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Mental Health

Real People, Real Results​

Joe manages type 1 diabetes on a carnivore diet

April 24, 2023 No Comments

Joe was 17 years old when he began experiencing mood swings, intense thirst, bed-wetting, and an overall decline in his mental and physical health. Having just had his wisdom teeth removed a month prior, he attributed many of these symptoms to recovering from the procedure as well as being a teenager with so many big life changes going on at once. Having just started his senior year of high school as well as having responsibilities like college applications, work, tennis, and maintaining relationships; he pushed his concerns to the side. Eventually, after a few weeks of increasingly intense symptoms, he went to the pediatrician and received news that would change his life forever. Joe was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, a turning point that re-defined his life going forward. 

At first, Joe followed the advice of the endocrinologists. The same advice parroted to diabetics across the country when they are first diagnosed. The usual “eat whatever you want and cover with insulin”. While it did not make much sense to Joe and his family, they went along with the advice at first. After all, they are the “experts”. Plus, after a 4-day stint in the hospital, Joe and his family were exhausted and just looking for some answers. After a few months and about 30 lbs of weight gained, Joe and his family knew that something had to change. Luckily, Joe’s mom discovered the Type 1 Grit Facebook page and Dr. Bernstein’s Diabetes Solutions. While they did not know it at the time, the community and book that they had stumbled upon would allow Joe to live a normal life. A life that just a few months prior did not seem possible ever again.

 

With the start of college and all of the adventures that were to come just a few months away, Joe and his parents knew that they needed a better way to handle his blood sugars. The first step was limiting high-carbohydrate meals to just 4 a week. It was not easy at first but once Joe saw the positive impact on his A1C and blood sugars he made a commitment to wipe all cheat meals from his diet and start to fully commit to this new way of life. Flash forward almost a year after diagnosis and Joe was a freshman at Temple University getting dropped off at his dorm for the first day of college. Throughout his college years, Joe maintained an A1C of 5.0 and engaged in many activities most would not think possible in his situation. He spent a summer studying abroad in Rome, Italy, worked as the assistant to Temple’s fire marshal as well as numerous internships, and served as president of his fraternity (Pi Kappa Phi). This was all possible due to Joe’s strict diet and workout routine. 

Today, Joe is a 23-year-old living in Philadelphia and working in commercial real estate. He competes in jiu-jitsu tournaments, and men’s league basketball has many hobbies and a large social circle. Joe eats a primarily carnivore diet and tries to be active every day. Joe believes that part of his purpose is to show others that being diagnosed with type 1 is not something that will hold you back from a normal life. He regularly engages with others on the topic and is always happy to answer any diet questions that a friend or another curious party may have.

Results are not typical. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement or lifestyle program.

Gina manages IBS, anemia, joint pain, migraines, anxiety, and mood on the carnivore diet

March 24, 2023 1 Comment

I’m Gina. I’m a 52 year old wife, mom and dental hygienist. I had my two oldest when I was in my early 20s and became very physically active when they were little to stay in shape. I lifted weights and even worked at a gym as a trainer. In my 30s I was involved in karate, and in my 40s and 50s I was running. In the 90s, the “fat makes you fat” idea was in full swing. You could eat all the Snack Well cookies you wanted, just stay away from butter. I followed that but eventually transitioned into more of a mainstream diet most of my life. I also figured I had wiggle room due to being active so I never turned down chips, cookies, cake, etc.

In 2019 I was 49 and had been running several years doing everything from 5ks all the way to ultramarathons. I was looking ahead to 2020 when I would be turning 50 and decided to celebrate by signing up for a 50 mile race. It was a good training year until end of summer, early fall. I started to experience trouble running. I would get very winded and unable to continue. I’d go for a 6 mile run and quit in the first mile or two. My legs felt like they were stuck in wet cement. Severe fatigue, numbness and tingling followed. MS was suspected so I had MRIs, tests and a spinal tap. All came back fine, and I had no diagnosis for the illness.

I quit running for six months, but was desperate to feel better. I began to think about my diet. My best friend and running partner is vegan. Everywhere you turn, vegan is promoted as the healthiest diet. I decided to give it a try. I watched all the documentaries. I liked Game Changers because it was about athletes. I was whole food, plant based for 18 months. At first things went well. I began running again, and it felt good to have such a “healthy” diet. I even got my certification in plant based nutrition. I was gearing up for possibly health coaching.

