Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

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Every review I have seen is a real love-fest with the book. They also mention he goes into great detail on the biological mechanisms behind what he espouses in a section of the book- which is good! I am still wondering what the scientific detail is in the biological explanations and elsewhere. Are there scientific references for what he states that I can look at? Or is it a normal book where the author just states (important) things without reference?

I also wanted to know what his stance is on saturated fat. (Cordain has always been anti-saturated fat, but slowly weakening his stance)

edited Sep 26 2010 at 15:08

Ed♦
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asked Sep 15 2010 at 3:34

HealthRediscovery
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Shilpa Nicodemus · Accepted Answer · 2010-09-24 18:03:55Z UTC

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He has a (long) list of references at the end of the book, but he doesn't cite within the text itself. (e.g. He'll just say "Cortisol causes gluconeogenesis" but doesn't cite which reference you could find it in)

answered Sep 24 2010 at 18:03

Shilpa Nicodemus
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that's just poor scientific writing! – themobiustrip Sep 24 2010 at 19:16

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A lot of the stuff Robb writes is pretty much common knowledge amongst the scientific community and I don't think it requires specific citation. In other words, the sources are there, but he knows this stuff as a studied expert in the field so it's become his common knowledge and therefore he's speaking from years of the research he's done. I expect someone like myself (a non-expert but definitely a resource on the subject) to cite sources whenever I explain something that requires me to find a source with legitimate detailed back-up on it. Does that make sense? – Diane at Balanced Bites Sep 25 2010 at 0:08

Yes, but I believe all he says is not common knowledge and therefore citing within text would be better and easier to check. – Ikco Sep 26 2010 at 15:55

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Diane, I don't think that makes sense at all- that is what many people who write books on nutrition will claim- that they are experts with a lot of experience/research and/or that they are representing common scientific knowledge. However, the different authors arrive at different conclusions. Common knowledge (scientific or not) says that saturated fat is bad and many aspects of paleo are wrong or unnecessary. I expect experts to cite sources just as much as anyone else. I also have a rule of thumb: if something is obviously true it should be easy to cite. – HealthRediscovery Sep 30 2010 at 21:31

Stabby · Answer 2 · 2010-09-15 03:50:41Z UTC

If you listen to his podcasts he goes into great scientific detail and he has indeed mentioned that he has a reference list for his book, he is a biochemist and a researcher after all. His stance on saturated fat is lighter than Cordain's and he has said that in the beginning he and Cordain thought that at least palmitic acid is a problem but later they realized that it may not matter. He has said that the PaNu rationale for eating more saturated fats to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation while keeping in a state of ketosis makes a lot of sense, and at one point he mentioned that he was going to buy big bags of beef fat and render it into tallow.

Stephen-Aegis · Answer 3 · 2010-09-15 20:43:49Z UTC

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Diane over at Balanced Bites has an excellent review

http://www.balancedbites.com/2010/09/book-review-paleo-solution-original.html

answered Sep 15 2010 at 20:43

Stephen-Aegis
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In some review I read a con "Not vegetarian-friendly" and a pro "Natural and plant-based diet has been associated with the prevention of many diseases and with maintaining a healthy body weigh". Made me smile. – Ikco Sep 16 2010 at 9:48

Diane at Balanced Bites · Answer 4 · 2010-09-15 22:56:41Z UTC

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Aw, thanks Stephen!

answered Sep 15 2010 at 22:56

Diane at Balanced Bites
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Robb Wolf’s The Paleo Solution- questions for a reader

4 Answers