Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

NOTE: I am a Top 500 Amazon reviewer and received a pre-publication copy of this book for review. University of Minnesota Ecology, Evolution and Behavior Professor Marlene Zuk has positioned herself as THE authority on what the definition of the word Paleo is really all about. And with her impressive educational and career background in evolutionary biology, she most certainly should not be quickly dismissed or ignored. But in her book PALEOFANTASY, it quickly becomes apparent that Zuk's supposed book knowledge of the Paleo diet doesn't even come close to the reality of what is driving the modern-day Paleo movement led by people like Robb Wolf, Mark Sisson Diane Sanfilippo, Loren Cordain, Sarah Fragoso and many others. Had Zuk actually bothered to take the time to read a few of the many bestselling Paleo books that have emerged over the past few years, then she would have quickly realized her conclusions about the Paleo diet and lifestyle perspective are way off base. She quotes a story that was published in the New York Times quite extensively as the basis for what she thinks the popularized Paleo world of today is all about. This blatant disregard by Zuk for the great work being done to promote a real foods-based nutrition and lifestyle plan that is helping so many people with autoimmune issues, diabetes, obesity and more get their life back is disappointing to see in light of all the lives that are being improved from those who have chosen to go Paleo. What Zuk claims are "unfounded assumptions" about what Paleo really is and how our hunter-gatherer ancestors actually lived is predicated on her belief that humans are very quick to adapt to new changes in their environment and that attempting to mimic the habits of our early ancestors is a silly concept. For example, she says that modern-day humans are easily able to adapt to consuming grains in their diet without any negative consequences to their health. But the reality is that the so-called "healthy whole grains" are full of antinutrients that are causing more damage than good in most people. From metabolic syndrome to leaky gut issues, the harm that grains have done on the bodies of modern-day humans is proof positive that we have NOT adapted very well to consuming these foods in our diet. There's one major flaw in Zuk's thinking expressed repeatedly throughout this book: people in modern times ARE getting healthier, stronger and optimizing the way their bodies work as a direct result of living like their Paleo predecessors. Cutting out neolithic foods such as grains, sugar and dairy--which didn't exist before 10,000 years ago--has been the missing element in bringing about dramatic improvements for the legion of Paleo followers of this primitive lifestyle plan today. Just Google "Paleo success" to find forums, blogs, podcasts and more on what this lifestyle has done to revolutionize the health and fitness of a new generation of men and women dedicated to the concept of consuming real, whole foods. It's no coincidence that the state of human health began to decline with the inclusion of all of these foods into our diet that are completely alien to our bodies. The astronomical rates of heart disease, diabetes and obesity that we are seeing today stands in stark contrast to the stellar health of our Paleo ancestors who survived remarkably long times if they were able to avoid falling victim to a saber-toothed tiger or other predatory beast. The many wild assumptions being made by Zuk in PALEOFANTASY make it quickly obvious to anyone reading this book that she hasn't properly educated herself about why people are embracing the Paleo lifestyle more and more in today's society. If only she took just a few moments to talk to a few of these key leaders in the Paleo community, then I think she would get a much better perspective on all of this rather than coming across as sounding a bit too sure of herself as she does throughout this book. The point of Paleo is not about living like cavemen and reenacting every single aspect of our ancestors. Instead, it is to treat our bodies in the way they were intended so that they function well. That's it! The massive rates of chronic health and obesity issues that modern-day society has to deal with lends credence to embracing a more Paleo template in our diet, fitness and lifestyle choices. In the end, the author Marlene Zuk just looks jealous and bitter about the success people are experiencing thanks to the Paleo way of life.