"I‘ve eaten almost nothing but meat for almost five years," states Jordan Peterson in his viral YouTube video. It‘s a shocking claim that sparks immediate intrigue and skepticism: could an all-beef diet really be healthy and sustainable long-term?
As a clinical psychologist and professor turned cultural phenomenon, Dr. Peterson has never shied away from controversy. And the carnivore diet, his latest foray, is no exception. This extreme elimination plan, entailing just meat and water, evokes strong reactions from supporters and critics alike.
Peterson himself has become an accidental posterboy for the diet‘s effects. Now, five years since he first gave up fruits, vegetables, and grains, he‘s finally prepared to share the full impact it‘s had on his health. The results reveal a complex interplay of astonishing success, nagging questions, and plenty of reasoned debate.
Stepping Stones to an All-Meat Regimen
While radical, Peterson‘s path to carnivory wasn‘t one he pursued on a whim. The stepping stones began when his daughter Mikhaila was diagnosed with severe arthritis at age 7. Unable to find relief from conventional treatments, she explored alternative and elimination diets on her own accord during young adulthood. Remarkably, her symptoms disappeared.
Inspired by his daughter‘s experience, Jordan gave the carnivore diet a try, but as he attests, "I had no idea what I was in for." The decision came from an understanding that diet impacts health in intricate ways that extend beyond temporary weight loss.
Behind the Controversy: How and Why It Works
The carnivore diet completely cuts out carbohydrates under the premise that modern eating habits rely too heavily on cheap, processed ones. By removing trigger foods, it aims to calm systemic inflammation and autoimmune issues.
There are a few hypothesized mechanisms behind the elimination approach:
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It avoids compounds like lectins and saponins found in plant foods that may cause leaky gut issues in sensitive people.
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Lack of fiber impacts the gut microbiome, which could shift problems like small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.
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Removing dietary antigens helps alleviate problematic immune responses for those with autoimmune conditions.
However, many express reasonable skepticism over restricting entire food groups long-term. Let‘s unpack what the science, anecdotal reports, and Jordan Peterson himself reveal about the controversy.
Jordan Peterson‘s Results After 5 Years of Carnivory
In his tell-all video, Jordan shares astonishing before-and-after contrasts from half a decade of all-meat. Through his N of 1 self-experimentation, we start gleaning some answers around efficacy and safety.
Here are the changes he reported:
- Lost 50+ pounds and kept weight off without hunger or calorie counting
- Lipid profiles improved significantly
- Lifelong depression and anxiety disappeared
- Addictive behaviors and oral fixation ceased
- Chronic fatigue resolved
- No more snoring or sleep apnea
- Skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema healed
- Peripheral uveitis (eye inflammation) went away
- No more gum disease or mouth pain
He credits giving up plants with the radical turn-around, particularly for inflammation-linked conditions. Yet he acknowledges the diet must sustain people past middle age to prove viability.
Still, given his laundry list of resolved medical issues, it‘s difficult not to be intrigued by the testimony.
More Than Just Anecdotes: 5 Carnivore Success Stories
Jordan Peterson is far from the only person reporting exceptional results from prolonged carnivory. Thousands subscribe to the controversial regimen, swapping stories and bloodwork in online communities.
Here are 5 more examples of people thriving on long-term carnivore diets:
1. Amber O‘Hearn: Software engineer and data scientist who shed 100 lbs in 1 year on carnivore. Says it resolved lifelong depression, IBS, and eczema.
2. Mikhaila Peterson: Jordan‘s daughter experienced complete arthritis remission. Runs a popular blog and YouTube channel documenting her journey.
3. Kelly Hogan: Lost over 150 lbs and reversed type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and gastro issues after going carnivore. Also saw improvements in menstrual problems and skin pigmentation. Detailed her experience in depth through self-tracking.
4. Shawn Baker: Orthopedic surgeon, athlete, and leading carnivore proponent who‘s followed the diet for over 5 years. Authors meat-focused health books and discusses diet on his popular social platforms.
5. Charles Washington: reversed chronic fatigue, brain fog, and long haul COVID-19 symptoms through prolonged carnivore. Has labs affirming sustained nutritional adequacy. Authors blog [] tracking his journey.
With a diversity of backgrounds and health conditions improved, it becomes harder to dismiss this as a fringe movement or temporary fad diet. The dependency on meat among followers extends far beyond Jordan Peterson alone.
Evidence Behind the Carnivore Craze
While the abundance of positive anecdotes intrigues, is there unbiased research affirming such powerful benefits?
The answer is complicated. Rigorous long-term randomized controlled trials are nonexistent. However, a 2020 survey analysis of 147 carnivore dieters sheds some light.
The study published in the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology found:
- 60% chose the diet to reduce symptoms from gastrointestinal issues or autoimmune diseases
- 84% reported overall improvement in their symptoms
- 70% experienced weight loss without tracking intake or limiting portions
- 58% said athletic performance increased
- Only 8% discontinued due to adverse effects like constipation
A 2020 study analysis of 147 carnivore dieters sheds light on efficacy and safety.
It demonstrates meaningful trends, though through retrospective self-reported data rather than controlled variables. Still, critics argue more impartial research should investigate nuance between respondents.
