Carnivore diet almost killed me: Potential Risks & Alternatives 

Based on my transformation from a conscious eater to an almost near-death experience, I noticed that a diet that incorporates most meats is highly risky. From feeding my body solely with meat, which I thought was the best idea, I turned into a risky adventurer. Continue reading to discover the shocking risks involved. Let’s get into details: how a carnivore diet almost killed me.

Inside the Carnivore Diet: A Beginner’s Overview

The carnivore diet is rich in meats, fish, eggs, and specific dairy products, whereas it lacks fruits, vegetables, legumes, grains, nuts, and seeds. Such diets are related to high rates of chronic diseases.

As suggested by experts, it is right to reduce the amount of dairy food while opting for low-lactose foods such as butter and cheese. 

This diet differs from keto and paleo diets since it prohibits carb intake without excluding carbs completely.

Shawn Baker, a now-retired surgeon, popularized the Carnivore Diet in his 2019 book.

Podcaster and comedian Joe Rogan promoted it further as he shared more information about it. According to Joe, he only ate meat for one month in 2019, and his testicle size reduced by 12 lbs also his energy levels increased significantly.

What Makes the Carnivore Diet Potentially Dangerous?

Lack of vitamins and minerals in the carnivore diet and exclusion of plant-based foods pose a serious health threat.

When you take minimal quantities of fruits, vegetables, and grains, you are likely to develop a deficiency of some vitamins and minerals, which leads to problems with digestion, a further weakened immune system, and actually developing scurvy.

High intake of calories that are obtained from red meat and animal products contain high levels of saturated fat, which increases blood cholesterol and increases chances of heart attack and stroke. 

However, sticking to a strict carnivore diet can be challenging over time, as it causes nutritional imbalance, which may lead to health issues and even weight gain.

Top Carnivore Diet Side Effects That May Surprise You

You should be aware of the serious risks involved with the carnivore diet before deciding to follow it. These consist of

1. Carnivore Diets Increase LDL and Heart Disease Risk 

Meats contain food with high LDL cholesterol levels that could lead to heart diseases and strokes, especially if eaten with foods that contain saturated fats. 

This diet is deficient in heart-healthy foods, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, which provide the body with nutrients that decrease cholesterol and support the heart.

2. A carnivore diet may turn on cancer pathways. 

Eating red and processed meats that include chemicals like nitrates and heterocyclic amines may cause DNA to change negatively, which will promote the creation of cancer cells.

Additionally, the absence of antioxidants and fiber in fruits and vegetables leads to increased risk, especially for colorectal and gastrointestinal cancers.

3. Not all carnivore diets lead to ketosis. 

Several carnivore diets contain up to 35% of protein, while others contain 70-75% fats; this may hinder ketosis, unlike the ketogenic diet, which is low in carbohydrates and high in fats. 

Gluconeogenesis turns additional protein into glucose, raises blood glucose levels, and eliminates ketosis; therefore, not all carnivore diets are ketogenic.

4. The carnivore diet burdens the liver and kidneys. 

The high-protein diet of the carnivore affects the liver and the kidneys, as they have to work harder to convert more amino acids into glucose and urea. For people who already have a health issue, this particular form of stress can harm kidneys and cause them further worry.

Additionally, the diet may promote the formation of specific kidney stones and exacerbate kidney-related diseases, particularly in those with existing health conditions.

5. Carnivore Diet and Urinary Tract Infection

Problematic gut health and a shift in gut bacteria due to consuming foods that contain low-fiber diets, especially those derived from animal products, increase the risks of developing urinary tract infections. 

It is well known that consuming large amounts of water with a high protein content can cause urine to become acidic, which in turn promotes the growth of opportunistic bacteria and raises the risk of urinary tract infections.

6. Carnivore Diet and Gut Health

The carnivore diet eliminates the supply of foods high in fiber, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains; the carnivore diet is detrimental to gut health.

In particular, fiber helps with digestion and raises the number of beneficial bacteria in the gut.

However, excessive consumption of animal fat and protein causes the formation of undesirable bacteria in the gut, which compromises gut health and causes stomach problems.

7. Carnivore diet and gout

Gout is more likely to develop as a result of crystal deposits in the joints caused by an excessive buildup of uric acid from a strict carnivore diet high in purine-heavy foods like red meat and organ meats. Lack of plant-based foods in a person’s diet can aggravate this type of inflammation, which increases the likelihood of recurrent flare-ups and makes the condition worse.