As time went by, my health began to decline. But I had no idea it was diet related. I had gallbladder pain and an ultrasound revealed a polyp. I had my gallbladder removed. I had IBS for about 10 years, it was mostly manageable but suddenly was becoming really bad. It was interfering with my work. It got so bad at one point it I almost had to quit my job. My cycle became extremely heavy and painful. I had a hysterectomy. Then one night I woke with my heart pounding and I was panting. A trip to the ER revealed severe anemia. They wanted to give me a transfusion, but I managed to hold them off and got 4 weekly iron infusions. My bones and joints began to ache really badly. I was Googling bone cancer. Brain fog and some cognitive issues began to arise. I was sure I was dying from something.

I quit veganism in early 2022, not because I thought the diet was the problem, but because I figured, what’s the point in eating well if I’m just going to feel like garbage anyway. I spent about 6 months alternating between a terrible diet and trying to get back to veganism, but I just was over it. I gained 20 pounds. I felt like my health was in freefall.

Then I read a blog post by The Peasant’s Daughter called “Why I Am No Longer Vegan”. It was the first time the idea that the diet may have been behind my health troubles. Down the rabbit hole I went, consuming everything I could and eventually landed on the countless stories of carnivores.

I transitioned slowly because I wasn’t completely sure it was a good idea. I took things out of my diet like vegetables, kept things like oatmeal, and increased meat. For 2 months I worked toward carnivore, which I think helped me transition because I never got the keto flu. Mid December I was pretty much full carnivore.

I lost the 20 pounds I gained. My joint and bone pain disappeared. My migraines were about 90% gone. Brain fog gone. Energy soared. But the biggest, most wonderful thing has been that my IBS is gone. To live life like a normal person and not have a brain completely consumed with going to the bathroom or holding in gas. Just a feeling of nothing going on in my gut. It is unreal.

I want to learn and devour everything I can about this way of life. I no longer think about food all day. I know that this way of eating could stave off Alzheimer’s which I am at great risk of developing. I’m lifting again and feel better, stronger, more energetic than I have in years. I’m even beginning to talk with my dental patients about this diet. Everyday I see patients trapped in bad metabolic health. My hope is more people can heal like I did.

Results are not typical. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement or lifestyle program.

James recovers from veganism on the carnivore diet

March 22, 2023 No Comments

James is from Bermuda and is recovering from a vegan diet. He grew up eating the SAD diet and says, “I was a pretty chunky kid.”

James gained a lot more weight at university “from drinking and eating the wrong things.” He became a vegetarian after contracting a Salmonella infection from eating chicken at a restaurant.

When James graduated and moved back home to Bermuda in 2014, he met the woman who is now his wife. She suggested they follow a vegan diet, which they did. They both saw their health improve initially, which James now believes was because “I got off all the processed garbage that I had been eating.” That was a good start, but he wanted a specific plan.

James and his wife watched all the vegan propaganda movies, and “bought into the whole agenda… we were very strict.” But, the good times would end soon: “It was about the fifth year my health went off the cliff.” James began experiencing brain fog and body pain; a lot of fibromyalgia, and his gums were bleeding profusely. He developed severe anxiety and depression and found his memory getting worse.

He says he was “Was losing weight rapidly, and got down to 127 pounds, at 6’ 2” which is severely emaciated…My condition deteriorated. I started to notice my skin was cracking, my nails were cracking, and my hair was falling out. I got severe constipation and ended up with blood in my stools right before the pandemic.”

James lost his job because the company knew he couldn’t work any longer. “So, I had no job, no insurance, I was bleeding every time I went to the bathroom, I was severely depressed and anxious, and… had no idea how to get out.” His diet was failing, but he didn’t realize it yet.

James doubled down on his vegan diet, making smoothies with chia seeds, kale, spinach, and fruit three times a day. He started passing out, had more blood in his stool and ended up in the ER. He began finally questioning if plants were harming him and then found Joe Rogan’s podcast with Dr. Baker. He says, “We as humans evolved eating meat, and I’ve got to put this behind me and realize that I had been duped.”

