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Bland JS. Why the Pegan Diet Makes Sense. Integr Med (Encinitas) 2021; 20:16-19. [PMID: 34373678 PMCID: PMC8325496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
In 1985, S. Boyd Eaton and Melvin Konner published a landmark paper in the New England Journal of Medicine. The title was "Paleolithic Nutrition: A Consideration of Its Nature and Current Implications," and this work postulated that an increase in the prevalence of chronic disease among modern humans is the result of a dietary composition that is incompatible with both our genetic ancestry and natural metabolic function. Over the intervening decades, numerous theories about optimal dietary approaches have been put forth and much debate has ensued. Among researchers and the public, we have witnessed vocal advocates emerge in support of the paleolithic philosophy of encouraging mild ketosis, while others passionately argue for plant-based vegetarianism. There is now evidence that neither extreme provides superior health benefits in isolation. According to numerous clinical studies, a hybrid approach may convey a positive and multifactorial influence on the intestinal microbiome, the metabolome, proteomics, and overall health outcomes. A Mediterranean-style diet has been widely studied, and a new concept-Pegan, which is a contraction of the words paleo and vegan-is now gaining worldwide attention.
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Bleasdale M, Ponce P, Radini A, Wilson AS, Doherty S, Daley P, Brown C, Spindler L, Sibun L, Speller C, Alexander MM. Multidisciplinary investigations of the diets of two post-medieval populations from London using stable isotopes and microdebris analysis. ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND ANTHROPOLOGICAL SCIENCES 2019; 11:6161-6181. [PMID: 31814854 PMCID: PMC6874522 DOI: 10.1007/s12520-019-00910-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 08/02/2019] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
This paper presents the first multi-tissue study of diet in post-medieval London using both the stable light isotope analysis of carbon and nitrogen and analysis of microdebris in dental calculus. Dietary intake was explored over short and long timescales. Bulk bone collagen was analysed from humans from the Queen's Chapel of the Savoy (QCS) (n = 66) and the St Barnabas/St Mary Abbots (SB) (n = 25). Incremental dentine analysis was performed on the second molar of individual QCS1123 to explore childhood dietary intake. Bulk hair samples (n = 4) were sampled from adults from QCS, and dental calculus was analysed from four other individuals using microscopy. In addition, bone collagen from a total of 46 animals from QCS (n = 11) and the additional site of Prescot Street (n = 35) was analysed, providing the first animal dietary baseline for post-medieval London. Overall, isotopic results suggest a largely C3-based terrestrial diet for both populations, with the exception of QCS1123 who exhibited values consistent with the consumption of C4 food sources throughout childhood and adulthood. The differences exhibited in δ15Ncoll across both populations likely reflect variations in diet due to social class and occupation, with individuals from SB likely representing wealthier individuals consuming larger quantities of animal and marine fish protein. Microdebris analysis results were limited but indicate the consumption of domestic cereals. This paper demonstrates the utility of a multidisciplinary approach to investigate diet across long and short timescales to further our understanding of variations in social status and mobility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeleine Bleasdale
- Department of Archaeology, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History, Jena, Germany
- BioArch, Department of Archaeology, University of York, York, UK
| | - Paola Ponce
- PalaeoHub, Department of Archaeology, University of York, York, UK
| | - Anita Radini
- BioArch, Department of Archaeology, University of York, York, UK
| | - Andrew S. Wilson
- School of Archaeological & Forensic Sciences, University of Bradford, Bradford, UK
| | - Sean Doherty
- BioArch, Department of Archaeology, University of York, York, UK
- Department of Archaeology, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Patrick Daley
- School of Archaeological & Forensic Sciences, University of Bradford, Bradford, UK
| | - Chloe Brown
- BioArch, Department of Archaeology, University of York, York, UK
| | - Luke Spindler
- BioArch, Department of Archaeology, University of York, York, UK
- Oxford Radiocarbon Accelerator Unit, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Lucy Sibun
- Archaeology South-East, Institute of Archaeology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Camilla Speller
- BioArch, Department of Archaeology, University of York, York, UK
- Department of Anthropology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW There has been increasing research into the role of nutritional factors in mood and cognitive disorders in later life. This review evaluates findings from recent research for the role and effect of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and B vitamins in mood and cognitive disorders in later life. RECENT FINDINGS Epidemiological studies, including genetic epidemiological ones, continue to provide support for the role of folate and/or vitamin B12 in mood disorders in later life. However, evidence from recent randomized controlled trials for the effect of these B vitamins and n-3 PUFAs is modest. There is little robust evidence for the effect of these nutrients on cognitive disorders in later life. SUMMARY Larger randomized controlled trials allowing more appropriate meta-analyses are required to further evaluate current findings. Additionally, methods derived from research in geriatric medicine may assist in conceptualizing a role for these nutrients.
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Immunomodulation by food: promising concept for mitigating allergic disease? Anal Bioanal Chem 2009; 395:37-45. [PMID: 19455311 PMCID: PMC2724636 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-009-2838-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2009] [Revised: 04/30/2009] [Accepted: 05/04/2009] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The importance of a properly functioning and well-balanced immune system for maintaining health has become strikingly evident over the past decades. Roughly since World War II, there has been an apparent decrease in the prevalence of "traditional" infectious diseases, with a concomitant increase in immune-related disorders, such as allergies. Causally, a relationship with changes in life-style-related factors such as the increasing use of hygienic practices seems likely. Diet and nutrition can affect the functioning of various immune parameters. This concept can be utilised in attempts to prevent or mitigate allergic reactions via the development of targeted food products or ingredients. This review describes recent findings with respect to food products and ingredients that show potential in this respect, with special emphasis on pro- and prebiotics, beta-glucans and fungal immunomodulatory proteins. What all of these approaches have in common is that they appear to strengthen Th1-mediated immunity, thus possibly restoring defective immune maturation due to overly hygienic living conditions: a little bit of dirt does not seem bad!
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How the mid-Victorians worked, ate and died. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2009; 6:1235-53. [PMID: 19440443 PMCID: PMC2672390 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph6031235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2009] [Accepted: 02/28/2009] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Analysis of the mid-Victorian period in the U.K. reveals that life expectancy at age 5 was as good or better than exists today, and the incidence of degenerative disease was 10% of ours. Their levels of physical activity and hence calorific intakes were approximately twice ours. They had relatively little access to alcohol and tobacco; and due to their correspondingly high intake of fruits, whole grains, oily fish and vegetables, they consumed levels of micro- and phytonutrients at approximately ten times the levels considered normal today. This paper relates the nutritional status of the mid-Victorians to their freedom from degenerative disease; and extrapolates recommendations for the cost-effective improvement of public health today.
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