Scott F.

I think it differs per the individual. I have an autoimmune disease, NMO/SD (at least I did) which is basically the same thing as Multiple Sclerosis. The end diagnosis and treatments are different but the initial symptoms coming from lesions on myelin are the same. After about six weeks of carnivore, I stopped taking both prednisone and Neurontin (Gabapentin). I really never seen it coming as I started carnivore as a weight loss hack, nothing more was expected. My IMg and IMa immune numbers were completely off the charts with one off the high end and the other off the low end. Meaning, part of my immune system was dormant and inactive when it needed to be responsive, and the other was attacking the myelin like a crazy person. Both good and bad, opening the myelin and exposing the nerves along my brain, my neck and my spine. Looking back those were some tough days. The carnivore part of the team helped with weight loss and day to day inflammation. Within six weeks I was pretty much pain free and have not taken any medicine since June '24. As time went on with carnivore my immune numbers made some slight improvements, and although I was happy with any improvement I was looking for the miracle cure/huge improvements. (I am sort of impatient). I did my first 72 hour fast and was shocked at how easy it turned out to be and was really amazed at the energy levels the last 24 hours as well as the next 48 after breaking the fast. I got one 72-hour fast and one 96-hour fast in during the three months between doing bloodwork. My numbers made a huge jump in that three-month span, so much so, one was actually back on the chart. It hadn't registered since 2018. Three months after that with a couple three fasts completed both numbers are now charterable and both are just about back to normal. Next month I am having the conversation with the Neurologist as I think I have had my last infusion. Maybe I get to this point with carnivore alone? Maybe it is a combination of the infusion, being carnivore and the monthly fasting. I really don't know for sure. I was not seeing improvements with carnivore and infusions like I have had with all three. I think it is the carnivore and fasting that is doing the trick, but time will tell. I try not to push fasting on anyone. no more so than I do with carnivore, but the combination is surely working for me. Pretty much leave it there. Scott

I started my first dry fast last night. I'm about 21 hours in and it feels pretty much like a water fast at this point. Maybe things change as I get past 24 hours. For my first time I am going to dry fast for 36 hours (or as close as I can get) and then water fast for the next 36 hours, maybe 48, as always will play it by ear. I have yet to feel hungry (which is sort of normal for me) but I was thinking not having water might make me feel like eating as I use the water in the other fasts to sort of ease the hunger. I am a big fan of combining the extended fasts along with being carnivore. Hoping I will feel like hitting the gym in the morning. Time will tell. Scott

My Neurologist is supportive of my carnivore lifestyle. He says he is not ready to prescribe it to his patients but he does wish some of his patients would do the things I am doing. I guess he is still on the fence, but he is open minded. He definitely does not downplay my results. My family doctor is happy with my results but he still recommends a stating or non-statin type of prescription to lower my cholesterol. But we agree to disagree on that part of my decision. I don't see me changing anything anytime soon. The combination of carnivore and fasting has me in a pretty good spot. I can't see rocking the boat. Scott

Copy. I joke that I was adopted. I'm the only one on my mom's side that has not had blood glucose issues. Several on my dad's side as well. I guess I dodged that as the genes were being passed out. Scott

How long have you been on the diet? It is great to keep up with your glucose daily as the carnivore diet will probably help drop the glucose as that comes with lowering insulin resistance. I'm no doctor, nor any kind of medical professional (most don't count my University of Google Medical degree nor my degree from the YouTube School of Medicine, LOL) but one has to keep a check on glucose when taking any kind of medicine to lower it. When a person turns that corner the combination of carnivore and the medicine could drive blood sugar too low and that can be just as much of a problem as being too high. For the first year or so I checked my blood sugar daily. I never had any issues with blood sugar when I was on the dumpster diet, actually I never went over 100 until being on the carnivore diet. I got to 111 but about the time I considered myself fat adapted and was probably insulin sensitive my blood sugar daily dropped into the 70's and low 80's. I also measure ketones when I am fasting. My next fast will be 72 hours with the first 36 being a dry fast and the last 36 will be a water fast. This will be my first attempt at a dry fast. Good luck. great that you are keeping track of your numbers. I'm a big fan of Beef, Bacon, Butter and Eggs. Scott

