Dr. Paul Saladino, a once leading voice and author of The Carnivore Code, became one of the most prominent advocates for a strict, meat-only diet. His public image and brand, Carnivore MD, were built on the premise that humans evolved to thrive exclusively on animal products, viewing plants as potentially harmful due to "anti-nutrients" and plant toxins. However, after several years on the diet, Saladino began to report a series of troubling personal health issues that led him to publicly announce his departure from the strict carnivore lifestyle. His journey and subsequent dietary shift offer a significant case study in the complexities of nutrition and bio-individuality.
The Unpleasant Symptoms That Triggered the Change
Despite advocating for the carnivore diet as a path to optimal health, Saladino experienced a range of persistent and unpleasant symptoms that ultimately led him to re-evaluate his dietary dogmas. He openly discussed these issues on various platforms, demonstrating a willingness to admit that what he promoted wasn't working for him in the long term.
- Decreased Testosterone Levels: After a year and a half on the carnivore diet, Saladino's testosterone levels dropped significantly. While he initially had high levels, the decline was a major red flag, pointing towards potential hormonal disruption from the extreme diet.
- Sleep Disturbances and Heart Palpitations: He reported experiencing hypnagogic jerks—sudden, involuntary muscle spasms while falling asleep—and heart palpitations, which he linked to the diet. These issues, he speculated, were connected to electrolyte imbalances resulting from the absence of carbohydrates.
- Persistent Muscle Cramps: Frequent muscle cramps became a problem for Saladino, leading him to question whether his mineral intake was sufficient on an all-meat diet. He learned that severely restricting carbohydrates can lead to the kidneys excreting more sodium, disrupting the balance of critical electrolytes like potassium and magnesium.
- Always Feeling Cold: Saladino also noted that he felt chronically cold, a symptom he linked to suboptimal thyroid function. This suggested a metabolic slowdown, likely caused by the low insulin levels associated with a lack of carbohydrates over an extended period.
The Transition to an "Animal-Based" Diet
Based on his experiences and further research, Saladino modified his approach, moving away from strict carnivory and towards what he now calls an "animal-based" diet. This new philosophy acknowledges the benefits of animal products but reintroduces certain plant foods that he believes are less toxic to humans. The primary additions to his diet are fruit and raw honey, with an emphasis on obtaining carbohydrates from these sources. He also includes raw dairy.
The rationale behind these additions is to provide the body with carbohydrates for better hormonal balance, improved sleep, and more stable electrolyte levels. By prioritizing animal products but strategically incorporating these specific plant-derived foods, Saladino aims to achieve what he considers a more balanced and sustainable approach to ancestral eating. This new model is a stark contrast to his earlier all-meat advocacy, and he credits the changes with resolving many of his negative symptoms.
Carnivore vs. Animal-Based Diet: A Comparison
The table below highlights the key differences between the strict carnivore diet Saladino once promoted and his current animal-based diet.
| Aspect | Strict Carnivore Diet (Former Approach) | Animal-Based Diet (Current Approach) |
|---|---|---|
| Core Philosophy | Exclusively eating meat, organs, and animal fats; avoiding all plant foods due to perceived "toxins." | Primarily eating animal products (meat, organs, dairy) but reintroducing select plant foods for carbohydrates and other benefits. |
| Carbohydrate Sources | None, resulting in long-term ketosis where the body relies on fat for energy. | Primarily from fruit and raw honey, which Saladino believes have minimal "plant toxins." |
| Plant Food Inclusion | Absolutely none. All vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts, and seeds are excluded. | Limited to fruits and, in some cases, tubers like sweet potatoes, with an avoidance of grains, seeds, and most vegetables. |
| Perceived Benefits | Supposedly reduces inflammation, aids weight loss, and resolves autoimmune issues by eliminating plant "toxins." | Acknowledges benefits of animal foods while addressing issues of long-term ketosis, such as hormonal and electrolyte imbalances. |
| Observed Outcomes | In Saladino's case, negative symptoms like low testosterone, sleep disturbances, and electrolyte issues emerged over time. | For Saladino, resolution of negative symptoms and a more sustainable, balanced feeling. |
What We Can Learn from the Dietary Shift
Saladino's public pivot from one of the most extreme diets highlights several crucial lessons about nutrition and health. His story serves as a reminder that dietary dogmas, even those based on an appealing evolutionary narrative, can fall short when confronted with individual biological reality.
- Listen to Your Body: The most significant takeaway is the importance of acknowledging persistent, negative symptoms. Saladino demonstrated the maturity to pivot from his entrenched position when his health signaled that something was wrong. No ideology should override the feedback your body provides.
- Beware of Dietary Extremism: Extreme diets, by their nature, carry risks of nutritional deficiencies and imbalances, particularly over the long term. While short-term ketogenic diets can have therapeutic uses, Saladino's experience suggests that prolonged, radical restriction may not be suitable for everyone.
- Nutrition Science is Evolving: The field of nutrition is constantly changing. What was once believed to be optimal, even by a vocal proponent like Saladino, can be challenged by personal experience and ongoing scientific inquiry. Approaching nutrition with an open mind, rather than rigid dogma, is essential for long-term health.
- Consider Bio-Individuality: A diet that works for one person may not work for another. Saladino's personal struggles reinforce the concept of bio-individuality, where genetics, lifestyle, and unique biochemistry play a role in determining optimal food choices.
- Reconsider 'Anti-Nutrients': While Saladino still holds reservations about many plant foods, his reintroduction of fruit and honey as carbohydrate sources indicates a softening of his hardline stance against all plants. This mirrors the ongoing debate in nutrition science about the actual impact of so-called 'anti-nutrients', many of which are in minimal quantities or can be inactivated through cooking.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Paul Saladino's decision to quit the strict carnivore diet was driven by a collection of personal health issues, including hormonal imbalances, sleep problems, and mineral deficiencies, that he experienced after an extended period on the regimen. His subsequent move to an "animal-based" diet, incorporating fruits and honey for carbohydrates, represents a significant evolution in his nutritional philosophy. Ultimately, his story serves as a powerful reminder for individuals and the broader nutrition community to remain flexible, attentive to the body's signals, and cautious of extreme dietary approaches that lack long-term evidence. By publicly acknowledging his mistake and adapting his diet, Saladino has provided valuable insight into the complex, and sometimes unpredictable, nature of human health and nutrition.
For further reading on the carnivore diet and potential health risks, you can review information from the British Heart Foundation.
