Author(s):
- Karsten Øvretveit
Abstract:
Background: Dietary intake is a major exposomic influence and one of the main drivers of human health. The emerging understanding of the profound physiological effects that can result from nutritional modifications has led to a plethora of dietary frameworks and guidelines that purport to be the “best” diet for humans. One of these is the Paleolithic diet (PD), which is based on the notion of evolutionary discordance and claims to be more in accordance with the human genome than modern diets that include post-Neolithic foods.
Aims: Perform detailed analysis of a self-tracked dataset generated by a single quantified self (QS) subject that adhered to the PD for a whole year. Compare the observed mean macro- and micronutrient intake to evidence-based dietary guidelines. Use these findings along with the overall body of literature as context to explore the assumptions and rationales of the PD. Discuss the role self-tracked data can have in personalized healthcare.
Methods: A comprehensive dataset comprising daily nutritional intake, physical activity, and other lifestyle factors was obtained, structured, and analyzed. Detailed dietary intake was compared to the current Nordic Nutrition Recommendations (NNR). The most popular PD books were read and compared to the research literature they claim to be based upon. Specific concepts within the PD were scrutinized in light of established evidence.
Results: The data analysis indicated an adherence of ~85% to the PD over the whole year, in line with previous recommendations and observations. The remaining energy intake was met with non-PD approved food and drinks. The average daily carbohydrate, fat, and protein intake was 180 ± 99 g, 173 ± 56 g, 176 ± 51 g, respectively. The subject exceeded all the recommended daily intakes of micronutrients available for analysis. The subject gained a total 9.5 kg, with a body fat percentage of 10.8 % towards the end of the study period, suggesting that a large fraction of weight gain came in the form of lean tissue. Although the subject’s diet aligned with PD book recommendations, several dietary constituents differed markedly from estimations and observations from the scientific literature.
Conclusions: These findings indicate that self-tracking can identify actionable issues that may be targeted to improve health behavior. Specific examples from the present case include reducing total and saturated fat, increasing fiber intake, and being mindful of foods high in fat-soluble vitamins. The discrepancy between PD research and popular PD books highlights the importance of relying on evidence-based dietary advice. Such advice, combined with self-tracked data, offers a novel way to tailor an individual’s diet according to goals and preferences.