Yes, Liver King Eats Butter
In the world of online fitness influencers, few are as memorable as Brian Johnson, better known as the Liver King. He is known for promoting an extreme “ancestral” lifestyle rooted in the "Nine Ancestral Tenets". When it comes to the question, "Does Liver King eat butter?" the answer is a resounding yes. He is an outspoken proponent of consuming large quantities of high-quality, grass-fed butter. In his view, butter is a fundamental component of the primal diet, providing essential fats and nutrients that modern diets often lack. He frequently posts on social media about his preference for butter over what he calls "sub-primal" alternatives like trans fats, seed oils, and margarine.
His advocacy is driven by a belief that returning to unprocessed, whole foods is the key to optimal health and vitality. He views butter from grass-fed cows as a natural, nutrient-dense source of fuel, aligning with how he believes our ancestors would have eaten. He encourages his followers to "lather generously" with grass-fed butter, seeing it not as a dietary vice but as a cornerstone of ancestral nourishment.
The Primal Role of Butter in Liver King's Diet
Butter, for the Liver King, isn't just a cooking ingredient; it's a vital food source. His dietary focus is on a carnivore-based approach, centered on consuming animal products in their most natural state. This philosophy dictates a high-fat, high-protein intake, and butter provides a significant portion of that fat content. It complements other staples of his diet, which often include:
- Raw liver (the namesake of his persona)
- Bone marrow
- Raw eggs and testes
- Fatty cuts of meat
- Wild-caught fish
- Bone broth
In Liver King’s view, these traditional foods, including butter, are superior to modern, processed alternatives because they contain a higher density of nutrients and don't carry the health risks associated with industrial seed oils.
Butter vs. Modern Fats: An Ancestral Perspective
To understand Liver King's stance, it is necessary to examine his stark contrast between natural, animal-based fats and their modern counterparts. He rejects processed fats entirely, a core tenet of his dietary advice.
| Feature | Grass-Fed Butter (Ancestral) | Margarine / Seed Oils (Modern) |
|---|---|---|
| Source | From the cream of grass-fed cows | Processed vegetable oils (e.g., soybean, canola) |
| Processing | Minimal processing; a natural product | Highly industrial; often hydrogenated |
| Nutrients | Rich in fat-soluble vitamins (A, K2), CLA | Contains trans fats and lacks vital nutrients |
| Health Impact | Viewed as a healthy, natural fat source | Associated with inflammatory markers and heart disease |
| Philosophy | Aligns with primal, whole-food eating | Represents processed, unhealthy modern food |
The Controversial Nature of His Recommendations
While Liver King's promotion of whole foods like grass-fed butter resonates with some, his overall dietary recommendations are highly controversial and often criticized by nutritionists. His endorsement of consuming raw meat, organs, and eggs raises significant food safety concerns due to the potential for bacterial contamination (e.g., E. coli, Salmonella). Furthermore, his dramatic physique, which he initially attributed solely to his ancestral lifestyle and whole foods, was later revealed to be aided by steroids. This admission created a scandal that led many to question the authenticity of his health claims, including his promotion of butter and other ancestral foods.
Despite the controversy, Liver King has maintained his core dietary philosophy, which continues to feature grass-fed butter prominently. The central takeaway for his followers is to replace processed, modern fats with natural, animal-based ones.
Conclusion
In summary, Liver King’s diet absolutely includes butter, and he actively promotes its consumption as a key part of his ancestral living philosophy. His specific endorsement is for high-quality, grass-fed butter, which he positions as a superior, primal fuel source compared to processed alternatives. While his dietary practices are controversial and his claims have faced scrutiny, his message regarding the replacement of industrial fats with natural ones has been a consistent part of his brand. For those exploring the primal or carnivore diet, understanding the role of butter and other animal fats is central to the Liver King's entire approach to nutrition. His philosophy, though debated, is clearly articulated in his social media content, showing that butter is not just an occasional food but a staple of his diet.
Facebook video promoting butter
Butter vs. Modern Fats: An Ancestral Perspective
To understand Liver King's stance, it is necessary to examine his stark contrast between natural, animal-based fats and their modern counterparts. He rejects processed fats entirely, a core tenet of his dietary advice.
| Feature | Grass-Fed Butter (Ancestral) | Margarine / Seed Oils (Modern) |
|---|---|---|
| Source | From the cream of grass-fed cows | Processed vegetable oils (e.g., soybean, canola) |
| Processing | Minimal processing; a natural product | Highly industrial; often hydrogenated |
| Nutrients | Rich in fat-soluble vitamins (A, K2), CLA | Contains trans fats and lacks vital nutrients |
| Health Impact | Viewed as a healthy, natural fat source | Associated with inflammatory markers and heart disease |
| Philosophy | Aligns with primal, whole-food eating | Represents processed, unhealthy modern food |
The Controversial Nature of His Recommendations
While Liver King's promotion of whole foods like grass-fed butter resonates with some, his overall dietary recommendations are highly controversial and often criticized by nutritionists. His endorsement of consuming raw meat, organs, and eggs raises significant food safety concerns due to the potential for bacterial contamination (e.g., E. coli, Salmonella). Furthermore, his dramatic physique, which he initially attributed solely to his ancestral lifestyle and whole foods, was later revealed to be aided by steroids. This admission created a scandal that led many to question the authenticity of his health claims, including his promotion of butter and other ancestral foods.
Despite the controversy, Liver King has maintained his core dietary philosophy, which continues to feature grass-fed butter prominently. The central takeaway for his followers is to replace processed, modern fats with natural, animal-based ones.
Conclusion
In summary, Liver King’s diet absolutely includes butter, and he actively promotes its consumption as a key part of his ancestral living philosophy. His specific endorsement is for high-quality, grass-fed butter, which he positions as a superior, primal fuel source compared to processed alternatives. While his dietary practices are controversial and his claims have faced scrutiny, his message regarding the replacement of industrial fats with natural ones has been a consistent part of his brand. For those exploring the primal or carnivore diet, understanding the role of butter and other animal fats is central to the Liver King's entire approach to nutrition. His philosophy, though debated, is clearly articulated in his social media content, showing that butter is not just an occasional food but a staple of his diet.
