The paleo diet, an eating pattern of meat, fish, eggs, vegetables, fruit and nuts without grains, beans and lentils, dairy, added sugar, salt or processed foods, has possible relevance to weight, heart health and blood sugar. Short studies, clearest with excess weight or early blood-sugar problems, show more weight loss, lower blood fats and somewhat lower blood pressure, gains shrinking over two years. Strict versions risk iodine and calcium shortfalls. (Full Review)
| Marker | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Body weight and waist circumference | No established target: track change from own baseline | Expected to fall |
| Blood pressure | Not specified in the ER | Expected to fall |
| Fasting triglycerides | No established target: track change from own baseline | Expected to fall |
| LDL cholesterol | No established target: track change from own baseline | Safety check: a rise prompts a change in fat sources |
| HbA1c and fasting glucose | HbA1c 4.0–5.6%; fasting glucose 70–99 mg/dL (standard reference range) | Expected to change in insulin resistance |
| Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) | 0.4–4.0 mIU/L (standard reference range) | Safety check for iodine deficiency |
| Urinary iodine concentration | No established target: track results against WHO's population adequacy cutoff of 100 µg/L | Safety check for iodine deficiency |
| Serum potassium | 3.5–5.0 mmol/L (standard reference range) | Safety check for high blood potassium |
| eGFR | No established target: track change from own baseline | Safety check for protein load |
| Bone mineral density (DXA) | No established target: track change from own baseline | Safety check for calcium shortfall |
| INR | No established target: track stability against own prior values | Safety check for vitamin K interaction |
Cadence: Baseline before starting; a check at 6–12 weeks, then every 6–12 months while the diet continues; bone density every 2 years where measured; closer checks in the first 2 weeks are common practice for people on insulin, sulfonylureas, lithium or warfarin.