Documentation -- Modern Humans Yes, we don't have much hard-core clinical evidence yet. But why would the "Big Medicine, Big Pharma, and Big Food" complex fund studies that could potentially hurt their business? There are tens of thousands of anecdotes from carnivores who've been doing this from a few months to several years that repeatedly show benefits that prescriptions and standard treatments have not helped. All those n=1 studies mean much more than the food frequency questionnaires that are worshiped by epidemiologists. And why aren't there any journal articles listing all the clinical problems that theoretically should exist all over the place with all these carnivores? The Standard American/Australian/Western Diet has failed to even maintain health with its fifty-year push for less meat consumption and increased vegetables and grains and seed oils. CARNIVORE IN GENERAL Goedeke, Sylvia, et al. "Assessing the Nutrient Composition of a Carnivore Diet: A Case Study Model," Nutrients, 2025, 17(1), 140. (https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17010140) Goldman, David M. "Traditional Maasai Dietary Practices and Their Inapplicability to Modern Carnivore Diets: A Narrative Review," Cureus, February 03, 2025, Doi: 10.7759/cureus.78448. (https://www.cureus.com/articles/336374-traditional-maasai-dietary-practices-and-their-inapplicability-to-modern-carnivore-diets-a-narrative-review#!/) Karačić, Andrija, et al. "The gut microbiome without any plant food? A case study on the gut microbiome of a healthy carnivore," Microbiota and Host, Volume 2, Issue 1, 1 February 2024. (https://mah.bioscientifica.com/view/journals/mah/2/1/MAH-24-0006.xml) Karačić, Andrija, et al. "Long-term adherence to the carnivore diet and its impact on the gut microbiota: a cross-sectional study," Microbiota and Host, Volume 4, Issue 1, 1 February 2024 (https://www.sciencedirect.com/org/science/article/pii/S275369552600004X) Klement, Rainer, J., et al. "Subjective Experiences and Blood Parameter Changes in Individuals From Germany Following a Self-Conceived 'Carnivore Diet': An Explorative Study," Cureus, 2025 Apr 18;17(4):e82521. Doi: 10.7759/cureus.82521. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12085909/) Lennerz, Belinda S., et al. "Behavioral Characteristics and Self-Reported Health Status among 2029 Adults Consuming a 'Carnivore Diet'," Current Developments in Nutrition, Volume 5, Issue 12, nzab133, December 2021. (https://cdn.nutrition.org/article/S2475-2991(22)10608-6/fulltext) Lietz, Almiera, et al. "Carnivore Diet: A Scoping Review of the Current Evidence, Potential Benefits and Risks,"Nutrients, Jan. 21, 2026, 18(2), 348; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18020348. (https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/18/2/348) NOTE: "This is the kind of lazy analysis that happens when researchers evaluate a diet based on theoretical nutrient databases rather than actual blood work from people eating this way." Based on only 9 studies and admitting that the evidence is very limited, the primary finding is that there is a theoretical nutrient deficiency. But, what type[s] of carnivore diets were in use? for how long? and were there actual clinical deficiency symptoms, not just low RDA values? Also is the frequent actual LDL increase seen an actual preliminary to CVD? There is no long-term evidence for the carnivore diet, but this is neither positive nor negative. O'Hearn, Amber "Can a carnivore diet provide all essential nutrients?," Current Opinion in Endocrinology & Diabetes and Obesity 27(5): pp. 312-316, October 2020. Doi: 10.1097/MED.0000000000000576. (https://journals.lww.com/co-endocrinology/abstract/2020/10000/can_a_carnivore_diet_provide_all_essential.11.aspx?context=latestarticles) Stanton, Angela A. "Specifically formulated ketogenic, low carbohydrate, and carnivore diets can prevent migraine: a perspective," Front. Nutr., 29 April 2024, Sec. Nutrition, Psychology and Brain Health, Volume 11 - 2024. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2024.1367570. (https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2024.1367570/full) CANCER RISK? Cho, Eunyoung, et al. "Meat and fat intake and colorectal cancer risk: A pooled analysis of 14 prospective studies," Cancer Res, (2004) 64 (7_Supplement): 113. (https://aacrjournals.org/cancerres/article/64/7_Supplement/113/516408/Meat-and-fat-intake-and-colorectal-cancer-risk-A?searchresult=1) Fan, Hao et al. "Trans-vaccenic acid reprograms CD8+ T cells and anti-tumour immunity," Nature, 2023 Nov 22; 623(7989):1034-1043. doi: 10.1038/s41586-023-06749-3. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10686835/) Ghosn, Batoul, et al. "Total, unprocessed, and processed red meat intake in relation to the risk of pancreatic cancer: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies," Clinical Nutrition ESPEN, Volume 67, pp. 265-275, June 2025. (https://www.clinicalnutritionespen.com/article/S2405-4577(25)00112-3/abstract) Klurfeld, D. M. "How certain can we be about the association of meat consumption and cancer?," Journal of Animal Science, Volume 94, Issue suppl_5, October 2016, Page 437, doi: 10.2527/jam2016.0907. (https://academic.oup.com/jas/article-abstract/94/suppl_5/437/4766702?redirectedFrom=fulltext&login=false) Lee, Jung Eun, et al. "Fat, protein, and meat consumption and renal cell cancer risk: a pooled analysis of 13 prospective studies," J Natl Cancer Inst., 2008 Dec 3;100(23):1695-706. doi: 10.1093/jnci/djn386. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19033572/) CHOLESTEROL Diamond, David M., et al. "Statin therapy is not warranted for a person with high-LDL cholesterol on a low-carbohydrate diet," Current Opinion in Endocrinology & Diabetes and Obesity, 2022 Oct 1;29(5):497-511. (https://journals.lww.com/co-endocrinology/fulltext/2022/10000/statin_therapy_is_not_warranted_for_a_person_with.14.aspx) Kip, Kevin E., et al. "Is LDL cholesterol associated with long-term mortality among primary prevention adults? A retrospective cohort study from a large healthcare system," BMJ Open Journals, 2024, Volume 14, Issue 3. (https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/14/3/e077949) Kosmas, Constantine E., et al. "The Triglyceride/High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) Ratio as a Risk Marker for Metabolic Syndrome and Cardiovascular Disease," Diagnostics (Basel), 2023, Mar 1, 13(5):929. doi: 10.3390/diagnostics13050929. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10001260/) Liu, Ya, et al. "Association between low density lipoprotein cholesterol and all-cause mortality: results from the NHANES 1999-2014," Scientific Reports, 11, 22111 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-01738-w. (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-01738-w) Ravnskov, Uffe, et al. "Lack of an association or an inverse association between low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol and mortality in the elderly: a systematic review," BMJ Open, 2016 Jun 12;6(6):e010401. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2015-010401. (https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/6/6/e010401) Sachdeva Amit et al. "Lipid levels in patients hospitalized with coronary artery disease: an analysis of 136,905 hospitalizations in Get With The Guidelines," Am Heart J., 2009 Jan;157(1):111-117.e2. doi: 10.1016/j.ahj.2008.08.010. Epub 2008 Oct 22. PMID: 19081406. (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0002870308007175?via%3Dihub) DIABETES RISK? Anyang Kaakyire D, et al. "Efficacy of Low-Carbohydrate Diets Versus Low-Fat Diets in Glycemic Control Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review," Cureus 17(1): e77004, January 06, 2025 doi:10.7759/cureus.77004 . (https://www.cureus.com/articles/325048-efficacy-of-low-carbohydrate-diets-versus-low-fat-diets-in-glycemic-control-among-patients-with-type-2-diabetes-a-systematic-review#!/) DeNicolantonio, James J., et al. "Markedly increased intake of refined carbohydrates and sugar is associated with the rise of coronary heart disease and diabetes among the Alaskan Inuit," Openheart, Volume 4, Issue 2, 5 December 2017. (https://openheart.bmj.com/content/openhrt/4/2/e000673.full.pdf) De Souza, Russell J., et al. "Intake of saturated and trans unsaturated fatty acids and risk of all cause mortality, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes: systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies," BMJ, 2015, 351. (https://www.bmj.com/content/351/bmj.h3978) Gannon Mary C and Frank Q. Nuttall, "Effect of a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet on blood glucose control in people with type 2 diabetes," Diabetes, 2004 Sep;53(9):2375-82. doi: 10.2337/diabetes.53.9.2375. PMID: 15331548. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15331548/) Sucher, Stephanie et al. "Comparison of the effects of diets high in animal or plant protein on metabolic and cardiovascular markers in type 2 diabetes: A randomized clinical trial," Diabetes Obes. Metab., 2017 Feb 09, doi.org/10.1111.dom.12901. (https://dom-pubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/dom.12901) KIDNEYS Asoudeh, Farzaneh, et al. "Associations of Total Protein or Animal Protein Intake and Animal Protein Sources with Risk of Kidney Stones: A Systematic Review and Dose-Response Meta-Analysis," Adv. Nutr., 2022 Feb 18;13(3):821-832. doi: 10.1093/advances/nmac013. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9156392/) Lee, Jung Eun, et al. "Fat, protein, and meat consumption and renal cell cancer risk: a pooled analysis of 13 prospective studies," J Natl Cancer Inst., 2008 Dec 3;100(23):1695-706. doi: 10.1093/jnci/djn386. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19033572/). Martin, William F., et al. "Dietary protein intake and renal function," Nutr Metab (Lond) 2, 25 (2005). (https://doi.org/10.1186/1743-7075-2-25) "Do We Have Kidney Health All Wrong?" Metabolic Mind, 4 Aug 2025. