Honors Theses
Date of Award
2016
Document Type
Undergraduate Thesis
Department
Chemistry and Biochemistry
First Advisor
Susan Pedigo
Relational Format
Dissertation/Thesis
Abstract
The aim of this investigation is to discover the associations of the Western diet to noncommunicable diseases and to determine if a reversion to a Paleolithic diet will provide treatment and prevention of these diseases. Noncommunicable diseases, otherwise known as Diseases of Civilization, are lifestyle influenced diseases and encompass obesity, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, and associated cancers. Incidences of these diseases have skyrocketed in the past century and show no signs of decline. Since 1900, the death rates due to heart disease and cancer have risen to account for 47% of total deaths in the United States in 2010. (Tippett, 2014) This investigation provides a look into the influence of processed foods, fast foods, and the biochemical processes of the human body to discover the effects of diet on disease. Based on the results of this investigation, the Paleolithic diet serves as an ideal diet to follow in order to prevent contraction of noncommunicable diseases. However, execution of this diet is very difficult. Therefore, small steps towards the dietary habits of Paleolithic people such as purchasing seasonal, locally grown food, avoiding processed foods and fast foods, and spending more time cooking and learning about healthy foods could begin to change the effects of this epidemic.
Recommended Citation
Caron, Emilie R., "Paleolithic Protection in a Western World: A Look Into Preagricultural Nutrition as a Remedy for the Diseases of Civilization" (2016). Honors Theses. 298.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/hon_thesis/298
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