We’ve been told for years that “there are no serious scientific studies on the Paleo Diet.”
It has almost become a cliché, repeated by "experts" who, in most cases, have never read a single study on the evolutionary diet.
But this statement is completely false.
In fact, there are over 160 scientific studies published in international journals (and more than 300 citations in the literature) confirming the benefits of the Paleo Diet and its more personalized evolution, the GeoPaleoDiet, in terms of: fat loss without calorie counting, increased energy, concentration and memory, improved physical and mental performance, prevention and remission of serious pathologies such as diabetes, autoimmune diseases, fatty liver and cardiovascular disorders.
So why do they keep saying “there is no evidence”?
Because, like all ideas that really work, the Paleo Diet is only accepted after 20-30 years of resistance from the scientific and medical establishment. The paradox is that the GeoPaleoDiet is one of the very few diets truly based on human physiology and genetic evolution.
Yet, it is ignored in favor of "official" dietary models that no longer hold up to modern scientific data. In this section, you'll find the real science, the kind the media and health institutions don't show you: articles, publications, clinical studies, and meta-analyses that will demolish false myths about nutrition and show you why everything you've heard so far... is just the tip of the iceberg.
Welcome to GeoPaleoScience.
1. Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
2014 - Bisht B., et al., A multimodal intervention for patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis: feasibility and effect on fatigue.
J Altern Complement Med. 2014 May;20(5):347-55. The pilot study showed that a multimodal intervention including a modified Paleolithic diet, exercise, and stress management reduced fatigue in patients with secondary progressive MS, improving quality of life and motor function.
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2015 - Bisht B., et al., Multimodal intervention improves fatigue and quality of life in subjects with progressive multiple sclerosis: a pilot study.
Degener Neurol Neuromuscul Dis. 2015;5:19-35. A multimodal intervention with a modified Paleo diet improved fatigue, quality of life, and metabolic parameters in patients with progressive MS, with high adherence.
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2017 - Irish, AK, et al., Randomized control trial evaluation of a modified Paleolithic dietary intervention in the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: a pilot study.
Degener Neurol Neuromuscul Dis, 2017. 7: pp. 1-18. The modified Paleo diet reduced fatigue and improved quality of life in patients with relapsing-remitting MS, with positive effects on inflammatory markers.
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2017 - Lee, J.E., et al., A Multimodal, Nonpharmacologic Intervention Improves Mood and Cognitive Function in People with Multiple Sclerosis.
J Am Coll Nutr, 2017. 36(3): p. 150-168. Nonpharmacological intervention including a Paleo diet improved mood and cognitive function in patients with MS, with reductions in anxiety and depression.
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2018 - Wahls, T., et al., Dietary approaches to treat MS-related fatigue: comparing the modified Paleolithic (Wahls Elimination) and low saturated fat (Swank) diets on perceived fatigue in persons with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.
Trials, 2018. 19(1): p. 309. Protocol for RCT comparing modified Paleo diet (Wahls) and low saturated fat diet (Swank) on fatigue in MS.
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2019 - Wahls, TL., et al., Review of Two Popular Eating Plans Within the Multiple Sclerosis Community: Low Saturated Fat and Modified Paleolithic.
Nutrients. 2019 Feb 7;11(2):352. Review comparing the Swank and Wahls (modified Paleo) diets for MS, noting potential benefits for fatigue and quality of life.
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2020 - Lee JE, et al., A Modified MCT-Based Ketogenic Diet Increases Plasma β-Hydroxybutyrate but Has Less Effect on Fatigue and Quality of Life in People With Multiple Sclerosis Compared to a Modified Paleolithic Diet: A Waitlist-Controlled, Randomized Pilot Study.
J Am Coll Nutr. 2021 Jan;40(1):13-25. The modified Paleo diet reduced fatigue and improved quality of life more than ketogenic MCT in MS, with similar increases in beta-hydroxybutyrate.
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2024 - Saxby SM, Haas C, Shemirani F, Titcomb TJ, Eyck PT, Rubenstein LM, Hoth KF, Snetselaar LG, Wahls TL.
Association Between Improved Serum Fatty Acid Profiles and Cognitive Function During a Dietary Intervention Trial in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis. Int J MS Care. 2024 Mar-Apr;26(2):61-68. Improvements in serum fatty acid profiles during dietary intervention (including modified Paleo) are associated with improved cognitive function in relapsing-remitting MS.
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2024 - Shemirani F, Pingel WR, Titcomb TJ, Salari-Moghaddam A, Arsalandeh F, Saxby SM, Snetselaar LG, Wahls TL.
The effect of dietary interventions on inflammatory biomarkers among people with multiple sclerosis: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. PLoS One. 2024 Feb 7;19(2):e0297510. Protocol for meta-analysis of dietary interventions (including Paleo) on inflammatory biomarkers in MS.
