Featured Image Credit: JAMA Cardiologym 2024, Marmagkiolis et al
Topics: Health, Food and Drink
Callum Jones
Topics: Health, Food and Drink
A man who decided to eat a ‘carnivore diet’ for eight months has claimed his health improved despite experiencing drastic side effects.
The Florida man, who is believed to be in his 40s, ended up in a Tampa hospital after parts of his palms, elbows, and the soles of his feet went yellow.
After speaking to healthcare professionals, the man revealed he had adopted a 'carnivore diet', with his daily food intake consisting of sticks of butter, six to nine pounds of cheese and hamburgers.
His case, which was published in JAMA Cardiology earlier this week, stated: "A man in his 40s presented with a 3-week history of asymptomatic yellowish nodules on his palms, soles, and elbows. The patient adopted a carnivore diet approximately 8 months before presentation.
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"His dietary habits included a high intake of fats, consisting of 6 to 9 lb of cheese, sticks of butter, and additional fat incorporated into his daily hamburgers. He reported weight loss, increased energy, and improved mental clarity."
While the man managed to shed a few pounds, he was left puzzled by the yellow ooze found across his body that was there for a month before he decided to seek treatment.
The research continued: "Physical examination revealed multiple painless yellowish nodules on his palms and elbows. The patient’s cholesterol level exceeded 1000 mg/dL (to convert to millimoles per liter, multiply by 0.0259), significantly higher than his baseline of level of 210 to 300 mg/dL. A diagnosis of xanthelasma was made."
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According to Healthline, this is when a 'soft, yellowish, fatty deposit forms under your skin'. While xanthelasma is not harmful, in some cases 'it may be an indicator of possible heart disease'.
While the research didn't provide any detail on the man's outcome, it emphasized the importance of 'managing hypercholesterolemia to prevent complications'.
A PhD pharmacy student and fitness coach has previously spoken out and warned about the negative long-term impacts this kind of diet can have on a person.
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"You can believe some random influencer, we can believe the entire science community," Angel said.
"Carnivore diet might put you in a calorie deficit, so you might lose weight. Cool. [But] you could also just be in a regular calorie deficit, flexible dieting, eating chocolate, eating pasta and still having some balance there."
She continued: "Over the long term, you might have a low fibre intake that will affect your gut. That is not good for you.
"You'll also get less vitamins and minerals, for example vitamin C. So it might be well and good that you're getting lots of iron from these meats, but if you don't have any vitamin C to help you with absorption, you're actually not going to be getting the benefits you think you are."