The Ultimate Way to Eat The evidence is mounting, eat like your long ago ancestors and you’ll be healthier.  Recently the results of a Swedish study at the Department of Medicine, Lund U. compared the very successful Mediterranean diet to a Paleolithic, “Old Stone Age” diet consisting of lean meat, fish, fruit, vegetables, root vegetables (not french fries) and nuts while avoiding grains, dairy and salt.  The Mediterranean diet is basically the same while including dairy, grains and olive oil.  The results of the 3 month study produced 1.1” waistline reductions with the Mediterranean group and a 2.2” reduction with the Paleolithic group, both very good.  The subjects were mostly type II diabetics and all were heart disease patients.  At 3 months the Mediterranean group had 7% reduction of insulin levels, an important  marker for cardiovascular health and general energy metabolism as well as weight gain.  The Paleolithic group had 26% lower insulin levels.      Consuming a diet that contains the high nutrient and phytochemicals (the colored substances in nuts, fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices) on which our genes developed does better.  These types of carbohydrates also contain more fiber and are generally lower in calorie concentration while triggering more satisfaction.  The phytochemicals in the plants have a symbiotic relationship with our cells and actually activate our genes promoting the good messaging between our cells that is needed to keep us healthy.  There are an estimated 500 thousand different phytochemicals from plants in the world.  Different plants tend to have different phytochemicals.  Many are showing that they benefit us as antioxidants and promoters of good genetic activation.  Most grains contain some fiber, but are highly concentrated in starch that can provide more sugar than we need.      The grains have only been around for 12 thousand or so years while our ancestors were eating in a Paleolithic manner for most of the past 2.5–3 million years.  We come from people that had low calorie intake and very high nutrient and phytochemical levels in their diet.  Everything they ate had color.  To survive through food shortages they undoubtedly were genetically predisposed to eating lots of concentrated carbohydrates and fats when available.  We have those same cravings today, but unlike our ancestors we never run out of cheeseburgers, french fries and ice cream.      What’s the conclusion?  Eat like our stone age ancestors and you will be healthier, have less cravings and gain less weight.  References upon request