The 19th-Century Medical Experiments
Long before the modern era of social media influencers, medical professionals and writers experimented with meat-only diets to treat various ailments. These early efforts laid a foundational, albeit rudimentary, groundwork for the carnivore diet concept.
Notable 19th-Century Figures
- Bernard Moncriff (1856): A German writer who penned The Philosophy of the Stomach, documenting his experience on an exclusive beef and milk diet.
- Arnaldo Cantani (1870s): An Italian physician who prescribed animal-based diets to his diabetic patients, seeking to manage their blood sugar levels.
- James H. Salisbury (1880s): An American physician who developed the "Salisbury diet," advocating a meal plan of lean beef and hot water for several weeks. He believed chronic diseases were caused by a diet of starchy plant foods.
Arctic Exploration and the Inuit Diet
One of the most significant historical accounts involves explorer Vilhjalmur Stefansson, who spent extensive time living with the Inuit people in the early 1900s. Stefansson, who adopted their traditional diet of primarily meat and fat, observed their excellent health and noted the absence of chronic western diseases. After returning, he and his partner underwent a monitored experiment at Bellevue Hospital in New York, consuming an all-meat diet for an entire year. The study, which ended in 1930, demonstrated they remained in good health.
Clarifying the Inuit Diet
It is important to note that the modern carnivore diet is not identical to the traditional Inuit diet. A key distinction is that the Inuit diet often included a high proportion of organ meats, rich in micronutrients, and sometimes even raw meat. Their survival-based eating also occasionally incorporated foraged plant products, unlike the strict elimination of all plant foods in many modern carnivore plans.
Modern Popularization and Social Media
While the concept has historical roots, its resurgence and mainstream traction are a distinctly modern phenomenon, fueled primarily by social media and influential figures.
- Shawn Baker (2018): A former orthopedic surgeon, Baker is widely credited with popularizing the carnivore diet in its current form. He advocates for the diet based on personal experience and promoted it extensively through social media and his book, The Carnivore Diet.
- Jordan and Mikhaila Peterson (2018): The Canadian psychologist and his daughter became prominent proponents after claiming the diet resolved various health issues, including autoimmune problems. Their story, particularly Jordan Peterson's, gained widespread media attention following an appearance on the Joe Rogan podcast, significantly boosting the diet's exposure.
Ancestral Eating and Evolutionary Theory
Proponents often suggest that the carnivore diet aligns with our evolutionary past. This perspective is bolstered by a few key arguments from evolutionary biology.
The Expensive-Tissue Hypothesis
This theory suggests that during human evolution, a shift towards a higher-quality, more energy-dense diet, particularly rich in meat, allowed for the reduction in the size of the digestive system and the corresponding increase in brain size. The human gut, compared to other great apes, is smaller and more similar to that of carnivores, suggesting a long reliance on nutrient-rich animal foods.
Hunter-Gatherer Evidence
Evidence from optimal foraging theory and studies of modern hunter-gatherers indicate a heavy reliance on animal foods for energy, with some analyses suggesting up to 60% reliance on animal sources in some groups. Meat has been a part of human diets for over 3 million years, and the development of hunting tools and techniques further solidified its role.
It is critical to contextualize this. As researchers point out, ancestral diets were highly varied depending on environment and season, and human ancestors did consume plants, tubers, and other sources. The claim that humans were exclusively meat-eaters ignores significant archaeological evidence. A more nuanced understanding suggests that high-quality, bioavailable animal protein was crucial, but not the sole dietary component.
Carnivore Diet vs. Other Low-Carb Diets
The carnivore diet is often compared to other low-carbohydrate eating patterns, such as the Paleo and Keto diets. While they share some principles, their foundational origins and rules are distinct.
| Feature | Carnivore Diet | Paleo Diet | Keto Diet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Origin | Traced to 19th C. medical theories & 20th C. explorers, popularized via modern social media. | Mimics diet of pre-agricultural humans (Paleolithic era). | Mimics a ketogenic state originally developed for epilepsy treatment. |
| Dietary Scope | Exclusively animal products (meat, fish, eggs, some dairy). Zero plants, fruits, grains, legumes. | Includes meat, fish, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds. Excludes grains, legumes, dairy, processed foods. | High fat, moderate protein, very low carb. Focus on macros, not just food groups. |
| Rationale | Eliminates all plant-based irritants; nutrient-dense animal foods are optimal. | Modern processed foods diverge from evolutionary biology; eating like ancestors is healthier. | Puts the body into a metabolic state of ketosis to burn fat for energy. |
| Dairy | Often included, though sometimes limited. | Generally excluded. | Often included (high-fat dairy). |
| Popularization | Shawn Baker, Jordan Peterson | Loren Cordain, Robb Wolf | Atkins, Robert C. Atkins; modern keto revival. |
The Verdict on the Carnivore Diet's Origins
Ultimately, the carnivore diet as it exists today is a fusion of historical medical experimentation, ancestral eating interpretations, and modern social media marketing. It is not an ancient, rediscovered eating pattern but rather a contemporary dietary trend with roots in earlier restrictive food philosophies. The diet's most recent spike in popularity is largely driven by online advocates and personal testimonials, not historical precedent. Those interested in the historical context should look to figures like Stefansson and Salisbury, while those curious about its present-day form should examine the roles of modern influencers and online communities.
Conclusion
While the carnivore diet might appear as a radical, recent fad, its origins are a fascinating blend of historical events and modern movements. From the early medical treatments of diabetes by Cantani in the 1870s to the well-documented expeditions of Vilhjalmur Stefansson in the early 20th century, the idea of an exclusively animal-based diet has a long history. It was through the powerful amplification of social media and key personalities like Shawn Baker and the Petersons that this once-niche concept entered the public consciousness as a mainstream option. The diet's recent success lies not in its antiquity, but in its appeal as a simple, elimination-based regimen for those seeking radical health changes in a complex world. The carnivore diet, as we know it, is a modern product of ancient curiosity, refined by the digital age.
