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There are many popular diets you may turn to when looking to lose weight or improve your health.

The most popular one happens to be the Paleo diet.

The Paleo diet, also called the Primal, Caveman, or Stone Age Diet, is based on principles we’ve assumed our ancient ancestors followed.

It’s a Hunter-Gatherers type of diet. Although you’re not foraging for food, you’re eating a diet that consists of eating more berries, non-starchy vegetables, fruits, nuts, and healthy fats, such as coconut and olive oils.

Meat is held to a minimum, but when it is eaten, it’s advised to eat more grass-fed meat, pastured poultry, and wild-caught “healthier” types of fish.

Even though most experts agree that fad diets are not the answer for long-term change and health improvements, the Paleo diet may be one approach they can agree may help.

It’s more than just a diet—it’s a simpler way of eating—and one with many health benefits.

Some of those benefits include:

1. Increased Weight Loss

Due to the decrease in sugar, processed and refined foods, and starchy vegetables, you may experience weight loss on the Paleo diet. You may also see decreases in your body fat—especially in your belly area–from cutting out unhealthier carbs.

2. Boosts Insulin Sensitivity

Eating a lot of carbs forces your body to produce, and release insulin, to use the sugar rising in your blood. However, your body may become resistant to insulin which makes it hard to manage blood sugar effectively. Since the Paleo diet reduces your carb intake, your body may become more sensitive to insulin, leading to better blood sugar control, and a reduced risk for Metabolic Syndrome or Type 2 Diabetes.

3. More Energy

When you eat starchy or higher glycemic foods, you may find rapid increases in energy. But when insulin is released, you may experience a sharp crash when your blood sugar drops below baseline levels. This may leave you shaky, anxious, grumpy, and craving sugary foods. But you may not find this on the Paleo diet. The lower glycemic foods recommended on this diet may cause a slower increase in blood sugar, leading to more sustained energy.

4. Improved Heart Health

Your heart is extremely important as you get older. It’s recommended you keep your cholesterol and triglyceride levels in check to prevent heart attacks or strokes from occurring. Since the Paleo diet stresses eating healthier fats, you may see positive changes in your cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood pressure. This could be protective in nature when it comes to your heart.

The Paleo diet may be a simpler way of eating and holds many positive benefits when it comes to your health. It may improve your heart health, boost energy and weight loss, and increase insulin sensitivity, which is important for controlling your blood sugar levels. It may not be a perfect solution, but this simpler way of eating may add benefits when you need it the most.

Your friend and trainer,

Paul F Sweatt

Train Smart. Train Hard. Train Safe. Train to Sweatt.