James “began to go the keto route,” lowering his oxalate consumption and slowly working his way toward being a carnivore. “My brain fog started to lift after a couple of days… It wasn’t until I went fully carnivore…that I saw the full benefits.” All of his symptoms, except some of his tinnitus, cleared up on the carnivore diet. He is regaining weight and rebuilding muscle.

“Now with this diet, my stools have never been better; I’m satiated; I don’t feel like I need to snack at all; the food I’m eating is sustaining me, and I can fast if I need to. Unbelievable difference!”

James urges, “If you’re vegan, please realize that it will catch up with you.”

Results are not typical. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement or lifestyle program.

Leigh Ann overcame PTSD, insulin resistance, and an eating disorder on a carnivore diet

March 22, 2023 No Comments

Leigh, a loving wife and mother of four children, shares her triumphant story of healing from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), alcoholism, an eating disorder, and insulin resistance.

Leigh began her journey to recovery a year ago. At 37 years old, Leigh discovered that many of her physical and emotional symptoms were a product of PTSD from childhood trauma. “My father didn’t survive his fight with mental health. He passed from arrhythmia when he was 34 years old. I was nine at the time, and my six-year-old sister found him deceased.”

Survivors of childhood trauma often take on different roles in their families. The sudden passing of her father led Leigh’s mother down the path of alcoholism as means of coping. “When a parent struggles this way, it causes an emotional disconnect. I became the caretaker. A silent war started in my body.”

At age 15, Leigh developed an eating disorder after quitting basketball. “In high school, I began exercising four hours a day and restricting meat. I lived in hypervigilance, and I would strive for complete perfectionism.” Her mental health began deteriorating, and she suffered from suicidal thoughts and dissociation.

By age 19, Leigh says she was fighting for her life. “I sought medical help continuously, and new medications were always prescribed. I felt defeated and thought I had exhausted all avenues.” She fell into alcoholism to “soothe the overwhelming sadness and negative racing thoughts.”

Leigh entered rehab in February 2022 and supported her sobriety with ketamine infusions. Her bloodwork had revealed several nutrient deficiencies and exposed an underlying metabolic resistance issue. “My whole metabolic health was either deficient or low.”


Leigh had been following a vegan diet to lose weight, but when she heard Mikhaila Peterson’s story about healing from PTSD on a carnivore diet, Leigh decided to try it for herself. She has eaten eggs, steak, grass-fed ground beef, salt, and water for the last two months.

“By day 22, living in my head was just so different! I am now able to clear my mind and go through my thoughts and not just react. It’s been remarkable!”

Since switching to an animal-based diet, Leigh has enjoyed more energy, no joint pain, and no restrictive thoughts regarding food. “The thoughts, memories, and overwhelming sadness finally subsided on the carnivore diet, even during my menstrual cycle. The restrictive eating thoughts are gone.”

Now sober for over a year, Leigh’s seen a considerable impact on her family’s health and well-being. “it was really hard for me to come to terms with the fact I had a problem with alcohol.” Even though she appeared “high-functioning,” she knew her kids “deserved better,” and so did she. As she continues to heal, Leigh has noticed that her teenage daughter is more social, and her son has less anxiety. “It’s a beautiful thing to see!”

Leigh credits ketamine treatment with putting her brain “back online” and believes that a carnivore diet has helped alleviate her fixations on negative memories and beliefs. “I feel so passionate about how much this diet has helped me. I wouldn’t have gone through the depths of hell to not share this remarkable information!”

Results are not typical. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement or lifestyle program.

Travis improved focus, anxiety disorder, OCD, depression, psoriasis, and blood sugar on the carnivore diet

March 22, 2023 No Comments

Travis is in Calgary, Canada, and was born with coarctation of the aorta, also nearly three months premature. He says there were “lots of complications because of that.” Travis explains, “I’ve had eight heart operations, and two gastrointestinal because my aorta was actually plumbed to my stomach artery. Because that got infected… it was a very complex issue that had to be corrected.”

Travis also didn’t have any femoral arteries in his legs, so “I was definitely not able to do a lot of physical activities.” Growing up, he experienced muscle fatigue and other symptoms due to poor circulation. Travis says, “I had a lot of migraines, almost daily, and my mom was always pulling me out of school because I had a headache.” He also had high blood pressure due to his arterial malformations.