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsSY_2f4xGI) The actual studies do not show kidney harm. "Perhaps the most consistently cited reference with regard to the potentially harmful effects of dietary protein intake on renal function is that of Brenner et al.... In brief, the Brenner Hypothesis states that situations associated with increased glomerular filtration and glomerular pressure cause renal injury, ultimately compromise renal function, and potentially increase the risk for or progression of renal disease. Brenner proposed that habitual consumption of excessive dietary protein negatively impacted kidney function by a sustained increased in glomerular pressure and renal hyperfiltration. Since the majority of scientific evidence cited by the authors was generated from animal models and patients with co-existing renal disease, extension of this relationship to healthy individuals with normal renal function is inappropriate. Indeed, a relationship between increased glomerular pressure or hyperfiltration and the onset or progression of renal disease in healthy individuals has not been clearly documented in the scientific literature. Rather, findings from individuals with compensatory hyperfiltration during pregnancy and following unilateral nephrectomy suggest otherwise." "The concept that increased dietary protein leads to dehydration may have originated from an unsubstantiated extension of a 1954 review of the nitrogen balance literature. This review focused on the design of survival rations for military operations in the desert or at sea, when water supply and energy intake are limited. Since the excretion of 1 gram of urea nitrogen requires 40 - 60 mL of additional water, increased protein intakes in the study translated into an increased water requirement (i.e., +250 mL water per 6 grams of dietary nitrogen in a 500 Kcal diet) for excretion of urea nitrogen. This increased fluid requirement is situation specific and is not necessarily applicable to individuals whose calorie and water intakes are adequate. Presently, we know of no studies executed in healthy individuals with normal renal function which demonstrate a clear relation between increased dietary protein intake and dehydration or a detrimental "strain" on the kidney. Therefore, claims that a high protein diet promotes dehydration or adversely 'strains' the kidney remain speculative." Note: Whole foods (fish, eggs, meat) are digested slowly over hours, allowing kidneys to filter them safely, whereas protein shakes (40g) hit the bloodstream in roughly 30 minutes, causing nephron overload. SATURATED FAT Astrup, Arne, et al "Saturated Fats and Health: A Reassessment and Proposal for Food-Based Recommendations: JACC State-of-the-Art Review," JACC. 2020 Aug, 76 (7) 844-857. (https://www.jacc.org/doi/full/10.1016/j.jacc.2020.05.077) Astrup, Arne, et al. "Dietary Saturated Fats and Health: Are the U.S. Guidelines Evidence-Based?," Nutrients, 2021 Sep 22;13(10):3305. doi: 10.3390/nu13103305. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8541481/) De Souza, Russell J., et al. "Intake of saturated and trans unsaturated fatty acids and risk of all cause mortality, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes: systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies,"BMJ, 2015, 351. (https://www.bmj.com/content/351/bmj.h3978) Harcombe, Zoë, et al. "Evidence from randomized controlled trials does not support current dietary fat guidelines: a systematic review and meta-analysis," BMJ Journals, Volume 3, Issue 2, 7 August 2016. (https://openheart.bmj.com/content/3/2/e000409) Hu, Bing, et al. "Red and processed meat intake and risk of cardiovascular disease: A two-sample Mendelian randomization study," Clinical Nutrition ESPEN, Volume 60, April 2024, PP 289-297. (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S240545772400038X) Malhotra, Aseem, et al. "Saturated fat does not clog the arteries: coronary heart disease is a chronic inflammatory condition, the risk of which can be effectively reduced from healthy lifestyle interventions," British Journal of Sports Medicine, Volume 51, Issue 15, April 25, 2017. (https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/51/15/1111) Puaschitz, Nathalie Genevieve, et al. "Dietary Intake of Saturated Fat Is Not Associated with Risk of Coronary Events or Mortality in Patients with Established Coronary Artery Disease," The Journal of Nutrition, Volume 145, Issue 2, February 2015, pp. 299-305. (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022316622086230?via%3Dihub) Sanders, Lisa M., et al. "Beef Consumption and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials," Current Developments in Nutrition, Volume 8, Issue 12, December 2024, 104500. (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S247529912402434X) Siri-Tarino, Patty W., et al. "Meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies evaluating the association of saturated fat with cardiovascular disease," The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Volume 91, Issue 3, March 2010, Pages 535-546. (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002916523016726?via%3Dihub) Teicholtz, Nina "A short history of saturated fat: the making and unmaking of a scientific consensus," Current Opinion in Endocrinology & Diabetes and Obesity, 30(1):p 65-71, February 2023. Doi: 10.1097/MED.0000000000000791. (https://journals.lww.com/co-endocrinology/fulltext/2023/02000/a_short_history_of_saturated_fat__the_making_and.10.aspx) Yamada, Satoru, et al. "Saturated Fat Restriction for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials," JMA J., 025 Mar 21;8(2):395-407. doi: 10.31662/jmaj.2024-0324. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12095860/) |