Some point to promising signals from tangential evidence sources as well:
- Diets high in red meat and animal fat generally improve cardiovascular disease risk markers for robust populations like the Inuit.
- Various small rodent studies reveal protective effects of red meat against liver disease versus plant-based proteins.
- Observational data shows positive correlations between red meat intake, muscular mass, and strength in senior populations.
Clearly the jury is still out according to the highest levels of scientific rigor. But there are cautious indications it warrants further exploration.
Confronting the Controversy: Risks and Criticisms
Despite fervent support among followers, many medical and nutritional experts express reasonable worry:
- Nutrient deficiencies without vitamin/mineral-rich plants
- Increased risk of heart disease, cancer, and other conditions
- Negative effects on kidney health and function
- Disruption of the gut microbiome
So what do carnivore diet advocates counter with? Let‘s analyze the top concerns.
Nutrient Deficiencies
Lack of vitamin C, vitamin E, folate and fiber draw common criticism. But carnivores lean heavily on organ meats to meet needs:
"I make sure to eat a lot of liver, heart, marrow and bone broth. This way I easily get enough Vitamin A, Vitamin B12, Vitamin K2, iron, zinc, cholesterol and fatty acids like DHA." – Amber O‘Hearn, 10-year carnivore
They also suggest bioavailability of nutrients in meat exceeds that in plants. For instance, the iron content in beef liver is far more easily absorbed than from spinach or lentils.
Still, some seek occasional bloodwork to verify no deficiencies develop over longer periods.
Increased Disease Risk
Higher intake of processed and preserved red meat clearly links to increased colorectal cancer risk (though the association is modest). On the other hand, unprocessed beef correlates with slightly lower incidence.
But what about on carnivore where followers emphasize unprocessed beef, lamb, etc.? There‘s no clear evidence yet, but it warrants investigation.
As for heart disease, contributors like saturated fat and dietary cholesterol appear protective for most populations. And carnivores tend to see improved biomarkers over time.
Kidney Function
Kidneys filter excess protein byproducts that could stress function long-term. But well-formulated higher protein diets haven‘t shown issues in those without underlying disease.
A small 2020 study followed kidney health markers in carnivores. It found no negative impact over 1-5+ years. Larger reviews remain needed.
Microbiome Changes
It‘s true the carnivore diet decimates microbiome diversity versus vegetarian diets. But symptoms still often improve substantially (goal #1 for followers).
This suggests perhaps some people harbor problematic species. Elimination may allow remaining biodiversity to thrive and become more efficient at using available substrates from an animal-based diet.
Again, all hypotheses warrant more impartial research. But there are rational arguments explaining why meat-only approaches appear efficacious and safe for some despite reigning nutrition tenets.
FAQs: Your Top Questions Answered
Clearly this extreme approach evokes skepticism, confusion, and no shortage of objections. So below I‘ll address some common questions:
Q: Isn‘t red meat unhealthy and linked to disease?
A: Processed meats correlate with some disease. But unprocessed red meat has a neutral or beneficial association for many health markers in robust populations.
Q: Where do you get your vitamins and minerals without plants?
A: Primarily from nutritionally-dense animal organs like liver. Followers prioritize these to prevent deficiencies.
Q: Isn‘t all that protein hard on your kidneys?
A: It‘s a common concern but well-formulated high protein diets haven‘t shown issues in those without kidney disorders. Still, periodic monitoring helps verify safety long-term.
Q: Don‘t you feel tired, lethargic, or mentally fuzzy without carbs for energy?
A: Most report the opposite – exceptional mental clarity and energy due to metabolic flexibility. The body adapts to burn fat efficiently in the absence of carbs.
Q: What about fiber for digestive and heart health?
A: Counterintuitively many report better digestion without fiber, likely due to changes in gut microbes. And carnivores emphasize nose-to-tail eating for nutrients over fiber content.
Q: Can I go to the gym and build muscle eating only meat?
A: Yes, protein supports muscle growth and fat provides energy. Top carnivore athletes thrive and make gains with no peri-workout carbs.
The questions illustrate common arguments against restricting food groups. But context behind them helps explain why meat-only approaches buck conventional wisdom for some people.
An Unexpected Journey: Takeaways from the All-Meat Experiment
While Jordan Peterson doesn‘t recommend others copy his extreme diet without medical supervision, we can extract several meaningful insights from his journey:
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For those struggling with chronic conditions non-responsive to other treatments, targeted elimination diets provide a potential avenue for relief.
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There may be far more to adverse food reactions than gluten, dairy, eggs or common allergens for certain individuals.
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Even "innocuous" additives like salt, pepper or spices might provoke symptoms in those with sensitivity.
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Mental health often strongly correlates with diet and lifestyle factors – investigations into causative links appears warranted.
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Biomarkers indicating disease risk don‘t always translate to outcomes. Some thrive long-term on diets deemed unhealthy by conventional standards.
Though controversial, hopefully Jordan‘s story prods us to contemplate how profoundly food choices shape wellbeing and symptoms. Not just for weight loss, but for fostering lives vibrant with health and energy.
Have you tried or considered trying an carnivore diet? What aspects intrigue or concern you? Share your thoughts below!