![]() |
|
September 9th, 2011
10:21 AM ET
Is the Paleo diet healthy?Every weekday, a CNNHealth expert doctor answers a viewer question. On Friday, it's Dr. Melina Jampolis, a physician nutrition specialist. Question asked by Courtney L. from Pittsburgh: I am obese and have been working on losing weight for three years. I have been working with nutritionists and personal trainers instead of fad dieting. On the Web, I stumbled upon the Paleolithic (Paleo) diet. Is this lifestyle change beneficial despite the promotion of saturated fats and cholesterol? Hi, Courtney. I applaud you for staying away from fad diets in an attempt to lose weight. Most fad diets are simply not sustainable long term, which leads to weight regain, and their impact on overall health has not been established. Unfortunately, in my opinion, the Paleo diet falls into the fad diet category. While there are many different versions of the diet with slightly different rules, the general principle of the diet involves eating foods that can be hunted and fished (meat, seafood - grass-fed, wild and organic are encouraged) or gathered (eggs, fruits, nuts, seeds, vegetables and herbs). Dairy, legumes, salt, grains, refined sugar, processed oils, potatoes (including sweet potatoes) and alcohol are excluded from the diet. Basically, this is a high-protein, relatively low-carb diet. The positive aspects of this diet are that it eliminates processed foods, a major source of added sugar, salt and fat in the American diet. The diet also eliminates sugar and refined grains, both of which contribute to obesity and diabetes and can lead to increases in dangerous belly fat, which has been linked to heart disease, Alzheimer's disease and cancer. In addition, the diet encourages a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, nuts (except peanuts, which are legumes) and seeds, all of which are an important part of a healthy, balanced diet. The cons are: 1. The diet eliminates dairy, an affordable and widely available source of bone-building calcium (and vitamin D when dairy foods are fortified) and protein (yes, calcium can be obtained from greens and other foods, but it is more challenging to consume adequate amounts.) 2. The diet eliminates all grains, including whole grains, which are a good source of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and heart healthy fiber, and foods such as beans, peanuts and sweet potatoes, all of which have numerous health-promoting qualities. 3. The diet is high in animal protein, which could lead to an excess intake of saturated fat, resulting in elevated cholesterol levels, an increased risk of heart disease and increased risk of certain types of cancer. 4. Finally, the diet can be expensive (grass-fed, organic meats and eggs are more expensive) and inconvenient due to the limitation of food choices, both of which make this diet less practical for the average person long term. Overall, I would steer clear of the Paleo diet, but we can take away something from our ancestors by eating foods closer to their natural state (less processed), which are more nutrient-dense and digested more slowly by the body. In most cases, they lead to better hunger control, more stable blood sugar levels and weight loss if calories are reduced and exercise is increased (as it sounds like they are in your case). Got a question for our experts? Submit it here and make sure to follow Dr. Melina Jampolis on Twitter. |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() About this blog
Get a behind-the-scenes look at the latest stories from CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Senior Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen and the CNN Medical Unit producers. They'll share news and views on health and medical trends - info that will help you take better care of yourself and the people you love. |
|
An impressive share! I've just forwarded this onto a coworker who has been doing a little research on this. And he actually ordered me dinner because I found it for him... lol. So allow me to reword this.... Thank YOU for the meal!! But yeah, thanx for spending time to talk about this topic here on your website.
https://extraproxies.com/buy-proxies/200-proxy-pack/
buy viagra from canada https://canadaviagrastore.com/ viagra in canada
cialis canadian https://canadacialisstore.com/ canadian meds cialis
canadian meds cialis https://canadacialisstore.com/ canadian pharmacy cialis no prescription
avanafil stendra avana tablet
buy avanafil uk avana drug
bookmarked!!, I really like your blog!
https://cse.google.hr/url?sa=j&url=https://aikareborn.com
When I originally commented I appear to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time a comment is added I recieve 4 emails with the same comment. Perhaps there is an easy method you are able to remove me from that service? Thanks!
https://image.google.me/url?sa=i&rct=j&url=https://fleettruckrepairshop.com
Very good blog post. I definitely appreciate this site. Continue the good work!
http://www.stepchina.com/uchome/link.php?url=https://www.masteringthemanwithin.com
http://stroneks.ru/bitrix/redirect.php?event1=&event2=&event3=&goto=https://ocrvcenter.org
https://images.google.tn/url?sa=t&rct=j&url=https://menmastermind.com
I was excited to discover this website. I wanted to thank you for your time just for this wonderful read!! I definitely enjoyed every part of it and i also have you book marked to look at new information in your website.
https://cse.google.sc/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://realchrisburns.com
https://clients1.google.com.sb/url?rct=j&sa=t&url=https3A2F2Fmasteringthemanwithin.com&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGaY_nlK9ozc51fqwjiVdMaYZL7rg
There's definately a lot to know about this topic. I really like all the points you have made.
