Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

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I have read most of the classic paleo books, and when I have personal questions on some food items that are accepted by some paleo thinkers, but not all of them (such as dairy or sweet potatoes, etc) I realize we easily fall into discussions that involve a certain degree of complexity. When we start (for instance) discussing about certain hormones, or whether carbs metabolise efficiently into glucose, etc, etc, I feel the need to enlarge my bio-knowledge. What do you suggest as priorities, for someone like me: basic texts on biochemistry, on physiology or nutrition? If so, any specific recommendation (BTW I know a similar question was raised, but was specific about biochemistry, and I am not exactly sure which area should be the priority to understand the connections between nutrition, human body and health)

flag	asked Mar 21 2011 at 15:19 Philosopher 4,744●3●14●31

Ignacio, there is another relevant thread: "Food science primer." paleohacks.com/questions/22081/… There I suggest beginning with a nutrition textbook which tends to have all the other relevant stuff included, and often at a level one can follow without previous training. Look up "nutrition" at Amazon. These books are often expensive so I'd suggest finding one at a library. – Paul Mar 21 2011 at 18:30

matt · Answer 1 · 2011-03-21 16:20:17Z UTC

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I would answer "all of the above". biochemistry, physiology, anatomy, and nutrition and all interconnected and to only understand one and not the others, I believe, will leave you with missing puzzle pieces. These textbooks will answer all of the questions asked of you, and you will have a reliable source to back up what your saying...with the added bonus of not sounding like someone who is on a fad diet and has just read the books sold to them by the same person commercializing the product (diet).

answered Mar 21 2011 at 16:20

matt
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	any order of priorities like " biochemistry first or physiology first, etc"? – Philosopher Mar 21 2011 at 17:26
	well, in looking at depth and the order of them in that sense maybe something like this: anatomy (the study of relationship and structure of body parts), physiology (the study of how these tissues and organs function), and finally biochemistry (the study of chemical reactions within the body). A lot of times anatomy and physiology are thrown in together. its really a hard question for me to answer to be honest. maybe study anatomy and physiology first, then biochemistry, then nutrition last (so that you are able to critically analyze what nutritional information you are given with your..... – matt Mar 21 2011 at 17:52
	...knowledge of anatomy and physiology, and biochemistry. they will all sort of blend in together once you start studying, so maybe there is no real way to attack it other than just start reading and learning as deep as you wish to go. hope this helps more than confuses lol – matt Mar 21 2011 at 17:53

Kathi · Answer 2 · 2011-03-21 18:06:09Z UTC

I have come to the conclusion (very sadly) that no matter how much you read into the wee hours of the night with your little one co-sleeping (with attachment parenting) after you sneak out of the bed.......... you will always find something new and contradictory. Even after allowing my daughter plenty of paleo friendly pancakes...almonds are full of phytic acid, agave is the enemy

spinach is full of oxalic acid

celery =nitrates

just stick to the basics.

Should we perhaps emulate more closely our ancestors and become illiterate ?? Not a bad question. I would never have purchased agave without reading, never have bought fortified breakfast cereal either and how many other poisons?

The Quilt · Answer 3 · 2011-03-21 18:16:49Z UTC

To fully get it all you have to be well read and rounded. As someone who has lived in this arena for many yrs you can never read enough biochemisty, anatomy, neurobiology, neurohumeral modulation, epi or genetic biology....etc. I find once you read you begin to make connects to every other aspect of the totality of what health really is. Paleo is but one small part. I love linking the information to different disciplines. It will get you to read something you have not before considered.

Katherine · Answer 4 · 2011-03-21 18:12:48Z UTC

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I'd recommend biochemistry first.

answered Mar 21 2011 at 18:12

Katherine
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Background readings: biochemistry, physiology, nutrition or what?

4 Answers