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2024 - Saxby SM, Shemirani F, Crippes LJ, Ehlinger MA, Brooks L, Bisht B, Titcomb TJ, Rubenstein LM, Eyck PT, Hoth KF, Gill C, Kamholz J, Snetselaar LG, Wahls TL.
Effects of a Remote Multimodal Intervention Involving Diet, Walking Program, and Breathing Exercise on Quality of Life Among Newly Diagnosed People with Multiple Sclerosis: A Quasi-Experimental Non-Inferiority Pilot Study. Degener Neurol Neuromuscul Dis. 2024 Jan 9;14:1-14. Remote multimodal intervention with diet (modified Paleo) improved quality of life in newly diagnosed people with MS, non-inferior to in-person interventions.
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2025 - Shemirani F, Klein AM, Groux AR, Kilpatrick R, Brooks L, Ehlinger MA, Darling WG, Magnotta VA, Gill CM, Hoth KF, Mangalam A, Eyck PT, Martinez AS, Hook J, Titcomb TJ, Snetselaar LG, Wahls TL.
Efficacy of Diet on Quality of Life in Multiple Sclerosis (EDQ-MS): A study protocol for a randomized controlled clinical trial. Trials. 2025 Oct 27;26(1):437. Protocol for an RCT evaluating the efficacy of diets (time-restricted ketogenic olive oil and modified Paleo elimination) vs. American guidelines on quality of life in relapsing-remitting MS, with secondary outcomes of disability, fatigue, and disease activity.
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2025 - Probst Y, Saffioti E, Manche S, Eaton M.
Examination of social media nutrition information related to multiple sclerosis: a cross-sectional social network analysis. Public Health Nutr. 2025 Sep 18;28(1):e166. Social media analysis shows prevalent nutritional misinformation about MS, with average information quality (61%) and higher engagement with low-quality content; knowledge gap for professionals and patients, emphasizing the need for evidence-based information.
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2025 - Kuhlman N, Lamm K, Wilson G, Klein B, Shuger Fox S, Titcomb TJ.
Perceptions of the effects of following specific diets among people with multiple sclerosis: A web scraping analysis of the multiple sclerosis subreddit. Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2025 Jul;99:106504. Web scraping analysis of the MS subreddit shows increasing discussions on specific diets (Paleo, plant-based, ketogenic, fasting, Mediterranean), with 71% reporting positive effects, highest rates for fasting (92.2%) and Mediterranean (90.7%).
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2025 - Saxby SM, Haas C, Klein A, Titcomb TJ, Shemirani F, Wahls T, Snetselaar L, Gill C, Mulder P.
Assessing Breastfeeding Attitudes and Self-Efficacy Among Health Care Personnel and Women With Multiple Sclerosis: Two Cross-Sectional Surveys. Brain Behav. 2025 Apr;15(4):e70468. Attitudes toward breastfeeding vary by specialty and experience among health care personnel, and by ethnicity, duration of breastfeeding, and number of children among women with MS, with positive attitudes related to longer exclusive breastfeeding and greater self-efficacy.
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2025 - Martinez AS, Bastian AJ, Shemirani F, Titcomb TJ, Bisht B, Darling WG, Ramanathan M, Shittu M, Gill CM, Snetselaar LG, Wahls TL.
Effects of a Multimodal Lifestyle Intervention on Cardiometabolic Markers in People with Progressive Multiple Sclerosis: A Secondary Analysis of a Pilot Study. Nutrients. 2025 Mar 27;17(7):1163. A 12-month multimodal intervention with a modified Paleo diet showed a marginal decrease in ApoB (p=0.06) but no significant changes in other cardiometabolic markers; no negative impact on glycemic/lipid profiles, but larger studies are needed.
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2025 - Li
ALSUntangled #76: Wahls protocol. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener. 2025 Feb;26(1-2):181-185. Review of the Wahls protocol (modified paleo) for ALS notes potential reductions in inflammation and oxidative stress.
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2. Diabetes and Glucose Metabolism
2007 - Lindeberg, S., et al., A Palaeolithic diet improves glucose tolerance more than a Mediterranean-like diet in individuals with ischemic heart disease.
Diabetologia, 2007. 50(9): p. 1795-1807. The Paleo diet improved glucose tolerance more than the Mediterranean diet in patients with ischemic heart disease, with significant reductions in glucose AUC.
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2009 - Jonsson, T., et al., Beneficial effects of a Paleolithic diet on cardiovascular risk factors in type 2 diabetes: a randomized cross-over pilot study.
Cardiovasc Diabetol, 2009. 8: p. 35. The Paleo diet reduced cardiovascular risk factors in type 2 diabetes, improving triglycerides and diastolic blood pressure.
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2009 - Klonoff, DC, The beneficial effects of a Paleolithic diet on type 2 diabetes and other risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
J Diabetes Sci Technol, 2009. 3(6): p. 1229-32. Review highlighting benefits of Paleo on type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular risk, based on pilot studies.
