The 'King' Of Carnivore Diet Admits He Doesn’t Know The Long-Term Effects (2024)

FAQs

Are there long-term effects to carnivore diet? ›

By skipping fruits and vegetables, people likely won't get enough fiber in their diets, which can affect gut health. They also will miss out on carotenoids and polyphenols, substances with antioxidant properties that have been linked to lower risk of chronic diseases such as Type 2 diabetes and some types of cancer.

Saturated fats can cause inflammation. Additionally, a high-protein diet (such as the carnivore diet) can be harmful to the kidneys—and can even promote gout and kidney stones.

High in fat, cholesterol, and sodium

Given that the carnivore diet consists solely of animal foods, it can be high in saturated fat and cholesterol. Saturated fat may raise your LDL (bad) cholesterol, which may increase your risk of heart disease ( 13 ).

Also, the very high protein intake associated with the carnivore diet can lead to impaired kidney function. Because keto diets induce the body to burn fat, all keto diets can jump-start a weight-loss program.

Eating a carnivore diet may come with serious consequences for the liver and kidneys, especially if they are already damaged, diseased, or stressed. A diet high in protein, especially animal-derived protein, can lead to hypertension which in turn may lead to several different kidney issues.

Transitioning to any new dietary regimen can trigger bodily adjustments, and the carnivore diet is no exception. If you're early in your carnivore journey, you may experience episodes of nausea. But fear not; carnivore diet nausea is temporary and easy to fix.

There is strong evidence that consuming: red meat INCREASES the risk of colorectal cancer. processed meat INCREASES the risk of colorectal cancer. Cantonese-style salted fish INCREASES the risk of nasopharyngeal cancer.

Eating processed meat increases your risk of bowel and stomach cancer. Red meat, such as beef, lamb and pork, has been classified as a Group 2A carcinogen which means it probably causes cancer. Did you know if you've had cancer, maintaining a healthy diet can help prevent it from coming back?

Carnivore diet for inflammation

Ovadia, much like the Petersons, says the diet is great for reducing inflammation. “It's clearly anti-inflammatory,” he says. “We now have, in large experience, many, many people who have had inflammatory conditions, autoimmune conditions that healed themselves with a carnivore diet…

The carnivore diet can be risky, especially for people with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and a history of heart disease. The lack of fiber can also cause constipation and poor gut health. Consult a healthcare provider, such as a registered dietitian, before starting a carnivore diet.

What nutrients do you not get on a carnivore diet? ›

The carnivore diet is often criticized for potential nutrient deficiencies, due to its exclusion of fruits, vegetables, and other plant-based foods. These foods provide essential nutrients such as Vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, and fiber, which are important for overall health.

Yes, you can drink coffee on a carnivore diet. Despite its plant origin, many followers of the carnivore diet still consume coffee, considering caffeine's stimulating properties. However, caution must be taken as excessive intake of caffeine may add stress to the body's metabolism and disrupt sleep patterns.

Because the carnivore diet is zero-carb, it is by definition a type of keto diet. If you just eat meat, you'll almost certainly end up in ketosis. So while you can say that carnivore is keto, you can't say that keto is carnivore. Simply put, carnivore is a more extreme keto diet.

On the carnivore diet you cut carbohydrates and eat nothing but meat and other animal products, like beef, chicken, pork, fish, and eggs. The idea is that by cutting all carbs, your body will burn fat for energy and you'll lose weight.

Lean meats such as chicken, turkey, beef, and pork are excellent sources of high-quality protein as well as important nutrients like iron and zinc. To avoid unhealthy saturated fat, opt for lean or low-fat meat options such as lean ground beef, pork loin, or skinless chicken breasts.

Red and processed meats do increase health risks.

In spite of what the Annals of Internal Medicine study suggests, Dr. Hu says that an accumulated body of evidence shows a clear link between high intake of red and processed meats and a higher risk for heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and premature death.

He shifted away from the carnivore diet due to concerns about its long-term impact on physical health. Exclusively eating meat could lead to an increased intake of toxins, as environmental contaminants tend to bioaccumulate in animal fat.

On a carnivore diet, while carbohydrate intake is minimal, the surplus of calories from fats and proteins can still stimulate insulin release and promote fat gain and consequently gain weight too. Balancing the diet to prevent persistent high insulin levels is beneficial for managing gaining weight.