My Carnivore Diet Experiment
By Logan Duvall
When Lander was diagnosed with cancer, I dove into nutrition extensively. One of the first resources I came across was The China Study by Colin Campbell, Ph.D., and his son Thomas Campbell, M.D. They break down their idea of a whole plant-based diet being directly correlated with cancer, based on a massive study performed in China.
To summarize the book, the more meat someone eats, the more cancer.
This led to more books and the documentary Forks over Knives.
I initially implemented a no meat directive in the early stages of our plan due to the belief animal based proteins were harmful. But I never stopped trying to learn or question everything.
As I observed the practitioners of different eating lifestyles, I always referred back to the mental framework of cause and effect.
It became evident that many vegans (who eat only plants) and very strict vegetarians (who have a broader diet) had some downfalls. From the outside perspective, there is fatigue, pale skin, brittle hair and nails.
What could be causing this is it’s the “healthiest” diet?
Anti-nutrients are substances found in certain foods that can interfere with the absorption of essential nutrients.
Examples of anti-nutrients include phytic acid, oxalates, and lectins. These substances can bind to minerals such as calcium, iron, and zinc, making them less available for the body to use.
It is important to be aware of the potential negative effects of anti-nutrients and take steps to minimize their impact on the body. This can include preparing foods in a way that reduces the levels of anti-nutrients, such as soaking, sprouting, and fermenting grains and legumes.
The nutritional advice often echoed from many traditional trained dietitians is that we shouldn’t supplement but get our vitamins, minerals and other nutrients from whole plant food.
Common nutrients deficiencies in a vegan diet. [1]
- B12
- Vitamin D
- Omega 3
- Iron
- Calcium
- Zinc
- Iodine
I include the additions of all B vitamins (riboflavin is more important than I ever knew for those with MTHFR gene variation), vitamin A, complete amino acids, and minerals like selenium and copper.
All of these nutrients are found in animal products, especially when practicing a nose-to-tail approach which is eating all parts, including organs. I have other solutions for everyone who just said “ewwwww.” Wild caught salmon, mackerel, anchovies, sardines, and muscles are powerhouses of vital nutrients.
To add to the importance of meat-based nutrients, the following are only found in such foods.[2]
- Creatine – key to brain and muscle function (Also produced by the liver but not in optimal amounts for thriving)
- Carnosine – antioxidant considered nonessential because it can be formed in the body from adequate amino acids.
- Vitamin D3 – This is the darling of mainstream health. I doubt there are many who haven’t heard of the importance of Vitamin d. If only it was that easy. D2 in pants is significantly less beneficial than D3 only found in plants. A side note, Vitamin A and K2 are crucial for the body’s ability to utilize vitamin d.
- DHA – an omega 3 fatty acid vital to brain growth and function.
- Heme iron – more readily available form of iron for the body and not affected by the anti nutrients such as phytic acid found in plants.
- Taurine is a naturally occurring sulfur-containing amino acid. Only recently have I realized the importance of taurine. Liver health has been a major focus, and studies show massive positives in regard to liver function.[3]
Supplementing all of these is an option. The downside is I don’t believe synthetic versions can be nearly as good as getting them from high-quality foods. Plus, supplements are expensive, and a lot of unscrupulous companies sell them.
Let me be clear, I’m not criticizing your approach to nutrition.The system is broken. Our health system is broken. Our health education is broken. Our food system is broken, and for those reasons we are a society that is overweight, undernourished and stressed out. The exact opposite of “prosperity.”
My experience over years of truly seeking cause and effect, coupled with my understanding that organ meats are life changing and the popularity of the carnivore diet made me try an experiment.
The way the animals are raised is extremely important to me. I only want to support farmers who provide the best for their animals and environment.
For this reason, regenerative farms are our solution for so many of the challenges we face. According to regenerationinternational.org, regenerative agriculture is “farming and grazing practices that, among other benefits, reverse climate change by rebuilding soil organic matter and restoring degraded soil biodiversity – resulting in both carbon drawdown and improving the water cycle.”
Commercial farming is awful in a myriad of ways. I love many who depend on these methods of farming for a living. That system is also broken. They are trapped by debt and corporate demands. I’m actively working to help them find solutions where absolutely everyone wins. I even want to help those corporations that want to make positive changes.
Before I embarked on my experiment I read:
- The Carnivore Code by Dr. Paul Salidino
- The Carnivore Diet by Dr. Shawn Baker
- Lies My Doctor Told Me by Dr. Ken Berry
- The Carnivore Cookbook by Craig and Maria Emmerich
- The Big Fat Surprise by Nina Teicholz
- The Bulletproof Diet by Dave Asprey (Not carnivore but heavy meat and a vocal former vegan)
After many years of research and my friend Lisa Fischer’s success, I decided I must know for myself. Lisa began challenging me, asking why I hadn’t taken the deep dive into this way of eating this summer after she and her husband embarked on Saladino’s book. I had to face my own cynicism and skepticism and take the plunge, not only for my health but my family’s health.
For two weeks, I ate nothing but whole meats.
Pastured eggs
Grass fed beef – ground, steak, roasts and organs that are ground into the beef.
Pastured pork – ground and bacon
Minimal pastured chicken liver and heart and thighs.
Paleo valley meat sticks
After two weeks, I can honestly say I felt better than I have in a very long time. I think even with the supplementation and clean eating I’ve done over the years, I still wasn’t getting enough nutrients in the right form and eating “healthy processed” foods. As well as being exposed to toxins through chemical herbicides and pesticides.
What about saturated fat?
What about the lack of fiber?
What about cholesterol?
Great questions, which will all lead to more research and more writing. The topics are so in-depth and can’t adequately be covered in a short article.
Check the Additional Recommended Resources if you truly want to find out those answers.
The purpose of writing this was to question popular sentiments that meat is bad, that eating plant-based is perfect and that everything we are told is the truth and for our best interest.
I’ll continue to experiment and write as I question everything. I’m not entrenched in dogma and seek solutions.
At present, I’ve drawn the conclusion that eating nose to tail provides vital nutrients in forms our bodies need without the junk.
I do want to point out one last aspect; plants are medicine. There is no debate that plants contain chemicals that inhibit cancer, reduce inflammation, manage insulin/blood sugar, and even have mood-boosting properties. I am not anti plant but my eyes have been opened to the idea that meat is bad and that a plant-based diet is healthy is missing the mark significantly.
The Carnivore Diet has been a marvelously simple way of detoxing and focusing on nutrients. I’m a fan of cycles, like seasons are the best approach.
While there are proponents of extreme long duration carnivore, I’m not convinced. But I am a supporter to eating meat and no longer have the fear I once had of consuming it.
What I want you to do is see this as self-care and that taking ownership of your own health is the point. Learn all the sides and see what is best for you.
Additional recommended resources
The Obesity Code by Dr. Jason Fung
The Big Fat Surprise by Nina Teicholz
The Great Cholesterol Myth by Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., and cardiologist Stephen Sinatra, M.D
[1] https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/7-supplements-for-vegans#3.-Long-chain-omega-3s
[2] https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/7-nutrients-you-cant-get-from-plants#3.-Carnosine
[3] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1756464620305752