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2010 - Jonsson, T., et al., A paleolithic diet is more calorie satiating than a Mediterranean-like diet in individuals with ischemic heart disease.
Nutr Metab (Lond), 2010. 7: p. 85. Paleo is more satiating per calorie than Mediterranean in heart disease, with lower caloric intake.
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2013 - Jonsson, T., et al., Subjective satiety and other experiences of a Paleolithic diet compared to a diabetes diet in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Nutr J, 2013. 12: p. 105. Paleo increased satiety and improved subjective experiences compared to a type 2 diabetes diet.
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2015 - Masharani, U., et al., Metabolic and physiologic effects from consuming a hunter-gatherer (Paleolithic)-type diet in type 2 diabetes.
Eur J Clin Nutr, 2015. 69(8): p. 944-8. Paleo diet improved insulin sensitivity and lipids in type 2 diabetes, with weight loss.
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2016 - Fontes-Villalba, M., et al., Palaeolithic diet decreases fasting plasma leptin concentrations more than a diabetes diet in patients with type 2 diabetes: a randomized cross-over trial.
Cardiovasc Diabetol, 2016. 15: p. 80. Paleo reduced plasma leptin more than the type 2 diabetes diet, improving metabolism.
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2017 - Otten, J., et al., Benefits of a Paleolithic diet with and without supervised exercise on fat mass, insulin sensitivity, and glycemic control: a randomized controlled trial in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes Metab Res Rev, 2017. 33(1). Paleo with/without exercise reduced fat mass and improved insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetes.
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2017 - Stomby, A., et al., A Paleolithic Diet with and without Combined Aerobic and Resistance Exercise Increases Functional Brain Responses and Hippocampal Volume in Subjects with Type 2 Diabetes.
Front Aging Neurosci, 2017. 9: p. 391. Paleo with exercise increased functional brain responses and hippocampal volume in type 2 diabetes.
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2018 - Otten, J., et al., A heterogeneous response of liver and skeletal muscle fat to the combination of a Paleolithic diet and exercise in obese individuals with type 2 diabetes: a randomized controlled trial.
Diabetologia, 2018. 61(7): p. 1548-1559. Paleo with exercise reduced liver and muscle fat heterogeneously in obese type 2 diabetics.
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2019 - Otten, J., et al., Postprandial Levels of GLP-1, GIP and Glucagon After 2 Years of Weight Loss With a Paleolithic Diet: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Healthy Obese Women.
Eur J Endocrinol. 2019 Jun 1;180(6):417-427. Paleo weight loss altered postprandial GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon levels in obese women.
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2020 - Jamka, M., et al., The Effect of the Paleolithic Diet vs.
Healthy Diets on Glucose and Insulin Homeostasis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. J Clin Med. 2020 Jan 21;9(2):296. Meta-analysis shows Paleo improves glucose/insulin homeostasis vs. healthy diets, with reductions in HOMA-IR.
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2020 - Jospe, MR., et al., Intermittent Fasting, Paleolithic, or Mediterranean Diets in the Real World: Exploratory Secondary Analyzes of a Weight-Loss Trial That Included Choice of Diet and Exercise.
Am J Clin Nutr. 2020 Mar 1;111(3):503-514. In a real-world setting, Paleo resulted in similar weight loss as intermittent/Mediterranean, diet/exercise choice.
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2020 - Stomby, A.
Diet-induced weight loss alters hepatic glucocorticoid metabolism in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Eur J Endocrinol. 2020 Apr;182(4):447-457. Diet-induced weight loss (Paleo) alters hepatic glucocorticoid metabolism in type 2 diabetes mellitus.
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2021 - Mårtensson A, Stomby A, Tellström A, Ryberg M, Waling M, Otten J.
Using a Paleo Ratio to Assess Adherence to Paleolithic Dietary Recommendations in a Randomized Controlled Trial of Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes. Nutrients. 2021 Mar 17;13(3):969. Paleo ratio used to assess adherence in RCTs on type 2 diabetes, showing good adherence and correlations with outcomes.
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2021 - Chorell E, Otten J, Stomby A, Ryberg M, Waling M, Hauksson J, Svensson M, Olsson T.
Improved Peripheral and Hepatic Insulin Sensitivity after Lifestyle Interventions in Type 2 Diabetes Is Associated with Specific Metabolomic and Lipidomic Signatures in Skeletal Muscle and Plasma. Metabolites. 2021 Dec 3;11(12):834. Paleo lifestyle interventions improved peripheral/hepatic insulin sensitivity, associated with specific metabolomic signatures.
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2025 - Fontes-Villalba M, Fika-Hernando ML, Picazo Ó, Frassetto LA, Carrera-Bastos P, Memon AA, Lippi G, Montagnana M, Granfeldt Y, Sundquist K, Sundquist J, Jönsson T.
