Warning: This article contains discussion of dieting and weight loss which some readers may find distressing.
A YouTuber has revealed the 'shocking' impact of a carnivore diet on his bloodwork.
Weighing 301lbs in March 2023, Patrick found himself out of breath just from climbing a flight of stairs, telling Mail Online he felt like a 'prisoner' in his own body because he was 'so big, heavy, and unhealthy' and overall just 'miserable'.
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Struggling with depression and coming home with little energy after working as a HVAC technician in Nebraska, unable to play with his young son, Patrick decided he needed a drastic change and decided to embark on a carnivore diet.
Healthline explains: "The carnivore diet is a restrictive diet that only includes meat, fish, and other animal foods like eggs and certain dairy products.
"It excludes all other foods, including fruits, vegetables, legumes, grains, nuts, and seeds."
The effects of the carnivore diet on Patrick
The dad set about eating a 16-ounce steak, a pound of ground beef and a half-dozen eggs every day and a year on, his life had changed completely - with Patrick's weight reaching 140lbs, allowing him to experience a better quality of sleep and waking up 'refreshed and energized'.
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Indeed, Healthline notes: "You might see some early benefits such as improved blood pressure, reduced belly fat, and improved cardiovascular health. Whether these benefits are lasting, however, is less clear."
Two years on, however, and the dad revealed in a video shared to YouTube on December 21, he is still feeling the positive effects of his 'health journey'.
But what about the impact such a meat-heavy diet can have on one's bloodwork and heart health?
Healthline warns that 'due to its highly restrictive nature and complete elimination of the majority of food groups, there are many downsides to the carnivore diet' including a potential increased risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and kidney disease.
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The impact on his bloodwork
After getting a lot of comment about red meat being 'the devil,' Patrick decided to do some investigating.
Four months into his carnivore diet, the dad got his first round of bloodwork results. By this point in his journey, he'd lost 50 lbs and was 'feeling really good'.
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"Everything came back really good," he reflected, his triglycerides, HDL, LDL and total Cholesterol all good. But the one thing which was 'dangerously low'? His testosterone levels.
After one year on the diet - and 120 lbs down - another set of bloodwork results revealed his sodium, potassium, creatinine, calcium and fasting blood sugar levels were all 'great' too.
"Everything was perfect except my testosterone again," he adds.
His video explains despite being on the carnivore diet for almost two years and seeing big improvements in so many areas of his life, but it 'still didn't fix' his testosterone levels.
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And in July 2024, he ended up feeling 'terrible again' and 'struggling with some anxiety and depression' and having 'zero energy'.
The dad kept with his carnivore diet, adding a tiny bit of fruit 'here and there', but Patrick got his bloodwork checked again one-and-a-half years after first starting the diet and his testosterone levels came back even lower.
Patrick went to see a urologist and it was determined that he should start testosterone replacement therapy, with the dad now feeling 'way better,' his energy levels becoming higher and his mental health improving.
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Patrick attributes his testosterone dropping so low as being a result of all the processed food he's been eating.
He resolves: "This is where I'm at now. I just hope it continues to improve everything with my overall health."
Before considering a change in diet, it's advised that you speak to a doctor to ensure the healthiest approach.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 to reach a 24-hour crisis center or you can webchat at 988lifeline.org. You can also reach the Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.
Topics: Food and Drink, Social Media, Viral, YouTube, Health, Fitness, Mental Health
Poppy Bilderbeck