The concept of consuming steak, eggs, and butter for every meal may initially repel some, but the carnivore diet has gained significant attention with over 1 billion views on TikTok. This new fad diet is often compared to the popular keto diet, but takes things to the next level. Known as the carnivore diet, it has generated a lot of intrigue and skepticism.
Despite the satisfaction one may find in a perfectly grilled piece of meat, the array of health issues reported by carnivore diet followers is enough to give anyone pause. From bloating and heartburn to indigestion and upset stomach, the list of ailments associated with this diet reads like a Pepto Bismol commercial. So, what exactly does the carnivore diet entail? While there are variations with different levels of strictness, its creator Shawn Baker recommends a diverse range of proteins, including familiar choices like chicken wings and rib-eye, as well as more unconventional options like organ meats such as heart and liver. In moderation, protein byproducts like eggs, bacon, and low-lactose dairy (such as butter) are permitted. However, the diet strictly prohibits vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, seeds, vegetable oils, sugar, and alcohol. Baker, an orthopedic surgeon who faced a license revocation in 2017 (which was later reinstated in 2019), published a book called “The Carnivore Diet,” which gained popularity after his appearance on the controversial Joe Rogan podcast in 2017. The diet claims to offer a range of benefits, from the ordinary to the peculiar and even potentially hazardous. On Baker’s website, you can find various “success stories” of individuals who claim to have been miraculously healed from ailments such as Lyme disease and multiple sclerosis after adopting the carnivore diet. While weight loss is its most commonly touted benefit, the internet is brimming with before-and-after photos, YouTube transformation videos, and Medium blog posts detailing the highs and lows of this restrictive eating plan.
But are these claims backed by scientific evidence? HuffPost reached out to healthcare professionals to gather their thoughts on the matter. Let’s take a sneak peek at what they had to say.
Issue 1: Digestive Concerns
It’s no secret that fiber, found abundantly in vegetables, plays a vital role in preventing constipation. Since meat contains no fiber, exclusively consuming a meat-based diet can lead to what Joe Rogan humorously referred to as “two weeks of rocket fuel coming out of your booty hole.” As Rogan, known for his heavily downloaded podcast and controversial guests, personally experimented with the diet, he shared extensive details about his bathroom experiences on Instagram. The truth is, fiber serves as fuel for the beneficial bacteria in our gut, producing short-chain fatty acids that protect against inflammation and colon cancer, and it also aids in regular bowel movements. According to registered sports dietitian McKenna Welshans, “When you have fiber in your diet, it absorbs water, bulks up your stool, and acts as a fuel source for beneficial bacteria in the gut.” However, embarking on the carnivore diet can have serious implications for your health. Gastroenterologist Dr. Deepinder Goyal warns that it reduces fiber intake, which is crucial for gut health, and can result in complications like altered gut microbiota, constipation, and an increased risk of diverticulosis and diverticulitis.
Issue 2: Scurvy
Although diseases like scurvy have been largely eradicated in North America, adherents of the strict carnivore diet may find themselves susceptible to this once-feared condition. While it’s possible to compensate for nutritional deficiencies through multivitamins and supplements, the body best absorbs nutrients from food. Furthermore, consuming excessive saturated fats, particularly from red meat, can raise cholesterol levels, leading to an increased risk of stroke and heart attack. Baker’s website even includes a section on potential side effects of the diet, where “heart palpitations” are listed, causing concern among experts. Welshans notes the irony that some of the symptoms people attempt to alleviate by adopting the carnivore diet are actually potential long-term effects of the diet itself. She emphasizes the importance of a varied diet, stating, “It speaks to the idea that the strongest diet is the one with the most variety.”
Issue 3: Fueling Workouts
The primary marketing point of the carnivore diet is the promise of achieving a shredded physique, with Rogan claiming to have lost 12 pounds of pure fat by following the plan. While protein is essential for muscle growth, eliminating carbohydrates can negatively impact your exercise routine. Welshans explains that while low-carbohydrate diets are currently popular for enhancing the body’s ability to metabolize fat, carbohydrates are the brain and muscle’s preferred fuel source. When carbs are restricted, insulin levels drop, leading to the elimination of crucial electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and magnesium. This can result in headaches, dizziness, muscle cramps, compromised physical performance, longer recovery times, and an increased risk of injury.
Issue 4: Hidden Hunger
Consuming copious amounts of meat each week may seem fulfilling both calorically and physically, but it’s likely to leave you emotionally unsatisfied. While you may meet your caloric requirements and feel physically full, you will likely experience emotional dissatisfaction. Restrictive diets, such as the carnivore diet that eliminates entire food groups, create tension within us that often leads to episodes of giving in to cravings and binge-eating the once-forbidden foods. This can lead to feelings of failure, emotional distress, and a detrimental spiral in both physical and emotional well-being. Welshans affirms that avoiding restriction and striving for dietary flexibility is key to preventing the extremes in eating habits that can result from rigid diets.
Issue 5: Personal Testimonies
Advocates of the carnivore diet will passionately assert that sticking to beef and sea salt can work miracles, curing a range of ailments like weight gain, eye floaters, snoring, and even long-standing anxiety. However, registered dietitian Kim Rose Francis points out that “no randomized controlled studies support claims that the carnivore diet diminishes pain, treats depression, or alleviates ailments.” She suggests that these self-reported positive outcomes may be attributed to the placebo effect. A 2018 National Institutes of Health journal states that patient expectations are highly correlated with the placebo effect, meaning that believing a treatment or diet will work often ensures that it does.
In summary, while the carnivore diet may be garnering attention and followers on social media, healthcare professionals remain skeptical of its claims. The potential risks, ranging from digestive issues and nutritional deficiencies to compromised exercise performance and emotional distress, make it a questionable dietary choice. The strongest consensus among experts is that a varied diet, rich in diverse food groups, is the key to optimal health and well-being.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
