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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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The Paleo Manifesto summary
John Durant
Ancient Wisdom for Lifelong Health
14 mins
Brief summary
The Paleo Manifesto by John Durant is a guide to living a healthy lifestyle based on principles of Paleolithic diets and hunter-gatherer societies. It explores the evolutionary basis of human nutrition, fitness, and social behavior.
Table of Contents
The Paleo Manifesto
Summary of 6 key ideas
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Key idea 1 of 6
The lives we lead today are at odds with our evolutionary history.
Despite all the incredible technological innovations of the modern world, we aren’t getting any healthier or happier.
Just compare the typical day of an average person today with that of his ancestors. For instance, before the author became a leading force in the paleo movement, he lived in New York City and was clocking endless hours at a consulting firm, day after day.
He worked well into the night and went to the office on the weekends. He barely had time to exercise, and subsisted on take-out food. To make matters worse, he replenished his depleted energy by overloading on caffeine.
But what about the typical day of an ancient human, without all the technology?
Our ancestors dedicated most of the day to the necessities of survival – hunting, gathering and cooking. That lifestyle is still inside of us; we’re actually better suited to our ancestors’ lifestyle than our contemporary technology-driven one.
For clear evidence of the negative impacts of modern living, let’s look at what happened to the gorillas – our nearest primate cousins – at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Even though they were kept on a strict diet according to official health guidelines, the gorillas were always sick. They suffered from obesity, high blood pressure, increased cholesterol and triglycerides and had a marked level of heart disease indicators. On top of that, they had behavioral issues, like yanking out their hair and regurgitating their food before re-ingesting it.
However, as soon as the zookeepers replaced the processed gorilla biscuits with natural plants, the gorillas’ health stabilized and their behavior normalized.
Why?
Because they were eating what they ate in the wild, that is, what their bodies had adapted to eating through evolution.
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What is The Paleo Manifesto about?
The Paleo Manifesto (2013) is the go-to guide to going paleo. It explains why the Paleo diet is in sync with our ancestors’ diet, and how you can use humanity’s anthropological and evolutionary history to get fit, feel great and lead the healthy lifestyle you’ve always wanted to.
The Paleo Manifesto Review
The Paleo Manifesto (2013) by John Durant is an insightful exploration of the benefits of returning to our ancestral diet and lifestyle. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- It offers a measured and well-researched argument for adopting a paleo lifestyle, backed by scientific evidence and Durant's personal experiences.
- Blending history, anthropology, and nutrition, the book presents a well-rounded perspective on the paleo movement, making it informative and thought-provoking.
- With its fascinating stories about early humans and the impact of modernity on our health, the book manages to engage readers and keeps them eager to learn more.
Who should read The Paleo Manifesto?
- Anybody looking for a sustainable, intelligent diet
- People tired of calorie-counting methods to lose weight
- Anyone interested in the history and development of the human diet
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The Paleo Manifesto FAQs
What is the main message of The Paleo Manifesto?
The Paleo Manifesto encourages a return to our ancestral roots and lifestyle for better health and well-being.
How long does it take to read The Paleo Manifesto?
The reading time for The Paleo Manifesto varies, but you can get the Blinkist summary in just 15 minutes.
Is The Paleo Manifesto a good book? Is it worth reading?
The Paleo Manifesto is worth reading for its insights on ancestral health and lifestyle, offering valuable information on improving well-being.
Who is the author of The Paleo Manifesto?
The author of The Paleo Manifesto is John Durant.
What to read after The Paleo Manifesto?
If you're wondering what to read next after The Paleo Manifesto, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- The Wild Diet by Abel James
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- 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do by Amy Morin
- Outlive by Peter Attia
- The Algebra of Wealth by Scott Galloway
- Madness and Civilization by Michel Foucault
- The Wealth Money Can't Buy by Robin Sharma
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