Randomized crossover controlled trial of dietary interventions for glycaemic control when body weight is kept stable. J Nutr Sci. 2025 Aug 29;14:e59. In a crossover RCT, no differences in HbA1c or fructosamine were found between Paleo and diabetes diets when weight was stable, despite matching macronutrients and glycemic load (but not fiber).
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3. Cardiovascular Diseases and Metabolic Syndrome
2009 - Frassetto, L.A., et al., Metabolic and physiologic improvements from consuming a paleolithic, hunter-gatherer type diet.
Eur J Clin Nutr, 2009. 63(8): p. 947-55. The Paleo diet improved metabolic and physiological parameters in healthy adults, reducing blood pressure and lipids.
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2014 - Boers, I., et al., Favorable effects of consuming a Palaeolithic-type diet on characteristics of the metabolic syndrome: a randomized controlled pilot-study.
Lipids Health Dis, 2014. 13: p. 160. Paleo improved features of metabolic syndrome in pilot RCTs, reducing triglycerides and blood pressure.
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2014 - Talreja, D., et al., Impact of a Paleolithic Diet on Modifiable Cardiovascular Risk Factors.
Journal of Clinical Lipidology, 2014. 8(3): p. 341. Paleo reduced modifiable cardiovascular risk factors, such as lipids and weight.
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2015 - Manheimer, EW, et al., Paleolithic nutrition for metabolic syndrome: systematic review and meta-analysis.
Am J Clin Nutr, 2015. 102(4): 922-32. Meta-analysis shows Paleo improves metabolic syndrome more than guide diets, reducing waist circumference and triglycerides.
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2015 - Pastore, RL, JT
Brooks, and J.W. Carbone, Paleolithic nutrition improves plasma lipid concentrations of hypercholesterolemic adults to a greater extent than traditional heart-healthy dietary recommendations. Nutr Res, 2015. 35(6): p. 474-9. Paleo improved plasma lipids in hypercholesterolemic adults to a greater extent than traditional heart-healthy dietary recommendations.
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2015 - Talreja, A., et al., CRT-601 The VA Beach Diet Study: An Investigation Of The Effects Of Plant-based, Mediterranean, Paleolithic, And Dash Diets On Cardiovascular Disease Risk.
2015. 8(2 Supplement): p. S41. Study compares diets, showing Paleo reduces cardiovascular risk similar to DASH and Mediterranean.
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2016 - Genoni, A., et al., Cardiovascular, Metabolic Effects and Dietary Composition of Ad-Libitum Paleolithic vs.
Australian Guide to Healthy Eating Diets: A 4-Week Randomized Trial. Nutrients. 2016 May 23;8(5):314. Paleo ad libitum improved cardiovascular and metabolic outcomes vs. Australian Guide, with different dietary composition.
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2016 - Talreja, D., et al., CRT-800.00 An Investigation of Plant-based, Mediterranean, Paleolithic, and Dash Diets.
2016. 9(4 Supplement): p. S61. Survey shows plant-based, Mediterranean, Paleo, and DASH diets reduce cardiovascular risk, with Paleo effective on lipids.
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2019 - Ghaedi, E., et al., Effects of a Paleolithic Diet on Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
Adv Nutr. 2019 Jul 1;10(4):634-646. Meta-analysis of RCTs shows Paleo reduces cardiovascular risk factors, such as blood pressure, triglycerides, and BMI (Body Mass Index), an easily calculable number that provides a first indication of a healthy weight (BMI = weight/height²). Excessive or lower than normal weight in itself indicates a health risk and may require targeted therapy.
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2019 - Hirahatake, KM., Diet Quality and Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Postmenopausal Women With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: The Women's Health Initiative.
J Am Heart Assoc. 2019 Oct;8(19):e013249. High diet quality (including Paleo diet) associated with lower cardiovascular risk in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes.
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2020 - Chen,
Adv Nutr. 2020 Apr 29:nmaa035. Comment on metadata errors on Paleo for cardiovascular risk, suggesting corrections.
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2021 - Sohouli MH, Fatahi S, Lari A, Lotfi M, Seifishahpar M, Găman MA, Rahideh ST, AlBatati SK, AlHossan AM, Alkhalifa SA, Alomar SA, Abu-Zaid A.
The effect of paleolithic diet on glucose metabolism and lipid profile among patients with metabolic disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2021;61(23):3942-3952. Meta-analysis shows Paleo improves glucose metabolism and lipid profile in metabolic disorders.
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2022 - de la OV, Zazpe I, Goni L, Santiago S, Martín-Calvo N, Bes-Rastrollo M, Martínez JA, Martínez-González MÁ, Ruiz-Canela M.
A score appraising the Paleolithic diet and the risk of cardiovascular disease in a prospective Mediterranean cohort. Eur J Nutr. 2022 Mar;61(2):957–971. Paleo score associated with lower cardiovascular risk in a prospective Mediterranean cohort.
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2024 - Rydhög B, Carrera-Bastos P, Granfeldt Y, Sundquist K, Sonestedt E, Nilsson PM, Jönsson T.
