The paleolithic diet comes in various forms but includes meat (preferably grass-fed), poultry, eggs, seafood, nuts, fruits and non-starchy vegetables. Grains, legumes, potatoes, dairy products and sugar are all off the table.

These paleo diets are quite different from what our ancestors may have consumed. Flesh from wild animals is much leaner than that from domesticated animals and modern fruits and vegetables also differ from their wild relatives. We should applaud the low content of processed foods, sugar and salt in the modern paleo diets but why exclude plant-based foods such as wholegrains and legumes when a wealth of evidence confirms their health value?

The modern paleolithic diets are high in protein and low in carbohydrate and valuable types of dietary fibre. Calcium may also be low unless small fish and their bones or prawns and their shells are included. Many anthropological experts dispute the claims of paleo diet promoters, noting that our ancestors’ diets varied greatly and many included seeds of grasses.

There are no long-term studies showing any benefits of paleo diets. The few short-term trials with small numbers of people do not provide adequate proof of benefit or balance.

Claims that our ancestors did not experience heart disease, cancer and diabetes ignore the fact that few people lived past their reproductive age and physical activity ensured people were lean.

Grains, legumes and dairy products have been consumed by humans for at least 10,000 years yet obesity, diabetes and many cancers were rare for 9500 or so years of that period. Published evidence shows that a sedentary lifestyle and the massive increase in processed foods high in sugar, salt and saturated fat are the problem, not healthy foods such as wholegrains and legumes.

Consuming large quantities of red meat is also of concern. The World Cancer Research Fund monitors all studies relating to diet and cancer and now rates the evidence as convincing (their highest level) that processed meats and large quantities of red meat are a cause of colorectal cancer.

Response: Dr Rosemary Stanton, Visiting Fellow, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW.

The Fuzzy Logic Science Show 11am Sundays on 2XX 98.3FM.
Questions to AskFuzzy@Zoho.com Twitter: @FuzzyLogicSci