The years of antibiotics and worry about health took a toll, and Travis says, “I started to have severe mental health issues, with OCD, anxiety, and depression. Skin disorders, like eczema and psoriasis.”

The antibiotics were needed because Travis had an aortic graft, which presented a risk of infection, so he was on antibiotics continually. Despite this, he has had “two heart infections that were pretty bad.” Graft infections carry a 50% mortality rate, so they can’t be ignored. The constant threat likely contributed to his stress.

When he considered that the way doctors would look for infection was by using radioactive-tagged glucose, he decided, “If they use glucose to find an infection, then wouldn’t it be best for someone who has a high risk of infection to be on a low glycemic diet?” The strategy worked, and instead of taking an antibiotic daily, Travis can take one every few weeks.

“I started with Paleo, because I thought that was the best way to go.” Then later, he decided “maybe keto was the best way, because I hear a lot of people with mental health issues doing keto and kind of putting that in remission.”

Travis learned that plants were not his friend: “I found out that as I excluded more and more plants, I felt better.” Worried that eating only meat wasn’t a sustainable diet, Travis researched online, where he found many people who had been eating only meat for years. He decided to give it a go and see how it went!

Travis finds that dairy products are a “no-go, otherwise, psoriasis and eczema will flare up.”

His doctors discouraged exercise, but Travis has found that regular exercise now improves his aerobic ability and circulation, saying, “even my femoral arteries have increased in size since I started working out.”

Travis no longer suffers from his skin issues and finds that his brain and mind are functioning better as well. “I don’t have any OCD symptoms with it; my anxiety is far down, and I’m able to cope with a lot of stressors in life because of this. It’s a lifesaver.”

Results are not typical. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement or lifestyle program.

Daniel and Ed thrive on a carnivore diet

January 19, 2023 No Comments

Ed started a keto diet as a way to improve his focus and productivity and noticed that it provided more consistent energy. His father had been working on losing weight and had lost weight and found his productivity and mood improved on a carnivore diet.

Ed wanted these gains for himself, so he started the diet also. “I was like, damn this is crazy so let me hop on this carnivore thing and try it out. I tried it out and that’s exactly what I saw for myself as well.”

Dan was working with a different set of circumstances, and needed more than optimization-he needed help! Ed and Dan followed the “Typical bodybuilding advice; eat high carb, take protein powders, all that and yeah it worked really well for building muscle but my skin got absolutely terrible” reports Dan. That wasn’t the only problem this diet caused, however.

Dan said, “I have a bit of a history with depression, and I just felt like garbage all the time, and then my skin got to the point where I had these massive cysts on my skin, like huge volcanoes, and even have a scar where I had to have surgery on one of them. It was awful!”

The regular medical system didn’t provide a good solution for Dan: “I went to the doctors… they chucked me on this pill called Accutane… man, that pill is evil, dangerous. Although it did make my acne go away, it literally destroyed my whole body. I got shin splints on it the entire time, tore both my labrums in my shoulders, and then was in bed for six months with debilitating pain before starting carnivore. The doctors said it was all in my head and the drug didn’t cause it. I got ADHD and depression; they said there’s no cure for ADHD. They chucked me on Adderall, Vyvanse, Ritalin, all this stuff, and I was on so many drugs, and I’ve seen all my friends play sports, and I’m just like, “This isn’t really the life I want to live. I feel pretty hopeless.”

Dan gained weight and had to drop out of university because of his pain. His doctors told him that he would be this way for the rest of his life, which drove him to research more, looking for answers. He found the diet, and “life wasn’t even worth living at that point, so I went all in.” Dan lost 30 kilos in five months (66 pounds), cured his depression, and reduced his chronic pain to the point that now he’s working on rebuilding strength. He eats mostly meat and finds that he has to avoid fruit, or he feels worse and develops cravings. “I fully got my life back!”

Ed also benefited by sleeping better, running faster, and having more energy and focus. He does eat a little fruit and has no problems with portion control.

Through a carnivore diet, these two young men have both improved their health!

Results are not typical. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement or lifestyle program.

Trevor heals from depersonalization, body pain, and being bed-ridden on a carnivore diet

January 10, 2023 No Comments

Born and raised in the small town of Lancaster, Ohio, Trevor was always active and athletic. He grew up eating the Standard American Diet, filled with the usual culprits of fried food and sugar, but still had plenty of energy to keep up with his fellow athletes on the field.