Inverse association between Paleolithic Diet Fraction and mortality and incidence of cardiometabolic disease in the prospective Malmö Diet and Cancer Study. Eur J Nutr. 2024 Mar;63(2):501-512.
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2025 - Bahrami M, Bakhshimoghaddam F, Ahangarpour A, Jafarirad S.
The Paleolithic diet and chronic disease risk: a GRADE-assessed systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies and randomized controlled trials. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2025 Oct 23:1-16. Paleo improved cardiometabolic markers in RCTs (e.g., insulin, cholesterol, weight) and reduced mortality risk (10% all-cause, 10% cancer, 16% CHD congenital heart disease) in cohorts, suggesting benefits for cardiometabolic health.
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2025 - Bakhshimoghaddam F, Maraghi E, Hadianfard AM, Cheraghian B, Jafarirad S.
Untangling the role of diet quality and other risk factors in the severity of metabolic syndrome: Insights from the Hoveyzeh Cohort study using structural equation modeling. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2025 Oct;228:112436. Diet quality scores (including Paleo) are inversely associated with metabolic syndrome severity, with significant direct/indirect effects for DDS and PDS, and indirect effects for EAT-Lancet, indicating reduction through modifiable factors. The DDS, PDS, and EAT-Lancet Diet Score are scientific tools used to quantify the quality or “pattern” of a person's diet. They are used to translate a food questionnaire (FFQ) into a number that represents how balanced, diverse, or adherent to a certain model (Paleo, Mediterranean, plant-based, etc.) a diet is.
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4. Obesity and Weight Loss
2013 - Ryberg, M., et al., A Palaeolithic-type diet causes strong tissue-specific effects on ectopic fat deposition in obese postmenopausal women.
J Intern Med, 2013. 274(1): p. 67-76. The Paleo diet reduced ectopic fat deposition in obese postmenopausal women, with tissue-specific effects. Ectopic fat is body fat that accumulates where it shouldn't be—that is, outside of the subcutaneous adipose tissue (the “good” fat under the skin). Essentially, it's fat out of place, “invading” organs and tissues not designed to store it.
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2014 - Mellberg, C., et al., Long-term effects of a Palaeolithic-type diet in obese postmenopausal women: a 2-year randomized trial.
Eur J Clin Nutr, 2014. 68(3): p. 350-7. Long-term effects of Paleo on obesity in postmenopausal women, with sustained weight loss.
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2015 - Stomby, A., et al., Diet-induced weight loss has chronic tissue-specific effects on glucocorticoid metabolism in overweight postmenopausal women.
Int J Obes (London), 2015. 39(5): p. 814-9. Diet-induced weight loss has chronic tissue-specific effects on glucocorticoid metabolism in overweight postmenopausal women.
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2017 - Anton, S.D., et al., Effects of Popular Diets without Specific Calorie Targets on Weight Loss Outcomes: Systematic Review of Findings from Clinical Trials.
Nutrients, 2017. 9(8). Review shows popular diets (including Paleo) without calorie targets lead to weight loss in trials.
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2017 - Blomquist, C., et al., Attenuated Low-Grade Inflammation Following Long-Term Dietary Intervention in Postmenopausal Women with Obesity.
Obesity (Silver Spring), 2017. 25(5): p. 892-900. Long-term dietary intervention attenuated low-grade inflammation in postmenopausal obesity.
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2017 - Obert, J., et al., Popular Weight Loss Strategies: a Review of Four Weight Loss Techniques.
Curr Gastroenterol Rep, 2017. 19(12): p. 61. Review of weight loss strategies, including Paleo, showing effectiveness.
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2018 - Blomquist, C., et al., Decreased lipogenesis-promoting factors in adipose tissue in postmenopausal women with overweight on a Paleolithic-type diet.
Eur J Nutr, 2018. 57(8): p. 2877-2886. Paleo diet decreased lipogenesis-promoting factors in adipose tissue in overweight postmenopausal women. Lipogenesis = “fat formation”. It is the process by which the body transforms carbohydrates and other molecules into fatty acids, which are then stored as triglycerides in adipose tissue or in the liver.
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2018 - Popp, C.J., et al., The Effectiveness of MyPlate and Paleolithic-based Diet Recommendations, both with and without Exercise, on Aerobic Fitness, Muscular Strength and Anaerobic Power in Young Women: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
Int J Exerc Sci, 2018. 11(2): p. 921-933. Paleo recommendations with/without exercise effective on aerobic fitness, strength, and anaerobic power in young women.
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2019 - de Menezes, EVA., et al., Influence of Paleolithic Diet on Anthropometric Markers in Chronic Diseases: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Nutr J. 2019 Jul 23;18(1):41. Meta-analysis shows Paleo influences anthropometric markers in chronic diseases, reducing weight and BMI.
