A nutrition expert revealed that following a carnivore diet negatively impacted his health. Paul Saladino, known as the Carnivore MD, shared that he abandoned the diet after two years due to “persistence of unpleasant symptoms”.
Speaking on the More Plates More Dates podcast, Paul recounted experiencing sleep disturbances, heart palpitations, and muscle cramps, and noted a drop in his testosterone levels. He said: “I started to think, maybe long-term ketosis is not great for me.”
After further research, Paul concluded that long-term ketosis was detrimental to his health and suggested it’s “probably not a great thing for most humans”. His comments were picked up by personal trainer and online influencer Ben Carpenter, who said: “Honestly, I am torn. I love seeing people change their mind publicly. Admitting mistakes shows maturity and growth.
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“But he was one of the biggest carnivore proponents in the world. Wrote a whole book, claiming it was the secret to ‘unlocking optimal health’. He helped kickstart an entire movement which he is now saying is ‘probably not great for most humans’.”
What is the carnivore diet?
The carnivore diet consists mainly of animal products such as meat, fish, eggs, and animal fats, with some low-lactose dairy. It is a diet high in protein and fat but very low in carbohydrates, reports Gloucestershire Live.
BBC Good Food has revealed that the diet excludes all other types of foods, including fruits, vegetables, legumes, grains, nuts and seeds. Some studies have shown that high-protein and low-carb diets can promote weight loss, as reported by Heathline.
This is mostly due to protein helping you feel fuller for longer after meals, which may lead to a reduction in calorie intake and, in turn, weight loss. However, the highly restrictive nature of the carnivore diet makes it difficult to follow long-term.
One benefit of the carnivore diet is that it excludes carbs and ultra-processed foods. However the complete elimination of carbs on the carnivore diet is not recommended or necessary for diabetes management.
The carnivore diet, in its nature, is highly restrictive, which can lead to many downsides if followed. As the diet is high in fat, cholesterol and sodium, you can put yourself at risk of developing some health issues.
Saturated fat may raise your LDL cholesterol, which may increase your risk of heart disease. Whereas red and processed meat intake has also been linked to higher rates of certain types of cancers, including colon and rectal cancer.
The exclusion of highly nutritious foods like fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains can also present a problem. Following a restrictive diet like the carnivore diet may lead to deficiencies in some nutrients and the overconsumption of others.
Neglecting to include fibre in your diet could also wreak havoc on your gut health. Those following a carnivore diet may find themselves battling constipation and other bowel movement issues due to the lack of fibre.
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