Arthritis is a disease many people suffer from, especially as they age. Strangely enough, however, there are a few subsets of the population that seem relatively immune to this debilitating condition--those remaining hunter-gatherer tribes who hold to their traditions, flouting modern convention. Some individuals believe they have a handle on what makes these tribesmen less susceptible to disease than the rest of the world's population: the key is in their diet.
About the Caveman Diet
The Caveman Diet was invented by Dr. Ben Balzer. It is also referred to as the Paleolithic Diet. After noting the low incidence of arthritis, heart disease, stroke, cancer and depression among traditional hunter/gatherer tribes, Dr. Balzer developed this diet to emulate their dietary practices in the hope of also reducing the prevalence of disease.
Caveman Diet Principles
Followers of the Caveman Diet base their entire food intake on consumption of meat, fish, eggs, chicken, fruits, vegetables, nuts and berries. They completely avoid grains, beans, potatoes, dairy, sugar and added salt. The theory behind this method of eating is that arthritis (and other diseases) are developed due to the body's natural intolerance of grains. By eliminating grains (and related products), you eliminate the catalyst that triggers these aliments.
Medical Opinions
A paper supporting Dr. Balzer's assertions was published in the April 2000 edition of the British Journal of Nutrition. There, doctors noted that consumption of cereal grains led to gastrointestinal disturbance in certain patients, which triggered the onset of arthritis. Patients who have eliminated cereal intake from their diets have noticed improvements in their condition.
Possible Dangers
So long as you maintain a proper intake of fruits and vegetables to supply your body with the required nutrients, there is nothing inherently dangerous about using the Caveman Diet to combat the development of arthritis. If you're adopting the Caveman Diet, a good recommendation for health is to vary your fruit and vegetable intake, and attempt to have both fruits and vegetables with every meal.
Considerations
Although the theory appears valid, more research is needed to draw a conclusive link between grain intake and arthritis. Thus, do not expect miracles from using the Caveman Diet to combat this condition. Regardless, if you suffer from arthritis and feel as if you're out of options for regaining control over your life, attempting the Caveman Diet certainly seems to be benign way to seek a cure.
