A Comparison: The Modern Diet Versus The Paleolithic Diet

Modern diets contain synthetic and hydrogenated fats, which were totally absent in prehistoric diets. The amounts of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids are also important: earlier game animals contained higher levels of these fatty acids than present domesticated animals. Moreover, the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids is 10:1 in the modern diet but it was only 2:1 in the diet of our ancestors.

Quantities of fish, seafood and lean meat were quite high compared to modern recommendations as well. Sources of carbs are very important: the hunter-gatherers consumed adequate levels of carbohydrates but they came mostly from fruits, vegetables and nuts. The major source of carbohydrates at present is grains.

Though this comparison of two diets is not very stringent, it might help to identify the differences and point to the causes of disorders that result from the changes in diet patterns. Overall, Paleolithic diet was richer in unsaturated fatty acids, vitamins and cholesterol as opposed to carbs, energy density, glycemic load and saturated fatty acids.

Were Our Ancestors Healthier?

Research shows that hunter-gatherers had lower blood pressure, less than 120/80 mmHg (the norm of modern days). Blood pressure did not increase with age as is common in the modern population. Their bodies were more sensitive to insulin, with lower levels of fasting insulin levels. They had a lower BMI and waist-to-height ratio. TCT values (tricipital skinfold thickness which indicates body fat content) were also lower. Our ancestors had stronger bones and hence, low fracture cases were observed as indicated by studies evaluating bone health markers of ancient humans.

Effects Of Adopting A Paleolithic Diet

Multiple studies have been conducted to investigate the effect of adopting a Paleolithic diet and to understand if the Paleolithic diet could really help in improving the health status. When a typical diabetes diet was compared to the Paleolithic diet for diabetes type 2 patients, the latter provided better satiety, weight loss and improved blood sugar levels. Levels of HDL cholesterol (“good” cholesterol) went higher while waist and BMI values were found to decrease.

Another study conducted in 2009 on healthy individuals demonstrated that consuming Paleolithic diet even for few days improved the metabolism and physiology of the body. Improvements in glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, blood pressure levels and lipid concentration in plasma were observed. It was also found that coronary heart disease symptoms were improved and the risk factors decreased when cholesterol and total fat in diet was adjusted as per Paleolithic diet instead of modern diet recommendations.

See Also: Surprising Problem Foods For The Paleo Diet

Experimental results clearly indicate that Paleolithic diet does have positive effects on the metabolism and physiology of the body in healthy individuals as well as in patients of specific diseases. This diet has found to improve health quality as compared to other diets like Mediterranean diet, healthy western diet and diabetes diet.