Neanderthin and the Paleo diet are based on the premise that modern human nutritional requirements should be identical to those of prehistoric humans since the human genome has changed so little since the Paleolithic era. Because "Paleolithic diets" such as Neanderthin and the Paleo diet eliminate all foods that could not be hunted or gathered by our ancestors prior to the dawn of agriculture, they are intrinsically low-carbohydrate, high-protein, medium- to high-fat diets.
Similarities
Both Neanderthin, popularized in 1995 by Ray Audette's book "NeanderThin: Eat Like a Caveman to Achieve a Lean, Strong, Healthy Body," and the Paleo diet, popularized in 2002 by Dr. Loren Cordain's book "The Paleo Diet: Lose Weight and Get Healthy by Eating the Food You Were Designed to Eat," support a high consumption of meat, seafood, eggs, leafy vegetables, root vegetables, fresh fruits, grass seeds, most raw nuts and most plant oils. Ideally, meat and eggs should come from free-range animals fed natural, organic food. The diets restrict the consumption of dairy; cereal grains such as wheat, barley, oats or rice; legumes such as beans, soy, peas or peanuts; corn; refined sugars; and any other processed food.
Differences
Neanderthin and the Paleo diet differ in a few key ways. While Cordain recommends three stages of easing into his diet and includes "open meals" where a person can loosen the rules, Audette offers no middle ground with his diet plan. Cordain allows diet soda, coffee, beer, wine and other alcohol in moderation but suggests eliminating fruit juice, whereas Audette limits beverages to water, tea, lemon and lime juice, and limited amounts of fresh juice with pulp. Cordain prefers low-fat meat sources and eliminates coconut and palm oils, which are high in saturated fat, whereas Audette allows all plant oils as well as lard. Finally, for dieters with a goal of weight loss, Cordain suggests limiting seeds and nuts, while Audette suggests limiting high-sugar fruits.
Health Claims
Audette and Cordain each claim that their diets can lower the risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer and other diseases of the Western world; slow the progression of autoimmune disease; promote weight loss; and lead to a longer, more energetic life. The authors attribute these results to the fact that each diet is high in soluble fiber, antioxidants, phytochemicals and essential fatty acids such as omega-3s, and low in trans fats, sodium, refined sugars, and both man-made and naturally occurring toxins.
Considerations
Although both diets tout quick and easy weight loss, it is important to recognize that initial weight loss on low-carbohydrate diets is often the result of loss of water, not fat. Additionally, because meat makes up a significant portion of these diets, neither Neanderthin nor the Paleo diet is conducive to living sustainably. Finally, there are many medical conditions in which high-protein diets are contraindicated. These include liver disease, kidney disease, certain metabolic disorders like phenylketonuria, and coronary artery disease -- although this last condition's relationship to diet is disputed. If you are considering either diet, discuss it with your physician first.
References
- Neaderthin; Ray Audette; 2004
- The Paleo Diet; 2011
- "Neanderthin: Eat Like a Caveman to Achieve a Lean, Strong, Healthy Body"; Ray V. Audette & Troy Gilchrist; 1995
- "The Paleo Diet: Lose Weight and Get Healthy by Eating the Food You Were Designed to Eat"; Loren Cordain, Ph.D.; 2002
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