The caveman diet, also called the paleolithic diet or paleo diet, is an eating program based on the belief that humans are best adapted to the foods consumed thousands of years ago. Featuring fresh fruits, lean meats, seafood, vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds, the caveman diet mimics the menu of early hunter-gatherers while shunning neolithic foods, such as dairy products, grains, legumes, tubers and refined sugar. Although the diet may offer some health perks, it may also result in undesirable side effects in the long term. Consult your physician before adopting a caveman diet.
Osteoporosis
Because the caveman diet excludes many high-calcium foods, such as dairy, tofu, fortified cereals, calcium-enriched beverages and soy milk, it may provide insufficient levels of calcium, a mineral essential for bone health. To maintain strong bones and reduce your risk of osteoporosis, the National Osteoporosis Foundation recommends that adults under 50 years old get 1,000 mg of calcium daily, and adults over 50 get 1,200 mg daily. On the caveman diet, you may need to eat ample amounts of leafy green vegetables and bone-in fish to meet your calcium requirement.
Kidney Problems
The caveman diet is based on high-protein foods, like lean meats and seafood, and may result in an excessively high protein intake. According to a paper published in the August 2002 issue of the "British Medical Journal," high-protein diets can reduce calcium absorption and cause kidney stones, especially when carbohydrate intake is also low. MayoClinic.com adds that high protein intakes may cause or worsen kidney problems because protein metabolism creates waste products that place stress on the kidneys. Consuming a caveman diet that emphasizes fruits and vegetables over animal products may help prevent kidney problems.
High Cholesterol
Because the caveman diet emphasizes foods high in cholesterol and saturated fat, such as meat, shellfish, organ meats and eggs, it may raise your blood cholesterol to high levels. As MayoCllinic.com explains, high cholesterol can result in plaque deposits in your arteries, causing decreased blood flow and raising your risk of a heart attack or stroke. If you follow the caveman diet, have your cholesterol level monitored by your physician and limit your consumption of high-cholesterol foods and those high in saturated fat.
Constipation and Bowel Problems
The caveman diet excludes some common sources of dietary fiber, such as whole grains, legumes and tubers, potentially reducing your intake of fiber. Along with improving constipation and promoting regular bowel movements, fiber plays a role in maintaining intestinal health, controlling blood sugar levels, lowering your cholesterol and potentially protecting against colorectal cancer. To avoid the effects of insufficient fiber on the caveman diet, consume ample amounts of high-fiber fruits, vegetables and nuts.
References
- The Paleo Diet; FAQ; Loren Cordain
- Creighton University Medical Center; Complementary and Alternative Medicine; Paleodiet Foods
- National Osteoporosis Foundation: Calcium: What You Should Know
- "British Medical Journal"; High Protein Diet Brings Risk of Kidney Stones; Scott Gottlieb; August 2002
- MayoClinic.com; High-Protein Diets: Are They Safe?; Katherine Zeratsky; June 2010
- MayoClinic.com; High Cholesterol; June 2011
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