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2019 - Kopp, W., How Western Diet And Lifestyle Drive The Pandemic Of Obesity And Civilization Diseases.
Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes. 2019 Oct 24;12:2221-2236. Western diet driving obesity pandemic; Paleo as an alternative to mitigate it.
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2025 - Rydhög B, Carrera-Bastos P, Granfeldt Y, Sundquist K, Jönsson T.
Paleolithic diet fraction and score in post hoc data analysis of a randomized controlled trial with lifestyle interventions for abdominal obesity. BMC Nutr. 2025 Oct 2;11(1):180. In post hoc analysis of RCTs on abdominal obesity, mean energy PDF 36% at baseline, 44% at 12 months, 42% at 24 months; moderate-strong correlations between PDF and PDS, but no associations with cardiometabolic changes, perhaps due to modest changes. PDS = theoretical score based on defined rules (more fruit, vegetables, meat, less cereals, legumes, dairy products).
PDF = "Paleolithic" pattern statistically extracted from people's actual eating habits. When the study states that there were moderate-strong correlations between PDF and PDS, it means that: The statistical pattern of people's actual "Paleo" diets matches the theoretical PDS model quite well. (i.e., those with a high PDS score also tend to eat similarly to the "Paleo" pattern identified in the data.) Link
6. Cancer
2014 - Whalen, KA, et al., Paleolithic and Mediterranean diet pattern scores and risk of incident, sporadic colorectal adenomas.
Am J Epidemiol, 2014. 180(11): p. 1088-97. Paleo and Mediterranean scores associated with lower risk of sporadic colorectal adenomas.
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2016 - Whalen, K.A., et al., Paleolithic and Mediterranean Diet Pattern Scores Are Inversely Associated with Biomarkers of Inflammation and Oxidative Balance in Adults.
J Nutr, 2016. 146(6): p. 1217-26. Paleo and Mediterranean scores inversely associated with biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative balance.
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2017 - Whalen, KA., et al., Paleolithic and Mediterranean Diet Pattern Scores Are Inversely Associated With All-Cause and Cause-Specific Mortality in Adults.
J Nutr. 2017 Apr;147(4):612-620. Paleo scores inversely associated with all-cause and specific mortality.
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2018 - Cheng, E., et al., Associations of evolutionary-concordance diet, Mediterranean diet and evolutionary-concordance lifestyle pattern scores with all-cause and cause-specific mortality.
Br J Nutr, 2018: pp. 1-10. Evolutionary-concordant (Paleo-like) diet scores associated with lower all-cause and specific mortality.
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2018 - Haridass, V., et al., Diet Quality Scores Inversely Associated with Postmenopausal Breast Cancer Risk Are Not Associated with Premenopausal Breast Cancer Risk in the California Teachers Study.
J Nutr, 2018. 148(11): p. 1830-1837. Diet quality scores (including Paleo) inversely associated with postmenopausal, not premenopausal, breast cancer risk.
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2022 - Penley MJ, Byrd DA, Bostick RM.
Associations of Evolutionary-Concordance Diet and Lifestyle Pattern Scores with Incident, Sporadic Colorectal Adenoma in a Pooled Case-Control Study. Nutr Cancer. 2022;74(8):2858-2868. Concordant evolutionary diet/lifestyle scores associated with lower incidence of colorectal adenomas.
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2024 - Zamzam S, Said S, Yaghi J, Faisal FS, Hassan D, Abdul Majeed S, Al Rajabi A, Tayyem R.
Dietary Patterns Associated with Breast Cancer in the Middle East: A Scoping Review. Nutrients. 2024 Feb 20;16(5):579. Review of dietary patterns (including Paleo) associated with breast cancer in the Middle East.
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2025 - Silvestris N, Aprile G, Tessitore D, Mentrasti G, Cristina Petrella M, Speranza D, Casirati A, Caccialanza R, Cinieri S, Pedrazzoli P; Italian Intersociety Working Group for Nutritional Support in Cancer Patients.
Harnessing tumor metabolism during cancer treatment: A narrative review of emerging dietary approaches. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol. 2025 Feb;206:104571. Narrative review of emerging diets (including Paleo) for tumor metabolism during cancer treatment, noting preclinical/clinical evidence but challenges in trials due to variability.
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7. Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
2014 - Kamel, KS., et al., Integration of the Response to Dietary Potassium Load: A Paleolithic Perspective.
Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2014 May;29(5):982-9. Paleo perspective on response to dietary potassium loading and supplementation during pregnancy.
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2019 - Lavie, M., et al., Paleolithic Diet During Pregnancy-A Potential Beneficial Effect on Metabolic Indices and Birth Weight.
Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2019 Nov;242:7-11. Paleo during pregnancy has beneficial effects on metabolic indices and birth weight.
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2025 - Vouga M, Schenk S, Baud D, Legardeur H.
