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🥩 The Carnivore Diet: Meat, Myths & Metabolic Truths

🥩 The Carnivore Diet: Meat, Myths & Metabolic Truths

Let me start by saying this: I never thought I’d write an ode to ribeye.

But then I met a woman who cured her joint pain, cleared her skin, and stabilized her moods—all by eating only meat. No greens, no grains, not even a sprinkle of parsley for flair.

It sounded like paleo on steroids. Or maybe the ultimate excuse for bacon at breakfast. But the results were too interesting to ignore.

So I dove in—and what I found was a rabbit hole paved in bone broth, evolutionary biology, and some pretty bold scientific claims.

Let’s slice into it. 🥩

🧬 What Is the Carnivore Diet, Exactly?

The carnivore diet is as simple (and extreme) as it sounds:
Animal foods only.
That means:

  • Beef, lamb, pork, poultry
  • Organ meats (liver, heart, kidney)
  • Fish, eggs, bone broth, animal fats

And that’s it. No vegetables, no fruits, no grains, no legumes. Strict carnivores even skip dairy and spices.

➡️ Why? Proponents believe that plant foods—yes, even the “healthy” ones—can contribute to inflammation, gut irritation, and autoimmune issues due to compounds like oxalates, lectins, and phytates.

🧪 Source: Gastroenterology Clinics of North America, 2017

🧠 So... What’s the Logic?

It’s rooted in a few bold beliefs:

  1. Humans are carnivorous by design.
    Advocates argue our ancestors thrived on hunting—especially in cold climates where plants weren’t available.

🧪 Source: Lieberman, D. "The Story of the Human Body," Harvard University Press, 2013

  1. Meat is the most nutrient-dense food on the planet.
    Beef liver alone contains nearly all essential vitamins and minerals—often in more bioavailable forms than plants.

🧪 Source: USDA FoodData Central

  1. Eliminating plants can heal the gut.
    This one’s controversial—but many carnivore followers report remission of IBS, Crohn’s, eczema, and even anxiety when they cut out fiber and “anti-nutrients.”

🧪 Source: Case study – “Remission of autoimmune disease on carnivore diet,” BMJ Nutrition, 2020

🔥 What the Research Says (and Doesn’t)

Let’s be clear: long-term clinical trials are still lacking. Most of the data is anecdotal, drawn from blogs, forums, and podcasts. That said, early case studies and self-reported outcomes are hard to ignore.

âś… Potential Benefits:

  • Reduced inflammation
  • Improved insulin sensitivity
  • Simplified digestion (no bloating, no gas)
  • Mental clarity and mood stabilization
  • Autoimmune symptom relief
  • Weight loss (especially in carb-sensitive individuals)

🧪 Source: Harvard Carnivore Diet Survey, 2021 (2,029 participants)

⚠️ Potential Risks:

  • Nutrient gaps (vitamin C, fiber, potassium)
  • Cholesterol changes (LDL may rise, though HDL often does too)
  • Social isolation (try ordering at brunch 🥲)
  • Lack of long-term research

🧪 Source: Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 2020

🧪 Fiber: Friend or Foe?

One of the most controversial claims from the carnivore community? That fiber isn’t essential.

Traditionally, fiber has been touted as critical for:

  • Gut health
  • Bowel regularity
  • Blood sugar control

But some carnivores argue that:

  • Eliminating fiber reduces inflammation and IBS symptoms
  • You don’t need fiber to poop regularly on a meat-only diet
  • Fiber can feed harmful bacteria in sensitive guts

🧪 Source: “Is Fiber Overrated?” – Nutrients Journal, 2019

Still, mainstream science holds firm that fiber offers broad benefits—especially in diverse, plant-rich diets. This is one of the biggest open questions in carnivore science.

🥩 Common Versions of the Diet

Like any movement, carnivore eating exists on a spectrum:

  1. Strict Carnivore: Only ruminant meat, salt, and water (aka the “Lion Diet”)
  2. Carnivore Keto: Includes dairy, eggs, and some zero-carb condiments
  3. Carnivore Adjacent: Mostly meat-based but allows herbs, coffee, or honey
  4. Nose-to-Tail: Emphasizes organ meats and collagen for full nutrient coverage

People tend to start strict, then customize based on energy, digestion, and lifestyle.

👀 Who’s Eating This Way?

Some big names in health, wellness, and even psychiatry have gone carnivore—at least partially:

  • Dr. Shawn Baker – Orthopedic surgeon, one of the earliest advocates
  • Mikhaila Peterson – Reported autoimmune remission on strict carnivore
  • Paul Saladino, MD – Functional medicine doctor turned “Carnivore MD”
  • Dr. Georgia Ede – Psychiatrist using carnivore for mental health disorders

🧪 Source: Psychology Today, “A Meat-Based Mental Health Diet?”

đź’ˇ Who Might Benefit Most?

The diet may offer unique benefits for those dealing with:

  • Autoimmune disease
  • IBS or IBD
  • Food sensitivities
  • Blood sugar issues
  • Joint pain or chronic inflammation
  • Depression or anxiety (via gut-brain axis)

That said, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. And medical supervision is highly recommended—especially if you’re on meds, have kidney concerns, or need tailored macros.

🍖 TL;DR — Carnivore Cliff Notes

P.S. You don’t have to eat only meat forever to benefit. But exploring your body’s response to a radical reset—just for a few weeks? That might be the experiment your metabolism didn’t know it needed.

Stay curious,
Harper Blythe 🥩

Aemon Gariety