The Carnivore Diet: A Panacea for Autoimmune and Chronic Illness? (2024)

The Carnivore Diet: A Panacea for Autoimmune & Chronic Illness?

When it comes to modern day epidemics, “chronic diseases” like cancer, heart disease and diabetes take the spotlight – for good reason. These preventable illnesses are leading causes of death worldwide.

But there is another epidemic, which causes untold suffering for millions of people. And it doesn’t get the attention it deserves. I’m talking about the “Syndrome Epidemic”…

A syndrome is defined as, “a group of symptoms that consistently occur together.” As the definition indicates, a syndrome is not a true diagnosis. In fact, it is actually an admission that doctors have no idea what is really wrong with you… so they create a label for a group of symptoms.

For example, consider “Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.” It might as well be called “You’re Always Extremely Tired & Your Body Aches Disease.” Or consider “Irritable Bowel Syndrome”, otherwise known as “You Have Bloating, Gas & Diarrhea (or Constipation) and We Don’t Know Why Disease.”

Of course, hand in hand with the syndrome epidemic are autoimmune disorders. According to the National Institutes of Health, over 23 million people in the United States alone are diagnosed with autoimmune disease (while millions more suffer undiagnosed).

What are the Symptoms of the “Syndrome Epidemic”?

The constellation of symptoms we’re talking about include everything from chronic pain, fatigue and weakness… arthritis and painful, swollen joints… psoriasis, hives and rashes… migraines… chronic sinus problems… hair loss… cold intolerance… brain fog, anxiety and depression… and of course a range of painful and embarrassing digestive troubles.

With such a wide range of ailments – and the fact that many people present all of these symptoms at once – it’s no surprise conventional medicine has few answers for this growing epidemic. Most doctors prescribe a basket of prescription drugs, each one aimed at suppressing a particular group of symptoms.

This approach rarely works. And it often makes things worse, as a host of side effects blend in with the already debilitating symptoms.

Some people find great benefit by switching to the meat-and-vegetables diet of our Paleolithic ancestors. This is especially true for those who were previously on a typical diet, including grains, sugar and a variety of processed foods. However, there are many people whose symptoms do not improve on a traditional Paleo Diet.

But there is a very controversial diet that is growing more popular by the day. This diet has already helped thousands of people – and possibly soon millions – to put a lifetime of debilitating symptoms into remission (often in a matter of just two weeks). It has also helped many people to shed fat faster than any other way of eating.

But before we get to that, let’s address a surprising dietary dilemma…

What if the Plants You’re Eating are Making You Sick?

When it comes to health, we are constantly encouraged to “eat more fruits and vegetables.” We are fed the message that a “plant-based diet” is the healthiest for everyone. (Though, please don’t forget that nearly every processed junk food in the grocery store is “plant-based” – so take that with a grain of salt.)

Of course, some people do well on a plant-based diet. But not everyone does…

In fact, what if the plants we’re eating actually contribute to inflammation, digestive distress and hormonal dysfunction? What if these “plant foods” are the leading cause of leaky gut and a primary factor in the rise of autoimmune disease?

The fact is that while our basic human biology is the same, at a biochemical level we are all unique. Each of us has key differences in our genetics, microbiome, hormonal and immune systems that impact how we react to food.

This is why broad statements like “eat more plants” can be both dangerous and irresponsible.

Yes, I said dangerous…

For example, the American Journal of Kidney Diseases recently published a report of a woman who “developed acute kidney injury that progressed to end-stage renal disease” as a direct result of following a “Green Smoothie Cleanse.”

Of course, this doesn’t mean that vegetables are unhealthy. And it doesn’t mean you should necessarily avoid green drinks. But it does clearly illustrate that the reactions we have to food are different for everyone. Foods that are healthy for one person might be quite toxic to another.

More on this in a moment, but first, please consider…

The Meat-Only Diet: A Diet That Doesn’t Bite You Back

I have to admit that the concept of subsisting on meat alone is one that seriously challenged me.

