What is the paleo diet?

The paleo diet dates back to a 1985 medical paper defending the idea that modern dietary habits are less healthy and less natural than those of our hunter-gatherer ancestors. However, the diet only became the full-on fad it is today after the book The Paleo Diet by Loren Cordain was published in 2002.

A paleo diet emphasizes foods that would have been available before the development of agriculture, such as lean meats, fish, nuts and vegetables. Anything relying on agriculture is eliminated from the diet. This includes dairy, cereals, legumes and sugary foods.

Proponents of the paleo diet tout that it improves intellectual and athletic performance and promotes weight loss. It’s also believed to help individuals gain muscle mass, reduce fatigue, stave off digestive irregularities and prevent conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and heart disease.

Despite these claims, however, the health benefits of the diet haven’t been strongly established. Additionally, while eating more vegetables and cutting out processed foods and sugar is definitely a good idea, there are risks associated with the diet.

For starters, eliminating entire food groups can lead to nutritional deficiencies. More¬over, the diet is high in red meat. Heavy consumption of red meat has been associated with increased risks of digestive cancers, heart disease and stroke. In addition, while fish is a healthy source of protein, varieties like tuna and northern pike may contain high amounts of mercury, which is toxic.

In sum, while the paleo diet offers some benefits, following it also comes with a fair amount of risk. If you’re interested in changing your diet, be sure to consult with a health care professional to make sure it’s the right choice for you.