Were We Really Carnivores? Medical Expert Quits 'Meat-Only' Diet After Negative Health Impact | Totally Vegan Buzz

Were We Really Carnivores? Medical Expert Quits ‘Meat-Only’ Diet After Negative Health Impact

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Paul Saladino, M.D., once hailed as Dr. Carnivore, passionately championed a diet straight from a caveman’s dream—meat, meat, and more meat. This nutritional journey has taken a dramatic turn. Driven by the belief that pre-agricultural humans were primarily carnivorous, a notion now contested by evidence suggesting early diets were much more diverse, often rich in plants, Saladino was all in.

Image credit: Paul Saladin

Since diving into the carnivore diet in 2018, Saladino sang its praises in his book “The Carnivore Code” and its culinary sidekick, a cookbook. These works touted meat as the key to “unlocking optimal health.” However, during a tell-all on the “More Plates More Dates” podcast, he revealed a seismic shift in his thinking.

After suffering from lowered testosterone, sleep disturbances, and muscle and joint pain, he concluded that the diet might not be suitable for long-term health, stating, “I started to think, maybe long-term ketosis is not great for me,” and speculated that it is “probably not a great thing for most humans.”

This change did not go unnoticed. Personal trainer Ben Carpenter reflected on Saladino’s public reversal, saying, “Honestly, I am torn. I love seeing people change their mind publicly. Admitting mistakes shows maturity and growth. But he was one of the biggest carnivore proponents in the world.”

In his dietary update, Saladino has incorporated fruits, honey, and even raw milk and cheese into his diet, despite the risks associated with unpasteurized dairy.

The carnivore diet is primarily made up of animal products such as meat, fish, eggs, and low-lactose dairy, high in protein and fat but very low in carbohydrates.

His shift highlights the potential dangers of the carnivore diet, which lacks fiber and other nutrients found in a varied diet. The complete elimination of carbs on the carnivore diet is not recommended or necessary for diabetes management. Saturated fat may raise your LDL cholesterol, which may increase your risk of heart disease. Additionally, red and processed meat intake has been linked to higher rates of certain types of cancers, including colon and rectal cancer.

Moreover, the absence of fiber can disrupt gut health, leading to issues like constipation. Health experts caution against the carnivore diet’s anecdotal backing and the lack of robust evidence supporting its health claims.

Published by Totally Vegan Buzz Team

The Totally Vegan Buzz Team are a gang of extremely entertaining writers who also happen to be vegan. Together, they bring you all the vegan infotainment you need - trends, news, quizzes and more. Leave them a comment! They love it when you guys say hi...

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