Dr. Paul Saladino, a physician and functional medicine practitioner, rose to prominence in the health and wellness sphere as the “Carnivore MD,” advocating for an exclusively meat-based diet. Through books, podcasts, and social media, he promoted the idea that humans thrive on a nose-to-tail carnivore diet while avoiding plant-based foods, which he argued contain potentially harmful toxins. His influence was significant, but his own dietary journey took an unexpected turn around 2022 when he began to acknowledge a series of personal health struggles. This led him to ultimately abandon the strict carnivore approach that had defined his public persona.
The Health Issues That Triggered the Change
After following the carnivore diet for several years, Dr. Saladino began to notice a range of adverse health effects that he attributed to the restrictive nature of the regimen. These weren't minor annoyances but persistent issues that signaled his body was not thriving in the long term. A significant contributing factor was his conclusion that prolonged ketosis, which results from the near-total elimination of carbohydrates, was not ideal for his body.
Among the most cited symptoms were:
- Dropping testosterone levels: After about 12 to 18 months, his testosterone dropped from a high baseline to a significantly lower level. This decline in a key hormone was a major red flag, pointing towards potential hormonal disruption caused by the diet.
- Sleep disturbances: Saladino reported suffering from poor sleep quality, including episodes of waking up and experiencing hypnagogic jerks—sudden muscle spasms that jolt one awake. This was attributed to digestive strain and potentially low serotonin and melatonin precursors.
- Heart palpitations: He experienced episodes of his heart racing or fluttering, which he linked to the diet. This is a potential side effect of electrolyte imbalances that can occur when carbohydrates are eliminated, prompting the kidneys to excrete more minerals like sodium, potassium, and magnesium.
- Persistent muscle cramps: Linked to the electrolyte imbalances, he suffered from frequent muscle cramps. This was exacerbated by low levels of magnesium and calcium, which are crucial for muscle function.
- Chronically low insulin: The near-total absence of carbohydrates in his diet led to very low insulin levels. For non-diabetics, this can lead to hypoglycemia and associated symptoms like fatigue and dizziness.
- Feeling cold all the time: He noted a persistent cold intolerance, which he later discovered was tied to less-than-ideal thyroid hormone (T3) levels.
The Transition to an 'Animal-Based' Diet
In response to these persistent issues, Dr. Saladino transitioned away from a strict carnivore diet, developing what he now calls an "animal-based" approach. This new diet maintains a focus on animal products but strategically reintroduces what he considers the “least toxic” plant foods to provide carbohydrates and other nutrients.
This evolving diet includes:
- Meat and animal organs: Continuing the 'nose-to-tail' philosophy, meat and organ meats remain a central part of his diet.
- Fruit and honey: These are his primary sources of carbohydrates, which he reintroduced to stabilize his energy and address the low-insulin state associated with long-term ketosis.
- Raw dairy: He incorporated raw milk and cheese into his regimen.
- Limited vegetables: While still avoiding most plant foods, he includes some non-sweet fruits like avocado and squash, considering them less toxic.
Foods he still strongly advises against include grains, nuts, seeds, and most vegetables, maintaining his earlier stance on their potential for containing plant defense chemicals.
Carnivore vs. Animal-Based: A Comparison
The evolution of Dr. Saladino's diet highlights a crucial distinction between the two approaches. Here is a simplified comparison:
| Feature | Strict Carnivore Diet | Dr. Saladino's Animal-Based Diet |
|---|---|---|
| Core Components | Muscle meats, organ meats, animal fats, eggs, and occasionally dairy. | Muscle meats, organ meats, animal fats, raw dairy, fruit, and honey. |
| Carbohydrates | Near-zero, leading to a state of long-term ketosis. | Present in the form of fruit and honey, moving away from chronic ketosis. |
| Plant Foods | Strictly avoided, based on the belief that they are toxic. | Included in limited, specific forms (mostly fruit) based on a spectrum of perceived toxicity. |
| Energy Source | Primarily fat (ketosis). | A combination of fat and carbohydrates. |
| Nutritional Risks | Electrolyte imbalances, potential nutrient deficiencies, low fiber. | Elevated LDL cholesterol risk (according to critics), still restrictive. |
Dr. Saladino's Evolution and the Role of Dietary Dogma
Dr. Saladino’s public pivot away from a strictly carnivore diet serves as a powerful case study in the world of dietary extremism and biohacking. His willingness to admit that his personal experience contradicted his previous dogmatic stance was met with a mix of surprise and respect. It highlighted that even for a vocal proponent, personal health metrics and symptoms can eventually outweigh rigid ideological commitments.
Critics point out that the symptoms Saladino experienced were not uncommon for those on highly restrictive diets and question why it took years for him to acknowledge issues that many nutritional experts had long predicted. However, his journey demonstrates the importance of listening to one's body, remaining open to new information, and avoiding absolute dietary rules. The inclusion of fruits and honey reflects an adaptation to ancestral eating patterns, which historical evidence suggests were more varied than a purely carnivorous diet. This transition showcases a move away from extreme restriction toward a slightly more flexible framework, even if his current "animal-based" diet remains quite narrow by conventional standards.
Conclusion
The story of why did Dr. Saladino quit carnivore? is a lesson in dietary humility and adaptation. His well-documented personal health struggles—ranging from hormonal issues like low testosterone to debilitating symptoms like heart palpitations and poor sleep—forced him to confront the limitations of an all-meat diet. His shift to an "animal-based" approach, which reintroduces specific plant foods like fruit and honey, was a direct response to these negative outcomes and a personal admission that chronic ketosis wasn't serving his long-term health. The saga highlights the complexities of diet and the ultimate priority of listening to one's body over following a rigid protocol. His journey demonstrates that even the most passionate dietary advocates can, and sometimes must, change course in the face of persistent health challenges.
For a detailed look into the nuances of his changed perspective, a podcast interview where he discusses these issues provides additional context and insight into his reasoning.
