It ended 12,000 years ago, and resurfaced recently in southern California. Paleolithic fitness, an epochal part of the Ancestral Health movement, promises health and fitness as we knew it back in the day, the Paleolithic day. Followers endorse a diet similar to that of “our paleolithic ancestors,” — a combination of lean meats, seafood, fruits, vegetables and nuts. Dr. Loren Cordain, co-author of The Paleo Diet for Athletes, and its mass market counterpart, The Paleo Diet, explains that “his concept represents the ‘unified field theory’ of nutrition that has
until now been lacking.” At least for some time..
Now comes a reporter from public radio station WBUR, visiting a group of Paleo lifestylers who swear that a Paleo diet–no processed foods, no sugar, no whole grains, legumes or dairy, but lots of meat–has drastically improved their health–no more eczema, allergies, acne
or stomach issues. But diet, of course, is only one part of any lifestyle. WBUR reports that Paleo fitness includes several exercise routines that emphasize heavy-duty strength and agility training, rather than
cardio. No machines, WBUR reports, just leaping, crouching, sprinting and endless
dead-lifts. Reader who regard this as another soon-to-be-history fad are reminded that the Paleolithic Age last 2.5 million years.