Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

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It seems like most people agree that nutrition isn't the only factor involved with health. Sleep, psychological health, exercise, etc. are all important aspects of overall wellbeing and longevity. Food reward is another rising star in this arena.

I've noticed that people have mixed opinions on which factors are most important, so I thought I'd ask everyones' thoughts on the topic.

What do you consider to be the most important factors to health and lifespan?

I'm curious, too, what everyone's experience with this topic is when they read about nutrition on the internet. Personally, all of these external-to-nutrition factors can be very frustrating because they muddy all of the scientific waters. These variables are easy to throw in as confounds -- if what you are looking at doesn't line up with your current beliefs. I consistently see people in the paleosphere using there "lifestyle confound toolbox" to D-E-M-O-L-I-S-H (as one blogger put it) other bloggers' ideas. Moderate/high carb paleo-types seem to use this kind of reasoning to explain low-carb success. Often, low-carbers also use these lifestyle markers to explain populations like the Kitavans.

I'm not sure where I stand on this issue just yet -- but I will say that in my personal experience, psychological health outweighs anything else.

flag	asked Oct 5 2011 at 2:28 the_real_cdodd 178●1●8

The Quilt · Answer 1 · 2011-10-05 02:33:22Z UTC

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For me this one is simple......and unanimous

How I think is the most important factor in my health.

answered Oct 5 2011 at 2:33

The Quilt
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+1 for positive attitude! – Eric Oct 5 2011 at 4:49

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That's not really an answer since your mental output is dependable on your nutrition. – majkinetor Oct 5 2011 at 7:03

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I have found that, too, maj. No cognitive therapy has had more than a small transient effect on my mood, but diet has made a drastic change. That said, it may be the case that right thinking has more of an effect once the nutritional support is in place. – Ambimorph Oct 5 2011 at 14:01

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sorry maj.....when I am starving I can still be optimistic regardless of my nutrition.....look at Robb wolfs attitude before he landed the Elk. Proof of my concept. Brain can always trump diet. Perception is a thought secretion....a hormone if you will – The Quilt Oct 5 2011 at 16:04

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I agree to a point but at the same time, taken too far, this sounds similar to the brand of insanity in books like The Secret. And that's a very curious use of the word unanimous. – Olivia Oct 5 2011 at 18:37

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Eric · Answer 2 · 2011-10-05 04:50:35Z UTC

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Sleep
Rest
Friends and Family
Work
Exercise
Great Food

answered Oct 5 2011 at 4:50

Eric
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free3337 · Answer 3 · 2011-10-05 05:51:19Z UTC

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Nutrition by far. The effects of supplementing single nutrients in clinical studies are so dramatic. I even wonder just how toxic PUFAs are in the presence of good nutrition (things like high vitamin E intake, etc).

answered Oct 5 2011 at 5:51

free3337
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I basically agree with you, but with the exception of serious illnesses... there are those which can end one's life despite nutrition. So, yes, nutrition, if the individual is otherwise healthy. – greyman Oct 5 2011 at 19:12

greyman · Answer 4 · 2011-10-05 19:07:16Z UTC

Let's not forget about another important factor, which is just "to not have predisposition for serious illnesses"...you know, like someone is young, and then one day is diagnosed with terminal illness.

Also, we must take into consideration that "health" and "lifespan" (=longevity) are not equivalent terms. Someone can be quite healthy all his life, and then suddenly drop down under serious illness and lives just 50 years for example. Another individual can be not that healthy, but lives 70 years.

So if I want to be honest, my answer is "I don't know"... although I agree all the other answers have some truth to it.

jesuisjuba - paleorepublic.com · Answer 5 · 2011-10-05 20:28:14Z UTC

I read about nutrition on the net and in books just for interest. I know what makes my body work aces so I don't subscribe too much found online. Unless it's food science - then it's on.

The most important factors for me to have a happy healthy long life, and not in any order, are:

Exercise
Sex
Close friends aka "framily"
Family and other personal relationships
Travel
Food
Good books
A good sense of humour, letting things roll off
Sleep
Trying new things, being dynamic and not static. Please reference all of the above in regards to this entry. Except for sleep.-

The Loon · Answer 6 · 2011-10-05 22:47:55Z UTC

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Sleep absolutely trumps everything, and good sleep fixes most other conditions.

answered Oct 5 2011 at 22:47

The Loon
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agree le loon!! – jesuisjuba - paleorepublic.com Oct 5 2011 at 23:45

EJG2112 · Answer 7 · 2011-10-05 22:39:35Z UTC

I have to say that my psychological health, and outlook on life in general is very much tied into what kind of foods I eat, and also how much sleep I get.

Jack LaLanne used to say “Exercise is king. Nutrition is queen. Put them together and you've got a kingdom.”

Not bad... I'd say it's nutrition and sleep though.

Anyway, here is my list of what I think is important for both health AND lifespan. The last three are personal ones.

Avoidance of wheat gluten, linoleic acid, fructose
Eating healthy and hopefully delicious foods
Sleep
Exercise
Stress reduction
Reduce exposure to environmental toxins
Sunlight, time spent in nature
Friends / social network / helping others
Dealing with unresolved emotional traumas or addictions
Addressing possible nutrient deficiencies
Having a positive attitude
Spirituality
Having a creative outlet
Personal growth

akman · Answer 8 · 2011-10-05 05:12:20Z UTC

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N = 1 and context. Plus, living within the framework mother nature gave you when you were born.

answered Oct 5 2011 at 5:12

akman
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Dominant factors in health?

8 Answers