http://xn--e1anfbken.xn--p1ai/redirect?url=https://arizonasvision.com
http://www.solbackenxl.se/redir.asp?linkto=www.aikareborn.com
https://clients1.google.bf/url?q=https3A2F2Faikareborn.com&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGaY_nlK9ozc51fqwjiVdMaYZL7rg
Everything is very open with a very clear explanation of the issues. It was definitely informative. Your site is useful. Thanks for sharing!
https://clients1.google.be/url?rct=i&sa=t&url=https://ocrvmotorsports.org
Commenting on a blog is an art. Good comments create relations. You're doing great work. Keep it up.
http://contraloriavalledupar.gov.co/index.php/forum/user/208497-isabellaoreilly22
choroquine https://chloroquineorigin.com/ chloroquine phosphate medicine
Commenting on a blog is an art. Good comments create relations. You're doing great work. Keep it up.
https://contentcalendar.io/chinese-martial-art-work-fan-zi-quan-shuai-jiao-go-ti-boxing/
Thanks for the information.
https://tcnmicrosites.com/the-price-of-payday-loans/
carry on, dont stop
https://patch.com/north-carolina/raleigh/ep/2022792/nodx
http://namore.info/ads/adclick.php?bannerid=282&zoneid=5&source=&dest=https://www.anchoredperformancegym.com
https://image.google.fm/url?sa=j&rct=j&url=https://ocrvshop.com
http://dce.my-pta.org/index.asp?Redirect=True&RedirectPage=http://www.eyedoctorphoenixaz.com
https://images.google.ge/url?sa=j&url=https://fleetautorepairshop.com
https://200-155-82-24.bradesco.com.br/conteudo/pessoa-fisica/popExt.aspx?url=https://www.forkliftrepairshop.com
https://maps.google.com.sg/url?q=https://allbrewsupplies.com
You've made some decent points there. I looked on the internet to find out more about the issue and found most individuals will go along with your views on this site.
http://www.michaelparham.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=www.forkliftdealernearme.com
This site truly has all of the info I needed about this subject and didn’t know who to ask.
http://28123593.aestore.com.tw/Web/turn.php?ad_id=59&link=http://www.coolcatsupplystore.com
https://ascendents.net/?v=ZHUFNkLBHms
I really like it when people get together and share thoughts. Great blog, stick with it!
http://candyaddict.com/blog/?wptouch_switch=desktop&redirect=https3A2F2Fwww.allbrewsupplies.com
http://mail.alfa.mk/redir.hsp?url=https://promotionalproductsforless.com
Spot on with this write-up, I absolutely think this amazing site needs much more attention. I’ll probably be back again to read more, thanks for the information!
https://androidmafia.ru/video/B22mt-byN0M
http://achievementplus.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=affordableranking.com
http://nissan-franklin.org/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrvcenter.com
Everything is very open with a precise description of the challenges. It was really informative. Your website is extremely helpful. Many thanks for sharing!
https://komaba-eminence.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=affordableranking.com
http://www.1333brewerypark.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=affordableranking.com
https://www.volpaiasociety.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=affordableranking.com
This is a good tip particularly to those new to the blogosphere. Brief but very accurate information… Thanks for sharing this one. A must read post!
https://hvg-dgg.de/veranstaltungen.html?jumpurl=http3A2F2Faffordableranking.com
http://www.helixturnhelix.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=affordableranking.com
Greetings! Very helpful advice in this particular post! It's the little changes which will make the greatest changes. Thanks a lot for sharing!
http://bestac.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrvcenter.com
There is certainly a lot to learn about this issue. I really like all of the points you've made.
http://sadams.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=www.affordableranking.com
http://mycutters.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=affordableranking.com
I'd like to thank you for the efforts you have put in writing this blog. I am hoping to see the same high-grade blog posts by you in the future as well. In truth, your creative writing abilities has encouraged me to get my very own website now 😉
http://adfoc.us/62936178788411
This is the right website for everyone who hopes to find out about this topic. You realize a whole lot its almost hard to argue with you (not that I actually would want to…HaHa). You definitely put a brand new spin on a subject that's been written about for a long time. Great stuff, just wonderful!
https://www.absorb.oneremarkableexperience.net/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=affordableranking.com
http://www.elsitiocristiano.com/ministries/something-good-with-dr-ron-jones/adclick-4.html?d=http://www.affordableranking.com
http://www.picker.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=affordableranking.com
You should take part in a contest for one of the finest sites on the internet. I am going to recommend this site!
https://cutt.ly/SvyQ2Hd
Good post. I learn something new and challenging on websites I stumbleupon everyday. It will always be interesting to read content from other authors and practice something from their websites.
https://hollisparkmanor.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=affordableranking.com