I'm that guy that walks up when the last good deal was just sold. LOL A buddy of mine just bought a chuck roll and instead of cutting up for the individual steaks, "Denver" and "Ribeye", he just sliced the chuck roll as it lay. He said he was happy with the way the steaks turned out. I'm thinking of giving that a run in the next month or so. This weekend was our first frost and the group killed hogs. I will stop by a get my 60-70lbs of sausage tomorrow. I never do the math on the sausage because I am almost sure I am losing money, LOL But it falls into the "it tastes amazing and I know where it came from" category. Enjoy babbling. LOL Scott

I have been reading quite a bit on energy and mental clarity/focus on carnivore. I am putting thoughts together and my 2+2 might equal 9 but here goes. When I was on the trash diet/dumpster diet I was eating some of everything. Not horribly bad per se at mealtime but the 6-8 Mountain Dews and three or four Little Debbie cakes per day were doing me no favors. And when eating like that the foods are competing for the work available from the digestive system. It is not very efficient as even if the tract/gut were to gain ground, before assimilation is anywhere near complete, I am eating again. A lot of the energy we use comes from the ATP which is supported by creatine. Creatine has been widely studied as a performance enhancer but as of late its brain and cognitive support is becoming more and more evident/apparent. When I got off the dumpster diet and went strict carnivore, I am thinking my gut was one, not being constantly over ran with food, and two there was not a lot of competition for the capabilities of the gut/tract. I feel like things became much more efficient and now the meat and fats are being assimilated at a much higher percentage. The natural source for creatine is red meat and other proteins. I wonder is there a connection between being on carnivore the fact I am assimilating meats at a much higher percentage thus getting more of the available creatine, at least more than I would with the meats competing for assimilation amongst the previous dumpster diet. I was eating the same meats before, maybe even more at times than now, but lost weight, got past inflammation, off-set and auto-immune disease and have more energy than I did before. I think all I really did was both change and target the workload of my gut. Is my 2+2 closer to four or 9? Scott

Sounds good. I was with you til the sauerkraut. LOL Not much on that. Scott

They already have reacted. In 2020 Harvard released a study that showed the overwhelming majority of the test subjects on a carnivore/really low carb diet showed benefits pretty much across the board, from weight loss being the obvious, to inflammation reduction, relief from various gut issues and others. The response triggered a ripple in the research community which brought back studies from the past that showed the benefits of a red meat diet and even further back to what is called now a proper human diet. Then in 2024 Harvard reversed its opinion on carnivore and the benefits of the lifestyle/way of eating. The difference between 2020 and 2024? A multi-billion dollar donation from the gate keepers. One it promotes his attempts at lab grown meats (Big Tech) and keeps the processed food industry as the primary source of nutrition for many (Big Food) which in turn keeps us all sick and unhealthy (Big Pharma). I'm not all into conspiracies and I don't think this is conspiracy in that sense. I think it is as simple as greed and the desire to control and have power. I have not contributed to the processed food industry in well over a year. I have not taken any medicine since June 2024. Odds are I have had my last infusion. Just me alone had clipped those groups for thousands (infusion is $57,000 twice per year. Processed and junk food was $425 a month multiplied by 12 is another ~$5000. If just me alone can remove over $100,000 from the BIG PICTURE equation, just imagine the impact of just the people on this forum. Then imagine the carnivore/keto community as a whole. The billions of dollars was an investment into our future, some profit and some get sick and the ones that act out are silenced thru marketing and mass media. It is a business model that has worked amazingly well since the 50's. Scott

