Scientists looked at the effect of the cavewoman, or paleolithic diet- This comprises foods such as berries, vegetables and lean meat
- It forbids ‘modern’ foods such as cereals, beans, dairy products and pasta
- Women on the diet lost twice as much body fat after six months than those on a more modern diet – and had slimmer waists and lower levels of ‘bad’ fat
10:12 EST, 1 April 2014
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11:33 EST, 1 April 2014
The paleolithic diet followed by cavewoman (depicted by cartoon character Wilma Flintstone) is potentially one of the most effective ways to slim
The best way for a woman to lose weight may be to eat like her Stone Age ancestors.
New research shows a cavewoman diet is potentially one of the most effective ways to slim.
Scientists came up with the findings after tracking female dieters for up to two years and comparing weight loss among those on the cavewoman – or paleolithic – diet with those complying with modern nutritional guidelines.
Results show women who ate like their predecessors lost twice as much body fat in the first six months as those on the modern-day diet.
They also saw their waistlines shrink by a greater amount and levels of harmful blood fats called triglycerides decline more sharply.
Interest in paleolithic eating habits first arose a few years ago when scientists at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden discovered eating like a caveman for just three weeks slashed the risk of heart attacks and strokes in men.
A paleolithic diet usually centres around berries, vegetables and lean meat but forbids foods such as cereals, beans, dairy products and pasta.
In the latest study, scientists from the Medical Research Council Epidemiology Unit at Cambridge University teamed up with colleagues at Umea University in Sweden to track obese women over a two-year period.
They recruited 70 heavily overweight women and split them into two groups.
One was assigned to a diet based around paleolithic foods and the other to a Scandinavian-type diet based on something called Nordic Nutrition Recommendations.
These recommendations are updated every few years and revolve around a diet based mainly on whole-grain cereals, low-fat dairy goods, fruit, pulses, fish and vegetable oils.
After six months, those on the cavewoman diet had lost an average of 6.2 kilogrammes of fat and saw an 11-centimetre reduction in waist circumference.
Key constituents of a paleolithic diet are berries and vegetables. The diet forbids foods such as cereals, beans, dairy products and pasta
Women on the Nordic diet lost only 2.6kg of fat and their waist circumference decreased by just 5.8cm.
Levels of triglyceride, a type of fat in the blood associated with increased heart disease risk, also dropped significantly in the Stone Age diet women but not those on the Scandinavian regime.
Blood pressure and cholesterol level were similar between the two groups.
By the end of the two-year study, there was much less of a difference between the two groups, suggesting weight loss slowed in those on the Stone Age diet.
Although the research focused on postmenopausal women, it’s expected that younger women and men of all ages would benefit in the same way.
Lean meat is also a key part of the paleolithic diet. The study found women who ate like their predecessors lost twice as much body fat in the first six months as those on the modern-day eating plan
In a report on their findings, published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the researchers said: ‘A paleolithic diet has greater beneficial effects than a Nordic diet regarding fat mass, abdominal obesity and triglyceride levels in obese postmenopausal women.’
Catherine Collins, chief dietician at St Georges Hospital in London said the Stone Age diet appeared to accelerate weight loss in the first six months.
But she stressed women appeared to lose less fat as the study progressed.
‘This may be because the paleolithic diet is very low in protein, lacking in meat, eggs, cheese and milk. One of the effects of that is to slow the body’s metabolic rate (the rate at which it burns calories).
‘As the metabolic rate declines, at some point that will stop you losing weight.’
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DougM,
ANewEra, United States,
6 minutes ago
Diets are like FARTS, everybody else’s stinks buy mine.
Christine,
Coventry,
13 minutes ago
Palaeolithic diet is higher in protein, not lower, plenty of meat and eggs and it stabilises blood sugar, less need for insulin cos less starchy carbs, sweet potatoes, squash etc are good and you definitely get your 7 a day. I am on it because of digestive problems but feel much better for it.
Melvill,
Wales, United Kingdom,
17 minutes ago
The Flintstones didn’t live in a cave.
sunny,
lake county Florida, United States,
18 minutes ago
too much protein is bad.
Gowlos,
London, United Kingdom,
19 minutes ago
Eat this diet and you’ll probably be banished to live in a cave because of the bad breath it creates.
Aletheia,
Gloucester, United Kingdom,
22 minutes ago
This is the Atkins diet which consists of berries, meat and vegetables and avoids all carbohydrates and that is why you can have berries but not apples and pears as they contain fructose (a sugar which is a form of carbohydrate).
Sweetness,
Verwood,
22 minutes ago
We aren’t allowed to hunt anymore……
Ejs_0913,
Manchester, UK,
22 minutes ago
I’ve been attempting this as much as possible. But Jesus…. Sometimes a girl just wants a kit kat after her tea. And non of this gluten free, wheat free, anything free stuff!!! Must say though I do feel less bloated etc.
Elizabeth,
Reading PA, United States,
24 minutes ago
If you cut out foods completely, or only eat certain foods, as part of a weight loss program, you may lose the weight faster, but it will creep back on over time, as soon as those food are consumed again. To lose or gain just 1 pound, takes about 3500 calories over or under the number of calories your body needs now, in order to maintain your current weight. One of the best ways to lose weight steadily, is to avoid eating (full meals) after 6pm. If you do snack after 6pm, grab fresh fruit, vegetables, or ice chips. Shaved ice with some freshly squeezed lemon and lime juice is usually my after six snack option. It also helps me meet my water intake goals, as well. Balance and moderation will win out over FAD Dieting, every time!
Rob,
Stockton-on-tees,
25 minutes ago
Ah, the balanced diet of MEAT and VEGETABLES before supposed experts tried to trick the gullible into having a rifled digestive system with seven a day …….
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