About four months ago, I came across a blog post that was written by a doctor in Louisiana (http://paleolithicmd.com/) and he was talking about a way of eating and cooking that I had never heard about before.  It’s called a Paleo diet, derived from the Paleolithic era that ended about 10,000 years ago (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paleolithic).  I was curious of what it included and was drawn in by his vivid pictures of what he was cooking for his family for that day.  Yummy! for sure.  As I read more, I became more intrigued (particularly since he was a medical doctor) about information he was sharing about some of his patients that he had encouraged to try the Paleo way of eating.  The main draw was that these patients were drastically reducing their cholesterol levels, but eating many of the things that my own doctor had just told me to avoid because of my elevated levels.  He was also telling me NOT to eat foods that I had been encouraged to eat.

I, personally, have ALWAYS had high cholesterol and despite eating very low-fat diets, the numbers just didn’t change much.  In fact, my own doctor told me that it was unlikely that I could decrease the numbers significantly without the help of medication.  I have always been consoled by the fact that my grandmother who lived to be 96 also had very high cholesterol and it didn’t seem to shorten or interfere with her active lifestyle.  She defied doctors and ate eggs and sausage or bacon almost every morning of her life.  At one point, her cholesterol levels neared 400!!  ….but never seemed to affect her….or slow her down!!

When I started this Blog, I had planned that I wouldn’t make this space about highlighting any particular thing that could read like an advertisement, but this is something that has really changed my life and I would like to share because I just got some facts that prove that I am on the right path of good health….so >>>>>

Monday Gets Paleo-lithic

The Paleo diet is often referred to as the cave man(woman) diet.  It comes from a society of hunter-gatherers whose diet consisted of mostly vegetables and berries and subsidized by any game they were able to capture.  It does not include any grains, dairy, legumes or sugar and any meat or fish consumed should be cream of the crop, grass-fed, free range and lean but…included in every meal.  No canned or processed foods at all if possible and organic vegetables are preferred.  You’re already “putting on the brakes”, right?  I have to admit that I kind of had the same resistance, but once I started the process, I found that I just didn’t miss some of the things I had to eliminate from my daily fare.  But….let me give you these facts first, so you can perhaps have some motivation to try it….

Previous HDL Level:  49                             Previous LDL Calculated:  186

Current Level:           65                              Current Level:                     91

Previous Total Cholesterol:   290                 Previous Triglycerides:       369

Current Level:                      182                 Current Level:                    131

Previous average blood pressure:  148/82

Current average:                           122/65

And….drum roll please…..I have lost 10+ pounds….all of this accomplished in less than four months.  I was shocked to find out my recent results and the nurse probably thought I was crazy because I kept asking her to repeat the results again and again….and again.  I even asked “Are you sure you’re looking at the right chart?”

This diet lifestyle is not for everyone and I couldn’t be certain that it is the best choice for you based on your own health issues and circumstances.  I just know it REALLY worked for me.  The part I have enjoyed most is that I have lost weight easily and I feel so much better.  Giving up the grains often eliminates any inflammation including arthritis symptoms.  People with fibromyalgia also experience great results with this way of eating. It really balances the glycemic levels and keeps me from craving the sweets.  Diabetics that have tried it, either no longer need insulin or drastically reduce their dosage.  I don’t count calories or portion sizes.  I do keep my meat portions under 8 oz and remove as much of the fat as possible, but I probably eat close to 2000 calories a day!!

I was surprised to learn that Nell Stephenson (paleoista.com) who wrote the book “The Paleoista” and co-authored “The Paleo Diet Cookbook” with Dr. Loren Cordain, lives here in Los Angeles.  I would LOVE to have some one-on-one time with her to fully understand how this diet works…and why it works or maybe participate in some of the classes she offers!!  She offers great recipes and they are really easy and quick to prepare too.  I know this is Hollywood and there is a new diet trend just about every week, but this one is more of a lifestyle choice than a diet.  And more than that I have the facts to prove its benefits AND I feel really good.

So today is a little different kind of Monday….not my usual motivational time for sure; but hope you enjoyed it just the same.

I want to be as healthy as I can so I can assure myself a life that allows

me to do all the things I want to do.

I hope you try to take good care of yourself too.

There’s always room for improvement when it comes to your health.

But more important than anything.

Please believe that you are worth it!!

You Matter!  Lots and Lots!

Have a very Healthy and Happy Monday!

And thank you Dr. Garcia and Nell Stephenson, you have changed my life.

Smiles,

Nancy