If I were a world class athlete I think i could debate this a tad bit better. I am getting to the above average mark for the average 56 year old. Meat and fat will serve me just fine and provide all the energy I need, both for the day to day as well as my lifting/walking/working out. I have not, nor do I anticipate taking things to that level. However, since I have not gotten crazy-go-get'em energy from meats and fats I have developed a steady energy that lasts all day for me now. I don't see crazy bounce off the wall energy just showing up anytime soon. I am not saying fat can't be the answer but I am saying I see the theory and based on me, I can see where it could work. But also based on me I am not physically challenging the limitations of fat. I know one person who uses a couple sweet potatoes on Thursdays before he does what I consider a long a pretty much grueling workout on Fridays and the rest of the week strict carnivore. As soon as this topic popped a few weeks ago I have looked for him in the gym for some insight. Still a very interesting topic for me. Scott

I wouldn't change anything. It is a part of the story. "almost quit" can be translated any number of ways. Just like the post above on 'carbs and energy' if I read about it, then post "I think this could work" I might give it a try and then decide my current path is working. Well, then "I almost quit" carnivore. LOL Tons of people have started carnivore and a very high percentage have quit. My son started, then me, then my wife, then two guys at work. Me and one other guy at work are still carnivore. I'm strict and he occasionally indulges, maybe once or twice per month. Depending on how one defines carnivore in my group 80% of people who start end up quitting. Those percentages sort of indicate the other 20% has 'almost quit' at some point. LOL Scott

I have read it both ways, but I think that lands on the intensity and duration of the exercise more so than the different fuel sources. A person pushing themselves to their maximum effort every session could answer that question better than me as my exercising, lifting and walking is effective but let's just say 'I don't leave it all on the field every time out'. The paper and log analogy is spot on. The paper will always burn faster and possibly hotter for a brief moment and once the log is burning the steady burn and the hot coals remain constant unless a piece breaks off and there may be a spurt of burn/flame but nothing like the spike of the paper. If I were a super-duper athlete doing super-duper work, I can see the need for that spurt of energy to get thru the workout. What I see as being the true advantage of the scenario is that when the paper flames up and is gone the steadiness of the fire from the log remains constant. it is not like the fire dims or goes out without the continual adding of the paper. If that makes any sense at all. If at any point my workouts ramp to the point I am at an energy deficit I could see this as an option. The workouts and the loads are ever increasing but the "log" is holding me just fine right now. LOL Still a very interesting topic. Scott

True. I use them for protein supplementation/boost appetite (a tad bit of sugar) but nothing replaces a good steak. LOL Scott

Good to hear you figured it out. The LMNT reads like a really good product. Scott

Depends on the grain, velocity and location. Scott

Interesting read. The headline is a bit scarier than the information in the story. Understanding no amount of lead is good in most of the products one would have to take more than the recommended daily amount over time for there to be lead issues (and I sound like a spokesperson for the company, LOL) I use protein powder two to three times per week. It helps me hit some protein per pound numbers when I just can't eat enough on that day. I scanned thru the products and didn't see the brand I use on their list. Either I am good or will soon be setting off metal detectors, maybe somewhere in between. Nice post. Scott

Welcome. I'm hoping to be off on a Monday night soon to participate in the conversations. Congrats on the turnaround. Scott

Very true. The 'harvests' way back when was minimal in comparison. We spray, we hybrid plants, we preserve all in efforts to maximum the volume, make it last long enough to ship it all over the world. Today's tomato is not yesterday's tomato by any stretch of the imagination. Scott

I will wait for the drawing at the end to see who wins what. I'm sort of staying pat and choosing to not rock my boat. LOL Scott

