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Paleo Diet evolution - Who started the paleo diet?
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You've heard of the Caveman Diet. The paleo diet includes healthy foods like grass fed beef and veggies that only "cavemen" would've had access to. OK, but why? This article answers that question. This article demonstrates how we went from eating figs and berries to being the most advanced living species on the planet! At least how diet may have helped anyway.
Obviously other factors like sexual preference also played a huge role in evolution, however this article suggests how meat inclusion may have been the catalyst for that.
Obviously other factors like sexual preference also played a huge role in evolution, however this article suggests how meat inclusion may have been the catalyst for that.
Ape AncestorsPrimates can be traced back around 50 million years ago. By starting here, you can see how we got to where we are today through analysis.
By doing this you will learn how the inclusion of meat and healthy fats helped humans evolved into the smartest animals on the planet. It makes sense to eat a diet which consists of the same foods we've adapted the ability to digest; that's what the paleo diet is all about. If early primates had similar dietary habits of current primates (chimps, bonobos, etc), diet was likely comprised of fruits, leaves, gums and stalks.Other options (but much less) would've included insects, eggs, and small animals that they were able to kill/scavenge (Eaton). |
Paleo Diet Evolution
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Protein would have been higher than modern humans, however consisting mostly from plant proteins. These are incomplete proteins that don't have all the building blocks for life. Simple carbohydrates (like processed foods) would be much lower than humans, however fiber (from vegetables) intake was much greater due to plant materiel being consumed at a rate of 200 g vs 20 g/day which is what's recommended today.
Vitamins and Minerals were considerably higher due to plant material (amount and type of vitamins/minerals is related to
location). Naturally, the diet consisted of little to no salt, and fat and cholesterol would be much lower as well (Eaton).
To review, our early ancestors ate a low protein, high carbohydrate diet consisting of fibrous foods like vegetables. At this time we would have been living in the trees and in a completely different world which provides more access to plant foods (more forest = more food).
Vitamins and Minerals were considerably higher due to plant material (amount and type of vitamins/minerals is related to
location). Naturally, the diet consisted of little to no salt, and fat and cholesterol would be much lower as well (Eaton).
To review, our early ancestors ate a low protein, high carbohydrate diet consisting of fibrous foods like vegetables. At this time we would have been living in the trees and in a completely different world which provides more access to plant foods (more forest = more food).
Paleolithic Age
There are many changes that took place that give reason to believe that our ancestors eventually decided to leave the forest. There is no way to know for sure, but this is likely due to a bottleneck; either population growth or simply the geography changed which required our ancestors travel longer distances to gather food (forests spread).
Evidence suggests that as we began to evolve, our ancestors went from being scavengers to a forager; we went from surviving to thriving. Based off tooth records it's likely that this change was due to the inclusion of animal flesh.
Living as a forager, our ancestors would have thrived off the land, eating anything and everything they could get their hands on. Eventually they would learn to hunt and fish which would supply healthy fat to the brain leading to brain development!
This inclusion of meat, marrow, nuts and seeds would increase brain size while also providing sustained energy for scavenging longer distances (something few mammals can do without exhaustion or losing interest). Around 2.5 million years ago, evidence shows animal meat began playing a more prominent role in the diet. Evidence for this includes decrease molar size, changes in shape of incisor, and less cranial robusticy (size/thickness). These changes were perfect for grinding and tearing meat.
It is believed that the inclusion of meat (protein and fat) is responsible for the transition from Australopithecines to our more recognizable species; Homo Erectus. With increased brain function due to healthy fats, the usage of tools allowed greater access to meat, marrow, and brain of wild animals. Foods such as these (marrow) are still favored by many people today as they are so nutrient-dense.
This increased brain function is the main difference between the early hominids and the Homo Sapiens, our cranial capacity is 3x the size of Australopithecus Afarensis. This increased brain function allows socializing, making plans, tools, and this was likely due to the inclusion of fats which have proven over and over to improve cognitive function in humans.
The inclusion of meat and healthy fats would supply so many nutrients in a dense food that it allowed the inclusion of less nutrient dense tubers, but with the trade-off of more energizing (Mcbroom, 1999). Those with access to meat and carbs such as tubers (Paleo Evolved) would have had the benefit of being able to replace vegetables and fruit (which is hard to find and less satiating) and still have enough glucose to supply the brain.
More nutrient dense foods would have allowed our ancestors to travel longer distances, thus also expanding intelligence.
