Are you thinking about trying a carnivorous diet? Perhaps you’re aiming for weight loss, seeking relief for an autoimmune condition or a gut or skin issue, or looking for a low-carb diet that can improve glucose control, minimize cravings, and promote compliance. Humans have been consuming animal products throughout our evolutionary history, and there is a persuasive argument that animal hunting played a role in the growth and complexity of our brains. Analysis of collagen samples from Neanderthals and Homo sapiens reveals that they were carnivores, with nitrogen isotope levels in their bones exceeding those of other carnivorous animals like hyenas. This suggests that our ancient ancestors consumed a significant amount of animal products.
Compelling evidence suggests that a carnivorous diet is the true ancestral human diet and the most beneficial way to maintain good health and longevity. Some may have heard claims that consuming only animal products or following a ketogenic diet can lead to scurvy or kidney damage, but these are unfounded. In reality, animal products contain vitamin C, and fresh meat can cure scurvy. Eating animal products from nose to tail provides sufficient vitamin C and poses no harm to your kidneys, liver, or heart. This dietary approach can, in fact, improve your overall health. A significant advantage is weight loss, as obesity can cause inflammation, and shedding weight can result in improvements in blood pressure, insulin sensitivity, inflammatory markers, and overall well-being. Animal products are nutrient-dense and satisfying, making it easier to lose weight without feeling hungry while obtaining more bioavailable nutrients than many other diets. This way of eating is not so much a “diet” but a lifestyle change that does not involve depriving oneself of food. By consuming animal products from nose to tail, you are consuming the most nutrient-rich and bioavailable foods available.
Following a carnivore diet can have a profound positive impact on your mood, energy levels, libido, and alleviate conditions such as fibromyalgia, arthritis, and autoimmune diseases. This lifestyle change can be highly restorative. While a basic carnivore diet involves solely consuming animal meat and avoiding plants, there is a more diverse and nutrient-rich approach that is more sustainable. This is known as a nose-to-tail carnivore diet, which includes high-quality grass-fed red meat, organ meats, connective tissue rich in collagen, and consideration of the fat-to-protein ratio. Most carnivore diets consist of animal products without any plants, such as fatty cuts of meat, seafood, animal fats like butter, tallow, or suet (beef kidney fat), and for some individuals, dairy products. Although this topic is vast, and it cannot be fully covered in a single blog post, the evidence gathered from thousands of individuals who have followed a carnivore diet clearly indicates that it can be an excellent way to shed body fat and reverse autoimmune diseases.
