What are the adverse effects of a carnivorous diet?

From the Guidelines

The carnivore diet has been associated with several negative effects, including increased risk of cardiovascular disease due to high intake of saturated fats and cholesterol 1. Prolonged adherence to this diet may lead to vitamin C deficiency, with symptoms potentially requiring supplementation with ascorbic acid at a dose of 500-1000mg daily. Additionally, the diet's low fiber content may cause constipation, potentially necessitating treatment with stool softeners such as docusate sodium at a dose of 100-300mg daily for a duration of 1-3 months. Furthermore, the diet's high protein content may put a strain on renal function, potentially exacerbating existing kidney disease 1.

Key Adverse Effects

• Increased risk of cardiovascular disease: due to high intake of saturated fats and cholesterol 1
• Vitamin C deficiency: potentially requiring supplementation with ascorbic acid at a dose of 500-1000mg daily
• Constipation: potentially necessitating treatment with stool softeners such as docusate sodium at a dose of 100-300mg daily for a duration of 1-3 months
• Strain on renal function: potentially exacerbating existing kidney disease 1
• Increased risk of cancer: due to the diet's low fiber content and high intake of red and processed meat 1

Recommendations

It is essential to consider a balanced diet that includes a variety of whole, unprocessed foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. This can help mitigate the adverse effects associated with the carnivore diet. Additionally, individuals with pre-existing medical conditions, such as kidney disease or cardiovascular disease, should consult with their healthcare provider before making any significant changes to their diet.

From the Research

Adverse Effects of a Carnivorous Diet

• High consumption of animal protein sources, especially red meat, can result in an increased intake of saturated fat, cholesterol, iron, and salt, as well as an excessive acid load 2
• Red meat intake may lead to an elevated production of uremic toxins by the gut microbiota, such as trimethylamine n-oxide (TMAO), indoxyl sulfate, and p-cresyl sulfate, which are associated with increased risk for cardiovascular (CV) mortality 2
• A carnivore diet may be low in certain nutrients, including thiamin, magnesium, calcium, and Vitamin C, and may have inadequate fibre intake 3
• High intake of saturated fats, particularly from industrial sources, may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, although the evidence for saturated fats from animal sources is less clear 4, 5
• Replacing saturated fats with refined carbohydrates, particularly added sugars, may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and other health problems 4

Potential Health Risks

• Cardiovascular disease risk factors, such as elevated LDL-cholesterol, may be increased on a carnivore diet, although some studies have found that participants on a carnivore diet reported improvements in cardiovascular health 6, 5
• The carnivore diet may be associated with an increased risk of certain nutrient deficiencies, particularly if the diet is not well-planned 3
• The long-term effects of a carnivore diet on health are not well-studied and require further research 6, 3

Nutrient Adequacy

• A carnivore diet may meet or exceed national nutrient reference values (NRVs) for certain nutrients, such as riboflavin, niacin, phosphorus, zinc, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, selenium, and Vitamin A 3
• However, the diet may fall short in other nutrients, such as thiamin, magnesium, calcium, and Vitamin C, and may have inadequate fibre intake 3