The Austin American Statesman published an article today on the benefits of the Paleo diet.  I’m very happy to see this idea get more exposure.  I’ve been preaching this way of eating for several years now.  The idea is to eat more like our stone-age ancestors; i.e. no grains, no dairy, no sugar, no legumes, and no processed foods.   The nutrition community is gradually coming around to the concept that refined grains and sugar are at the root of most modern diseases:  obesity, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and inflammatory disorders.  We deal with plenty of inflammatory disease in dermatology:  psoriasis, eczema, lupus, rosacea, and acne, just to name a few.  Ingestion of sugar (or refined carbs, which the body essentially sees as sugar) results in spikes in our insulin levels.  Too much circulating insulin leads to inflammation, weight gain, and eventually, insulin resistance (as the receptors wear out) and diabetes.  Once your insulin receptors quit working, all that sugar in your blood cannot be cleared efficiently and the sugar starts doing direct damage to your arteries and other tissues in a process called “glycation.”  This sppeds up the development of heart disease and general aging.  (and that includes wrinkles!)

I adhere to a modified Paleo diet myself:  no wheat, very few grains, very little diary.  No, I’m not perfect and I indulge in the occasional sweet treat.  But I have felt better and have no trouble with my weight.  Give it a try!  Check out the article here.

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