The carnivore diet has been making waves online, with influencers and everyday individuals alike praising the benefits they’ve reaped from consuming only animal-derived products – some even going as far as to consume raw meat exclusively.
Dr Rupy Aujla, while not seeking to undermine anyone’s personal experiences with the diet, did offer some food for thought.
On his podcast, The Doctor’s Kitchen, he discussed the carnivore diet and another restrictive diet, the keto meal plan, issuing the same cautionary note based on a recent study involving mice on these diets. He revealed: “It found that long-term adherence to either keto or the carnivore diets may be pro-inflammatory and pro-aging.”
“They observed changes in key organs such as the heart and kidneys where the accumulation of senescent cells contributed to systemic inflammation and toxicity.
“These don’t get cleared away by the immune system, these are the cells you don’t want in excess and they can contribute to overall systemic inflammation.”
The doctor also highlighted worrying research on the carnivore diet which indicated it “promoted cardio fibrosis and dysregulated mitochondrial function”. The most alarming finding for him, however, was the rise in cholesterol levels found in most people who adhere to this regimen.
He voiced his concern, stating: “This is something that would concern me, that people are putting themselves at risk of cardiovascular disease and even dementia as well.
“I think this is playing with fire considering we don’t have long-term studies of people consuming these diets.”
On a brighter side, he did acknowledge several benefits the carnivore diet has demonstrated, owing to its elimination of carbs, including improved glucose regulation, and suggested: “As a short-term diet it may actually provide some therapeutic benefits for people in specific circumstances such as those with genuine intolerances.”
He advised that with mindful application, these diets could still be beneficial, particularly if users monitor their health closely and take breaks when necessary. A clear sign of a need for dietary diversification, according to the doctor, can be determined by one’s energy levels.
Dr Rupy advised: “If you’re feeling sluggish or lacking energy and you’re on a carnivore diet, this is the time to take a break… If you want to continue a keto lifestyle, my advice would be to take keto breaks regularly.”
In a side note on weight loss, the doctor clarified that “any diet can be good for weight loss” depending on several factors. These encompass your body type, metabolic rates, your ability to stick with the diet and whether you find it enjoyable.