Three Benefits of the Paleo Diet

Camille & Bret McClellan
Jul 25, 2015
3 min read

In the ancient times, early men lived on food taken from their local environment. Their diet was comprised mostly of meat, vegetables, nuts and fruits. Despite the simplicity of their diet, ancient human beings were immune from most diseases. They were also lean and very physically fit. Compared to modern men, they are widely considered to have been much healthier.

The Roots of the Paleo Diet

This is the reason why gastroenterologist Walter Voegtlin studied the diet of early men. In the 1970s, Voegtlin conceptualized the Stone Age Diet or what we now know as the Paleo Diet. He tried the diet on his patients and his experiment yielded markedly positive results. The Stone Age Diet helped his patients with health problems such as colitis, Crohn’s Disease, indigestion and irritable bowel syndrome. He published his study through his book entitled Stone Age Diet: Based on In-Depth Studies of Human Ecology and the Diet of Man.

Voegtlin’s study was later revisited by radiologist Stanley Boyd Eaton and university professor Melvin Konner. It was then popularized in the 21st century by Paleo movement founder Dr. Loren Cordain.

What is the Paleo Diet?

The Paleo Diet goes by several names, such as the Caveman Diet or Ancestral Diet, and is incorporated into the Primal Blueprint lifestyle. It operates on the concept that the ideal diet is based on how early humans ate during the Paleolithic era. This is the era that lasted for 2.5 million years and ended about 10,000 years ago when farming was introduced to mankind during the Agricultural (or Neolithic) Revolution.

What are the benefits of the Paleo Diet?

Leaner Physique

For protein, the Paleo Diet relies heavily on animal meat, which is highly anabolic and is therefore useful in building muscle mass. As you grow bigger, stronger muscles, your metabolism also improves. This improvement reduces the amount of stored fat in your body, giving you a leaner physique. With a leaner physique, not only will you feel more confident about your body, but you will also be physically strong enough to handle daily stresses.

Natural Detoxification

When you observe the Paleo Diet, you stop eating foods that are rich in trans fats, refined sugar, gluten, MSG, and other processed and potentially toxic ingredients. By saying goodbye to these kinds of food, you are giving your body the chance to rest and detoxify itself. The Paleo Diet also involves eating fruits rich in antioxidants. These antioxidants help to cleanse your body of built-up toxins.

Many followers report that they have felt lighter and “cleaner” since they turned to the Paleo Diet. They also claim to feel more clear-headed after trying the diet for only a few days. Others detoxify their bodies through extreme measures like juicing, however, the Paleo Diet does not necessarily promote extremes and instead recommends moderation. You can still eat to satiety while your body is cleansing itself.

Healthy Weight Loss

There are many other diets that guarantee weight loss but not all of them promote healthy weight loss. Healthy weight loss is an entirely different concept than simply losing weight. Healthy weight loss entails losing weight without compromising your body’s immune system. With the Paleo Diet, you even strengthen your body’s ability to fight disease while you lose weight. Most experience significantly reduced inflammation and allergies.

These are only three of the numerous benefits that you can enjoy if you choose the Paleo Diet. It is certainly not a one-size-fits-all approach, but is instead a simple template upon which you can build your own strategy for optimal health. Given today's readily available, chemically processed and potentially toxic food-like products, a Paleo-styled "reset" of your digestive tract is highly beneficial for the vast majority of people with health issues.

At McClellan Natural Health, Wellness & Nutrition, we specialize in answering your questions and providing the expert guidance and motivation to help you attain your goal to become the healthiest YOU possible. It all starts when you decide to make a change!