Why Paleolithic?

These past few months, I spent more time in hospitals and doctor's offices than I cared to. I had headaches, partial paralysis, weakness, numbness, tingling, temporary blindness in one eye, muscle aches, nerve pain - you name it, I had it.

I found myself at the ripe age of 23, hooked up to heart monitors and inside of MRI machines. I was transferred after a week in the hospital to a rehabilitation hospital, but was disheartened to see the median age of the patient at around 80 years old. What the hell was I doing there?

Medical science, the pharmaceutical industry, modern medical treatments and testing - it all failed me. The only thing that got me better was a steady diet, support from my friends and serious rest.

While I am 80% better now, I am still plagued with some nerve pain, some headaches, occasional numbness in my toes, and exhaustion.

I should let my readers (if I even have readers) know that I'm not unhealthy. I've never smoked a day in my life, never even tried a drug that wasn't prescribed to me, I limit my caffeine intake, and I drink only in moderation. I run long distances, and I'm usually at the gym 3-5 times a week. I get a decent amount of sleep each night. I eat well, a moderate diet that leans towards organic foods and lots of veggies. My BMI is around a 19-19.5. I'm just under 5'10", and I'm around 135 lbs.

I shouldn't be so frail. I should be closing down bars on the weekends, eating pizza regularly and smoking the occasional cigarette, right? Instead, I find myself sick the entire day after I drink two Amstel Light beers, and I get a massive headache from a single latte. Chinese food, Thai food, anything out of the ordinary puts me in bed for at least a day. I have to keep an emergency supply of Ginger Ale under my bed at all times; my body just can't handle so many things.

I could keep complaining. Or I could do something about it.

A good friend of mine, with several degrees in anthropology, suggested the Paleolithic Diet when I was in the hospital. Skeptical of anything associated with a "diet", I dismissed it at first. (I find "diets" to be quick fixes for long term problems.) But as these symptoms have persisted, and my aversion to modern medicine has grown as their inability to help me has become more apparent, I have decided to throw in the towel and give it a shot.

Here's the Wikipedia on the Paleolithic Diet.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paleolithic_diet#Sustainability

It's an interesting theory, and I can buy it in parts. Fast foods, hydrogentaed oils and refined sugars have only been around for a limited amount of time compared to the human history. Even if you don't buy into evolution, Joshua didn't stop at a Wendy's on his way to Jericho. Have we poisoned ourselves with modern foods? As I lay buried under my covers in an attempt to get over another "sick spell", I can't help but wonder if I could get better by following a strict diet based on ancient man's eating habits.

It may seem ridiculous to many of you, but for me, I've been just a little too sick for just a little too long. If it means that I can have some semblance of a "real life" back, I'm game for trying this out.

I've already completed eliminated alcohol from my life, and as of today, I have eliminated all sodas, coffee and teas from my diet as well. Candy, chips, pretzels, "munchies" - these are all things that I will buy no more.

Today I ordered some raw, organic honey from a company based in Oklahoma, and I will pick up some pecan nut meal and arrowroot from the local organic store tomorrow to try a "bread" recipe I found online. I'm not by any means going to dive headfirst into this new nutritional regime, in fact, it is advised that you begin with one meal a day and slowly ease into these new foods.

But I'm going to try this. There has to be a way to fix this problem that doesn't involve clinical trials and popping pills.

I just never thought that way would be effectively becoming a cavewoman.