Dr. Anthony Chaffee‘s Meat-Based Diet: Health Benefits and Increased Energy
Introduction
Dr. Anthony Chaffee is a strong proponent of an all-meat diet, shunning plant foods and even dairy. In his YouTube videos and interviews, Dr. Chaffee claims significant benefits from this extreme carnivore approach – increased energy, treatment for autoimmune diseases, reversal of diabetes and more.
But is packing your plate only with steaks and burgers really the health holy grail it‘s made out to be? I decided to deeply explore this diet to separate facts from hype.
In this guide, you‘ll learn:
- What exactly Dr. Chaffee‘s meat-based diet looks like and what you can and cannot eat
- The proposed benefits of this diet, like more energy, weight loss etc. and the science behind the claims
- Concerns raised by critics about potential nutrient deficiencies and high saturated fats
- Real-life experiences of people who tried this diet and what results they saw
- Tips from experts on how to adopt this diet safely if you want to try it
So let‘s dive in…
What is Dr. Chaffee‘s Meat-Based Diet?
The aptly named “carnivore diet" shuns all plant foods, dairy, processed foods and restricts intake solely to meat and water.
According to Dr. Chaffee, here are the guidelines to follow:
Allowed:
- All types of meat – beef, lamb, poultry, pork etc.
- Organ meats like liver are encouraged for nutrient density
- Eggs
- Fish and seafood
- Water – for drinking and cooking
Not Allowed:
- Grains and all grain-based products
- Vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, beans, lentils etc.
- Dairy like milk, cheese, yogurt
- Sugars and sweeteners
- Oils, butter and other fats besides those naturally occurring in meats
- Processed foods and treats like cakes, desserts etc.
So meals would look like grilled steak and eggs for breakfast, a burger patty for lunch, lamb chops for dinner and maybe some salmon jerky for snacks, always accompanied by water. All plant foods and their derivatives are completely eliminated.
Claimed Benefits of This Meat-Centric Diet
In his video “What Does Dr. Anthony Chaffee Eat in a Day?”, Dr. Chaffee shares that despite eating just one meal a day and following this zero-carb carnivore diet, he is able to:
- Sleep just 4-6 hours and maintain consistent energy throughout long 120+ hour work weeks
- Go 16+ hours without eating daily with no feelings of hunger or cravings
- Experience a complete reversal of his autoimmune symptoms and digestive issues
Additionally, he cites research indicating benefits like:
More Energy and Endurance
Our cells prefer to burn fat over carbs for fuel. Since this diet is very high fat and devoid of carbs, our body can efficiently access stored body fat for energy. This provides sustained energy levels rather than the peaks and crashes from high-carb foods.
One study by Phinney et al. compared endurance athletes on ketogenic diets to those on higher carb diets. The keto group showed significantly better physical endurance.
Weight Loss and Lower Inflammation
Various studies on low-carb, high-protein and keto diets have shown greater weight and body fat loss than conventional high-carb diets.
This also lowers inflammatory markers like CRP which are risk factors for many chronic diseases.
Reversal of Type 2 Diabetes and Metabolic Dysfunction
Type 2 diabetes is characterized by insulin resistance and carb intolerance. Thus limiting carbs can essentially cure diabetes.
Dr. Sarah Hallberg has demonstrated reversal of diabetes in over 60% of patients with a low-carb diet, lowering or stopping diabetes medication.
Improved Biomarkers and Heart Health
Contrary to outdated claims, ample research now shows diets high in red meat and saturated fat improve heart disease biomarkers like blood pressure and triglycerides, compared to carb-heavy diets.
Treatment of Autoimmune Conditions
Autoimmune conditions stem from immune attacks on the body’s own tissue. Leaky gut syndrome and molecular mimicry between foods and our cells can trigger this.
Eliminating trigger foods like gluten, dairy and high FODMAP veggies while reducing gut inflammation and permeability with a carnivore diet helps treat the root causes.
In his talk, Dr. Chaffee mentions that within 6 months of switching to an all-meat diet, his lifelong autoimmune symptoms vanished.