Nutrition and grossness: pragmatic advice. Rev Med Suisse. 2025 Oct 15;21(935):1832-1837. Pragmatic recommendations for nutrition during pregnancy, noting a varied/minimally processed diet meets needs, with targeted supplements; special monitoring for diets such as Paleo, low infection risks in Switzerland.
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8. Gut Microbiome and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
2017 - Haskey, N.
and DL Gibson, An Examination of Diet for the Maintenance of Remission in Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Nutrients, 2017. 9(3): p. 259. Examination of diets (including Paleo) for maintenance of remission in IBD.
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2019 - Barone, M., et al., Gut Microbiome Response to a Modern Paleolithic Diet in a Western Lifestyle Context.
PLoS One. 2019 Aug 8;14(8):e0220619. Gut microbiome responds to a modern Paleo diet, altering its composition in a Western context.
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2019 - Britto, S., et al., Carbohydrate Monotony as Protection and Treatment for Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
J Crohns Colitis. 2019 Jul 25;13(7):942-948. Carbohydrate monotony (Paleo-like) as protection/treatment for IBD.
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2019 - Genoni, A., et al., Long-term Paleolithic Diet Is Associated With Lower Resistant Starch Intake, Different Gut Microbiota Composition and Increased Serum TMAO Concentration.
Eur J Nutr. 2019 Jul 5. Long-term paleo associated with lower resistant starch intake, different microbiota composition, and increased serum TMAO.
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2019 - Hsieh, MS., et al., Nutritional and Dietary Strategy in the Clinical Care of Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
J Formos Med Assoc. 2019 Oct 14:S0929-6646(19)30468-1. Nutritional strategies (including Paleo) for clinical IBD management.
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2024 - Gopu V, Camacho FR, Toma R, Torres PJ, Cai Y, Krishnan S, Rajagopal S, Tily H, Vuyisich M, Banavar G.
An accurate aging clock developed from large-scale gut microbiome and human gene expression data. iScience. 2023 Dec 2;27(1):108538. Aging clock from microbiome and gene expression, with implications for diets like Paleo.
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2018 - Genoni, A., et al., A Paleolithic diet lowers resistant starch intake but does not affect serum trimethylamine-N-oxide concentrations in healthy women.
Br J Nutr, 2018: pp. 1-14. Paleo diet reduces resistant starch intake but does not affect serum TMAO in healthy women.
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9. Inflammation and Autoimmune
2016 - Dolan C, CA, Davies N, Markofski M.
, Effects of an 8-week Paleo dietary intervention on inflammatory cytokines, in American Physiological Society Conference, Inflammation, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease. 2016: Westminster, CO. pp 40-41. 8-week Paleo intervention reduced inflammatory cytokines.
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2017 - Afifi, L., et al., Dietary Behaviors in Psoriasis: Patient-Reported Outcomes from a US
National Survey. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb), 2017. 7(2): pp. 227-242. Dietary behaviors (including Paleo) in psoriasis, with patient-reported outcomes.
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2019 - Evans, RDR., Emerging Evidence of an Effect of Salt on Innate and Adaptive Immunity.
Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2019 Dec 1;34(12):2007–2014. Emerging evidence on salt's effect on immunity: a Paleo perspective.
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2021 - Graff RM, Jennings K, Davies NA, Carrillo AE, Lavoy EC, Ryan EJ, Markofski MM.
Short-Term Paleolithic Dietary Intervention Does Not Alter Adipokines Linked to Adiposity. Int J Exerc Sci. 2021 Apr 1;14(2):113-122. Short Paleo intervention does not alter adipokines linked to adiposity.
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11. Archaeological and Historical Studies
2012 - Kowalski, LM., et al., [Evaluation of Biological and Clinical Potential of Paleolithic Diet.] Rocz Panstw Zakl Hig.
2012;63(1):9-15. Evaluation of the biological/clinical potential of Paleo.
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2021 - Oxilia G, Bortolini E, Badino F, Bernardini F, Gazzoni V, Lugli F, Romandini M, Radini A, Terlato G, Marciani G, Silvestrini S, Menghi Sartorio JC, Thun Hohenstein U, Fiorenza L, Kullmer O, Tuniz C, Moggi Cecchi J, Talamo S, Fontana F, Peresani M, Benazzi S, Cristiani E.
Exploring late Paleolithic and Mesolithic diet in the Eastern Alpine region of Italy through multiple proxies. Am J Phys Anthropol. 2021 Feb;174(2):232-253. Late Paleolithic/Mesolithic diet exploration in the Eastern Alps of Italy.
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2021 - Tushingham S, Barton L, Bettinger RL.
How ancestral subsistence strategies solve salmon starvation and the “protein problem” of Pacific Rim resources. Am J Phys Anthropol. 2021 Apr;175(1):45–61.
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2022 - Pontzer, H., Wood, B.
M., and Raichlen, DA (2018) Hunter-gatherers as models in public health. Obesity Reviews, 19: 24–35. Hunter-gatherers (Paleo-like) as models for public health.
