In a series of unusual events, a man from Florida went to a hospital in Tampa after noticing yellow bumps on his hands, feet, and elbows for three weeks. These bumps were painless and appeared to be related to cholesterol. The man, who is in his 40s, told doctors that he started following a “carnivore diet” eight months before the problem started. When doctors checked, they found cholesterol leaking from his blood vessels.
The carnivore diet is a type of ketogenic diet that focuses on eating only animal products like meat, fish, eggs, and some dairy products like butter and is known for causing rapid weight loss. It recommends that 70% to 75% of daily calories come from fat, 20% from protein, and no more than 10% from carbohydrates.
The carnivore diet cuts out all plant-based foods, such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, grains, nuts, and seeds. In the case shared in JAMA Cardiology, doctors revealed that the man’s diet was heavily focused on animal products, including over 2.7 kg of cheese, 4.1 kg of butter, and daily burgers loaded with extra fat. While this diet may seem extreme, the man reported some positive outcomes, claiming that his weight had dropped significantly, his energy levels had increased, and he felt improved mental clarity.
The man’s cholesterol levels rose to over 1,000 mg/dL, which is far higher than the normal range of under 200 mg/dL. Before starting the carnivore diet, his cholesterol had been between 210 mg/dL and 300 mg/dL.
Doctors diagnosed him with xanthelasma, a condition where excess cholesterol leaks from blood vessels and forms visible deposits on the skin. Normally, white blood cells would absorb these lipids, but in his case, the levels were so high that the lipids oozed out, creating visible spots.
While the doctors didn’t reveal the man’s treatment, they stressed the importance of managing cholesterol levels and how diet impacts lipid levels.This case shows how crucial it is to maintain healthy cholesterol levels to avoid problems.
Harvard Medical School also warns that following a carnivore diet for too long can lead to kidney stones, gout, and bone problems. It may also affect kidney function. Although the carnivore diet can help with muscle building and repair, it’s not recommended for long-term use because of its potential health risks.