Why Did Paul Saladino MD Quit a 100% Carnivore Diet?

December 25, 2025 •

5 min read

In a surprising reversal, prominent diet influencer and physician Paul Saladino MD revealed in a podcast interview that he no longer adheres to a strict 100% carnivore diet. His decision to quit was driven by persistent and unpleasant health symptoms that emerged during his long-term adherence to the meat-only regimen.

Quick Summary

Paul Saladino, known as 'Carnivore MD,' ceased his strict carnivore diet after experiencing negative health symptoms like heart palpitations, low testosterone, and sleep disturbances, transitioning to a more inclusive animal-based diet incorporating fruit, honey, and raw dairy.

Key Points

Symptom Recognition: Saladino's primary motivation was the onset of unpleasant symptoms, including heart palpitations, muscle cramps, and poor sleep quality.
Hormonal Impact: He noticed a significant drop in his testosterone levels after following a strict carnivore diet for over a year.
Questioning Ketosis: Saladino publicly expressed his belief that long-term, deep ketosis may not be ideal for all humans, which was a major philosophical shift.
Transition to Animal-Based: He did not abandon his core beliefs but pivoted to a more inclusive "animal-based diet" that incorporates specific carbohydrates.
Reintroduction of Fruit and Honey: He added fruit and honey to his diet to reintroduce carbohydrates and correct the metabolic and hormonal issues he experienced.
Focus on Low-Toxin Plants: His justification for adding fruit and honey is that they contain fewer 'plant defense chemicals' than vegetables, aligning with his ancestral health viewpoint.
Open Dialogue: Saladino openly shared his health struggles and reasons for the change, emphasizing the importance of adaptability in nutritional approaches.
Prioritizing Individual Response: His journey underscores the principle that personal metabolic responses are the most important metric for evaluating a diet's effectiveness.

The Symptom-Driven Shift Away from Strict Carnivore

For years, Paul Saladino was the public face of the carnivore diet, promoting a zero-carb, meat-only lifestyle through his book, The Carnivore Code, and online platforms. However, after dedicating himself to the diet since approximately 2018, he started experiencing a range of troubling health issues that forced him to re-evaluate his dietary approach. These were not minor or transient issues but persistent, negative symptoms that his body could no longer ignore.

During an appearance on the More Plates More Dates podcast and in other public statements, Saladino detailed the specific health problems he faced. His experience serves as a powerful case study in the risks of dietary dogma and the importance of listening to one's own body's feedback.

Key Health Issues Leading to the Change

Testosterone Level Drop: After over a year on the strict carnivore diet, Saladino's testosterone levels significantly declined, falling from around 800 to 500. This reduction in a key hormone was a major concern for him and is a potential side effect of long-term, extremely high protein and low carbohydrate intake.
Sleep Disturbances: Saladino reported having significant sleep issues, including trouble staying asleep and experiencing frequent hypnagogic jerks. Sleep problems can be linked to difficulty digesting large, protein-heavy meals and low glucose levels affecting melatonin production.
Heart Palpitations: He also suffered from heart palpitations, which he eventually attributed to the electrolyte imbalances caused by long-term, extreme carbohydrate restriction. The kidneys excrete more sodium when insulin levels are consistently low, which can disrupt the balance of essential minerals like potassium and magnesium vital for heart function.
Persistent Muscle Cramps: Despite believing he was receiving sufficient minerals, Saladino experienced frequent muscle cramps, indicating an underlying electrolyte or mineral deficiency, particularly magnesium.
Constant Coldness: Metabolic disruptions and electrolyte imbalances led to a consistently low body temperature. Thyroid function tests revealed his T3 hormone levels were 'not ideal,' impacting his metabolism.

The Philosophical Shift: From Carnivore to Animal-Based

Following his period of health complications, Saladino concluded that long-term ketosis, a state his 100% carnivore diet maintained, was 'probably not a great thing for most humans'. This led to a significant evolution in his dietary philosophy, where he began to reintroduce certain food groups into his life, while still avoiding many others.

His new dietary model, which he calls the 'animal-based diet,' maintains a focus on meat, especially organ meats, but is more lenient than his previous stance. It is a direct result of his personal health struggles and research, aiming to address the nutritional deficiencies he experienced. The inclusion of specific plant foods, namely fruit and honey, was intentional to reintroduce carbohydrates and correct the metabolic issues he faced. He posits that these plant sources have fewer 'plant defense chemicals' than others, aligning with his evolving ancestral health perspective.

Key Components of Saladino's New Animal-Based Diet

Animal Foods: Still the foundation of his diet, including meat, organs, and raw dairy.
Fruit: A primary source of carbohydrates to address the negative effects of long-term ketosis.
Honey: Another natural sugar source for carbohydrates, which he controversially argues can be considered 'carnivore' since vegans don't eat it.
Raw Dairy: Included for its perceived nutritional benefits, despite warnings from many health experts about potential bacterial contamination risks.

