Diet stone age Diet-Primitive man
Europe and America back to the rules of primitive power. Diet Paleolithic times strictly comply with such famous Hollywood actors like Robert De Niro and Hilary Swank. What is the secret of the incredible popularity diet of the Stone Age?
On the Paleolithic diet says one of the founders of this direction, whose authority is recognized around the world today - a professor at Colorado State University, USA Laurent Kordeyn.
- Professor, why do you recommend people to return to the diet of our distant ancestors? After millions of years our life has changed drastically.
- Life has changed, but the genetic pattern remains virtually unchanged. Imagine: a hundred thousand generations of humans were hunters and gatherers. The next five hundred generations depended on the achievements of agriculture. Last ten live in the industrial age. And just the last two generations are "children" of fast food and high technology in the diet.

At the dawn of evolution, our ancestors did not use any grain products, no dairy, no sugar, no alcohol. But nothing of the various chemical food additives we do not come. This situation lasted for many hundreds of years, and then there came a sudden qualitative leap, and the entire system of power has changed.
But genetically, our body is tuned precisely to food since the Stone Age. Genes not had time to "adjust" to new realities. The body was forced to adapt to changes in nutrition. The outcome of this process was the emergence of diseases, not existed in earlier times. This cardiovascular disease, arthritis, diabetes, obesity, cancer. According to recent data, namely the power today to blame for 75% of premature deaths.
- But the duration of life of primitive people were much shorter than ours.
- Yes, ancient people lived about 30 years. The cause of early death, if we exclude the forced withdrawal from life, were a variety of bacteria. But today we can easily cope with these problems with health and achievements of pharmacology. For a long time we watched the power of so-called primitive peoples, lost in remote corners of the planet. Their "diet" is practically not changed for thousands of years.
As a result, these tribes were virtually non-obese, diabetes, hypertension, cancer, have more endurance and strength. But when they are faced with the achievements of modern civilization and the transition to modern nutrition, the situation changes drastically. Very quickly they bought all the ills that now have become a scourge of our society.
- What are the main differences between our present supply from the Palaeolithic diet?
- Radically changed the ratio of plant and animal food. Primitive people received 65% of all energy from animal food and 35% - with the plant. The proportion of protein in their diet was 37%, fat - 22%, and carbohydrates - 41%. The current situation is this: 15% protein, 34% fat and 49% carbohydrates. It turns out that today we consume half as much fat. And most of them - the harmful saturated fats, processed with the help of modern technology.
The diet of primitive man was very rich in fiber - its daily rate exceeded 100 grams. And now consider a good indicator of 25-30 grams daily. Ancient people, moreover, not in the habit of salt or sweeten the food, and even more so watered her fat.
- How to look like the diet of primitive man?
- He was quite diverse, with plenty of fiber, vitamins and antioxidants. Here are the main product groups, which included a "diet" Paleolithic man:
1 large number of fruits and vegetables daily. They contain phytonutrients and antioxidants that can prevent many diseases, including cancer and heart disease.
2 Pods. Along with fruits and vegetables, they formed the basis of dietary fiber and delivered.
3 meat of wild animals and birds. In the diet of our ancestors was about 35% of the protein. In this case the meat in those days it was very dry and mostly healthy fats contain omega-3.
4 Nuts. They were a source of healthy fats and various nutrients.
5 Various roots, shoots, tubers and other products, which today you hardly find on sale.
Naturally, all these products have been rough, containing no dyes, preservatives and flavorings that are so abundant in our food.
- Primitive man was spending an enormous amount of energy to survive. To maintain strength and health, he needed much more food than we do now.
- Exactly, primitive man had a very active lifestyle, and its caloric intake, according to our calculations often exceed 3-4 thousand calories. But nobody suggests that we should blindly copy this food - the more so because it is hardly possible. We can only learn the basic principles that will allow us to significantly improve your diet.
Of course, today we are not able to have daily pounds of vegetables and fruits, and should take additional vitamin supplements. But the fact that we should have more of such products is undeniable. By the way, the active life of our ancestors also contributed to the health of their heart and blood vessels.
- How can observe the diet of the Stone Age "in the present conditions? Can we just give up, for example, from grain products?
- To eat or not a grain - is a private matter. Some researchers believe that it is this group of products causes problems with digestion, stomach and bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis and other diseases. In my opinion, in order to feel better enough to abandon purified and refined grains, and switch to whole grains.
The same situation is with dairy products. The diet of primitive man, they were absent, but today we can not exclude them from the diet. The danger of only saturated dairy fats. So we may choose the best low-fat products.
- And from what kind of food, in your opinion, should completely avoid?
- First of all, it's all sugar and sweeteners. Primitive people were familiar only with wild honey, which is rich in many beneficial substances. Believe me, the rejection of refined sugar will not bring you nothing but good. After all, sugar and sweet foods contribute to higher blood pressure, and also affect the production of insulin, causing diabetes and many cardiovascular diseases.
Very carefully you should choose fats. In the Paleolithic era was not, for example, trans-fatty acids, which is rich in our present table. Minimally attended and saturated fats. Council then one: Read labels carefully as possible and focus on olive oil or flaxseed oil, nuts and fatty types of fish. Remember: the excess of harmful fats in the diet leads to heart disease, obesity, inflammatory diseases of the joints.
- What can we do? Fruits and vegetables?
- The range of useful and natural products is quite wide. The general principle is: more natural products and as little as possible processed, as well as a minimum of fats and sugars. In the diet must include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, various herbs and roots.
Try to eat fresh, uncooked food. For example, a whole raw carrot is much more preferable than grated or boiled. But oats, barley or rye flakes, without any additives will bring much more useful than a piece of bread, cereal or cake.
- What benefits can the Paleolithic diet health?
- It is useful for the prevention and treatment of diabetes, obesity and many related diseases. Large number of fiber in the diet protects against many diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
This diet will also help reduce the risk of cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Effectively it will be for the prevention of allergic diseases. In addition, all those who follow this diet, markedly increases the level of vitality, people become more active and positive mood, increasing their immunity.
- Will a diet for those who want to lose weight?
- Undoubtedly. You can lose your extra pounds, but will not suffer from loss of strength and bad mood. In this diet high in fiber, which slows absorption of carbohydrates, regulates insulin levels and thus contributes to fat loss.
In addition, fiber is a significant amount in the stomach, contributing to a feeling of satiety. Lack of sugar and harmful fats, vitamins and trace elements are also a lot of help getting rid of extra pounds. It will be absolutely healthy weight loss, which will benefit your health.