TRADITIONAL DIETS AND GUT BACTERIA: Contemporary Teachings for a Modern Age (PART 1)

          The diets and lifestyles of modern, Western societies are contributing to a global pandemic of obesity, and metabolic syndrome, which is the fancy term for having either high blood-pressure, uncontrolled blood sugar, lots of abdominal fat, or even too much dissolved fat in the blood. These factors of metabolic syndrome are major risks of getting cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, gallstones, sexual impotence or dysfunction, and/or type 2 diabetes.

Were cavemen OBESE?

       Early humans from pre-industrial, Paleolithic societies were much less likely to become obese or have metabolic syndrome than us today, even when accounting for their reduced lifespans (either from infection, violence, parasites, or predators like saber-toothed tigers) [1]. This insight has led to the development of diets trying to mimic so called Paleo “caveman” diets, which have been critiqued within the medical community as carrying too many unknown assumptions and lacking in scientific rigor [2]. Regardless, there’s a good amount of preliminary research showing that these paleo diets have the potential to improve elements of metabolic syndrome, while reducing hunger levels, and decreasing body fat (always a plus).

         We don’t know exactly the full details of how these Paleolithic humans lived and ate, but we can make educated guesses based on how traditional, modern-day hunter-gatherers (societies that live strictly on what the land provides, plant and animal-wise) and agrarians (peoples that practice at least some agriculture) currently live today… along with evidence from the fossil record, such as how teeth are worn away through eating either fiber-rich plants or soft cooked meat.

What is a PRE-BIOTIC ?

        Compared to our Western diets, the traditional diets of pre-industrial societies can be characterized as having: increased consumption of fish and lean game meats (like caribou or other venison), avoidance of refined sugars, and arguably the most important difference, a much greater consumption of fruits and vegetables—especially those containing high levels of prebiotics. Prebiotics are the parts of plants that when eaten, can escape digestion in the stomach to feed and support the gut microbiota¸ a complex community of bacteria numbering in the trillions of cells. The gut microbiota has been called the “forgotten organ” in the medical science literature,[3]due to its known influence on our overall health…or lack thereof (much like our liver and kidneys, we need our gut bacteria to be happy and well-adjusted for us to live well).

The secret lies within poop fossils... 

          The most interesting piece of research I have read regarding the sheer degree of prebiotic content in the Paleolithic diet comes from ancient, human, coprolite fossils (aka, poop fossils) found by researchers in a Mexican desert[4]. These fossils were dated to belong to an era over ten-thousand years ago, when we believed humankind was still living like hunter-gatherers live today. The poop was then analyzed for DNA fragments, which were found to belong to onion, agave (such as that found in agave syrup and tequila), and a plant called desert spoon. What these plants have in common is that they contain high levels of a prebiotic called inulin-type fructans. From the poop fossils, it was determined that hunter-gatherers of this region ate around 135 grams of prebiotics per day. In contrast, us Westerners eat maybe 11 grams of prebiotics per day (so about ten times less). Plant fiber also acts to feed human gut bacteria, and hunter-gathers still have us beat. They ate well over 200 grams of fiber a day, compared to our diet, which contains 20 grams per day (and that’s on the high end!).

Did cavemen have a better balance of gut bacteria ?

          Societies eating pre-industrial, traditional diets in general have more bacteria in their guts, more types of unique species in their guts, and most strikingly, a greater number of a species of bacteria called Prevotella, while Westerners have much more of the species Bacteroides. How might these gut microbiota differences influence our health? That topic will be the focus of Part 2, so be sure to check in with our website regularly to hear the end…

- Tyler Feeney-

M.Sci (c) in Dietetics

Disclaimer: The information provided is meant to spread knowledge and induce interest for educational purposes. It is based on limited research. We try to pull the overall message of the literature, but further research may be necessary.  What is done with the information or suggestions is solely the consumer's decision. The information provided is not meant to treat or diagnose any medical condition. References are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute the endorsement of any website or other sources.

References

1. Eaton, S.B., & Konner, M. (1985). Paleolithic nutrition: A consideration of its nature and current implications. New England Journal of Medicine, 312, 283-289.
2. Pitt, C. E. (2016). Cutting through the Paleo hype: The evidence for the Palaeolithic diet. Australian Family Physician, 45(1), 35-38.
3. O'Hara, A. M., & Shanahan, F. (2006). The gut flora as a forgotten organ. EMBO Reports, 7(7), 688-693.
4. Leach, J. D., & Sobolik, K. D. (2010). High dietary intake of prebiotic inulin-type fructans in the prehistoric Chihuahuan Desert. British Journal of Nutrition, 103(11), 1558-1561.