Monday, September 6, 2010

Welcome to The Paleo Diet Blog!


The Paleo Diet--the world’s healthiest diet--is based on the simple understanding that the best human diet is the one to which we are best genetically adapted. It is supported by documented scientific evidence and by real-life improvements, even triumphs, of people winning their personal health battles.

The Paleo Diet is based upon the life work of Dr. Loren Cordain. Dr. Cordain is widely acknowledged as a leading expert on the diet of our Paleolithic ancestors. In numerous publications in the world's best scientific journals, he has documented the dramatic health benefits of eating a diet consistent with human genetic evolution and our ancestral, Paleolithic diet. Learn how a diet based on lean meats, seafood, fresh fruits, and fresh vegetables can lead to ideal body weight, optimum health, and peak athletic performance.

This concept represents the "unified field theory" of nutrition that has until now been lacking. The discipline of human nutrition previously had no orienting paradigm to guide research and inquiry, and as such was an immature science. In contrast, cosmology has the big bang theory, which orients all thought regarding the origins of the universe, and geology has continental drift and plate tectonics, which universally guide research into the origins of earth's land mass. In biology, the fundamental, guiding principle is Darwin's theory of evolution through natural selection, which provides a template for the creation of life on earth.

It has only been in the last two decades that a few enlightened scientists have realized that this principle also represents the basic biological principle which determines the nutritional requirements of any organism - including humans. Our genes were shaped by our ancestors' environment, including our nutrtional requirements. Because what we eat today is so far removed from the diet of our hunter-gatherer ancestors, a discordance exists between our genes and our diet, and this factor represents the underlying reason why we are so sick and overweight as a society.

Dr. Cordain has authored three pioneering books that provide specific applications of The Paleo Diet for general health and nutrition, specifically for athletes, and for curing acne.

The Paleo Diet provides the background and basis for the optimally healthful diet. It has been highly praised by researchers, scientists, and readers from all over the world.

The Paleo Diet for Athletes, written by Dr. Loren Cordain and world-class fitness trainer Joe Friel, provides detailed information on how endurance athletes can improve performance, recovery, and health by eating a slightly modified version of the Paleo Diet.

The Dietary Cure for Acne represents the first real cure--not a treatment--a real solution to this pervasive skin disease. It is a natural acne diet program, based on recent research.

We also offer numerous programs designed to help people address particular nutritional and health needs. These programs can enable you to achieve your health goals whether you seek to:
  • permanently free yourself from acne
  • improve your athletic performance
  • enjoy a longer, healthier, more active life
  • lose weight without dieting and exercise,
  • reduce or eliminate your risk of diseases, including cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and the vast majority of all chronic degenerative diseases that affect humanity
For more information about our team and our products please visit our Paleo Diet web site as well as our Dietary Cure for Acne web site.

You may post comments and questions at the end of most blog posts. Scroll down to the end of a post, type your comments in the text area under the title Post a Comment, and click the Post Comment button.

Announcing: The Paleo Diet Cookbook

Editor's note: Dr. Cordain's latest publishing projects include The Paleo Diet Cookbook, available for purchase on December 13, 2010. This article includes a brief interview with Dr. Cordain.

Patrick Baker (PB): What did you hope to achieve by publishing your own cookbook?

Dr. Loren Cordain (LC): The Paleo Diet Cookbook will be published by John Wiley & Sons, the publisher of my first book, The Paleo Diet. Because of the enormous success of The Paleo Diet, my publisher wanted us (me, my wife Lorrie Cordain, and Nell Stephenson) to write a follow-up cookbook that would provide my readers with a "how to, hands on" easy approach to preparing and making delicious Paleo meals and snacks. The book contains more than 150 recipes arranged into the following chapters and topics:
  • Introduction
  • CHAPTER 1: The Paleo Diet Basics
  • CHAPTER 2: Paleo Kitchen Basics
  • CHAPTER 3: Paleo Breakfasts Dishes
  • CHAPTER 4: Paleo Snacks and Appetizers
  • CHAPTER 5: Paleo Poultry
  • CHAPTER 6: Paleo Beef, Pork, and Lamb
  • CHAPTER 7: Grass- Fed Meat, Game Meat and Jerky
  • CHAPTER 8: Paleo Fish and Seafood
  • CHAPTER 9: Paleo Salads
  • CHAPTER 10: Paleo Vegetable Dishes
  • CHAPTER 11: Condiments, Salad Dressings, Sauces and Fruit Purees
  • CHAPTER 12: Paleo Beverages and Desserts
  • CHAPTER 13: The Paleo Diet Two Week Meal Plan
  • CHAPTER 14: Treats and Meals for Crossfitters and Athletes
PB: Given the proliferation of other paleo cookbooks, what makes yours stand out?

LC: I am aware of two other cookbooks that have taken the Paleo approach, however it turns out that many of the recipes are not pure Paleo, and use salt, honey and other non-Paleo ingredients. This book comes straight from the originator of The Paleo Diet, and I can assure my readers that all of the recipes in the book are not only pure Paleo, but also appetizing and nutritious. Nell and Lorrie have done a wonderful job creating some brand new incredibly delicious recipes and snacks.

PB: In general, how does the cookbook reflect the principles outlined in your book The Paleo Diet?

LC: In the first chapter of the book, I outline the basics of Paleo dieting - all the do's and dont's that experienced Paleo Dieters may be aware of, but also great background material for newbies to Paleo Dieting. Actually, as most of our veteran readers realize, The Paleo Diet is not a diet at all, but rather a lifetime plan of eating to optimize health and well being. I've also devoted a large section of Chapter I to autoimmune diseases, and how Paleo Diets can ameliorate symptoms of these illnesses. This is brand new information which has never been published.

PB: Do you cross-reference any of your other published work in the cookbook?

LC: The Paleo Diet Cookbook is consistent with most of the work from my prior three books. However, I have completely updated it based upon the most recent scientific evidence. A couple of key points are different from my first book, The Paleo Diet, which was published in 2002. First, I no longer advocate the use of canola oil, for reasons explained in the book, and I have also taken a softer stand on saturated fats based upon my own article on the topic, published in 2006, and available as a free PDF download from my website. Further, I now advocate coconut and coconut oil consumption.

PB: When will your cookbook be available for purchase?

LC: The Paleo Diet Cookbook can be pre-ordered right now at Amazon, but it will not ship until December 13, 2010.

PB: Where can your readers purchase a copy of your cookbook when it becomes available?

LC: The Paleo Diet Cookbook, as well as my upcoming 2010 Revision to The Paleo Diet, can be purchased at my website, at Amazon, or almost any local bookstore.