A spin-off of the gluten-free craze, paleo mimics the diets of our primal hunter-gatherer ancestors, even though virtually none of the food we grow or eat today even closely resembles those of our primal ancestors. The paleo diet advocates the removal of processed foods and those high in sugars and carbohydrates that have been connected with chronic health issues and weight gain.
For the converts, eschewing processed foods along with grains, legumes, starchy fruits and vegetables, and instead loading up on (healthy) fats and lean meats can quickly lead to weight loss. But according to a recent study, it may also lead to major nutrient deficiencies, particularly if the diet is adhered to long-term.
Published in the recent issue of the journal Nutrients, researchers noted that eating a paleo diet can lead to significant weight loss—participants who gave up grains, dairy, corn, potatoes, and beans lost 4.3 percent of their body weight and 3.8 percent of waist circumference in four weeks.
The weight loss is linked with the reduction of carbohydrates and the increase in protein, according to the researchers.
“This supports previous findings that lower carbohydrate diets are associated with greater losses of fat mass over a short term period,” the study authors wrote.
The weight loss can be an attractive element to new subscribers of the paleo diet. And the thought of gaining it all back because of a slice of bread may keep people committed, but that, says the researchers, may be problematic, too.
Long-term avoidance of certain carbohydrates, namely vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and beans, may lead to significantly lower levels of key nutrients. According to the researchers, while the study participants lost weight, they also saw a decrease in key nutrients including iodine, sodium, and calcium, as well as “significant reductions” in thiamin, riboflavin, vitamins A, C, and E, beta-carotene, folic acid and iron.
The researchers say the findings warrant more study into the long-term effects of the paleo diet. In the meantime, be sure to take a multivitamin.
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