The claim: Carnivore diet
Is the carnivore diet supported by evidence?
Self-reported only, no trials. Evidence grade: Emerging.
Published Updated
Chapter 2's table of nine claims
Self-reported only, no trials
The evidence
In a large survey of adults on the diet, nearly all reported better health. There was no control group, the participants chose themselves, and their LDL cholesterol, the kind that builds up in arteries, was typically high, so long-term heart safety is untested.21
Where the book tests it
Related claims
- Are seed oils inflammatory? What the trials showAgainst, as stated.Evidence grade: Probable. Good observational evidence with a plausible mechanism, or small or few trials.
- Do detox teas and juice cleanses work?Unsupported.
- Should people without diabetes wear a glucose monitor?No evidence of benefit for people without diabetes.Evidence grade: Emerging. Early, small, animal-only, or actively contested.
- Is 8 glasses of water a day a myth?False as a rule.Evidence grade: Probable. Good observational evidence with a plausible mechanism, or small or few trials.
Sources
Chapter 2's table of nine claims
- 21.Lennerz, B.S., Mey, J.T., Henn, O.H., and Ludwig, D.S. (2021). "Behavioral characteristics and self-reported health status among 2029 adults consuming a 'carnivore diet'." Current Developments in Nutrition, 5(12), nzab133. https://doi.org/10.1093/cdn/nzab133 (95% reported better overall health; median LDL cholesterol was 172 mg/dL)
Note numbers are those of Chapter 2, What Your Body Expects, and How to Trust This Book.
This verdict is one of nine in the table Chapter 2 uses to show how the book judges a claim: find the primary study, and grade the claim by what it measured. The grade rates the evidence behind the verdict, by the book's stated method.
Educational content, not medical advice. Disclaimer.