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The Carnivore Diet Is Gaining Popularity
The “carnivore diet” is a type of diet based exclusively on animal products: meat, fish, eggs and some dairy products. Its supporters claim that the diet helps you lose weight and build muscle, improve your mood, boost your immune system, and cure autoimmune diseases and acne. Videos of people eating only beef, butter and eggs receive millions of views. Some consider this diet healthy and live on it for years, while others consider it deadly. “Cold” figured out whether it can improve health, what the risks are and to whom it is contraindicated.
Her followers eat only meat and claim to have been cured of serious illnesses. This is true?
Who invented the "carnivore diet"?
The idea of a meat diet dates back to the 1700s, thanks to Scottish military surgeon John Rollo. He pioneered the use of a meat-only diet to treat patients with diabetes. And the idea of radical meat eating was popularized by orthopedist Sean Baker from the USA in 2017 . That same year, the New Mexico State Medical Board revoked Baker's medical license due to concerns about his competency. However, it was later restored - with the condition that he could only practice under the supervision of a mentor.
The diet he promotes completely eliminates carbohydrates: fruits, vegetables, legumes, sugars, grains, nuts and seeds. You can eat meat (beef, pork, lamb, poultry), fish and seafood, eggs, some dairy products and animal fats. The only drinks allowed are water and bone broth. Some diet options allow tea and black coffee without additives. Many followers of this diet eat only steaks and butter (sometimes adding it to their coffee). And more radical ones are raw meat, eggs and animal organs.
@steakandbuttergal High fat carnivore what I eat in a day! #carnivorediet #carnivore #butter #carnivoreketo #highfat #animalbased ♬ original sound — Steakandbuttergal | Carnivore
Baker and his followers claim that this type of nutrition helps to recover from serious illnesses and improve well-being. He himself has been following the “carnivore diet” for eight years and claims that its effectiveness is confirmed by his excellent physical shape.
Is it really useful?
This diet may actually help relieve symptoms in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.
A study of more than 2,000 people found that those following the diet were satisfied with eating a meat-rich diet, reported an overall improvement in well-being, and reported few side effects. The diet can also help you quickly lose weight through a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet. Due to a lack of carbohydrates, the body switches to burning fat for energy. When fat is broken down, ketones are formed - substances that are an alternative to glucose for energy. Protein and fat promote satiety, helping you consume fewer calories. But you can lose weight without completely giving up carbohydrates.
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Proponents of the diet write that their weight and hormonal levels have normalized, symptoms of autoimmune diseases have become less pronounced, sugar levels and blood pressure have stabilized , teeth and gums have become stronger, joint pain and inflammation have decreased. Additionally, forum users claim that cutting out plant-based foods and carbohydrates has eased their depression symptoms and improved their mood.
@steakandbuttergal #carnivorediet #carnivore #butter #animalbased ♬ original sound — Steakandbuttergal | Carnivore
However, many are faced with the negative consequences of such nutrition. After several months of following the diet, some people report developing type 2 diabetes, kidney and digestive problems (constipation, diarrhea), worsening skin conditions, nausea and constant hunger.
What do the studies say?
Today, scientific data on the “carnivore diet” is limited and based primarily on short-term observations and surveys.
Scientists from Boston surveyed 2,029 people who had been on a diet for more than six months. The results showed mostly positive changes. According to the study, the vast majority of its participants noted an improvement in well-being and a reduction in symptoms of chronic diseases. Among patients with diabetes, more than 80% were able to reduce their medication dosage. However, some people have increased the level of “bad” cholesterol to a high level (172 mg/dl when the norm is up to 100 mg/dl), which increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Less than 5% developed digestive problems and muscle cramps. Some health indicators of the respondents, including the level of “good” cholesterol and triglycerides, remained normal.
Critics of this study also claim that it was simply a social media poll. It surveyed people who claimed to follow a carnivore diet. That is, these were self-reported observations and there was no way to test their eating habits or how the diet actually affected their health. It should also be noted that the respondents were fans of this diet, which introduces distortions into the results.
Experts note that more research is needed to determine the effectiveness and safety of the “carnivore diet,” particularly because participants in this study only followed the diet for 9 to 20 months. It is unknown how it affects long-term health.
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Another study , which followed two men who ate exclusively meat, fish and dairy products for a year, showed a dangerous increase in their levels of “bad” cholesterol. An ultrasound scan revealed thickening of the artery walls in both - this is the first sign of atherosclerosis - a disease in which cholesterol is deposited on the walls of blood vessels, impeding blood flow and increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke.
A study by Japanese scientists found that long-term adherence to low-carbohydrate diets may increase the risk of mortality. Although the reasons are not entirely clear, they may be related to increased intake of protein from animal sources, cholesterol and saturated fat.
Why is this diet dangerous?
Potential Health Risks :
- Digestive problems . A lack of fiber and carbohydrates can cause constipation, bloating and abdominal pain. The intestinal microflora is also disrupted, which weakens the immune system.
- Load on the cardiovascular system . Levels of “bad” cholesterol may rise, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease. And excess fats and proteins create additional stress on the heart.
- Bone fragility . Inadequate intake of vitamins and minerals reduces bone density, increasing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures.
- Kidney dysfunction . Excessive intake of protein and fat overloads the kidneys, which can lead to kidney damage.
- Risk of cancer . High consumption of red and processed meats has been linked to an increased risk of developing various types of cancer, including colorectal cancer.
- Risk of nutritional deficiencies. Eliminating plant foods can lead to deficiencies in essential nutrients such as vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants.
Who should not switch to this type of nutrition?
The “Carnivore Diet” is contraindicated for several groups of people:
- For those who already have kidney disease . High protein intake can overload the kidneys, which can worsen existing problems.
- People with cardiovascular diseases . High levels of saturated fat in the diet can raise LDL cholesterol levels, increasing the risk of heart disease.
- Patients with gout. Excessive consumption of meat can increase uric acid levels, which can cause a gout flare-up.
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women . The restrictive nature of the diet may not provide sufficient nutrition for both mother and baby.
- People with digestive disorders . Lack of fiber in the diet can lead to constipation and other digestive problems.
- Children and teenagers . To grow and develop, they need carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins and minerals from plant sources.
The Carnivore Diet can actually help with certain conditions, but too much red meat and butter in the diet can raise cholesterol in some people and lead to serious health problems. This diet also contradicts WHO recommendations on healthy eating. Before trying any diet, you should consult your doctor.
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