Before You Quit Carnivore Like These Influencers, Know This
In a recent breakdown, Professor Bart Kay addresses the common reasons why high-profile influencers are walking away from the carnivore diet. He argues that most of these "failures" aren't due to the diet itself, but rather incorrect implementation, psychological factors, or a misunderstanding of clinical data.
The Top 10 "Invalid" Reasons for Quitting
Professor Kay categorizes the common complaints into a top 10 list, ranging from social pressures to physiological misunderstandings.
1. Social and Family Pressures
Many quit because it is "too hard" to eat differently than friends. Kay suggests this is a matter of discipline rather than a dietary flaw. If health and longevity are the goals, one must resist social conformity [00:00:50].
2. Satiety and Under-eating
Some influencers claim they couldn't eat enough because the food was too satiating. Kay points out that many of these individuals weren't actually following a strict carnivore diet. He cites examples like Amy Esester, who admitted to consuming almond butter and chocolate chips while claiming to be on a "Lion Diet" [00:01:30].
3. Boredom and Restrictiveness
The argument that the diet is "too boring" is met with a harsh reality check: "The reason we eat is so that we might live, not the other way around." Kay argues that true restriction is a life shortened by poor health [00:02:15].
4. Misinterpreting Lab Values
A major point of contention is the reliance on standard lab results like LDL and HbA1c.
- HbA1c: Kay explains that a slight drift in A1c is normal on carnivore and not pathological because blood glucose remains stable without the peaks caused by carbohydrates [00:03:56].
- LDL: He asserts that elevated LDL is not a cause for concern in the absence of other metabolic markers and criticizes influencers like Sue from Beyond Carnivore for quitting based on LDL numbers alone [00:05:15].
5. Skin Problems
Skin issues are often blamed on carnivore, but Kay attributes these to stress, vitamin A toxicity (from over-consuming liver), or toxins in canned foods (like sardines in plastic-lined tins) rather than the meat itself [00:05:54].
6. Electrolytes and Twitching
Muscle twitching, often cited by Paul Saladino, is frequently a result of eating too many small meals rather than one or two large ones, which prevents a proper insulin response for electrolyte retention. He also warns against the "superfood" myth of liver, which can lead to copper/zinc imbalances [00:08:48].
7. Weight Fluctuations
Weight gain on carnivore is usually tied to two things:
- Dairy: Excessive dairy intake is the first thing Kay recommends removing if fat loss stalls [00:10:53].
- Lean Protein: Eating too much protein without enough fat can lead to "rabbit starvation" [00:11:11].
8. Sleep and Cortisol
Issues with sleep are often a byproduct of the aforementioned "rabbit starvation" or overtraining, as seen in the case of athletes like Tristan Lee [00:11:59].
9. Thyroid Issues
Kay links reported thyroid problems to insufficient insulin (from snacking vs. large meals) or Vitamin A toxicity rather than a lack of carbohydrates [00:12:25].
10. Microbiome Disruptions
Microbiome issues usually occur when people switch diets too abruptly. Kay recommends a slow transition over several weeks to allow the gut to adapt [00:12:53].
Conclusion: How to do it Right
According to Professor Kay, the carnivore diet is simple and does not require supplements if done correctly. His "rinse and repeat" formula is:
- Muscle meat of ruminant animals
- Associated fat (aiming for roughly 80% of calories from fat)
- Water and Salt
- Optional: Small amounts of dairy or eggs if tolerated [00:17:30].Before following the lead of an influencer who quit, Kay urges viewers to ask if that person actually followed the protocol or simply lacked the discipline to see it through.
Summary based on the video: Before You Quit Carnivore Like These Influencers, Know This.