From the Guidelines
The carnivore diet is not recommended due to its potential to increase the risk of chronic diseases, such as coronary heart disease, colorectal cancer, and type 2 diabetes, as well as its negative impact on the gut microbiome and overall nutritional deficiencies. The diet, which consists only of animal products and excludes all plant foods, poses significant health concerns, including constipation, gut microbiome disruption, and increased cardiovascular risk due to high saturated fat content 1. Additionally, the diet creates severe nutritional deficiencies by eliminating vitamin C, many antioxidants, and phytonutrients found in plant foods.
Key Considerations
- The complete absence of fiber in the carnivore diet can lead to constipation and gut microbiome disruption
- The high saturated fat content in the diet may increase cardiovascular risk
- The diet creates severe nutritional deficiencies by eliminating essential nutrients found in plant foods
- Most nutrition experts do not recommend the carnivore diet as a long-term eating pattern due to its risks and extreme restrictiveness
Recommendations
- A healthy dietary pattern should include a variety of whole foods, such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean protein sources
- Limit consumption of red meats, especially those high in fat and processed, and choose fish, poultry, or beans as alternatives 1
- Prepare meat by baking, broiling, or poaching rather than by frying or charbroiling
- Consult with a healthcare provider before considering any extreme diet, especially for those with kidney disease, heart conditions, or other health concerns.
From the Research
Carnivore Diet Overview
- The carnivore diet consists exclusively of animal products and has gained attention for its potential benefits in managing inflammatory conditions and chronic metabolic diseases 2, 3.
- This diet has been studied for its nutrient composition and adequacy, with some studies assessing its ability to meet national nutrient reference values (NRVs) 2.
Nutrient Adequacy
- The carnivore diet has been found to meet several NRV thresholds for nutrients such as:
- Riboflavin
- Niacin
- Phosphorus
- Zinc
- Vitamin B6
- Vitamin B12
- Selenium
- Vitamin A 2
- However, it has been found to fall short in:
- Thiamin
- Magnesium
- Calcium
- Vitamin C
- Iron
- Folate
- Iodine
- Potassium (in some cases) 2
- Fibre intake has been found to be significantly below recommended levels 2.
Potential Benefits and Risks
- The carnivore diet may offer benefits for managing certain chronic conditions, but its long-term effects on micronutrient intake and potential risks of deficiencies remain to be determined 2, 3.
- The diet's ability to provide all essential nutrients is still a topic of debate, with some studies highlighting the potential for nutrient-sparing effects and others raising concerns about mineral status and metabolic acidosis 3.