Behavioral Characteristics and Self-Reported Health Status among 2029 Adults Consuming a "Carnivore Diet".
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Cross-sectional survey / case-series design
PubMed 34934897 · doi:10.1093/cdn/nzab133
What was done
A cross-sectional social media survey was conducted between March 30 and June 24, 2020, among 2,029 adults who self-identified as consuming a carnivore diet (animal foods with minimal or no plant foods) for at least 6 months. The survey evaluated dietary practices, motivations, self-reported health conditions, perceived symptom changes, anthropometrics, and self-reported laboratory data.
What was found
Participants (median age 44 years, 67% male) had followed the diet for a median of 14 months (IQR: 9-20 months). Red meat was consumed daily or more by 85%, and <10% ate vegetables, fruits, or grains more than monthly; 37% denied vitamin supplement use. Self-reported adverse symptoms were low (<1% to 5.5%), including gastrointestinal (3.1%-5.5%), muscular (0.3%-4.0%), and dermatologic (0.1%-1.9%). Improvements were reported for overall health (95%), well-being (66%-91%), medical conditions (48%-98%), and median BMI (declining from 27.2 [23.5-31.9] to 24.3 [22.1-27.0] kg/m2). In the subset reporting lipid panels, median LDL-cholesterol was elevated at 172 mg/dL, while HDL-cholesterol (68 mg/dL) and triglycerides (68 mg/dL) were optimal. Diabetic respondents reported median reductions in BMI of 4.3 kg/m2, HbA1c reductions of 0.4%, and 84%-100% reduction in diabetes medication use.
Why it matters
This study provides preliminary descriptive characteristics of adults following an all-meat diet, showing self-reported perceived benefits alongside markedly elevated LDL-cholesterol that requires formal clinical evaluation.
Limits
The study is an uncontrolled, cross-sectional online survey prone to heavy selection and survivorship bias (requiring ≥6 months adherence). All dietary data, health outcomes, and laboratory values were self-reported without independent verification, medical record review, or a control group.
Cited by
- supports Harvard researchers published an internet survey examining self-reported health outcomes and symptom improvements in individuals consuming a carnivore diet.