After serving in the Marine Corp for four years, he opened up a gym in his hometown and started eating what he calls the “Bro Diet,” one that is beloved by bodybuilders the world over. Full of lean chicken and rice, he adhered to it strictly as he was doing some modeling at the time, however, even though Trevor looked good on the outside, he was far from feeling well on the inside. “My fat [intake] remained extremely low. I believe that’s what led to me getting really sick…that was the diet that ultimately plunged me into a spiral of sickness.”

When Trevor turned 30, he started to experience bizarre and upsetting symptoms. The very worst would go on to include being bedridden for 3 months, paralysis on half of his body, brain fog, loss of balance, exhaustion, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. “I forgot who my wife and family were…I had episodes of like, passing out—[but] not hitting the ground. You couldn’t have a conversation with me. It was like I was a statue.”

This was the beginning of a cavalcade of doctors entering Trevor’s life. He visited neurologists, cardiologists, psychiatrists, endocrinologists, and optometrists. “I saw everyone under the sun—I mean, they cut, prodded, poked me—they did everything.”

The eventual diagnosis turned out to be even more confusing, with the medical professionals deciding that it was most likely all psychosomatic. Stunned and running out of options, Trevor and his wife kept searching for answers, spending their life savings trying to find a solution to his health nightmare.

“I remember going downstairs to my wife and…the disassociation was the scariest. I remember asking her, ‘Am I alive or am I dead?’ I just couldn’t comprehend…my brain had a hard time just wrapping around the normal ideals of life.”

After trying varying vegetarian diets to no success, Trevor came across Dr. Shawn Baker and the carnivore diet, and decided to give it a go. After about two to three weeks, he says his brain started to turn back on. “That’s kind of a weird thing to say, but it was the truth. I could remember people’s names that I was struggling with…I could read a book and I could remember what I just read.”

Seven months after going carnivore, and Trevor is now totally free from the symptoms that haunted him for the better part of two years. He eats two meals a day full of red meat, eggs and bacon, and is experiencing stellar results in and out of the gym. His mental clarity is sharp, his libido is great, and he even has plenty of energy to remodel his home after a long day at work. In addition to his gym business, he does health coaching online, and is happy to share his powerful testimony with his clients. “It was life-changing. It was life-saving.”

Results are not typical. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement or lifestyle program.

Travis improved mental health, skin issues, and ulcerative colitis on a carnivore diet

January 6, 2023 No Comments

Travis is a health coach with a focus on a carnivore diet. He has had quite the health journey to get where he is today! Let’s take a look at his experiences.

He didn’t start life on an easy path, experiencing his first heart operation when he was only three years old. By the time Travis was 34 years old, he would have had seven more heart operations. That is truly a challenging beginning to life!

Travis experienced many other health problems in his quest for health. He suffered from several brain-based problems, such as anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), depression, and brain fog. These issues all indicate a person’s brain is inflamed and running on empty. When you push your brain to perform, and yet the mitochondria in those billions of nerve cells can’t provide the energy, the result is oxidative stress. The combination can make a normal day extremely challenging.

Travis experienced that in the form of these several related symptoms. In addition to these brain symptoms, he also suffered from chronic headaches. These are often one of the major symptoms of the brain functioning in an imbalanced way. Our brains typically rest at night, purging metabolic waste and replenishing supplies of essential neurotransmitters. However, this requires deep restorative sleep, and Travis experienced restless nights instead.

Travis also suffered from stomach ulcers as well as ulcerative colitis. “All of it was horrible!” he says. He still didn’t give up, though.

Burdened with this list of symptoms, Travis continued seeking solutions. He was originally on a “standard Western diet” and began to look for alternatives. The standard western diet is well documented in research as the standard to use when the researcher wants to make the lab animals develop a disease, which they then experiment on. It’s also known as the Standard American Diet, or SAD, which it certainly is!

Travis tried a vegan diet, but despite how much it is currently promoted as the solution to everything, he did not find it helped him. He also used a paleo diet, before transitioning into a ketogenic diet, and finally found and followed the carnivore diet. He has followed the diet for seven years now!