Comparing the Carnivore and Animal-Based Philosophies


Feature	100% Carnivore Diet (Saladino's Past)	Animal-Based Diet (Saladino's Present)
Core Philosophy	Ancestral diet with maximum plant toxin avoidance.	Evolutionary approach combining nutrient-dense animal foods with low-toxicity plant carbohydrates.
Carbohydrates	Zero-carb, relying solely on fat and protein for energy.	Modest carbohydrate intake from specific, low-toxin sources like fruit and honey.
Plant Foods	None permitted, as all plants are viewed as potentially harmful.	A select few, with a heavy emphasis on fruit for carbohydrates.
Health Focus	Primarily metabolic health through ketosis and inflammation reduction.	Addresses nutrient deficiencies from strict carnivore, focusing on hormone and electrolyte balance.
Key Supporters	Previously promoted alongside others like Shawn Baker.	Saladino himself, with a more individualized approach based on personal experience.
Main Risks	Nutrient deficiencies (fiber, Vitamin C), potential for hormone disruption, electrolyte imbalance.	Nutritional imbalance, consumption of raw dairy risks.

Conclusion: The Evolving Nature of Dietary Dogma

Paul Saladino's public shift away from a 100% carnivore diet highlights a critical point in the conversation around diet and nutrition: personal experience and individual biology are paramount. His openness about his struggles with a diet he once passionately advocated for demonstrates the importance of re-evaluating even deeply held beliefs in the face of contrary evidence.

While his new 'animal-based' diet is still restrictive and controversial, the evolution of his philosophy serves as a reminder that no single diet is right for everyone. The lesson from his journey is not just about the dangers of extreme diets but also the value of humility and adaptability when pursuing optimal health. As nutrition science continues to evolve, individuals, and even influencers, may need to adjust their views based on new data and lived experience. This episode is a testament to the fact that nutritional exploration is a journey, not a destination, and that listening to one's body is the most reliable compass.

An authoritative link on the matter of the health effects of restrictive diets can be found in the article on potential deficiencies in the carnivore diet from St. Vincent's Medical Center: Is the Carnivore Diet Actually Healthy?.

Why did Paul Saladino MD quit a 100% carnivore diet? A Recap

Recognized personal health issues: Saladino experienced concerning symptoms like heart palpitations, muscle cramps, and sleep problems after long-term adherence.
Diagnosed a drop in testosterone: Lab work revealed a significant decline in his testosterone levels, which he linked to his dietary extremes.
Challenged the value of long-term ketosis: He concluded that continuous, prolonged ketosis from a zero-carb approach was likely not beneficial for him or for most people in the long run.
Evolved his philosophy: His shift was not a complete reversal but an evolution from a strict carnivore model to a more flexible animal-based approach.
Embraced new food groups: He added carbohydrates from fruit and honey, as well as raw dairy, to address his symptoms and provide better metabolic balance.
Promoted an individualized approach: His experience highlights the importance of individual variability in diet, demonstrating that what works for one person may not work for another.
Publicly acknowledged his change: In a show of intellectual humility, he openly discussed his struggles and the reasons for his dietary modifications, gaining credibility for his transparency.
Adapted to the body's feedback: His journey is a prime example of listening to the body's feedback and adjusting a dietary strategy in response to undeniable negative outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Paul Saladino reported several health issues, including heart palpitations, persistent muscle cramps, sleep disturbances, a significant drop in testosterone levels, low blood sugar, and feeling cold all the time.

Saladino concluded that his prolonged state of ketosis, a result of the zero-carb carnivore diet, was at the root of his negative symptoms, stating it was 'probably not a great thing for most humans' based on his personal health feedback.

After quitting the 100% carnivore diet, Saladino began incorporating specific carbohydrate sources, namely fruit and honey, as well as raw dairy, into what he now calls an 'animal-based diet'.

The main difference is the inclusion of carbohydrates. The carnivore diet is strictly meat, while Saladino's animal-based diet adds select plant foods like fruit and honey to the animal-based foods.

No, Paul Saladino did not stop eating meat. He still consumes a large portion of animal-based foods, including organs, but has added specific plant foods and raw dairy back into his diet.

Saladino's testosterone drop is speculated to be linked to potential nutrient deficiencies and the stress of long-term, extreme carbohydrate restriction. Low glucose levels and persistently high protein intake may contribute to hormonal imbalances.

His public acknowledgment of health struggles on the carnivore diet, which he previously promoted heavily, highlights the dangers of dietary dogma and underscores the importance of listening to individual biological feedback, even for well-known influencers.