The Paleo Diet is based on research indicating that modern foods like grains, legumes, dairy and salt can cause health issues because humans have not evolved to properly digest them. It involves eating foods like meat, fish, vegetables and fruits that humans have adapted to over many generations as hunter-gatherers. Advocates claim following a Paleo Diet can help relieve diseases linked to modern eating habits and encourage a more active lifestyle similar to ancient humans. Making the switch can cause withdrawal symptoms but health benefits may follow for those who stick with the diet long-term.

1. The Paleo Diet is a throwback to our roots. It involves
some pretty in depth research and science by multiple
doctors at Colorado State University. Their research
indicates that the human body hasn't evolved to properly
digest many of the modern foods we eat.

2. Human beings lived as hunter/gatherers for most of their
existence. It hasn't been until recent times, within the last
10,000 years or so, that we've begun eating many foods
that are modern staples. The foods our bodies haven't
adapted to are grains, legumes, dairy and salt. There are
probably other foods we haven't adapted to as well.

3. The basic principle of the Paleo Diet is stop poisoning your
body with foods you're not adapted to eat. Mankind had
many generations to adapt to eating meat, fish, fowl,
vegetables, fruits, root tubers and nuts. By sticking to a
diet that contains these foods primarily, you'll live a
healthier, happier life.

4. If we look at diseases that commonly plague modern man,
we find that many of them are caused by the foods we
eat. Some examples of diseases that are claimed to be
caused by our current diet include coronary heart disease,
hypertension, type 2 diabetes, epithelial cell cancers and
autoimmune disease as well as others. Many people who
commonly suffer from these diseases who have tried the
Paleo Diet find relief while on the diet. Other diseases that
have been mentioned include Celiac disease and lactose
intolerance. As a matter of fact it is estimated that up to
75% of the adult population of the world is lactose
intolerant.

5. The Paleo Lifestyle also included much more exercise than
is commonly the case in modern society. It is believed that
our ancestors walked around 8.5 miles per day. Other
common tasks were shelter building, gathering wood,
carrying various heavy objects, digging, dancing and tool
construction. These activities were done at various
intervals and any form of exercise we can adopt which
involves intervals of intense activity seems to help our
overall physical wellbeing.

6. Another thing advocates of the Paleo Diet commonly call
for is a balance between Omega-3 and Omega-6 acids as a
key to good health. Eating more fatty fish such as Salmon
can help with this balance. People who are trying this diet
are also encouraged to eat meat from grass fed animals
and eggs from free range grass fed chickens.

7. Switching to the Paleo Diet is typically not easy. People
who attempt to switch often go through withdrawal like
symptoms and can become irritable. Once a person has
been on this diet for a week or two, these symptoms
should subside.

8. There are many good resources for learning more about
this diet on the internet. I would encourage anyone who
wants to learn more to read some of Dr. Loren Cordain's
writings. Robb Wolf also has written a good deal about it. I
would also encourage anyone who see's some common
sense in the science behind this diet to just give the diet a
try. You may be glad you did!

9. http://www.losslbs.info/