The Rise and Fall of the Carnivore MD
Paul Saladino, a board-certified physician, first gained significant notoriety within the biohacking and alternative health communities for his staunch promotion of the carnivore diet. Under the moniker 'Carnivore MD,' he authored The Carnivore Code and built a large social media following, promoting the idea that a diet of exclusively meat, fish, and other animal products was the key to optimal human health. His message resonated with many seeking simple solutions to complex health problems, but his approach was always highly controversial among mainstream nutrition experts. He often appeared shirtless in videos to promote his message, building a personal brand around vitality derived from an all-animal diet. For several years, he was the face of the carnivore movement, often debating plant-based advocates and defending his meat-only philosophy.
The Shift from Carnivore to Animal-Based
However, around 2022, Saladino began to reveal a change in his stance, and by late 2023, he had openly discussed the issues that forced his hand. He experienced a suite of persistent and unpleasant health symptoms that contradicted his claims of optimal health, prompting him to re-evaluate his entire approach. This public admission, while a display of personal honesty, also forced him to confront the potential shortcomings of the rigid dietary dogma he had championed. The core of his realization was that long-term, deep ketosis might not be beneficial for every person and could have unintended side effects. He shifted from a zero-carbohydrate approach to a low-carbohydrate one, strategically reintroducing specific plant foods he deemed less 'toxic.'
Key Health Issues Reported by Saladino
The health problems that precipitated Saladino's change were varied and demonstrated the potential risks of extreme dietary restriction. In interviews and social media posts, he detailed a number of specific ailments that were unresolvable through diet alone:
- Low Testosterone: Saladino revealed that his testosterone levels dropped significantly during his prolonged carnivore experiment, moving from a healthy level to a concerningly lower one. This is a common issue with severely restrictive diets that impact hormone production.
- Sleep Disturbances: He reported sleep-related problems, including difficulty falling asleep and what he described as hypnagogic jerks—spasms that would wake him up just as he was drifting off.
- Heart Palpitations: Saladino experienced irregular heart rhythms, which he speculated were a result of an electrolyte imbalance caused by the lack of carbohydrates in his diet. The elimination of carbs can lower insulin levels, causing the kidneys to excrete more sodium and disrupting the balance of minerals like potassium and magnesium crucial for heart function.
- Persistent Muscle Cramps: Frequent muscle cramps pointed towards mineral deficiencies that the carnivore diet was unable to resolve, despite his initial beliefs that animal products alone would suffice.
- Chronically Low Insulin Levels: His carbohydrate-free state resulted in persistently low blood sugar and insulin, which could contribute to some of his other symptoms.
The Introduction of Fruits and Honey
As Saladino moved away from strict carnivore eating, he introduced a select group of carbohydrates back into his diet. His new 'animal-based' diet, as it's now known, is still heavily focused on animal products but also includes fruit and honey, which he considers to be among the least 'toxic' plant-based food sources. His theory is that the fruit of a plant is meant to be eaten to disperse seeds, making it a safer bet than the leaves, roots, or seeds (vegetables, grains, nuts) that contain more potent defense chemicals. His typical meals now may feature items like watermelon, strawberries, and mangoes, alongside his familiar beef and organ meats.
Carnivore vs. Animal-Based Diet: A Comparison
| Feature | Carnivore Diet (Saladino's Past) | Animal-Based Diet (Saladino's Present) |
|---|---|---|
| Core Foods | Meat, organ meats, fish, eggs, and water. Minimal exceptions for high-fat dairy. | Meat, organ meats, fish, eggs, fruit, honey, and raw dairy. |
| Excluded Foods | All plant-derived foods, including fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, and most dairy. | Grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, and most vegetables, particularly leaves, stems, and roots. |
| Carbohydrates | Zero or near-zero intake, forcing the body into a state of ketosis. | Minimal carbohydrates, primarily from fruit and honey. Allows for a moderate amount depending on intake. |
| Micronutrients | Sourced exclusively from animal products, including organs. Relies on fat-soluble vitamins. | Sourced from animal products, fruits, and honey. Wider range of vitamins and minerals. |
| Purported Benefits | Drastic reductions in inflammation, improved autoimmunity, and weight loss. | Similar benefits to the carnivore diet, but with fewer negative side effects from long-term ketosis. |
| Criticisms | Extreme restriction, lack of fiber, potential for nutritional deficiencies and electrolyte imbalances, and long-term health risks. | Still highly restrictive compared to a balanced diet. Continued skepticism regarding long-term health and high LDL cholesterol concerns. |
The Broader Lessons of a Dietary Shift
Paul Saladino’s public evolution serves as a powerful case study for anyone exploring dietary changes. His experience demonstrates that even a highly intelligent and dedicated individual can be misled by a rigid, dogmatic approach that doesn't account for individual biological variability. Critics point out that he could have done more research before promoting an unproven diet so aggressively, but many also respect his willingness to change his mind publicly.
Ultimately, Saladino's journey underscores the need for humility and a willingness to listen to your body, especially when faced with persistent, negative symptoms. While his new diet is still restrictive and controversial among the broader scientific community, his pivot away from a zero-carb approach highlights the dangers of dietary extremism and the importance of a varied intake for optimal health. The incident is a cautionary tale about trusting charismatic influencers over established scientific consensus and emphasizes that there is no single diet that is right for everyone.
Conclusion
The story of what happened to Paul Saladino is one of public dietary evolution, moving from the extreme rigidity of the carnivore diet to a more flexible, albeit still restrictive, animal-based model. Prompted by troubling symptoms such as low testosterone, heart palpitations, and sleep issues, he admitted that prolonged ketosis was not right for him. His inclusion of fruits and honey reflects a recognition that some carbohydrates may be necessary for metabolic and hormonal balance. While still a vocal proponent of animal-centric nutrition and a subject of controversy, Saladino's journey offers valuable lessons on the dangers of dietary dogma and the necessity of listening to one's own body. For a comprehensive overview of dietary safety, resources like the British Heart Foundation offer further information on the risks of restrictive diets.