My educational background is in biology and chemistry. For the last 20 years of my career, I’ve studied nutritional biochemistry. In addition to being a recovering vegetarian, I’ve written a dozen books and hundreds of articles on the subject of nutrition (many of which focus on the nutrients in plants)…

But I was also very sick during parts of my life (sometimes for years at a time).

And it wasn’t meat that made me sick… it was plants!

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My journey to health began when I discovered 14 plant foods to which I had developed either an intolerance or full blown allergy. It was these “plant foods” that caused inflammation in my digestive tract. This led to a “leaky gut” – which allowed undigested food particles and other immune-stimulating compounds to enter my bloodstream.

As a direct result, I later developed an autoimmune condition as well as an overgrowth of bacteria in my small intestine (SIBO).

So, how did I find relief? I got better by following specific nutritional protocols and by removing quite a number of “plant foods” from my diet. I now believe I would have improved much faster if I had removed ALL plant foods from my diet (at least for a period of time).

Before we get to the potential benefits of the carnivore diet, it’s critical to understand that…

Plants Don’t Like to Be Eaten!

One of the arguments for a vegan diet is that it’s cruel to eat animals. After all, every living creature strives for self-preservation. They argue the world would be a much better if we would just leave the animals alone.

The truth is that nothing likes to be eaten… including plants!

Animals have the ability to defend themselves from predation or make a speedy escape. Plants do not have the same abilities, but they do have protection mechanisms. At the slightest nip of a leaf, plants release chemicals that can irritate or poison predators – the plant’s version of an immune response.

In fact, researchers at the University of Missouri recently showed that plants don’t even have to be damaged to mount a defense. The mere sound of caterpillar “munching vibrations” caused plants under study to ramp up production of mildly-toxic mustard oils. (Ref)

The problem is that plant defenses take affect after you have consumed them. And for many people the results of a plant-rich diet can be pain, inflammation and debilitating autoimmune diseases.

The examples of plant toxins and anti-nutrients are voluminous. But let’s review some of the common edible species and the compounds within them known to have health-harming effects:

Nightshades: The solanaceae family of flowering plants includes a number of species that are outright poisonous. But the nightshade family also includes tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, eggplant and goji berries, which are well known to promote inflammation and joint pain in some people.
Phytic Acid: A natural substance found in plant seeds (including grains and legumes). This compound is known as an “anti-nutrient” for its ability to bind to minerals. Phytic acid impairs the absorption of iron, zinc, calcium and other minerals and can promote mineral deficiencies.
Oxalates: Compounds found in dark leafy greens, such as spinach, kale and other “superfoods.” Most people can break down oxalates in the gut. For others, however, these compounds turn into sharp crystals and can lead to chronic pain, inflammation, oxidative stress, kidney stones and autoimmune disease.
Lectins: These plant compounds can promote leaky gut, alter the microbiome, stimulate the immune system and trigger inflammation. The highest levels are found in whole grains, legumes and dairy.
Salicylates: These are naturally-occurring pesticides that plants use to protect against insects, fungus and bacterial infection. In humans, they can cause a wide range of symptoms from tinnitus to ulcers. High concentrations are found in avocados, berries, grapes, almonds, honey, dried fruits and many spices
FODMAPs: Though not technically a defense mechanism of plants, these compounds are a collection of short-chain carbohydrates that are not properly absorbed in the gut. FODMAPs can cause severe digestive distress for some people. High-FODMAP foods include a wide range of fruits, vegetables, cereal grains, condiments, drinks and dairy foods.
Saponins: Anti-feedant compounds that protect many plants from predation by insects, microbes and fungi.Saponins have soapy, foaming characteristics. They promote leaky gut and can cause bloating, gas, nausea and diarrhea. Legumes (soy, beans, peas and lentils) as well as quinoa are rich in saponins.
Goitrogens: These compounds can reduce iodine uptake in the thyroid gland and slow the production of thyroid hormones. The result can be an enlarged thyroid (goiter) and a host of metabolic disturbances. The most common plant goitrogens are compounds known as glucosinolates, found in broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale, arugula, radishes, turnips, collard greens, bok choy and other similar vegetables.
Phytoestrogens: These naturally-occurring plant chemicals have a molecular structure quite similar to estrogen. Used as a natural defense against herbivores, they can disrupt animal fertility. In humans, phytoestrogens can cause hormonal dysfunction and may promote cancer. These compounds are most common in soybeans, flax and sesame seeds.
Prolamins & Glutelins – Consisting of a wide range of proteins, used by plants to store energy in seeds. This group of compounds are the primary environmental factors in causing Celiac disease. Found primarily in grains and rice.

