As new studies come out, dieticians and nutritionists are able to create new diets that better suit the population. The new trendy diet usually practiced amongst celebrities is called the Paleolithic diet, or Paleo diet for short. Celebrities like Issa Rae and Justin Baldoni (who both made our Fittest Hollywood Rising Actors and Actresses lists!) indulge in this paleolithic lifestyle. What makes this diet so special? Is it actually effective? Keep reading to find out!
As the name implies, the paleolithic diet is a caveman’s diet meaning that the food one consumes are foods thought to be eaten in the paleolithic times, free of preservatives, high fructose corn syrup and in its most natural form. This diet is high in protein and low in carbohydrates, it consists of mainly dairy products, grain, and legumes. Here is a list of 10 benefits associated with the paleo diet.
Healthier Brain
Fish high in Omega 3, legumes, fruits and vegetables are components of the Paleo diet that promote healthy cognitive functions. For example, salmon is an oily fish high in Omega 3. Omega 3 contains DHA which is good for the brain and other organs, it has been shown to decrease the risk of degenerative diseases.
Weight Loss
Most of the foods associated with the paleo diet are natural and nutrient dense. The Paleo diet is about finding a balance between fruits, vegetables, and meat. Because the diet promotes natural food produced from the earth, preservatives and high fructose corn syrup will not account for the excess calories associated with a typical diet. A balanced meal increases mineral and vitamin intake and also helps control the number of calories consumed which can in return cause weight loss.
Increases Energy
The paleo diet encourages the consumption of foods that are natural. Grass-fed cows, antibiotic-free chickens, dark leafy greens and water is a very good natural source of energy. Vitamin B12 is a vitamin that turns food into energy, most meat products are high in Vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause numbness tingling and weakness.
Healthier Digestive system
As society ages, we see a trend of preventable diseases, heart disease caused by plaque build-up in the coronary arteries and diabetes type 2 linked to obesity, most of these diseases are caused by our choice in diet. Food additives are linked to obesity and other digestive problems, luckily the paleo diet consists of foods free of additives and preservatives. These foods are easily broken down and used for essential bodily functions without causing extra harm.
Gain Muscle and lose fat
Proteins are a complex molecule essential for bodily functions, they are also the building block for muscles, in order to gain muscle athletes increase their intake of protein. In order to gain muscle, mass protein is needed, muscle in return helps burn fat. The paleo diet is a diet that is high in protein and low in carbohydrates. In order to increase muscle mass, it is recommended to consume at least 1.2 to 1.7 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. Simply increase the number of foods high in protein to increase muscle mass.
Reduces toxins
Toxins are a poison produced from plants and animal they serve as a mechanism of protection. There are natural and man-made toxins, natural toxins from edible plants are harmless to the human body but foods with added sugars, mercury in fish, plants infected with pesticides and trans fats produce an unhealthy amount of toxins in the body. Eliminating these type of foods from your diet, and eating fruits and vegetables high in vitamin C can reduce the number of toxins in your body.
Intake of more vitamins and minerals
Vitamins and minerals are important for bodily function, there are two categories of vitamins and minerals: nonessential and essential. Nonessential implies that the body is capable of producing it, essential on the other hand cannot be produced by the body and therefore should be obtained by our diet. The paleo diet ensures that all the essential and nonessential vitamins are consumed, the variety of fruit, vegetables, dairy, and poultry results in a variety of vitamins and minerals.
Better Immune system
Certain fruits and vegetables encourage a healthier immune system. For example, spinach is a leafy green that contains many vitamins such as vitamin A, C, E. Vitamin C, and E are particularly important for a well functioning immune system. Citrus fruits and leafy greens, in general, contain a relatively high amount of Vitamin C and E.
Balanced diet
A balanced diet is a diet that contains all the elements needed for maximum bodily functions, it consist of adequate amounts of the five categories of a plate, and the decreased consumption of foods high in sugar and trans and saturated fats. Grains, protein, fruit, vegetables, and dairy are all important in our diet there limits to the amount of each we can consume in order for our diet to be balanced. The Paleo diet encourages the consumption of all the four categories with exception to grains, it is recommended to reduce grains or consume wheat.
Reduce inflammation
Antioxidants are found in fruits and vegetables, their function is to reduce free radicals in the body, as well as inflammation. Before antiinflammatory medicine was created, mankind had to rely on natural remedies to reduce inflammation. Consuming fruits and vegetables can reduce inflammation in the body without increasing the risk of stroke contrary to anti-inflammatory medicines. Foods high in antioxidants are berries, leafy greens, and beans.
 indulge in this paleolithic lifestyle. What makes this diet so special? Is it actually effective? Keep reading to figure out!){kind=link}