Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

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This seems to be a hot topic right now. Kamal posted a question regarding the management of Protein Restriction as one of the key points of some of the arguable drawbacks of a long term Paleo diet.

Lower IGF-1 levels have been strongly correlated with longer lifespan, and many people swear by this. But there's also folks who eat protein straight through their whole life and are happy and healthy even until old age.

Should we restrict protein every so often? What are the REAL benefits of it? Anybody have some in depth scientific reasons that support making the effort?

Also, as a side caveat to the real question here, does anybody have a testimonial of what they experienced when they did. I remember reading that Chris Masterjohn was able to see major improvements with a couple nagging ailments when he restricted protein for about 2 weeks.

edited Apr 14 2011 at 20:09

asked Apr 14 2011 at 19:07

Jack Kronk
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Yoannah_offca · Answer 1 · 2011-04-14 21:16:20Z UTC

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to be honest, it's difficult for me to cut down on protein. I love my meat, and it's the base. i might be eating more protein than I need, but I am not sure who otherwise I can feel satiated without upping the carbs too much. I can't eat coconut oil or butter straight up!

answered Apr 14 2011 at 21:16

Yoannah_offca
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I felt like this could have been my comment. I love my meats, leaner choices on workout days and fattier & fish on rest days. I eat more carbs / less fat on WO days, but even with lower carbs I don't feel like I need to "supplement" fat with straight-up butter or oil. – Antti May 22 2011 at 17:43

Bread-Eating Beelzebub · Answer 2 · 2011-04-14 20:24:29Z UTC

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I have a handful of papers attributing health benefits to the fasting of Orthodox Christians, who fast from animal products roughly half the year, which usually equals a low protein diet, though many now eat meat substitutes.

answered Apr 14 2011 at 20:24

Bread-Eating Beelzebub
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Stephen-Aegis · Answer 3 · 2011-04-14 19:19:35Z UTC

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periodically for the benefits of Autophagy im totally in line with. A full blown fast does this and more. I think 1-2 7day fasts a year are what im shooting for.

answered Apr 14 2011 at 19:19

Stephen-Aegis
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Have you done any so far? If so, how'd it go? – Kamal♦ Apr 14 2011 at 19:20

water only fasts? – Jack Kronk Apr 14 2011 at 19:25

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The benefit of this being longevity? I think I'd rather die sooner. Mentally, it would be too tough for me. I can hang for a 24-36 hour fast, that's plenty long enough for me. Hangs head in shame. – sherpamelissa Apr 14 2011 at 19:48

There's no shame in your game. A couple fasts of that length may marginally improve long-term health, but they gloss over the fact that FOOD TASTES REALLY GOOD. – Kamal♦ Apr 14 2011 at 20:03

(that being said, i'm going to try my hand at a 2-3 day fast soon) – Kamal♦ Apr 14 2011 at 20:03

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haig · Answer 4 · 2011-04-14 19:44:40Z UTC

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Perfecthealthdiet.com advises low protein (10-15%) and it definitely should be considered 'Paleo'. I cycle protein during the week, going from very low (<5%) once a week to around 30% twice a week on refeed/workout days.

I also plan on doing week long water only fasts several times a year (I just haven't gotten the courage up yet to start one!).

answered Apr 14 2011 at 19:44

haig
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I should also have added that I'm not sure whether continuous low protein like PHD is better or worse compared with cycling high/low protein periodically. That is a question I'm also interested in. – haig Apr 14 2011 at 19:46

sherpamelissa · Answer 5 · 2011-04-14 20:28:43Z UTC

I accidentally restricted protein for about a week. My work got extremely busy and I wasn't able to heat up my lunches and eat them. My typical protein intake is 75-100 grams and I was down in the 30/40 gram range for this one week.

I actually gained weight during that week and I wasn't going over my 75 grams of carbs. I also felt sluggish and tired. I made a conscious effort to eat my lunches the next week and get my protein back in my "normal" range and it definitely makes a difference for me.

I do fast occasionally, but I see no reason to specifically fast from protein or to cycle it. I do get some benefit from cycling my carbs though.

gn · Answer 6 · 2011-04-15 00:07:14Z UTC

there may be studies and personal anecdotes indicating benefits of occasional abstaining from protein consumption: : : but fasting per se (no food) is, by logical and practical extension, fasting from protein as well - makes more sense to me...

PersonMan · Answer 7 · 2011-04-15 00:47:19Z UTC

I once restricted all intake of animal protein(and most plant sources---in any case all complete proteins). This lasted for a brief spell during which I was beset by extreme soreness in the body, mental lethargy and lightheadedness, as well as chronic irritability. I decided to go back to the conventional style bodybuilding diet after these symptoms. THey went away soon after and were replaced by strength and health...

PaleosLordofthePaleoverse · Answer 8 · 2011-04-15 00:59:14Z UTC

I remember reading (no source) the benefits of IF may be because of protein restriction. If that is the case, maybe doing random IF will give you all the benefit you need? I am interested in what kind of restriction levels we should follow to achieve results.

Should we restrict or “fast” specifically from PROTEIN periodically?

8 Answers