Hi, my name is Joel. I was raised in a small agricultural town on a standard American diet including plenty of local fruits and vegetables. Although I was eating similarly to my family and peers, I started to see signs of poor digestive function in early adolescence. These included severe heartburn, IBS, and abdominal pain. I also experienced poor skin health, poor circulation, low energy, and poor emotional regulation.
Trying all kinds of diets
In my early 20s, the gut pain became more intense and widespread. In an attempt to stop it, I was driven to experiment with various diets and ways of eating, some of which were effective in reducing the pain. Unfortunately, I could not adhere to those ways of eating without soon feeling weak and lethargic, or seeing other health issues arise. I would always revert back to a standard American diet.
Searching for a life without medication
In 2011, I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at age 28, and was prescribed medication to reduce gut inflammation. This helped, but not in reducing my other digestive issues, such as heartburn and IBS. The thought of taking medication and nutritional supplements every day for the rest of my life, only to have slight relief from the pain, and no cure in sight, left me feeling hopeless. But I am a free thinker, and my desire to learn the truth about nature led me to discover a diet that could help me – potentially cure me of disease.
I am a free thinker, and my desire to learn the truth about nature led me to discover a diet that could help me - potentially cure me of disease.
Immediate relief from the carnivore diet
In December 2017, I heard Dr. Shawn Baker on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast talking about the potential health benefits of eating a carnivore diet, particularly in people with autoimmune conditions such as Crohn’s disease. In that moment, I committed to stop taking medications and supplements, stop eating plant foods, and begin eating an animal-based diet – and the relief from the pain and inflammation was immediate. In just a few months, my heartburn was gone, my skin was noticeably smoother, and my stools were taking shape.
No more pain
After two years on a red meat heavy diet, at age 36, I rarely feel even the slightest abdominal pain. And as a bonus, my fitness has improved greatly. I’m convinced. I’m a carnivore.
Joel
