Support our educational content for free when you buy through links on our site. Learn more
The Ultimate Guide to the Paleo-Keto Diet Dr. Myhill [2023]
If you have been researching diets for a healthier lifestyle, you might have come across the Paleo-Keto diet with its emphasis on a plant-based focus. Here at Keto Paleo Recipes™, we specialize in providing healthy recipes, and we strongly recommend following a Paleo-Keto diet. In this article, we will explore the benefits and requirements of the Paleo-Keto diet, with a focus on the insights of Dr. Sarah Myhill.
What is the Paleo-Keto Diet?
The Paleo-Keto diet blends the principles of the Paleo and Keto diets. The Paleo aspect focuses on consuming organic, non-processed, and nutrient-rich foods similar to what our ancestors consumed. The Keto aspect, on the other hand, emphasizes a high-fat, low-carb approach, leading to a metabolic process called ketosis, where the body burns fat for energy instead of carbs.
Paleo Principles
The Paleo diet is based on what our ancestors would have eaten during the Paleolithic era, about 2.5 million to 10,000 years ago. This diet involves consuming whole foods that are locally sourced, organic, and non-processed. Paleo dieters avoid grains, sugars, legumes, dairy products, and processed foods. Paleo principles teach us to avoid anything that could harm our gut health.
Keto Principles
The Keto diet is a low-carb, high-fat diet that aims to put your body into a state of ketosis. Carbs are restricted while healthy fats, moderate amounts of protein, and non-starchy vegetables are encouraged. On the Keto diet, you rely on burning fats for energy, which can lead to weight loss and a range of other health benefits.
Why Follow a Paleo-Keto Diet?
A Paleo-Keto diet offers a range of health benefits, including weight loss, better blood sugar regulation, improved energy levels, and better mental clarity. Some of the benefits of a Paleo-Keto diet, in general, include:
- Reduced inflammation levels
- Improved digestion
- Aiding in the treatment of epilepsy, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s disease
- Improved cardiovascular health
- Prevention of some cancers
- Improved athletic performance
Dr. Sarah Myhill, a British doctor, nutritionist, and author, adds an additional component to the Paleo-Keto diet that addresses chronic fatigue and other metabolic disorders.
The Myhill CFS Diet
Dr. Myhill believes that the best treatment for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a Paleo-Keto diet. CFS is a long-term illness characterized by extreme fatigue, sleep problems, and cognitive impairment. Dr. Myhill perfected her Myhill CFS diet over years of research, in which she found that a Paleo-Keto diet helped with symptoms such as brain fog, inflammation, and digestive issues.
Getting Through the Metabolic Hinterland
The metabolic hinterland is the transition phase that the body goes through when it is adapting from relying on glucose to fat as the main energy source. During this phase, you may experience flu-like symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, and nausea.
How do you know you have done enough to move into fat burning?
The answer is simple – Test, Don't Guess. Dr. Myhill recommends monitoring your blood glucose and ketone levels to gauge if you have moved into ketosis. Testing can involve using blood ketone meters and blood glucose meters. Getting enough rest, staying hydrated, and consuming high-fat foods can all help while the body is adapting.
Clinical Applications of the Paleo-Ketogenic (PK) Diet
A Paleo-Keto diet is beneficial in many other conditions besides chronic fatigue. It has been shown to improve symptoms of other metabolic conditions such as epilepsy, traumatic brain injury, and stroke. Some studies also suggest that it can aid in cancer prevention and treatment.
What Can I Eat on a Paleo-Keto Diet?
A Paleo-Keto diet involves consuming whole, unprocessed foods that are both nutrient-dense and rich in healthy fats. Here are some examples of what you can eat on your Paleo-Keto diet:
- Grass-fed meats
- Wild-caught fish
- Organic vegetables
- Low-glycemic fruits like berries
- Seeds and nuts
- Coconut oil and other healthy fats like Olive oil and Ghee
- Fermented foods
Is Paleo as Effective as Keto?
While both the Paleo and Keto diets share some similarities, the Paleo diet has some differences. The Paleo diet is focused on eating whole, nutrient-rich foods, while the Keto diet focuses on high-fat, low carb eating. Both diets are effective in their ways, and there are many success stories associated with each diet. However, Dr. Myhill emphasizes the importance of a combined Paleo-Keto diet to treat metabolic disorders, and the evidence backs up her claims.
Quick Tips and Facts
- To put your body into ketosis, you must keep your carbohydrate intake below 50g a day.
- Fasting can help your body transition into ketosis much faster.
- High-fat diets have been shown to improve cholesterol levels.
- Following a Paleo-Keto diet can lead to weight loss and improved blood sugar control.
FAQs
What is the Best Way to Transition to a Paleo-Keto Diet?
Transitioning into a Paleo-Keto diet can be challenging, with the metabolic hinterland transition phase not being easy. To make the transition smoother, make small, gradual changes to your diet rather than making sweeping changes. At Keto Paleo Recipes™, we have a range of resources and recipes to help you get started on the Paleo-Keto diet.
What Can You Not Eat on a Paleo-Keto Diet?
Avoid sugary foods, processed foods, grains including cereals, bread, pasta, legumes such as beans and peanuts, high omega-6 seed oils, and a range of dairy products.
Is a Paleo-Keto Diet Beneficial for Other Conditions Besides CFS?
The answer is yes. There is some evidence to suggest that the Paleo-Keto diet can be useful in managing Type-2 Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's Disease, and cancer.
Conclusion
A Paleo-Keto diet is an effective and natural approach to improving overall health and treating metabolic conditions like CFS. By blending the principles of the Paleo and Keto diet, you can gain the best of both worlds. Many studies have shown the benefits of following a Paleo-Keto diet, and Dr. Myhill's expertise has helped numerous individuals recover from CFS. Start your journey today by implementing some of our tips and recipes, and track your progress as you begin to reap the benefits of this powerful diet.
References
- https://wattsupwiththat.com/2018/06/19/no-the-miocene-is-not-an-example-of-the-last-time-it-was-as-warm-as-its-going-to-get-later-this-century-argh/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3680567/
- https://drmyhill.co.uk/
- https://chriskresser.com/how-to-accurately-measure-ketones-with-trey-suntrup/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5644969/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3218139/