The misinformation menace of the carnivore diet

Scrolling through social media, you may have encountered eye-catching images promoting meat-heavy diets, such as those seen on influencers' profiles like @Steakandbuttergal (below) or alternative accounts (also below). With more than 300,000 followers, she regularly posts detailed diet plans that generally fall into the carnivore diet category. 

Screenshots of @Steakandbuttergal's page and a search of Instagram for the topic (Source: Screenshot/@Steakandbuttergal/Instagram)

The carnivore diet, viewed as an extension of low-carbohydrate diets, has grown exponentially popular on social media in recent years. Various influencers, such as Dr. Ovadia, Davinia Taylor, Dr. Shawn Baker, and Joe Rogan, claim the diet has benefits such as diabetes reversal, weight loss, and enhanced mental health. Advocates of this diet also claim that non-living things do not want to be eaten. Therefore, since plants cannot move like mammals, their defense mechanism against predators is to develop poisons and biochemical defenses, thus making them toxic.

The carnivore diet is restrictive: you may only consume meat, fish, eggs, and full-fat dairy products. Social media posts about the carnivore diet are often the focus of conspiracies and misinformation, usually coupled with fasting regimens, making it challenging to separate fact from fiction. 

Logically Facts explains the carnivore diet and examines the misinformation and its influence. 

What is the carnivore diet? 

The restrictive diet excludes plant-based items and only allows meat, fish, dairy, and eggs. This severe form of the ketogenic diet primarily offers the body insufficient calories from glucose (sugars), forcing the human body to burn fat for energy in a reduced acidic blood content state known as ketosis. 

The diet is based solely on animal products, and since animal fat is primarily saturated fat, it increases the levels of our bad (LDL) cholesterol both in the short and long term. Due to the elevated protein levels, such a diet also increases the risk of osteoporosis, gout, kidney stones, and impaired kidney function.

Senior Allied Health Professional Zoe Roberta Chircop told Logically Facts, "A diet solely comprising animal products can lead to nutritional deficiencies, lack of fiber and lack of essential phytonutrients that we find in plant-based foods. Such deficiencies can impact digestive health, immune function, and overall well-being. Following this diet long-term could lead to an increased risk of health issues such as cardiovascular disease and other chronic health issues due to high saturated fat and cholesterol intake."

Given the vital role of plant-based foods like vegetables, grains, fruits, and legumes in a balanced diet, addressing the spread of misinformation that suggests otherwise is essential. Many posts supporting the carnivore diet are misleading and potentially dangerous. 

The above extract is an example of a misleading post on the carnivore diet (Source: Instagram)

Claims of the carnivore diet

Social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, and TikTok are fertile grounds for misinformation due to their vast reach and algorithm-driven content promotion. Each platform's algorithm works differently but generally promotes content that receives high engagement, inadvertently boosting the visibility of misleading information.

Father-daughter duo Jordan and Mikhaila Peterson, with over eight million and 870,000 followers, respectively, have been enthusiastic proponents of the carnivore diet. They claim to be relieved of conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, gastric reflux, depression, and anxiety. 

Mikhaila’s website provides an introduction to her life and a list of items she claims the carnivore diet can cure. (Source: Screenshot/Lion Diet) 

However, the carnivore diet cannot cure these ailments. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease with no cure that causes the body’s immune system to attack the joints. There is no evidence that the carnivore diet cures RA. Chief bariatric surgeon Dr. Konstantinos Spaniolas explained to Logically Facts, "People try to find a diet to … manage the condition. It's a reach of hope for people."

Similarly, psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition with no cure, but topical treatments, phototherapy, and systemic medications can significantly reduce symptoms. Some claim that plant-based ingredients are harmful and inflammatory foods, which is not supported by scientific evidence and is, in fact, quite the opposite as Dr. Antonella Grima said to Logically Facts, “A diet that is composed entirely of animal products is pro-inflammatory.”

Vegetables, legumes, and oily fish are the most effective foods for these purposes. Chircop stated, "We promote an evidence-based balanced diet, such as the Mediterranean diet, which includes a variety of food groups from both plant and animal-based food products."

Jordan Peterson's YouTube videos are hugely popular. In addition to other contentious issues, he tackles controversial topics surrounding the carnivore diet and suggests that it can cure many health-related problems. He often collaborates with other well-known individuals, like Dr. Peter Attia, a podcaster who specializes in the science of extending human life and well-being. He specifically likes to discuss what he sees as the diet's influence on depression.

One study did show that meat-eating individuals exhibit lower bouts of depression and anxiety. However, this study was not conducted on people following the carnivore diet, where all other aspects of plant-based or carbohydrate foods are eliminated. It concluded that a well-rounded diet is recommended for the best mental health.

Most treatments, such as medication, psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and lifestyle changes, aim to reduce symptoms and improve functioning.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Specific claims that attract engagement focus on Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), a chronic condition where stomach acid frequently flows back into the esophagus. 

YouTube Influencers like KenDBerryMD, Carnivore Queen, and SkullBellz TV have previously promoted inaccurate claims about GERD. Among these videos and search results, there are also videos of people who have tried the carnivore diet to cure GERD and ended up with worse conditions. 