I'm with Geezy. I consider myself carnivore (I now think I am in a carnivore lifestyle after 17 months as for the longest I considered it a carnivore diet-changes with time) but I do get some sugars in here and there with the protein supplements I am using. For me, the tad bits of sugar here and there have boosted my appetite. I have more than surpassed the weight loss goals and the bonus plan was I hit a bunch of metabolic and overall health achievements that I didn't know were possible when I first started. Sort of like the bonus plan. I believe in individual continual improvements. Most come to carnivore off some sort of dumpster diet, or from a dumpster diet to a keto type diet and then on to carnivore. We all vary. Once we have made improvements there may be some adjustments to continue health improvements or get a person to a spot where they can 'enjoy' other foods (responsibly and maybe in moderation, but enjoy them the same) and still eat primary carnivore. Our ancestors ate fruits and vegetables and plant matter regularly when they were available or in season. Granted they didn't spray them and color them and preserve them to ship them all over the world year around but they did eat them. I am sure we could do the same and be very healthy. I have done so well on the pretty much strict carnivore I don't see me changing anytime soon. I am not the luckiest guy in the world and I am sure which ever carb I choose will be the one that triggers my auto immune issues. Somedays, I just 'got it like that'. I do see many bailing on the lifestyle but like Geezy said, a lot of those videos turn out to be click bait. And, for most, click bait works cause they keep doing it. LOL Scott

It is sort of ironic to speak on carnivore carb intake, which I guess moves the needle to some degree of keto, but I found this interesting. Several months ago I posted about a guy at the gym who went strict carnivore for several years. I am guessing he is late 50's/early 60's but he is jacked. He is strict carnivore six days a week but on Thursdays he eats a couple three sweet potatoes because Friday is higher weight/higher sets/higher weight/higher volume day in the gym. He uses the carbs for glycogen and fuel for the next days work. He said after going carnivore he felt some drop in performance/energy when doing burst type work. The all-day steady energy was present but if he went higher in intensity he felt some drain early on in the work and dialed salt and water and timed his meals and nothing seem to get him where he wanted to be/how he wanted to feel. He added the carbs one day a week before his big workout and it bridged that gap. I thought it was an interesting concept and have thought about it myself but just not ready to rock the boat with my immune system health after going carnivore. With my luck the very carb I choose will be the one that triggered my auto-immune response way back when. LOL. This is the first really pro-carnivore advocate to speak to the addition of carbs for sporting/workout energy expenditures. (others may be out there but most are not exactly pro-carnivore) Good video. Is This the End of Carnivore?

That is sort of how it works. It takes time and then it feels "all of a sudden". Congrats. I'm in the same boat. I can't see eating another way after all the positives I have had since going carnivore. I guess my biggest fear is with my luck I will choose the very thing that caused me issues in the past. My luck ruins like that. LOL I'm pretty much going with the 'not going to rock the boat' approach to my current eating plan. Scott

Welcome. This is a great place to drop by for both insight and encouragement. It is a double positive because the group can learn something from you/be inspired by you as well. Share your story. I'm about 17 months or so now. I'm off medicine for pain and inflammation (prednisone and gabapentin/Neurontin) for NMO/SD. I am thinking I have had my last infusion (8 hours every six months) but more on that next month as my immune system bloodwork is now back in range. I started at 306 and down to as low as 210 but hovering around 215 as of late. I had some bumps in the road, mostly self inflicted, but bumps the same but no real negatives. Good luck and welcome. Scott

As Bob said, I think you will be fine. If you have removed the sugars and processed foods that is 90% of the idea of eating this way. I didn't really set goals or have a plan, pretty much dove in headfirst. I'm not much on running myself, coming out of the service I felt like I could run around the world but never really enjoyed it. A few weeks ago I was doing my 3.5 mile walk and sort of like Forrest Gump, I just started runnin'. I made it for quite a distance and was really happy with the effort. I drove back and measured and it was with a few feet of being a mile. I was pretty stoked. For the last thirty five years I could not have ran a mile, I would turn around a fight/face my chaser. LOL Scott

All depends on you. I still drink milk while others don't do well with milk and carnivore. The milk does create a stall with weight loss so I drink it on occasion, not all the time. I'm pretty much happy with my weight loss at 95-100lbs but I am sure a few more pounds won't hurt. Milk can stand between me and losing those pounds. I can't see why anyone would want to eat a pickle (LOL) but i would think one or so a day won't factor much but like Geezy said, you will be the only one who can answer that question. And if the pickle works for you it is not like the carnivore SWAT police is going to storm your house. The idea of carnivore is to eliminate things that create issues and we are all different. You have to define your successes. We just applaud and help you celebrate those successes. Scott