From Strict Carnivore to Animal-Based: The Shift
For several years, Dr. Paul Saladino was one of the most vocal advocates for the carnivore diet, a regimen consisting solely of animal products. His book, podcasts, and social media presence championed the belief that an all-meat diet was the ancestral key to optimal human health. However, by 2023, after five years on the diet, Saladino publicly revealed that his personal health had deteriorated, prompting a significant dietary change.
He experienced a number of side effects that contradicted the health benefits he had promoted, leading him to question the long-term viability of a strict ketogenic diet that completely eliminates carbohydrates. His decision to alter his eating habits demonstrated a public acknowledgment of the diet's shortcomings for his own physiology.
The Health Symptoms that Triggered a Change
During his time on the strict carnivore diet, Saladino began to notice a series of health problems. The symptoms he described were significant and led him to conclude that his body was not thriving on a zero-carbohydrate plan. Some of the most notable symptoms he experienced included:
- A noticeable drop in testosterone levels: This was a primary concern and a major factor in his reevaluation of the diet's hormonal impact.
- Sleep disturbances: Despite initially touting improved sleep, he later reported experiencing frequent awakenings and poor quality sleep.
- Heart palpitations: An erratic heart rhythm was another worrying symptom that arose during his adherence to the diet.
- Muscle cramps: Involuntary muscle spasms suggested a possible electrolyte imbalance stemming from the extremely restrictive nature of his food intake.
He theorized that the long-term ketogenic state caused by the absence of carbohydrates was the root cause of these issues, and likely not a sustainable or healthy state for most people.
The Introduction of an 'Animal-Based' Diet
After abandoning his all-meat philosophy, Saladino developed and began promoting what he calls an 'animal-based' diet. This new approach represents a middle ground, keeping animal products at its core while strategically reintroducing select plant foods. The core components of this modified diet include:
- Meat and animal organs: High-quality meat, especially organ meats like liver and heart, remains the foundation.
- Raw dairy: He incorporated raw milk and cheese for added nutrients, despite health experts warning of potential risks associated with unpasteurized products.
- Fruits: He added fruits, particularly low-toxicity options, arguing they are a more species-appropriate source of carbohydrates than other plant foods.
- Honey: Raw honey was reintroduced as a source of carbohydrates, which he believes is less toxic than other forms of sugar.
His reasoning is based on a reinterpretation of ancestral eating patterns and the concept of 'plant defense chemicals,' which he claims are prevalent in many vegetables, grains, nuts, and seeds. He views fruits and honey as an efficient and less harmful way to obtain carbohydrates to fuel the body.
Carnivore vs. Paul Saladino's Animal-Based Diet
To understand the magnitude of his shift, it's helpful to compare his two dietary phases side-by-side.
| Aspect | Strict Carnivore Diet (Former) | Paul Saladino's Animal-Based Diet (Current) |
|---|---|---|
| Food Sources | Exclusively animal products: meat, fish, eggs, and some dairy. | Primarily animal products (meat, organs, dairy) supplemented with select plant foods. |
| Plant Foods | Zero plant foods allowed. Considered 'toxic'. | Allows for fruits and raw honey. Most vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds are still avoided. |
| Carbohydrates | Near-zero carbohydrate intake, inducing a state of deep ketosis. | Carbohydrates are obtained from fruits and honey, allowing for some glucose and glycogen replenishment. |
| Dietary Philosophy | Humans evolved to thrive on animal products alone, eliminating all plant toxins. | Humans are designed to eat animal foods with some seasonally available, less-toxic plant foods like fruit and honey. |
| Potential Risks | Lack of fiber, deficiencies in some micronutrients (vitamin C), high saturated fat, and metabolic stress from long-term ketosis. | Still restrictive and low in fiber. High in saturated fat. Concerns about nutrient balance and high sugar intake from fruit and honey, potentially affecting LDL cholesterol. |
Expert Criticism and Long-Term Viability
Mainstream nutrition experts and registered dietitians have consistently raised concerns about both the strict carnivore and Saladino's animal-based approaches. These diets are often seen as unnecessarily restrictive and lacking in scientific support.
- Nutrient Adequacy: Critics highlight that eliminating entire food groups, even some carbohydrates, can lead to deficiencies in important vitamins, minerals, and, critically, fiber. Fiber is essential for a healthy gut microbiome, and its absence is a major concern.
- Saturated Fat Intake: Both the carnivore and animal-based diets are high in saturated fat, which has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease in the long run. While Saladino's rationale has evolved, this fundamental aspect remains.
- Lack of Evidence: The purported benefits of these highly restrictive diets are often based on anecdotal evidence, with limited high-quality, controlled studies to support long-term claims.
Despite the controversy, Saladino's public evolution reflects the complexities of extreme dietary experiments. While he has moved on from his rigid carnivore stance, his current animal-based diet continues to face scrutiny from the broader scientific community for its restrictive nature and potential long-term health implications. As his journey demonstrates, what works for a short period may not be sustainable, and individual health experiences can lead to a reevaluation of even the most dogmatic beliefs.
Conclusion: A Public Evolution and a Nuanced Debate
Paul Saladino's shift away from the strict carnivore diet was driven by his personal health struggles with low testosterone, sleep issues, and other unpleasant symptoms, suggesting that long-term ketosis was not the right path for him. His subsequent adoption of an animal-based diet, which selectively incorporates fruits and honey, reflects an evolution in his understanding of ancestral eating and his body's needs. While this change may signal a less restrictive approach for him, it also highlights the inherent risks of extreme elimination diets. The broader scientific consensus continues to emphasize the importance of a varied diet that includes all food groups to ensure adequate nutrition and long-term health. The journey of Paul Saladino serves as a cautionary tale and a key point of reference in the ongoing public discussion about nutrition and dietary trends.
What are the main takeaways from Paul Saladino's change in diet?
Paul Saladino changed his diet from strict carnivore to an animal-based approach after experiencing negative health symptoms.
Why is Paul Saladino no longer a carnivore?
Paul Saladino abandoned the carnivore diet after experiencing a drop in testosterone, sleep disturbances, heart palpitations, and muscle cramps, which he attributed to long-term ketosis.
What is Paul Saladino's current diet?
His current diet is an "animal-based" approach that includes animal products (meat, organs, raw dairy) supplemented with select plant foods, primarily fruit and honey.
How does the animal-based diet differ from the carnivore diet?
The strict carnivore diet consists solely of animal products, while the animal-based diet allows for some carbohydrates from fruits and honey, offering more flexibility.
What was Saladino's reasoning for adding fruit and honey?
He concluded that long-term ketosis wasn't ideal and that fruits and honey were a less "toxic" and more ancestrally appropriate way to incorporate carbohydrates back into his diet.
What do nutrition experts say about his animal-based diet?
Many experts remain critical, citing the diet's restrictive nature, lack of fiber, potential nutrient deficiencies, and high saturated fat content.
Did Paul Saladino admit the carnivore diet was wrong?
He has been transparent about his negative experiences on the strict carnivore diet and adjusted his approach, publicly acknowledging that what he once promoted was not working for him long-term.
Is the animal-based diet healthier than the carnivore diet?
While potentially less restrictive by including some carbohydrates, both diets lack strong, long-term scientific evidence and are criticized by many health professionals for their high saturated fat content and lack of fiber.
