The Genesis and Evolution of Paul Saladino's Diet
Paul Saladino, known to many as 'Carnivore MD', first gained widespread attention for his advocacy of an all-meat diet. His initial journey into the carnivore diet was driven by a desire to address chronic health issues, most notably a lifelong battle with eczema. By eliminating all plant foods, he experienced significant improvements in his symptoms, solidifying his belief in the diet's efficacy and leading to the publication of The Carnivore Code around 2020. For a time, Saladino was the public face of the movement, championing a nose-to-tail animal-based eating plan.
The Unpleasant Symptoms That Triggered the Shift
Despite the initial positive results, Saladino's two-year experiment with strict carnivory began to reveal a range of troubling side effects. He became increasingly vocal and transparent about these health struggles, which ultimately led to his pivot away from a zero-carb approach.
Documented Health Complications
- Hormonal Imbalances: Saladino reported a significant drop in his testosterone levels, from around 800 down to 500 after a year or more on the diet. This decline is a major reason he began questioning the long-term sustainability of the approach.
- Electrolyte Disruption: He experienced persistent muscle cramps and heart palpitations, which he linked to a severe electrolyte imbalance. The extremely low carbohydrate intake led to persistently low insulin levels, which negatively impacted his kidneys' ability to retain crucial minerals like sodium, potassium, and magnesium.
- Sleep Disturbances: Along with the physical symptoms, Saladino struggled with poor sleep quality and experienced hypnagogic jerks, or muscle spasms that would jolt him awake. The combination of electrolyte issues and the metabolic state of prolonged ketosis likely contributed to these problems.
- Thyroid Function: Laboratory tests also revealed that his thyroid hormones (total T3 and free T3) were 'not ideal,' a state that likely contributed to his feeling perpetually cold. Thyroid function is critical for regulating metabolism and can be affected by drastic dietary changes.
- Elevated SHBG: Blood work also indicated an elevated level of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), a protein that can reduce the amount of free, usable testosterone in the body.
The Shift to an Animal-Based Diet
These accumulating negative symptoms led Saladino to a crucial re-evaluation of his diet and research. He concluded that long-term, chronic ketosis, which is characteristic of the zero-carb carnivore diet, was not serving his body well. His research highlighted the importance of insulin signaling for mineral retention, a signal triggered by carbohydrate consumption.
This realization prompted him to incorporate specific carbohydrate sources back into his diet. He settled on a new framework, which he calls the 'animal-based' diet, that prioritizes animal products while carefully selecting the least 'toxic' plant foods. His choice of carbohydrates includes:
- Fruit: He posits that fruits are less toxic than other plant foods, such as grains, seeds, and leaves, because they contain fewer natural defense chemicals.
- Honey: As a simple sugar sourced from bees, honey was an easy and effective way for him to introduce carbohydrates that would stimulate insulin and restore electrolyte balance.
- Raw Dairy: He also incorporated raw dairy, which, while an animal product, adds carbohydrates in the form of lactose.
This new, more moderate approach successfully resolved his previous health issues, including the hormone and electrolyte problems.
Comparison: Strict Carnivore vs. Paul Saladino's Animal-Based Diet
| Feature | Strict Carnivore Diet | Paul Saladino's Animal-Based Diet |
|---|---|---|
| Carbohydrates | Zero or minimal (from dairy) | Moderate, primarily from fruit and honey |
| Plant Foods | Strictly prohibited | Allowed, but limited to fruits and some root vegetables |
| Protein Sources | Meat, organs, fat, and eggs | Primarily animal products (meat, organs, fat, raw dairy) |
| Justification | Elimination of all 'plant toxins' | Mitigation of symptoms associated with prolonged ketosis |
| Reported Effects | Initial improvements (e.g., eczema) followed by negative symptoms (e.g., low testosterone) | Resolution of negative symptoms experienced on strict carnivore |
| Key Outcome | Unresolved health issues and hormone/electrolyte problems | Restored electrolyte balance and improved hormonal function |
Lessons from a Public Dietary Evolution
Paul Saladino's public evolution offers a valuable case study in nutrition. His experience underscores several key principles:
- Listen to Your Body: Despite his strong ideological commitment to the carnivore diet, his body's persistent negative signals forced a change in course.
- Beware of Dietary Dogma: His story highlights the dangers of becoming too rigid or dogmatic about a single eating philosophy. What works for some, or for a period of time, may not be sustainable or healthy for all individuals long-term.
- Nutrition Science is Evolving: Saladino's willingness to adapt and incorporate new research findings, such as the role of insulin in mineral retention, demonstrates that effective dietary strategy requires an open mind and a willingness to course-correct.
Conclusion
Ultimately, Paul Saladino's decision to stop the carnivore diet was a pragmatic and transparent response to a decline in his health. His story shows that even staunch advocates for a particular diet can find limitations and that prioritizing one's physical well-being is more important than adhering to a strict set of rules. His transition to an animal-based diet, which includes selected plant foods like fruit and honey, allowed him to restore metabolic and hormonal balance, resolving the issues caused by prolonged, strict ketosis. For anyone considering a restrictive diet, Saladino's experience serves as a powerful reminder to stay attentive to your body's signals and remain open to adjusting your approach based on real-world outcomes. To learn more about his journey, you can explore detailed interviews and explanations on his channels and in his public discussions.