I would be the last person to say that there are no benefits to eating plant foods. But it is important to understand that there can be a dark side. Not all plant foods are right for all people all of the time.

If you’d like to learn more about the “dark side” of plants – and the tremendous benefits many people experience on the carnivore diet, we highly recommend the new book, The Carnivore Code, by Dr. Paul Saladino, MD.

Dr. Saladino practices what he preaches and he’s one of the rare physicians who will follow the truth wherever it leads. In his book, he dispels then myths demonizing meat with science and reason. He also presents compelling research that many of the “nutrients” we think of in plants are actually “phytoweapons” and can pose a real risk to our health.

The Carnivore Code is deeply researched, extensively referenced… and written in a way that’s easy to understand and accessible to all.

You can also visit Dr. Paul’s website at CarnivoreMD.

We also encourage you to check out the video presentation by Dr. Georgia Ede, MD from the 2nd Annual Ancestral Health Symposium, titled: Little Shop of Horrors? The Risks and Benefits of Eating Plants. (Ref)

Dr. Ede cites the meat-only / carnivore / zero-carb diet as very useful for managing the many “mystery syndrome” symptoms that do not respond to traditional Paleo or “elimination” diets.

And this is an important point, so let’s discuss…

The Problem with “Elimination” Diets And How “Meat Only” Could be the Solution

If you or someone you love has allergies, food intolerances, autoimmune disease or other health problems, there is a good chance you’ve heard of the “elimination diet.”

This is a diet that eliminates many of the most common dietary triggers. The user consumes only the foods on the “allowed” list for a period of time – usually a month – and then reintroduces potential trigger foods one at a time adding a new food every few days.

This last part is important, because many food reactions take three to or four days to manifest (this is known as delayed hypersensitivity). As each new food is reintroduced, the user records how they feel and any reactions they experience. This can be quite effective at determining which foods are best for YOUR body.

But there are some significant challenges and drawbacks to the typical elimination diet…

While the most common trigger foods are usually eliminated, most “elimination” diets still include many foods which can cause problems for some people. This makes it difficult to truly isolate the foods that may cause you discomfort and contribute to poor health.
With so many foods removed from the diet – and a random basket of foods remaining – many people are left wondering, “How do I turn these foods into meals and what the heck do I eat?”

The second challenge is why most people find elimination diets so difficult. They can’t make any of their usual recipes and don’t know what to make from the random assortment of “allowed” foods.

But imagine how much simpler an “elimination diet” would be if you eliminated everything except fresh meat (not cured).

With the exception of eggs, dairy, shellfish and sometimes fish… it is plants that cause problems for the vast majority of those with diet-related health issues. So, if you’re going to follow an elimination diet, it is easier (and more effective) to simply eliminate ALL plants, instead of picking and choosing.

On a side note, you can turn even the healthiest foods into something decidedly unhealthy, depending on how it is prepared. For example, grilling and charring meat can cause cancer-causing compounds to form. So, while it can taste delicious we don’t generally recommend cooking meat this way. One of our favorite ways to cook meat is low and slow in the Instant Pot pressure cooker.

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The stories of those who have healed their bodies on a meat-only diet – often after enduring years of debilitating and mysterious illnesses – are numerous. In fact, most people who follow the Carnivore Diet are not just surviving, they seem to be thriving. And those who have sought objective lab data show biomarkers consistent with health and vitality.

And there is no shortage of physique transformations either!

