Believe it, or not, the Paleo Diet concept has been around since the mid-1970's. It was introduced by gastroenterologist, Walter L. Voegtlin, who used it to treat his patients for problems such as colitis, Crohn's Disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and indigestion. The basic concept behind the Paleo Diet is to eat natural and avoid processed. Essentially what this means is to shop among the outside of your grocery store or market, buying grass-produced meats, fish/seafood, fresh fruits and vegetables, eggs, nuts and seeds, and healthy oils.

Often times foods such as cereal grains, legumes, dairy, refined sugar, processed foods, and refined vegetable oils are very irritating to the lining of our digestive system. As our gut lining become irritated it becomes inflamed and can cause a multitude of problems. These problems include, but are not limited to, leaky gut, indigestion, bloating, headaches, eczema, acne and fatigue. By eliminating these food irritants, your gut can heal and repair itself and your body becomes less inflamed.

Even if you're not experiencing symptoms on a daily basis, consuming fresh and non-processed foods provides your body with vital nutrients that will improve your quality of life for years to come. This is a lifestyle that is healthy and beneficial for the entire family while also teaching good eating habits for children. The Paleo Diet doesn't involve any patented or trademarked products, so anyone can easily follow the eating guidelines and find free recipes online.

If you don't think you can give up a grain or dairy product for good, give yourself 30 days without any processed foods, grains, and dairy. This gives your gut enough time to heal and then you can slowly reintroduce the food you can't live without, one by one.

For more information on the Paleo Diet or other tips on keeping yourself and your family healthy, contact Dr. Nikki Porteus at APEX Wellness Center.