The Origin of the Paleo Diet

In this interview, Dr. Michael Eades and Dr. Katina Thornton discuss the origin of the Paleo diet and how low-carb eating can have a quick and positive impact on a person’s health. 

Eades, a bestselling author and full-time doctor with expertise in nutrition and metabolic medicine, has focused his recent research on what paleopathology can tell us about diet and health. Skeletal remains teach us much about how dietary changes can support or compromise human health. For example, comparing the remains of hunter-gatherers with agriculturists reveals humans’ switch to an agricultural means of subsistence corresponded with increased disease risk. One large group of agriculturalists that has been studied extensively — the ancient Egyptians — provides an important data source showing the detrimental effects of a grain-based diet. This evidence has been used to support a return to a grain-free dietary regimen such as the Paleolithic diet, which includes meat, fish, vegetables, fruit, nuts, and seeds.

Learn more at Dr. Eades’ webinar on Oct. 6, 2020, accredited for 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™:

Dr. Michael R. Eades, MD, received his BS in civil engineering from California State Polytechnic University. After working for six years in engineering, he made a career change and enrolled in medical school at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. After residency, Eades, along with his wife, Dr. Mary Dan Eades, MD, started one of the first chains of urgent care centers in the United States. During his career treating patients in urgent care facilities, Eades developed an interest in nutritional medicine.

His subsequent work with thousands of overweight patients made clear to him that encouraging a reduction of carbohydrate intake worked better than most medications for obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and a host of other disorders.

After years of refining his dietary program, Eades, along with his wife, wrote Protein Power, a book that details their methods and went on to become a New York Times best seller for over a year. Since that time, the Eades have published 13 more books in the medical and nutritional field and authored a top-100 health blog at proteinpower.com. They have appeared on ABC, NBC, CNN, Fox, PBS, and hundreds of local TV and radio programs advocating the low-carbohydrate nutritional approach.