Stories of Healing (and Adonis Physiques!) on a Meat-Only Diet

Dr. Shawn Baker, MD is an orthopedic surgeon, a pure carnivore and a physical specimen at 51 years of age. He is one of the leading proponents of the meat-only diet and encourages people to experiment and share their stories on his website, Meat Heals.

Dr. Baker says:

“A clear lack of progress in combatting diseases of lifestyle, the specter of bias and frequently confusion in the literature has led many to take matters into their own hands, often with excellent results and often being at odds with traditional recommendations.”

We’re also quite impressed by the experience of Mikhaila Peterson. In this post on her blog she describes her health history, which includes 20 years of intense suffering, which began when she was just a toddler. It was a strict elimination diet that finally helped her experience relief. But it wasn’t until she eliminated everything but meat that she truly felt well.

If you’re considering this diet to see how it makes you feel, I encourage you to check out these the sites above, where you can find before-and-after pictures, comments and testimonials from people whose lives have been changed forever by the carnivore diet.

The Zero-Carb Diet: What to Eat?

I am not suggesting that you or your loved ones embark on a meat-only diet for the rest of your life.

Humans have always been opportunistic feeders. I don’t think a mono-diet is optimal for most people. And I believe there can be great benefit from the cancer-fighting, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory compounds in many plants.

But it might be a valuable experiment to try for a few weeks or months, especially if:

You have stubborn fat to lose
You suffer from autoimmune illness or “syndrome” with a constellation of symptoms
You know that you have a range of food allergies and intolerances

So, what does a meat-based diet look like?

While some people add minimal dairy products like butter or cheese, most people who embark on this radical way of eating to improve difficult health issues are purists. They limit their intake strictly to meat (with mineral-rich salt) and water alone… as well as coffee / tea if you don’t want to give those up.

Here are the meats recommended on the carnivore diet:

Red Meat: Beef, pork, lamb, wild game
Seafood: Fish and shellfish*
Poultry: Chicken, turkey, ostrich, emu
Organ Meat: Liver, kidneys, tongue, bone marrow, spleen, thymus (sweetbreads)
Eggs*: Chicken, goose, duck, quail

* Because egg whites and shellfish have allergenic potential, those with autoimmune issues, allergies and food intolerances often choose to avoid these foods on the meat-only diet.

What’s more, many meat-only diet enthusiasts find they react to certain types of meat – like pork or certain fish – so it’s important to listen to your body and pay attention to your symptoms. Most people do best with beef and lamb.

On the carnivore diet, it’s important to eat to satiety (no calorie counting), add high quality sea salts to your food and be sure to choose fatty cuts of meat. Here are a few (very simple!) meal ideas:

Crispy Oven-Roasted Pork Belly with Maldon Sea Salt(To make in accord with the Carnivore Diet principles, simply pressure cook in bone broth, sear in duck fat and sprinkle with sea salt – omit the other ingredients in recipe)
Ribeye with Redmond Sea Salt
Broiled Wild Salmon
Roasted Bone Marrow with Smoked Maldon Sea Salt
Grilled Lamb Chops with Celtic Sea Salt

Do you have nagging health symptoms that haven’t resolved on a Paleo or keto diet? Would you be willing to give the carnivore diet a 30-day challenge? What do you think about the information in this article? We want to hear from you… please leave your comments below!

P.S. We anticipate that those who object might say, “What about the myriad of micronutrients in plants that you would miss on a zero-carb diet?” Our response is that the most nutrient-dense food we can consume is meat. And there are organ meats, such as liver, which supply even greater concentrations of nutrients than muscle meats. And, again, we are not necessarily recommending this as a diet to follow for life (although some people do).

As to the FDA’s Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) of certain nutrients, it also is important to remember that those guidelines are created for a population that consumes a high-carb, Standard American Diet – a diet which fundamentally converts your metabolism to that of a “sugar burner” and alters your nutritional requirements.

Gabriel Charles of the blog, Keto Kulture, writes:

“To say that a carnivore is nutrient deficient, based on the FDA’s RDI requirements, is like saying a Tesla Model-S is missing spark plugs.”