YouTube screenshots of users sharing the after-effects of following the carnivore diet racking up thousands of views. (Source: Screenshots/YouTube) 

In reality, treatments focus on reducing acid production and improving lifestyle habits. A scientific study showed that a carnivore diet is associated with an increased risk of GERD compared to a vegan diet, which is based on plant-based foods. Therefore, the claim that the carnivore diet can cure GERD is inaccurate and appears to have worsened symptoms for some.

Is the carnivore diet anti-inflammatory?

Peterson and his contemporaries have also described the carnivore diet’s supposed anti-inflammatory properties, which benefit consumers with autoimmune diseases. However, all proven anti-inflammatory diets are plant-based. 

Consumers have also reported weight loss and elevated testosterone levels following this diet, as it exhibits an extreme form of the elimination diet. But, as a nutritionist and member of the British Dietetic Association, Nutrition Society, Guild of Health Writers, and Professional Nutrition Consultants, Dr. Ursula Arens says to Logically Facts, “Most humans can be healthy with an unbalanced diet for short periods. But over a few weeks, unbalanced diets lack one or several nutrients, leading to ill health … as a weight loss strategy, ‘it works,’ but mainly because of the dramatic restriction in the usual wide variety of foods that people enjoy.”

Indeed, Kirstie Lawton, PhD, an AfN-registered nutritionist and nutritional therapy practitioner, notes that a temporary auto-immune paleo or ketogenic diet may be beneficial for individuals who cannot tolerate substances found in plant foods, such as oxalate, salicylate, or histamine, or who suffer from severe small intestinal bacterial overgrowth and react to most high FODMAP foods. 

Due to their high content of micronutrients, fiber, and antioxidants, diets rich in plant-based foods have long been associated with a lower risk of chronic conditions such as heart disease, certain cancers, Alzheimer's, and type 2 diabetes.

In contrast, red meat has been linked to an increased risk of various diseases, including heart disease and certain cancers, especially colon and rectal cancer. Many health risks associated with red meat are attributed to its saturated fat content, although research and opinions on saturated fat remain divided. 

Dr. Arens also points out that "U.K. government guidelines are that if meat is consumed, limits are about 70g per day (or an average of 500g per week). Specifically, processed meats (bacon, salami, sausages) should be limited due to high salt and nitrite content.” 

Peer-reviewed studies consistently support the health benefits of vegetables. A meta-analysis published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) found that higher fruit and vegetable intake is associated with a lower mortality risk from all causes.

Vegetable toxicity

Dr. Anthony Chaffee, MD’s YouTube channel, shows his claim that plants are toxic. (Source: Screenshot/YouTube)

One of the most contentious claims of the carnivore diet is that vegetables are toxic and harmful to human health as they contain anti-nutrients. The argument goes that humans evolved as carnivores, and modern agricultural practices have introduced harmful substances into plant foods. Finally, such claims propose that plants contain natural toxins and antinutrients that can cause various health issues.

Carnivore diet advocates often point to compounds like lectins, oxalates, and phytates, claiming these are harmful and can lead to chronic diseases. However, these claims lack substantial scientific backing and often misrepresent the complexity of human nutrition. Typical narratives include exaggerated dangers of vegetable consumption, misinterpretation of scientific studies, and anecdotal evidence presented as universal truth.

Vegetables are rich in essential vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants, crucial in maintaining overall health. For instance, leafy greens are high in vitamin K, which is necessary for bone health, while carrots are an excellent source of beta-carotene, vital for eye health.

Numerous studies have shown that diets high in vegetables are associated with a lower risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Harvard School of Public Health advocate for including vegetables to promote long-term health. Observational studies and clinical trials have proven a high correlation between fruit and vegetable intake and reduced mortality and chronic diseases.

Eliminating vegetables can lead to deficiencies in essential nutrients such as fiber, vitamins C and K, and various phytonutrients, which are not adequately supplied by animal products alone. Long-term adherence to a plant-free diet may increase the risk of conditions like scurvy (due to vitamin C deficiency), digestive issues (due to lack of fiber), and other chronic diseases. Cardiovascular complications, digestive problems, metabolic disorders, and cancer risks decrease with the consumption of fruits and vegetables.

The sociology behind the carnivore diet

Followers of the carnivore diet often cite benefits such as increased muscle mass, higher energy levels, and enhanced overall physical performance, aligning with pursuing a more traditionally masculine identity.

Social media plays a crucial role in this movement, amplifying and normalizing the adoption of the carnivore diet. Influencers and fitness gurus on platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok share their journeys, showcase their physiques, and endorse the diet's benefits. 

These platforms facilitate community and validation among followers, who share their experiences and progress. The constant stream of success stories and testimonials reinforces the diet's association with reclaimed masculinity, encouraging more men to adopt it in their quest for physical and personal empowerment.

Many followers are drawn to the diet for its purported health benefits, such as increased muscle mass, improved energy levels, and better physical performance. These outcomes are particularly appealing in fitness and bodybuilding communities, with a strong focus on optimizing physical appearance and capability.

Dr. Ursula Arens said, “Different foods have different nutrients, and consuming a variety of healthy foods ensures that sufficient amounts are available for the many bodily functions linked to intakes of nutrients.” The carnivorous diet carries risks and will “very likely lead over time to feeling tired, constipated and due to ketosis, smelly breath” and “in every other way carnivore diets are extremely unbalanced, and after a few weeks are very likely to result in deficiencies of particular micronutrients.”