Additionally, a study showed Crohn’s Disease patients who stopped eating carbs and fiber could maintain remission without medication for over 4 years.
Potential Risks and Downsides
However, many nutrition experts have raised concerns about restricting intake solely to animal foods. Some drawbacks include:
Nutrient Deficiencies
Though meat is highly nutritious, an all-meat diet restricts many beneficial plant compounds and fiber. This increases the risk of deficiencies in vitamins A, C, E, minerals like magnesium, antioxidants and phytochemicals found in plants.
To reduce this risk, Dr. Chaffee advises choosing organ meats like liver which are more nutrient-dense. Some followers also take targeted supplements as insurance for key nutrients.
High Saturated Fats
Animal foods contain cholesterol and saturated fats which were previously villainized for raising heart disease risk.
However, recent research shows that saturated fats have a neutral or even beneficial effect, apart from trans fats. Plus, this diet cuts out refined carbs and sugars which are the actual driver of obesity and related chronic illnesses.
Still, those with metabolic conditions should consult their doctor before trying this diet.
Lack of Fiber
The complete lack of fiber can impact digestion and gut health. However, some people with severe gut conditions and autoimmunity have to remove fiber as it feeds bacteria that aggravate issues.
Listen to your body‘s signals and adjust accordingly. Short term removal of fiber may benefit those with autoimmune and GI conditions, while reintroductions may be better long term.
Increased Lead Exposure
Some studies show vegetarians have lower lead levels than meat-eaters since plants dilute exposure. Thus it’s essential to choose high quality, grass-fed, organic meats to limit environmental pollutant exposure.
May Increase Heart Disease Risk
A controversial 2019 study claimed an increase in cardiovascular events and death for those eating high amounts of red and processed meats.
However, major limitations were – it surveyed people‘s recollections of diet instead of measuring it clinically. And it didn’t account for refined carbs and sugar which drive inflammation and poor metabolic health.
Real-Life Examples – Does This Extreme Diet Actually Work?
Amber O’Hearn is an advocate for animal-based diets who has eaten a carnivore diet for over 5 years. She says it resolved lifelong issues like joint pain, IBS symptoms, mood disorders and more.
Mikhaila Peterson adopted a beef and salt only regimen to manage severe arthritis, depression and hip replacement complications, which she says allows her to now live a normal active life.
Joe Anderson, father of celebrity trainer Vinnie Tortorich, managed to reverse his type 2 diabetes symptoms completely within a few months of switching to a no sugar, no grains diet.
So while more research is needed, plenty of anecdotal cases show promising health turnarounds from eliminating inflammatory foods and sticking to a simple meat and plants diet.
Trying This Diet Safely – Beginner’s Tips
If you wish to experiment with this carnivore diet, here are some tips:
- Consult an experienced functional / integrative doctor or nutritionist to guide you, especially if you have existing health issues
- Transition slowly – start by removing processed foods and high glycemic index carbs first
- Listen to your body’s signals and adjust if you feel unwell – consider reinstating some plant foods or supplements if needed
- Ensure diet quality – choose grass-fed, organic meats as much as possible
- Incorporate organ meats like liver weekly for micronutrients
- Stay well hydrated with water, herbal teas, bone broths
- Get outdoors daily and exercise appropriately
- There is no “one size fits all” – tweak the diet to meet your individual needs
The Takeaway
The controversial all-meat carnivore diet goes against conventional nutrition advice. But it does seem to benefit some people anecdotally, especially those with autoimmune and GI issues.
It’s extremely restrictive though and risk of deficiencies or imbalances increases with long term compliance. Those with medical conditions should work with a qualified professional before making drastic diet changes.
At the end of the day, no one diet suits everyone. Experiment, pay attention to how you feel, get essential nutrients either through diet or supplements, and tailor things according to your unique needs.
The quality of food you eat provides the building blocks and signals that guide your metabolic function. Thus, sticking to minimally processed, anti-inflammatory whole foods suited to your body while avoiding intolerances and hyperpalatables is your best bet for good health.