Exploring Safer Alternatives to the Carnivore Lifestyle

Here’s a list of some other possibilities that could be as useful in achieving similar therapeutic benefits as the carnivore diet but they may not carry as much risk.

The Power of Elimination Diets for Identifying Triggers

The elimination diet procedure often entails a total abstention from recognized food allergies and irritants, including sugar, dairy, gluten, and soy products, in order to assess dietary sensitivities.

To identify certain stimuli, a strict exclusion process is often preceded by a procedure to introduce foods gradually. 

This approach can help with gastrointestinal problems, chronic inflammation, and many other disease aspects, and it has fewer restrictions than other similar diets like the carnivore diet.

A Safe Spin on Fasting: The Fasting-Mimicking Approach

A fasting-mimicking diet in mice can eliminate cancer and aging, restore type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and cure the old mice’s impaired cognitive ability. 

Many studies, including cross-sectional and narrative reviews, show that this fasting-like diet significantly reduces body weight, improves the lipid profile, decreases inflammation markers, and even improves multiple sclerosis symptoms in humans.

Personalized Eating Through Food Sensitivity Testing

Food sensitivity tests is a way that offer personalized solutions for dietary health by helping to pinpoint specific foods that cause reactions or discomfort. 

In most of these tests, blood samples are taken and checked for immunologic responses to specific diets. 

That is, if a certain food causes sensitivity, people can learn what they need to remove from their diet and ensure they get enough nutrients; this is better than having a strict carnivore diet.

What does it mean to “Overdo it” with Animal Protein? 

“Excessively consuming” animal protein is categorized as taking high amounts of protein from animal products, including red meat, poultry, and dairy products. 

This can lead to a variety of health issues; they get pressure on the kidneys because in order to eliminate products of protein breakdown, their need increases.

There can be a higher risk of heart disease from increased intake of saturated fat, and they can develop nutrient deficiencies if the foods they eat are not varied. 

However, constantly higher protein levels may be disruptive to metabolic actions and perhaps contribute to various long-term illnesses such as osteoporosis or kidney stones.

Also Read: Does the Carnivore Diet Cause Diarrhea? Causes and Solutions

How Safe Is the Carnivore Diet, Really?

The following are some of the dangers associated with the so-called carnivore diet, which solely consists of animal products and leaves out all plants. It can lead to malnutrition, which can cause terrible diseases like scurvy and intestinal issues, by depriving the body of essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber.

Protein and saturated fats are abundant, which may strain the kidneys and liver and raise the risk of kidney stones and heart disease.

The temporary benefits of carrying out such a change in the diet are seen in some people, but since the diet is very limiting, and some potential long-term consequences of the therapy are alarming, the proposal should be discussed with the doctor in advance.

Is Eating Only Meat Good for You?

Although the carnivore diet type may initially seem beneficial to some people, it carries some health risks, such as deprivation of certain nutrients like fiber and strain on the kidneys and heart.

Again, prolonged use of this diet leads to serious health implications; thus, one should consult his or her physician before starting it.

Expert Insight: The Hidden Risks of the Carnivore Diet

A nutrition specialist has said that when he practiced several elements of a carnivore diet, he suffered several losses. The Carnivore MD himself, Paul Saladino, said that he switched from the diet in two years due to the constant presence of uncomfortable symptoms.

In an episode on the More Plates More Dates podcast, he talked about the problems he faced, including poor sleeping patterns, heart palpitations, and muscle spasms. He also stated he suffered from low testosterone levels in his body. He continued, “I began to consider whether ketosis would be the best option in the long term.” Paul was compelled to admit that long-term ketosis is not good for him and is probably not a good idea for most people after doing some personal investigation.

Ben Carpenter, an online personality and personal trainer, released his interview and said, “To be honest, I am torn.” Seeing people act in ways they disagreed with was the kind of enjoyment I found. Although it may be distressing to some, it doesn’t change the reality that he was a globally influential pioneer of the carnivorous diet.

He even wrote a book about it, stating that ‘Unlock Your Cure’ led to ‘releasing optimal health.’ He started an entire movement, which he now says is ‘probably not very good for most people.’

Conclusion: The carnivore diet almost killed me

If you are in good health, it’s likely fine to attempt this diet, provided you don’t adhere to it for longer than a week to 10 days. Replace the high density of saturated fat by choosing a leaner protein such as chicken instead of choice cuts like steaks, lamb, and ground beef. Add seafood for its omega-3 fatty acids. Also, consider taking vitamin, mineral, and fiber supplements to address nutritional deficiencies.

Also Read: Valencia Diet Insights: Nutrition, Tips, and Meal Ideas