Understanding the Paleo Diet: The Historical and Evolutionary Contribution of Milk and its Derivatives

What does the paleo diet consist of?

The paleo diet, as the name itself indicates, is a diet derived from the dietary models of the populations of the Stone Age, i.e. the Paleolithic period, before the advent of agriculture and livestock farming. This type of diet, therefore, proposes a dietary model based mainly on the consumption of foods that can be found through hunting and gathering activities. Basic elements of the paleo diet are mainly fresh fruit and vegetables, berries, seeds, nuts. It is therefore a diet rich in vitamins, fiber and antioxidants. In contrast to these ingredients of plant origin, a moderate consumption of proteins, mainly of animal origin, is recommended. Rather than focusing on the meat of large animals, the paleo diet favors the consumption of meat from small animals, such as rabbit, chicken or fish, and involves the intake of insects, rich in proteins but also in vitamins and mineral salts. Eggs, an important source of essential nutrients such as proteins and good cholesterol, represent an important element of this diet together with honey, a natural and energizing sweetener. One of the most important peculiarities of the paleo diet, which distinguishes it from many other contemporary diets, is the absence of cereals and legumes. This is because these foods entered the human diet only with the advent of agriculture, therefore they were not accessible to the populations of the Paleolithic period. Furthermore, the consumption of milk and derivatives is not recommended, foods which were also not available before the introduction of breeding. The paleo diet, therefore, represents a return to the origins, a return to a dietary model that respects the natural rhythms and needs of our organism. It is not a diet in the strict sense of the term, understood as food restriction for the purpose of weight loss, but rather a real nutritional lifestyle. The goal is not so much to lose weight, but rather to nourish the body in a balanced and healthy way, providing all the nutrients it needs but eliminating foods that can cause inflammation and disease.

Lactase is a winning genetic heritage

The maturation of the scientific vision around the concept of diet continues incessantly. A key point regarding this debate is the topic relating to milk and its derivatives. In fact, a widespread belief is that these foods produce deleterious effects on health and are responsible for increasing body weight. An undoubtedly distorted vision that casts undue shadows on a nourishment as old as humanity. The historical account in fact demonstrates how milk has taken on a primary role in human nutrition, contributing to the very development of our species. The key to understanding this apparent contradiction lies in the lactase gene, the enzyme that allows the digestion of lactose. The phenomena of lactose intolerance, very widespread today, are in fact due to a sort of "switching off" of this gene which usually occurs during childhood. However, in some populations, the persistence of the expression of this gene has allowed the continuation of the consumption of milk and dairy products even during adult life, with notable advantages from a nutritional point of view. But not only that: it is not just a question of individual health, but of the survival of the group. In fact, historiographical research highlights how human populations that had developed this ability to digest lactose saw a significant demographic increase compared to those that, on the contrary, did not consume milk. This is a true evolutionary success, whereby the organism has been able to adapt to available food sources, improving its nutritional status and potential life expectancy. But not only. The ability to digest lactose has also had a technological impact. The 'lactase-positive' populations have in fact developed milk processing techniques, producing cheese and yoghurt, foods with a longer shelf life and a high nutritional density. This gave them a competitive advantage, allowing them to survive periods of food scarcity. Lactase, therefore, more than a simple gene, represents an authentic genetic heritage for humanity, which has allowed entire societies to develop, evolve and prosper. This teaches us how nutrition is a key factor in understanding human progress, and how popular beliefs often deviate from scientific truth. So, rather than demonizing the presence of lactose in milk and dairy products, perhaps we should recognize the value of this nutrient and the richness it brings to our diet.

Conclusions

At the end of our in-depth study on the Paleo Diet and milk, it is clear that the maintenance of the lactase enzyme throughout human evolution represents a clear indicator of the role that the consumption of milk and dairy products has had in our history. The emergence of lactose-tolerant populations, due to a genetic mutation, was not a simple coincidence, but a clear evolutionary response to the introduction and spread of dairy farming and the use of milk in early human settlements. This symbiotic relationship between humans and dairy animals helped shape our genomes and digestive systems, allowing our ancestors to exploit a rich and available new food resource. However, it should be noted that lactose tolerance does not make the consumption of milk and dairy products mandatory. Just as with any other food, the intake of these products should be balanced and proportionate to the nutritional needs of each individual. Milk offers numerous nutritional benefits, including minerals such as calcium and protein, however its excessive consumption can lead to excess calories and saturated fat in the diet. For those who tolerate lactose and wish to include milk and its derivatives in their diet, it is therefore important to pay attention to the quantities. Moderate and conscious consumption of these foods can be perfectly integrated into a healthy and balanced diet. In conclusion, the evolutionary adaptation to the consumption of milk and dairy products in lactose-tolerant populations represents an interesting biological phenomenon. However, as with any other food, its consumption should be moderate and commensurate with individual needs. Diets, including the Paleo Diet, should always be personalized and balanced in order to respond to the specific needs of each individual, with a view to conscious nutrition that respects our evolutionary history.