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2025 - Zhou X, Zhou J.
龋病的考古研究 [Archaeological Research on Dental Caries]. Sichuan Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban. 2025 Jul 20;56(4):1160-1164. Archaeological research shows caries originating in the Paleolithic with a low prevalence due to coarse/low-sugar diets and increased in the Neolithic due to agriculture and starch, offering insights for modern prevention.
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2025 - Fidalgo D, Bibi F, Pandolfi L, Boisserie JR, Martino R, El Eshraky K, Palancar CA, Madurell-Malapeira J, Rosas A.
Impact of Life History on Hippopotamus Skull Ontogeny. Evol Dev. 2025 Sep;27(3):e70013. Morphometric analysis shows major morphological changes in hippopotamus infancy and puberty, cranial stabilization before mandibular stabilization, potentially linked to dietary changes.
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2025 - Kindler L, Gaudzinski-Windheuser S, Scherjon F, Garcia-Moreno A, Smith GM, Pop E, Speth JD, Roebroeks W.
Large-scale processing of within-bone nutrients by Neanderthals, 125,000 years ago. Sci Adv. 2025 Jul 4;11(27):eadv1257. Archaeological evidence from Neumark-Nord shows Neanderthals processed bone nutrients from 172 mammals ~125,000 years ago.
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2025 - Martinoia V, Papathanasiou A, Talamo S, MacDonald R, Richards MP.
High-resolution isotope dietary analysis of Mesolithic and Neolithic humans from Franchthi Cave, Greece. PLoS One. 2025 Jan 17;20(1):e0310834. Isotopic analysis confirms little to no marine consumption in the Mesolithic/Neolithic despite the coastal location.
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12. Reviews, Meta-Analysis and General
2008 - Osterdahl, M., et al., Effects of a short-term intervention with a paleolithic diet in healthy volunteers.
Eur J Clin Nutr, 2008. 62(5): p. 682-5. Brief Paleo intervention in healthy volunteers improved blood pressure and weight.
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2015 - Bligh, HF, et al., Plant-rich mixed meals based on Palaeolithic diet principles have a dramatic impact on incretin, peptide YY and satiety response, but show little effect on glucose and insulin homeostasis: an acute-effects randomized study.
Br J Nutr, 2015. 113(4): p. 574-84. Paleo plant-rich meals have dramatic impact on incretins, PYY, and satiety, but little on glucose/insulin.
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2015 - Frassetto, LA, et al., Erratum: Metabolic and physiological improvements from consuming a paleolithic, hunter-gatherer type diet.
Eur J Clin Nutr, 2015. 69(12): p. 1376. Metabolic improvements from a Paleo diet.
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2019 - Churuangsuk, C., et al., Impacts of Carbohydrate-Restricted Diets on Micronutrient Intakes and Status: A Systematic Review.
Obes Rev. 2019 Aug;20(8):1132-1147. Review of Low-Carbohydrate Diets (Including Paleo) on Micronutrient Intake/Status.
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2020 - de la O, V., et al., Scoping Review of Paleolithic Dietary Patterns: A Definition Proposal.
Nutr Res Rev. 2020 Jun 2:1-45. Examine the scope of the definition of Paleolithic dietary patterns.
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2020 - Zampelas, A., et al., Dietary Patterns and Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases: A Review of the Evidence.
Proc Nutr Soc. 2020 Feb;79(1):68–75. Review of dietary patterns (including Paleo) and cardiovascular risk.
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2020 - de la OV, Zazpe I, Martínez JA, Santiago S, Carlos S, Zulet MÁ, Ruiz-Canela M.
Scoping review of Paleolithic dietary patterns: a definition proposal. Nutr Res Rev. 2021 Jun;34(1):78-106. Review to define the Paleo pattern.
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2021 - Frączek B, Pięta A, Burda A, Mazur-Kurach P, Tyrała F.
Paleolithic Diet-Effect on the Health Status and Performance of Athletes? Nutrients. 2021 Mar 21;13(3):1019. Paleo effect on athletes' health status and performance.
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2024 - Challa HJ, Bandlamudi M, Uppaluri KR.
Paleolithic Diet. 2023 Jul 4. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan–. Overview of the Paleo diet as a modern hunter-gatherer interpretation, popular for weight loss.
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2025 - Alyafei A, Daley SF.
The Role of Dietary Lifestyle Modification in Chronic Disease Prevention and Management. 2025 May 19. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan–. Paradoxical under/overnutrition drives chronic disease; emphasizes evidence-based dietary interventions (including Paleo) for prevention/management, addressing marketing and awareness challenges.
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2025 - Daley SF, Challa HJ, Uppaluri KR.
Paleolithic Diet. 2025 Feb 19. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan–. Overview of Paleo as a modern hunter-gatherer diet emphasizing nutrient-dense whole foods and excluding grains/cheeses; popular health advice on benefits/risks.
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