Everywhere we look there is a new magic bullet diet promising easy weight loss without hard work, sacrifice or discipline. These schemes are usually low calorie, low carb, low fat etcFor every book available in stores or DVD for sale on television, there is somebody getting rich behind it. Why? Because these programs over promise and under deliver. They absolutely set the user up to fail from the get go. They might deliver initial results, however, as soon as the person returns to a “normal” level of living (or what they deem as normal), they regain the weight and usually more. There would be no market for getting people on the rebound if a diet program worked as easy as they promised and delivered lasting results. The fundamental reason these restrictive diets fail is that they encourage an eating style that goes against our ancestral and genetic needs. The Paleo Diet is the only diet program outlined that teaches all of us how to eat according to our genetic requirements.

The Paleolithic Diet is based upon DNA evidence that is 40,000 years old. In those 40,000 years our genetic code has changed ~.02%. In other words, we are the same today as our predecessors 40,000 years ago and our nutritional needs are virtually identical. Our habits have unfortunately. Paleolithic societies were hunter-gatherer societies. Farming was not utilized. These populations ate a small amount of a large variety of food. In other words, they ate what was available to them. There wasn’t a McDonalds or Safeway on every corner. With the progress of mankind and the implementation of modern farming, food processing, and a marked decline in physical activity, we have seen an enormous decline in the health of our planet.

Paleolithic societies lived much differently than modern man? How you ask? They had absoluetly zero dairy, grain, cereal, soy, salt, refined sugar, or starchy foods like potatoes, yams and sweet potatoes available to them. The typical Paleolithic Diet consisted of wild and lean animal proteins, preservative free fruits, vegetables and only spring water to drink. The benefits of this lifestyle included no incidence of hypertension, heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis, arthritis, dental carries, or obesity. Paleolithic citizens were fit, lean and healthy. They looked like modern day elite athletes because optimal health was a natural product of how they lived based upon what was available to them.

When modern farming practices and urbanization began to take hold, we went from a protein, fruits and vegetables society to primarily a grain and dairy society. We see a direct correlation to the decline of the worlds’ health as grain and dairy became staples in our diet. Archaeological evidence shows that whenever and wherever humans sowed seeds in place of animal-dominated diets, health problems appeared. Early farmers were shorter than their ancestors. The bones and teeth of these people show many problems. These include a much higher incidence of osteoporosis, rickets, bone mineral disorders, scurvy, rickets, vitamin A and Zinc deficiencies and iron deficiency anemia.

We are currently living amidst a pandemic of health problems called “Syndrome X” diseases. These include hypertension, high cholesterol, type II diabetes, and dyslipidemia (low HDL, elevated triglycerides, and small-dense LDL cholesterol. Gout is also grouped in with these diseases amongst many others.

The answer to our worlds’ health problems lives within our genetics. We must return to living how our ancestors did because it is the way we were intended to live. Listen up and appreciate that the convenience of our modern society is killing us. It has undoubtedly set us up to fail when it comes to lasting health. Without massive action and change, our condition will continue to decline. Discover the principles, practices and benefits of a Paleolithic diet. Most importantly, start applying them in your life now. Learn from those who came before you and start eating as your ancestors did. Success leaves clues. There is no need to reinvent the wheel with nutrition. Gather the knowledge,find discipline, and have the pride to eliminate these health problems from our genes once and for all. It is our responsibility to change for the betterment of mankind.

Dr. Shaun Stuto is a Missoula Wellness Chiropractor and the founder/owner of Transformation Chiropractic in the heart of beautiful downtown Missoula, Montana. Visit our website today and find out how you can start living a life of abundant health!