Autoimmune Diseases vs. Carnivore Diet

In today’s world, chronic diseases like cancer, heart disease, and diabetes dominate the conversation, and for good reason—they’re among the leading causes of death globally, and many are preventable.

However, there’s another widespread issue that causes immense suffering for millions, yet doesn’t receive the attention it warrants: the “Syndrome Epidemic.”

A syndrome refers to “a collection of symptoms that consistently appear together.” Unlike a definitive diagnosis, a syndrome highlights the uncertainty in understanding the root cause of the issue. Essentially, it’s a way of grouping symptoms when the actual problem remains unclear.

Take “Chronic Fatigue Syndrome,” for instance—it could just as easily be named “You’re Always Tired and Your Body Aches Disorder.” Or look at “Irritable Bowel Syndrome,” which could be described as “You Have Bloating, Gas, and Either Diarrhea or Constipation, But We Don’t Know Why Syndrome.”

Alongside this syndrome epidemic, autoimmune disorders are also rising. According to the National Institutes of Health, over 23 million Americans are diagnosed with autoimmune diseases, and millions more likely suffer without an official diagnosis.

What are the Symptoms of the “Syndrome Epidemic”?

The constellation of symptoms we’re talking about include everything from chronic pain, fatigue and weakness… arthritis and painful, swollen joints… psoriasis, hives and rashes… migraines… chronic sinus problems… hair loss… cold intolerance… brain fog, anxiety and depression… and of course a range of painful and embarrassing digestive troubles.

With such a wide range of ailments – and the fact that many people present all of these symptoms at once – it’s no surprise conventional medicine has few answers for this growing epidemic. Most doctors prescribe a basket of prescription drugs, each one aimed at suppressing a particular group of symptoms.

This approach rarely works. And it often makes things worse, as a host of side effects blend in with the already debilitating symptoms.

Some people find great benefit by switching to the meat-and-vegetables diet of our Paleolithic ancestors. This is especially true for those who were previously on a typical diet, including grains, sugar and a variety of processed foods. However, there are many people whose symptoms do not improve on a traditional Paleo Diet.

But there is a very controversial diet that is growing more popular by the day. This diet has already helped thousands of people – and possibly soon millions – to put a lifetime of debilitating symptoms into remission (often in a matter of just two weeks). It has also helped many people to shed fat faster than any other way of eating.

But before we get to that, let’s address a surprising dietary dilemma…

What if the Plants You’re Eating are Making You Sick?

When it comes to health, we are constantly encouraged to “eat more fruits and vegetables.” We are fed the message that a “plant-based diet” is the healthiest for everyone. (Though, please don’t forget that nearly every processed junk food in the grocery store is “plant-based” – so take that with a grain of salt.)

Of course, some people do well on a plant-based diet. But not everyone does…

In fact, what if the plants we’re eating actually contribute to inflammation, digestive distress and hormonal dysfunction? What if these “plant foods” are the leading cause of leaky gut and a primary factor in the rise of autoimmune disease?

The fact is that while our basic human biology is the same, at a biochemical level we are all unique. Each of us has key differences in our genetics, microbiome, hormonal and immune systems that impact how we react to food.

This is why broad statements like “eat more plants” can be both dangerous and irresponsible.

Yes, I said dangerous…

For example, the American Journal of Kidney Diseases recently published a report of a woman who “developed acute kidney injury that progressed to end-stage renal disease” as a direct result of following a “Green Smoothie Cleanse.”

Of course, this doesn’t mean that vegetables are unhealthy. And it doesn’t mean you should necessarily avoid green drinks. But it does clearly illustrate that the reactions we have to food are different for everyone. Foods that are healthy for one person might be quite toxic to another.

More on this in a moment, but first, please consider…

Is it possible that a meat-only diet could help reverse autoimmune disorders, quell inflammation, restore hormonal balance and alleviate suffering for millions of people?

The answer may surprise you!

Today, we explore the makings of the carnivore (or zero-carb) diet… how plant foods can “bite us back”… and the stories of people who are finding extreme relief (and six-pack abs) by subsisting on meat alone.

The Meat-Only Diet: A Diet That Doesn’t Bite You Back

I have to admit that the concept of subsisting on meat alone is one that seriously challenged me.

My educational background is in biology and chemistry. For the last 20 years of my career, I’ve studied nutritional biochemistry. In addition to being a recovering vegetarian, I’ve written a dozen books and hundreds of articles on the subject of nutrition (many of which focus on the nutrients in plants)…

But I was also very sick during parts of my life (sometimes for years at a time).

And it wasn’t meat that made me sick… it was plants!

My journey to health began when I discovered 14 plant foods to which I had developed either an intolerance or full blown allergy. It was these “plant foods” that caused inflammation in my digestive tract. This led to a “leaky gut” – which allowed undigested food particles and other immune-stimulating compounds to enter my bloodstream.

As a direct result, I later developed an autoimmune condition as well as an overgrowth of bacteria in my small intestine (SIBO).

So, how did I find relief? I got better by following specific nutritional protocols and by removing quite a number of “plant foods” from my diet. I now believe I would have improved much faster if I had removed ALL plant foods from my diet (at least for a period of time).

Before we get to the potential benefits of the carnivore diet, it’s critical to understand that…

Plants Don’t Like to Be Eaten!

One of the arguments for a vegan diet is that it’s cruel to eat animals. After all, every living creature strives for self-preservation. They argue the world would be a much better if we would just leave the animals alone.

