Alternative Ernährungsformen

Teil 2: Die Paleo-Ernährung - Naturgeschichte trifft moderne Stoffwechselforschung

authored by
A. Ströhle, I. Behrendt, P. Behrendt, Andreas Hahn
Abstract

The so-called "paleo diet or "paleolithic nutrition is an alternative diet, which encounters large interest at present. The modern paleo movement was founded by the physician S. B. Eaton and the anthropologist M. Konner. Central element of the paleo concept is the thesis of adaptation. Following this idea, the metabolism of modern humans is genetically still adapted to the nutrition of the paleolithic age. Hence, the paleolithic nutrition should be considered as a reference standard for modern diet recommendations. Biotheoretically, the paleo concept is based on a narrowed adaptationism - an ism which is fundamental questioned by the results of the niche construction research. Furthermore, it is unclear, to which kind of nutrition humans are thought to be adapted. The factual composition of the diet consumed by our paleolithic ancestors is only rudimentary known and varied depending on region and climate. Modern concepts of the "paleo diet include fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds as well as seafood, meat and eggs. In contrast, legumes, cereals and milk products are avoided. Thus, a high nutrient density for most micronutrients is achieved with the paleo diet. If meat consumption is moderate, the paleo diet is adequate for humans on the long run. For patients with metabolic syndrome the paleo diet, as well as a carbohydrate reduced Mediterranean diet, can be seen as one of the possible alternatives for weight reduction and improvement of metabolic parameters.

Organisation(s)
Institute of Food Science and Human Nutrition
Nutrition Physiology and Human Nutrition Section
Type
Article
Journal
Aktuelle Ernährungsmedizin
Volume
41
Pages
120-138
No. of pages
19
ISSN
0341-0501
Publication date
01.04.2016
Publication status
Published
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Medicine (miscellaneous), Nutrition and Dietetics
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG 13 - Climate Action
Electronic version(s)
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0042-102322 (Access: Closed)