since the gluten is more potent. I’m not quite sure but I would go with a completely wheat-free bread to be sure.
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Larry
I tried the paleo after being vegan for 30 years and just couldn’t take all the animal putrefying flesh in my gut. Now I am feeling alive again on the 80-10-10 raw vegan diet. Try it and feel what a wonderful life this is.
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Yuri Elkaim
Thanks for sharing Larry. I feel the same way when I eat too much meat.
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Great info. Lucky me I found your site by accident (stumbleupon).
I’ve saved as a favorite for later!
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