The truth is that nothing likes to be eaten… including plants!

Animals have the ability to defend themselves from predation or make a speedy escape. Plants do not have the same abilities, but they do have protection mechanisms. At the slightest nip of a leaf, plants release chemicals that can irritate or poison predators – the plant’s version of an immune response.

In fact, researchers at the University of Missouri recently showed that plants don’t even have to be damaged to mount a defense. The mere sound of caterpillar “munching vibrations” caused plants under study to ramp up production of mildly-toxic mustard oils. (Ref)

The problem is that plant defenses take affect after you have consumed them. And for many people the results of a plant-rich diet can be pain, inflammation and debilitating autoimmune diseases.

The examples of plant toxins and anti-nutrients are voluminous. But let’s review some of the common edible species and the compounds within them known to have health-harming effects:

• Nightshades: The solanaceae family of flowering plants includes a number of species that are outright poisonous. But the nightshade family also includes tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, eggplant and goji berries, which are well known to promote inflammation and joint pain in some people.
• Phytic Acid: A natural substance found in plant seeds (including grains and legumes). This compound is known as an “anti-nutrient” for its ability to bind to minerals. Phytic acid impairs the absorption of iron, zinc, calcium and other minerals and can promote mineral deficiencies.
• Oxalates: Compounds found in dark leafy greens, such as spinach, kale and other “superfoods.” Most people can break down oxalates in the gut. For others, however, these compounds turn into sharp crystals and can lead to chronic pain, inflammation, oxidative stress, kidney stones and autoimmune disease.
• Lectins: These plant compounds can promote leaky gut, alter the microbiome, stimulate the immune system and trigger inflammation. The highest levels are found in whole grains, legumes and dairy.
• Salicylates: These are naturally-occurring pesticides that plants use to protect against insects, fungus and bacterial infection. In humans, they can cause a wide range of symptoms from tinnitus to ulcers. High concentrations are found in avocados, berries, grapes, almonds, honey, dried fruits and many spices
• FODMAPs: Though not technically a defense mechanism of plants, these compounds are a collection of short-chain carbohydrates that are not properly absorbed in the gut. FODMAPs can cause severe digestive distress for some people. High-FODMAP foods include a wide range of fruits, vegetables, cereal grains, condiments, drinks and dairy foods.
• Saponins: Anti-feedant compounds that protect many plants from predation by insects, microbes and fungi. Saponins have soapy, foaming characteristics. They promote leaky gut and can cause bloating, gas, nausea and diarrhea. Legumes (soy, beans, peas and lentils) as well as quinoa are rich in saponins.
• Goitrogens: These compounds can reduce iodine uptake in the thyroid gland and slow the production of thyroid hormones. The result can be an enlarged thyroid (goiter) and a host of metabolic disturbances. The most common plant goitrogens are compounds known as glucosinolates, found in broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale, arugula, radishes, turnips, collard greens, bok choy and other similar vegetables.
• Phytoestrogens: These naturally-occurring plant chemicals have a molecular structure quite similar to estrogen. Used as a natural defense against herbivores, they can disrupt animal fertility. In humans, phytoestrogens can cause hormonal dysfunction and may promote cancer. These compounds are most common in soybeans, flax and sesame seeds.
•  Prolamins & Glutelins – Consisting of a wide range of proteins, used by plants to store energy in seeds. This group of compounds are the primary environmental factors in causing Celiac disease. Found primarily in grains and rice.

I would be the last person to say that there are no benefits to eating plant foods. But it is important to understand that there can be a dark side. Not all plant foods are right for all people all of the time.

The Problem with “Elimination” Diets And How “Meat Only” Could be the Solution

If you or someone you love has allergies, food intolerances, autoimmune disease or other health problems, there is a good chance you’ve heard of the “elimination diet.”

This is a diet that eliminates many of the most common dietary triggers. The user consumes only the foods on the “allowed” list for a period of time – usually a month – and then reintroduces potential trigger foods one at a time adding a new food every few days.

This last part is important, because many food reactions take three to or four days to manifest (this is known as delayed hypersensitivity). As each new food is reintroduced, the user records how they feel and any reactions they experience. This can be quite effective at determining which foods are best for YOUR body.

But there are some significant challenges and drawbacks to the typical elimination diet…

1. While the most common trigger foods are usually eliminated, most “elimination” diets still include many foods which can cause problems for some people. This makes it difficult to truly isolate the foods that may cause you discomfort and contribute to poor health.
2. With so many foods removed from the diet – and a random basket of foods remaining – many people are left wondering, “How do I turn these foods into meals and what the heck do I eat?”

The second challenge is why most people find elimination diets so difficult. They can’t make any of their usual recipes and don’t know what to make from the random assortment of “allowed” foods.

But imagine how much simpler an “elimination diet” would be if you eliminated everything except fresh meat (not cured).

With the exception of eggs, dairy, shellfish and sometimes fish… it is plants that cause problems for the vast majority of those with diet-related health issues. So, if you’re going to follow an elimination diet, it is easier (and more effective) to simply eliminate ALL plants, instead of picking and choosing.

On a side note, you can turn even the healthiest foods into something decidedly unhealthy, depending on how it is prepared. For example, grilling and charring meat can cause cancer-causing compounds to form. So, while it can taste delicious we don’t generally recommend cooking meat this way. One of our favorite ways to cook meat is low and slow in the Instant Pot pressure cooker.