Short Communication
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2008) 62, 682–685; doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602790; published online 16 May 2007
Effects of a short-term intervention with a paleolithic diet in healthy volunteers
M Österdahl1, T Kocturk1, A Koochek1 and P E Wändell1
1Department of Neurobiology, Center for Family and Community Medicine, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
Correspondence: Dr PE Wändell, Center for Family and Community Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Alfred Nobels allé 12, SE-141 83 Huddinge, Sweden. E-mail: per.wandell@ki.se
Received 27 December 2006; Revised 14 March 2007; Accepted 13 April 2007; Published online 16 May 2007.
Abstract
Objectives:
Prevention of cardiovascular diseases by paleolithic or hunterer-gatherer diets has been discussed during recent years.
Methods:
Our aim was to assess the effect of a paleolithic diet in a pilot study on healthy volunteers during 3 weeks. The intention was to include 20 subjects, of whom 14 fulfilled the study. Complete dietary assessment was available for six subjects.
Results:
Mean weight decreased by 2.3 kg (P<0.001), body mass index by 0.8 (P<0.001), waist circumference by 0.5 cm (P=0.001), systolic blood pressure by 3 mm Hg (P=0.03) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 by 72% (P=0.020). Regarding nutrient intake, intake of energy decreased by 36% , and other effects were also observed, both favourable (fat composition, antioxidants, potassium-sodium rate) and unfavourable (calcium).
Conclusion:
This short-term intervention showed some favourable effects by the diet, but further studies, including control group, are needed.
Keywords:
diet therapy, risk factors, cardiovascular diseases, evolution
Abbreviations:
PAI-1,, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1; HOMA,, Homeostatic model assessment; CRP,, C-reactive protein
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