MAN WHO FOLLOWED A CARNIVORE DIET SHARES SHOCKING BLOOD RESULTS
The "shocking" effect of a carnivorous diet on a YouTuber's bloodwork has been made public. Patrick, who weighed 301 pounds in March 2023, told Mail Online that he felt like a "prisoner" in his own body because he was "so big, heavy, and unhealthy" and "miserable" overall. He even got out of breath just climbing a flight of stairs. After working as an HVAC technician in Nebraska and struggling with depression, Patrick found himself lacking energy and unable to play with his young son. Desperate to make a significant change, he decided to start a carnivore diet.
Healthline explains: "The carnivore diet is a restrictive diet that only includes meat, fish, and other animal foods like eggs and certain dairy products. "It excludes all other foods, including fruits, vegetables, legumes, grains, nuts, and seeds."
The effects of the carnivore diet on Patrick
After a year of eating a 16-ounce steak, a pound of ground beef, and half a dozen eggs every day, the father's life had completely changed. Patrick had gained 140 pounds, which allowed him to sleep better and wake up feeling "refreshed and energised." In fact, according to Healthline: "You may experience some initial advantages like lower blood pressure, less belly fat, and better cardiovascular health. However, it's unclear if these advantages will last. However, two years later, the father disclosed in a video posted to YouTube on December 21 that he is still reaping the benefits of his "health journey."
But what about the effects on bloodwork and heart health of such a meat-heavy diet? The carnivore diet has numerous drawbacks, according to Healthline, including a possible elevated risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and kidney disease "because of its extremely restrictive nature and total elimination of the majority of food groups."
The impact on his bloodwork
Following numerous comments that red meat was "the devil," Patrick made the decision to look into the matter further. The father received the results of his first round of blood work four months into his carnivorous diet. He was "feeling really good" and had shed fifty pounds by this stage of his journey.
He thought, "Everything came back really good," with his total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and triglycerides all in good range. But what was the one item that was "dangerously low"? His levels of testosterone.
His sodium, potassium, creatinine, calcium, and fasting blood sugar levels were all "great" after a year of the diet, which also resulted in a 120-pound weight loss.
He continues, "Everything was perfect except my testosterone again."
According to his video, even though he followed a carnivorous diet for nearly two years and saw significant improvements in a number of areas of his life, his testosterone levels "still weren't fixed."
He ended up feeling "dreadful again," "struggling with some anxiety and depression," and having "zero energy" in July 2024.
The father continued his carnivorous diet, adding a small amount of fruit "here and there," but Patrick's testosterone levels were even lower when his bloodwork was rechecked 1.5 years after he started the diet. After seeing a urologist, Patrick was advised to begin testosterone replacement therapy. The father is now feeling "way better," has more energy, and his mental health is getting better.
Patrick blames his low testosterone levels on the amount of processed food he has been consuming.
"This is where I am at the moment," he stated. All I can hope for is that my general health keeps getting better. Before considering a change in diet, it's advised that you speak to a doctor to ensure the healthiest approach.