Nora T. Gedgaudas - Primal Body, Primal Mind: Beyond the Paleo Diet for Total Health and a Longer Life

For Lisa, without whose tireless dedicationand support this book would not have been possible.Also, this book is for all those in my life whohave relentlessly supported me, my heart, and my work.You have my eternal love and gratitude.

And finally, for our ancestors, who hold an important key for all of us to the future of our survival.

The writer is fully aware that his message is not orthodox; but since our orthodox theories have not saved us we may have to readjust them to bring them into harmony with Natures laws. Nature must be obeyed, not orthodoxy.

WESTON A. PRICE,
NUTRITION AND PHYSICAL DEGENERATION (1939)

PRIMAL BODY, PRIMAL MIND

For those of us who suffer from life-altering illnesses, Primal Body, Primal Mind is a clean slice through the cultural fog of bad nutrition and worse science in which weve been lost for a generation. If you wonderespecially out loud, to doctor after doctorwhy it still hurts, then open this book and start reading. You have found your champion, and she comes bearing answers. Did I mention five stars? This book is fabulous.

LIERRE KEITH, AUTHOR OFTHE VEGETARIAN MYTH

If you want to really know about how your brain and body work, read this book!

THOM HARTMANN, AUTHOR OFTHE EDISON GENE:
ADHD AND THE GIFT OF THE HUNTER CHILD

Nora Gedgaudas has loaded Primal Body, Primal Mind with the information and resources essential for anyone who hopes to survive the 21st century in mental and physical health.

JULIA ROSS, AUTHOR OF THE DIET CURE ANDTHE MOOD CURE
AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE RECOVERY SYSTEMS CLINIC

I consider Noras work to be the definitive statement on the nutritional needs of the brain. It is required reading for all of my patients and for anyone with an interest in maintaining their own vitality throughout their life.

GLEN ZIELINSKI, D.C., D.A.C.N.B., ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF CLINICAL
NEUROLOGY AT CARRICK INSTITUTE FOR GRADUATE STUDIES

As an investment advisor, I stress the importance of health to my clients and subscribers. Why is that? Because a clear mind and strong body are the first step to creating and keeping your wealth, whether it is personal or financial. Yes, we can understand how our mind and bodies function! Yes, we can feed ourselves the nutritious food that makes us powerful! Nora Gedgaudass Primal Body, Primal Mind teaches you essential knowledge you need to survive and thrive in the 21st century.

CATHERINE AUSTIN FITTS, FOUNDER AND
MANAGING MEMBER OF SOLARI INVESTMENT ADVISORY

These days, hormones are a hot topic. In Primal Body, Primal Mind, Gedgaudas focuses on those hormones that are commonly imbalanced and problematic to the American population, contributing to symptoms such as weight gain, low energy, poor mood, and even premature aging. In clear and simple terms Nora describes the root of these problems and outlines solutions that are effective and easy to apply. This is the book you want to read.

JANET R. LANG, D.C., AUTHOR, EDUCATOR, AND
FOUNDER OF RESTORATIVE ENDOCRINOLOGY

Nora Gedgaudas lights a path toward dietary discretion and natural health that obliterates much of the standard dietary doctrine along the way. Larger truths have a tendency to be simple. It is so here as well.

SIEGFRIED OTHMER, PH.D., COAUTHOR OFADD: THE 20-HOUR
SOLUTION AND CHIEF SCIENTIST AT THE EEG INSTITUTE

Primal Body, Primal Mind covers a wide range of health topics but ties them all back to one central idea: physically, we are virtually identical to our Paleolithic ancestors. We may drive minivans and listen to modern jazz on iPods, but our bodies and brains havent really evolved past the Stone Age. Overall, an excellent read and an excellent resource.

TOM NAUGHTON, COMEDIAN, FORMER HEALTH
WRITER, AND CREATOR OF FAT HEAD

Its a health plan so easy even an unga bunga caveman can do it! Gedgaudas uses humor, science-based facts, and common sense to debunk many of the myths we have been told about weight and health control in the 21st century. In the world of healthy high-fat, low-carb nutrition research and education, this is yet another book to complement your healthy lifestyle change.

JIMMY MOORE, AUTHOR OFLIVIN LA VIDA LOW CARB

Nora explores where our dietary requirements originated and how they affect our mood and vulnerability to diseases and explains the complex issues of nutrient assimilation, digestion gluten sensitivity, and celiac disease. Find out if youre a fat burner or a sugar burner, learn the bad news about gluten, soy, milk proteins, and the nutritional bases for depression, ADHD, and other common disorders. This book is so much more than another what to eat book.

JULIE HOLLAND, M.D., AUTHOR OF THE POT BOOK
AND WEEKENDS AT BELLEVUE

Cautionary Note and Disclaimer

I am not a physician; I am a nutritional therapist and cannot and do not prescribe. The information provided here is for educational purposes only. Any decision on your part to read and use this information is your personal choice. The information in this book is not meant to be used to diagnose, prescribe for, or treat any illness. Please discuss any changes you wish to make to your medical treatment with a qualified, licensed health care provider.

Although millions of people have been able to transition to a very-low-carbohydrate diet without documented harm, there are some people for whom a low-carb diet must be approached with some caution.

If you are taking medication to control your blood sugar or blood pressure, you may need to quickly reduce the dosage and may need to discontinue this medication altogether if you significantly restrict your carbohydrate intake. This is best done under the supervision of an experienced and qualified licensed health care provider.

Although the diet advocated in this book stresses the consumption of only moderate levels of protein and is not a high-protein diet, for anyone who has serious kidney disease, any increase in dietary protein can potentially be a problem. If you have kidney disease, you should consult your doctor before making any changes to your diet.

If you have gallbladder attacks or gallstones, you should exercise extreme caution where increasing dietary fat is concerned, and you may first need to resolve this issue with your trusted and knowledgeable licensed natural health care provider before embarking on any major dietary change.

Anyone who has any other serious illness such as unstable cardiovascular disease, cancer, or liver disease needs to exercise caution if making dietary changes. You should consult your physician for guidance.

Finally, if you are pregnant or lactating, you should not overly restrict protein (or fat) intake. Also, young children and teens have much more demanding nutrient needs and should not have their protein or fat intake overly restricted. There is still no dietary carbohydrate (sugar or starch) requirement for such individuals, but know that radical changes to your existing diet if you are pregnantother than eliminating junk foodsmay not be advisable and should be approached only under the guidance of a qualified and knowledgeable health care professional.

Illustration Permissions

1.2 Changes per capita availability of dietary fats in the United States; data borrowed from