He has put a lot of work into understanding how it works and is amazed at the impact of the carnivore diet on today’s belief systems. “I’ve studied nutrition professionally, and currently research nutrition obsessively, now that modern understanding of nutrition has been turned on its head…” Personal experience is certainly very motivating when it comes to learning.

Travis is now a complete believer in the diet, having seen the results it has brought him and his nutrition clients. “Based on my previous experience, my education on the subject, and current years of practice in carnivory I can easily say that not only was carnivore the solution, but it ultimately solidified itself as the human-appropriate diet, and I have remained on it since.”

Results are not typical. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement or lifestyle program.

Michelle ran her first half-marathon at 61 on a low-carb diet

December 20, 2022 1 Comment

Michelle – 61 year old female, soon to be 62 in January

12/2021 Started carnivore – At that time, I was using a type of macro tracker which, based upon my metrics and goals, had me at adequate protein, low fat, and low carb. Since the end of 2018, I had been dealing with chronic forearm tendonitis and both lateral and medial elbow pain in my left arm. Also, I have always dealt with constipation, bloating, and lower energy. Since my early 40s, I’ve had a small eczema patch, which I affectionately began to call my barometer. Since I had a sense of how much protein to eat and my carbs were quite low, I decided to give carnivore a try to see if I could mitigate my arm pain, and address constipation, bloating, and eczema.

What I learned during my first year as a carnivore:

  • I call meat, with its requisite fat, my gate keeper. As long as I have adequate protein, with the fat it contains, my energy is stable and I have no cravings.
  • I hydrate throughout the day (water), and use electrolytes during endurance activities.
  • Constipation and bloating resolved immediately, as if I never had them. Eczema resolved, but it does present a bit when I eat eggs.
  • Arm pain is much better, but not completely resolved. Most of the time I am not in pain (prior to carnivore, I was always in pain). While I do love to lift (compound movements), they don’t always love me back (sometimes my arm hurts and sometimes not). The pain doesn’t necessarily present in real time, so I am never sure of what’s going to hurt and what won’t until after I’m done with a workout. There’s something about stepping up to a bar (regardless of the grip) or dumbbells that doesn’t always agree with my arm, regardless of the weight. However, during this year, I discovered that lifting really heavy things (sand bags, tire flips, hay bales, grain bags), close to my body, generates great blood flow, without any pain in my arm. This type of activity makes me so happy. I can work hard and I never experience pain.
  • I realized that I had forgotten to take my supplements for thyroid and adrenals, which I dutifully had taken for years, after starting carnivore. Once I realized this, I no longer felt that I needed them.
  • Initially, I didn’t take off weight, but I could tell that my body was changing because my clothes fit differently. I ditched the scales. Eventually, I took off about 8 lbs, but my clothes fit the same.
  • I no longer feel compelled to chase errant bio-markers (mostly thyroid). If I feel fine, I’m going to assume I’m fine, and as long as I stay carnivore.
  • My sleep is solid.
  • I eat when I’m hungry.
  • Favorite steak cut: chuck-eye
  • Favorite braise cut: cross-cut shank
  • When I go on longer runs (5-6 miles), my body is fine. Before carnivore, I felt like I had done work after a long run day, and I would give my body a break the next day. Now I don’t even notice the longer distance and feel that I could do it again the next day.
  • Highlight during my first year as a carnivore:
    In June, I ran a half-marathon at altitude (about 4800 feet elevation, near Glacier National Park). I neither train that distance, nor run at altitude. My energy and expenditure was fine throughout the run. Afterward, I felt like I had worked, but my recovery was rather seamless. I took the next day off, except for some light walking. The following day I was fine. No carbohydrates required!

Further background about me
I have always been very active, but struggled with weight (either over or under eating). I was constantly on the go, yet fatigued. I always assumed that I was low thyroid, based upon my symptoms. The doctor would check one thyroid marker, which would be in normal range, and tell me I was fine. I love to cook and love to eat. I’ve always been bloated and constipated. I like to do deep dives into information and many N=1 experiments.

In the early 2000s, we embraced Weston Price and Nourishing Traditions. We sourced local grass-fed meat, always tried to source organic produce, and adopted food and lifestyle as our medicine.

Between 2008 and 2018 we farmed in Oregon, raising/selling pastured/grass-fed meat. I started paleo in 2012 and Crossfit in 2013 (5 days per week). I was also active in physically-demanding equine sport and ran 3-4 days per week. I was perimenopausal/menopausal. By 2014, I was in post-menopause and in the pre-diabetic range (A1C of 5.7).

Between 2014 and 2019, I began keto paleo and intermittent fasting, often interchanging days of each. I tried low-fodmap for bloating. Sleep was not great. Adrenals were tapped. I had some low thyroid markers (mostly T3). No autoimmunity. I probably had a cortisol response from much underfeeding, intermittent fasting, and much activity. I tracked blood glucose throughout the day for several years. My A1C didn’t really lower significantly but glucose ranges were so narrow that it was assumed that I wasn’t headed for diabetes, given my food choices and activity level.

By the end of 2018, I had developed chronic forearm tendonitis and both lateral and medial elbow pain from overuse. In 2019, I began using the RP app, which gave me a breakdown of macros that were right for me. I stopped intermittent fasting and started fueling, especially on protein! Had more carbs than I previously had. Great results! Lowered weight and body fat.

In 2020 I got out of the pre-diabetic range (A1C 5.4). I assumed it was because I added back in some carbs. I now know that it was more so that I wasn’t underfueling and stressing my body out.

At the end of 2021, I started carnivore. I love vegetables but don’t miss them, as long as I eat enough protein and fat. In 2022, a few months into my carnivore journey (March), I tried the fruit/honey (small amounts) route for a few weeks. My energy wasn’t great during this time and especially with the honey, it was a slippery slope having it in the house. My lower energy resolved when I ended the short fruit/honey stint. I didn’t miss either. After the brief fruit/honey experiment, I added in some electrolytes, which my body seemed to crave. Was it the electrolytes or was it the hydration that my body was craving? Now, I use electrolytes during endurance activities or if I feel tired, but I endeavor to stay well-hydrated. Recently, I tried adding in more butter. I like the idea of it, but if I add it on top of adequate daily protein, it is just too much fuel for me. Even with increasing activity, my clothes were just getting tighter. I’d need to decrease protein, if I am going to add more fat. Right now my activities include: Functional Range Conditioning, strength training (not always with a bar), rowing, running, rucking, hiking. While I am interested in getting stronger, I no longer want to work against a clock in HIIT activities on a daily basis. It’s great fun and comradery, but too much wear and tear for me.

 

For 2023, I have plans for two more half-marathons: one near Grand Tetons and one near Yellowstone. Hope to get to more runs in other beautiful locations, as I am able.

#Carnivoreforthewin!

Results are not typical. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement or lifestyle program.

Jessalyn improved acne, constipation, weight gain, and mood swings on a carnivore diet

December 18, 2022 No Comments

Hi,

My name is Jessalyn. I have been carnivore since January 2020. Before I found this way of eating, I suffered from chronic constipation (only going poop about once every three to four weeks for almost 19 years of my life). I tried eating more fiber but that did not help. Eventually, I went gluten-free and that helped slightly, but I was still constipated, couldn’t lose weight, and had acne.

Due to my gut issues, I had an awful immune system and often got sick. I could not lose weight no matter how often I worked out, and my perpetually bloated stomach hurt to the touch.

After carnivore, I lost about 20 lbs of fat, my skin cleared up, and I haven’t been sick once (not even COVID, and I moved to an entirely different country last year because my husband got stationed in Japan).

The most surprising change, though, is the mental health benefits I have seen since being carnivore.

I suffered from extreme mood swings, anger issues, and frequent anxiety attacks. Anger and mood swings are very common in my family, so I always assumed my mental issues were genetic and uncontrollable. However, eating meat miraculously chilled me out and has helped stabilize my mood.

There have been other things that carnivore has helped as well, such as my PMS. I used to get such bad cramps that I would shake uncontrollably and throw up from the pain. Now I barely get cramps.

My vision has also improved since eating carnivore and I had to get a new prescription since my old one was too strong.

I have less body odor and no longer wake up with awful morning breath.

I am currently gaining weight, as I love working out and have been putting on muscle.

I still have healing to do, but carnivore has completely changed my life and literally turned me into a different person.

Thank you,

Jessalyn

Results are not typical. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement or lifestyle program.

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