With the reduction of fruit and vegetables came a decline in fiber and other phytochemicals. It is also a theory that with the inclusion of meat (providing us with methionine and cysteine), these chemicals helped in neutralizing the toxic chemicals “cyanogenic glycosides” found in grains that disrupt the intestinal tract. This leads us into the Neolithic Period where we see evidence for agriculture and the inclusion of grain leading to civilizations.
Evidence suggests that as we began to evolve, our ancestors went from being scavengers to a forager; we went from surviving to thriving. Based off tooth records it's likely that this change was due to the inclusion of animal flesh.
Living as a forager, our ancestors would have thrived off the land, eating anything and everything they could get their hands on. Eventually they would learn to hunt and fish which would supply healthy fat to the brain leading to brain development!
This inclusion of meat, marrow, nuts and seeds would increase brain size while also providing sustained energy for scavenging longer distances (something few mammals can do without exhaustion or losing interest). Around 2.5 million years ago, evidence shows animal meat began playing a more prominent role in the diet. Evidence for this includes decrease molar size, changes in shape of incisor, and less cranial robusticy (size/thickness). These changes were perfect for grinding and tearing meat.
It is believed that the inclusion of meat (protein and fat) is responsible for the transition from Australopithecines to our more recognizable species; Homo Erectus. With increased brain function due to healthy fats, the usage of tools allowed greater access to meat, marrow, and brain of wild animals. Foods such as these (marrow) are still favored by many people today as they are so nutrient-dense.
This increased brain function is the main difference between the early hominids and the Homo Sapiens, our cranial capacity is 3x the size of Australopithecus Afarensis. This increased brain function allows socializing, making plans, tools, and this was likely due to the inclusion of fats which have proven over and over to improve cognitive function in humans.
The inclusion of meat and healthy fats would supply so many nutrients in a dense food that it allowed the inclusion of less nutrient dense tubers, but with the trade-off of more energizing (Mcbroom, 1999). Those with access to meat and carbs such as tubers (Paleo Evolved) would have had the benefit of being able to replace vegetables and fruit (which is hard to find and less satiating) and still have enough glucose to supply the brain.
More nutrient dense foods would have allowed our ancestors to travel longer distances, thus also expanding intelligence.
With the reduction of fruit and vegetables came a decline in fiber and other phytochemicals. It is also a theory that with the inclusion of meat (providing us with methionine and cysteine), these chemicals helped in neutralizing the toxic chemicals “cyanogenic glycosides” found in grains that disrupt the intestinal tract. This leads us into the Neolithic Period where we see evidence for agriculture and the inclusion of grain leading to civilizations.
Neolithic Era
Cereal Grain
Early humans discovered that grains could be stored and used in times of food shortage; famine. However without being cooked (difficult then), grains are indigestible and therefor this was not an ideal food source. With an increasing population and the same amount of game, grain foods would become a more attractive option to supply a small civilization, eventually to become a major food source. However, it is important to note that we are the other living primates that eat cereal grains regularly (Eaton).
Increased cereal grain consumption obviously led to less fruits and veggies which was a major staple previously. With these changes and exclusion of fruits and veggies (as low as 20% vs 65% previously), vitamin and mineral consumption fell as well. This is not good because many fruits and veggies have proven to fight against cancer while grains…well we can only find 1 case where it helps where veggies wouldn't work better – esophageal cancer. Grains do provide some nutrients, which we did eventually adapt to absorb, however not the same nutrients we evolved and thrived from.
Increased cereal grain consumption obviously led to less fruits and veggies which was a major staple previously. With these changes and exclusion of fruits and veggies (as low as 20% vs 65% previously), vitamin and mineral consumption fell as well. This is not good because many fruits and veggies have proven to fight against cancer while grains…well we can only find 1 case where it helps where veggies wouldn't work better – esophageal cancer. Grains do provide some nutrients, which we did eventually adapt to absorb, however not the same nutrients we evolved and thrived from.
Industrial Era
The Industrial Era further distanced our diet from that of our ancestors. We started consuming alcohol and sugar cane. Cold pressing allowed vegetable oils to be created using corn, sunflower, and safflower which are extremely rich in Omega 6 (w-6), thus putting an imbalance in the omega 3-6 ratio (Our ratio has gone from 1:2 to up to 1:15 or more).
The beef industry has also benefited from producing fat, unhealthy cows that produce mass amounts of meat, including unhealthy fats. They accomplish this through feeding the animals grain foods and hormones, thus creating larger fat stores and tastier meat (rather than grass food like it’s natural diet). Also, due to improper diet, cows are not only fattier, but the fat has also been deprived of its omega 3 content!
