Column #29

Another promoted study bites the dust because of flawed assumptions.

Associate Professor Andrikopoulos, President of the Australian Diabetes Society, says that “Low-carbohydrate, high-fat diets (Paleo diet) are becoming more popular, but there is no scientific evidence that these diets work. In fact, if you put an inactive individual on this type of diet, the chances are that person will gain weight,”

His comments were based on a study by a team of University of Melbourne researchers which tested whether low-carbohydrate and high-fat foods (LCHF) would help people with pre-diabetes.

They assumed the Paleo diet means zero carbs and lots of fat and tested two sets of fat mice with pre-diabetes symptoms. One group was switched to a LCHF diet while the other continued on the regular diet which was three percent fat. The LCHF diet was 60 percent fat. The carbs in the LCHF diet were reduced to “only” 20 percent.

After eight weeks the LCHF “Paleo diet” mice had gained 15 percent more body weight doubling their fat mass to almost four percent while their glucose intolerance worsened and insulin levels rose.

Professor Andrikopoulos said. “This level of weight gain will increase blood pressure and increase your risk of anxiety and depression and may cause bone issues and arthritis. For someone who is already overweight, this diet would only further increase blood sugar and insulin levels and could actually pre-dispose them to diabetes.”

The classic Paleo diet is restricted to natural foods that are, in total, nutrient dense and diverse, low glycemic, with a perfect balance of essential fatty acids (EFA). Fat is not discouraged but natural foods which conform to The Real Diet of Man rarely provide even 20% fat. So let’s analyze the feeds in the study.

The “standard” mouse diet included: wheat, wheat byproducts, fish meal, tallow/vegetable oil blend, soybean meal, skim milk powder, yeast, molasses, limestone, salt, vitamins, and trace minerals. Wheat, which is high glycemic, does have a relatively low Omega-3 deficit compared to other grains. Because wheat has nutritional deficiencies, the formulation is balanced with minerals, vitamins, and fish meal. Fish meal is loaded with Omega-3 and is zero glycemic with diverse and dense nutrients.

The “Paleo diet” was:
    ●    40% Cocoa Butter
    ●    20% Casein protein
    ●    10.6% Sugar
    ●    10% Canola Oil
    ●    10% Ghee (Clarified butter)
    ●    Vitamins and Minerals

This diet is not natural nor does it reflect the goal of The Real Diet of Man which is that all foods must be low glycemic, nutrient dense and diverse, with a 1:1 balance of EFAs. Humorously the standard mouse diet may actually be better than what most people eat today. But nobody would eat the study’s Paleo diet even if they feasted on junk food. Not only did the study ignore the idea of natural foods providing all nutrients but there was no mention of EFAs, a critical factor in the Paleo diet.

The study’s conclusion would have been reversed if the “Paleo mice” had been fed only grass-fed meat which is zero glycemic, nutrient dense and diverse, with perfectly balanced EFAs. Another really healthy choice would have been grass-fed meat and kale. A real food diet would not have required supplementation plus the results would have confirmed the many positive studies indicating the Paleo approach prevents and sometimes cures chronic diseases.

To your health.

Ted Slanker

Ted Slanker has been reporting on the fundamentals of nutritional research in publications, television and radio appearances, and at conferences since 1999. He condenses complex studies into the basics required for health and well-being. His eBook, The Real Diet of Man, is available online.

For additional reading:

Paleo Diet Dangerous to Your Health Study

Mouse Diets in Office doc

Science Daily

Nature.com published study with link to diets

Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Obesity

Is it even Paleo? A comment on Loren Cordain’s site, the originator of the Paleo diet label.

The Importance of the Ratio of Omega-6/Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids