Subjective Experiences and Blood Parameter Changes in Individuals From Germany Following a Self-Conceived "Carnivore...

Animal-based, or so-called carnivore, diets largely exclude all plant-based foods and are gaining increasing popularity, mainly among individuals suffering from chronic diseases. This study aimed to explore subjective experiences and blood parameter changes of German followers of a carnivore diet.

We conducted a statistical survey using a self-designed questionnaire and requesting blood panels. Inclusion criteria were: (i) following a carnivore-type diet for at least one month; (ii) completing the self-designed study questionnaire; and (iii) providing two sets of metabolic blood parameters from the period before and after adopting the carnivore diet. The survey was complemented by qualitative interviews with four subjects on a carnivore diet.

Twenty-four individuals participated in the survey. Fifteen participants (62.5%) were male, and the median age was 46 (range 26-62) years. The majority (n = 16, 67%) reported at least one clinical diagnosis, and the main reason for switching to a carnivore diet was accordingly health-related. Improved health was also the major motivation to maintain the diet. Before the carnivore diet, participants consumed a variety of other diets, of which a ketogenic (n = 8) and standard diet (n = 7) were most frequently reported. There were no significant differences between on-diet and pre-diet blood parameters except for total (pre-diet median: 224 mg/dL; on-diet: 305 mg/dL; P < 0.0001) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (pre-diet: 157 mg/dL; on-diet: 256 mg/dL; P = 0.00024) concentrations. However, two participants who initially had pre-diabetic HbA1c values and six participants with initially high (>130 mg/dL) triglyceride levels all experienced a reduction of these blood parameters during the carnivore diet.

Individuals adopting a carnivore diet do this mainly for health-related reasons and commonly experience subjective health improvements. Most blood parameters on the carnivore diet were within the reference ranges, and initially high HbA1c and triglyceride levels were reduced. However, the significant elevation of total and LDL cholesterol concentration is striking and warrants further investigation into potential adverse effects.