The industrial revolution also introduced commercially prepared food and even further distanced us from our original Paleolithic Diet– processed foods full of ingredients that most people cannot even recognize. Many of these foods include salt, refined flour, sugar/corn sweetener, and the evil trans-fatty acids. These foods taste great and have a great shelf life. These foods also however disrupt our bodies natural tendencies and making us…fat and ill. Literally.
The beef industry has also benefited from producing fat, unhealthy cows that produce mass amounts of meat, including unhealthy fats. They accomplish this through feeding the animals grain foods and hormones, thus creating larger fat stores and tastier meat (rather than grass food like it’s natural diet). Also, due to improper diet, cows are not only fattier, but the fat has also been deprived of its omega 3 content!
The industrial revolution also introduced commercially prepared food and even further distanced us from our original Paleolithic Diet– processed foods full of ingredients that most people cannot even recognize. Many of these foods include salt, refined flour, sugar/corn sweetener, and the evil trans-fatty acids. These foods taste great and have a great shelf life. These foods also however disrupt our bodies natural tendencies and making us…fat and ill. Literally.
Take Home Message -- Paleolithic Diet and Evolution
Grains |
We are the only primates to include grains as a major staple in the diet (40-90%), and due to this, we have excluded many vegetables. Phytochemicals have been proven to fight against multiple different types of cancer in the body, while grains have only been shown to possibly prevent one type of cancer (Eaton). This is another example of why we need to replace grains with fruits and vegetables. This doesn’t mean completely avoid grains, just don't make grain foods the staple of your diet.
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Energy |
With food so easy accessible, energy consumption has increased while energy exertion has decreased. This has resulted in less overall muscle mass and more fat deposits in the modern human. That is not something to be proud of. We are de-evolving at this point. Killing ourselves.
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Insulin Resistance |
With more fat than muscle and little exercise, glucose from the blood is not pulled into the muscle (for fuel) which causes an overflow of glucose in the blood due to constantly consuming simple carbohydrates. This leads to type 2 diabetes…The body can’t use all of the glucose so it will adapt and reject it.
This is known as insulin resistance. The body is all about maintaining homeostasis and it knows what it wants, whether or not you do… |
Why You Need To Switch To The Paleolithic Diet Now!
It’s arguable whether or not gluten, dairy, and a few other “off limits” Paleolithic foods are really the enemy here. Do they disrupt our intestinal tract and cause problems in excess? Definitely. Will a bagel on a Wednesday when you forgot to make lunch kill you, likely no.
What this does show us however is there are far better choices than grains and dairy that can provide the same
nutrients at less of a cost to your health. Your doctor will tell you to eat more whole grains to lower your
cholesterol. They tell you this because the fiber in whole grains helps remove LDL (bad cholesterol) from our
blood. What they don’t tell you is that refined carbohydrates are likely the culprit for your high cholesterol, not eggs or beef. Omega 3 eggs and Grass Fed beef are rich in healthy fats that actually help your heart. Not only was the doctor wrong about blaming red meat, but he failed to realize that fruits and vegetables have much more fiber, vitamins, and minerals than whole grains, without disrupting our intestinal tract. Wow.
That is why the Paleolithic Diet is the Best Diet!
Questions? Comments? Other Ideas? Comment below!
What this does show us however is there are far better choices than grains and dairy that can provide the same
nutrients at less of a cost to your health. Your doctor will tell you to eat more whole grains to lower your
cholesterol. They tell you this because the fiber in whole grains helps remove LDL (bad cholesterol) from our
blood. What they don’t tell you is that refined carbohydrates are likely the culprit for your high cholesterol, not eggs or beef. Omega 3 eggs and Grass Fed beef are rich in healthy fats that actually help your heart. Not only was the doctor wrong about blaming red meat, but he failed to realize that fruits and vegetables have much more fiber, vitamins, and minerals than whole grains, without disrupting our intestinal tract. Wow.
That is why the Paleolithic Diet is the Best Diet!
Questions? Comments? Other Ideas? Comment below!
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McBroom, Patricia. "Meat-eating was essential for human evolution, says UC
Berkeley anthropologist specializing in diet." University of California, Berkeley 14 6 1999. www.berkeley.edu. 14 6 1999. University of California, Berkeley. 6/25/1012 <http://berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/99legacy/6-14-1999a.html>. Eaton, , S.Boyd. Evolution, Diet and Health. Departments of Anthropology and Radiology, Emory University. 6/24/2012 |
