Hi, I started on keto a few month ago with the view of going carnivore. Everything I've read about it is positive and since I like meat, eggs and so on, I thought why not, I might get healthier an fitter in the process. A couple of weeks ago I got gout ( at least that is what I thought it was) in my big toe. I had to go for a bood test last week ( not for the Gout, I hadn't told my Dr. about that) and got the result today. Even before I could say anything, the Dr. asked me if I have Gout. She told me that my uric acid levels are twice a high as normal. I asked her what I might get that from, and she said the biggest triggers for that is red meat and alcohol, specifically beer. I'm not a drinker apart from an occasional glass of beer. So, that leaves red meat. Does anybody know anything about this or are there any people with similar experiences, and more importantly, is there anything I can do about it and still pursue a carnivore diet ? I would appreciate any useful comments. Doug

Welcome.

Usually, high uric acid is a combination of things. About 3 months or so after switching to carnivore in May '24 my uric acid numbers went up quite a bit. I never experienced gout, but the doctor explained the risks when discussing the bloodwork. Around six months they eased back into the 'norm'.

During the first months of a low carb keto and especially a close to zero carb carnivore approaches the body is still working on being insulin resistant. For me, I ate a trash/dumpster diet for 50+ years and I am guessing some of my numbers went haywire with the shock of going cold turkey to a strict carnivore approach.

As for the gout, high uric acid, it could be weight, kidney function and/or insulin resistance.

The carnivore approach is not cookie-cutter, and one size does not fit all. Most people who have carnivore success (long term) make subtle and some not so subtle changes along the way to dial this way of eating to themselves as an individual. You could very well need to shy away from red meat and go with chicken and fish and eggs and see how that works for you. Carnivore is an elimination way of eating and most of the time what you are not eating is more important than what you are eating.

If you do go heavier on the chicken pay attention to the fat content. For the most part chicken is leaner than red meat so it will be easy to miss the fat content needed which can limit some of the affects/benefits of going carnivore. Energy levels, cramping, hydration and stool issues just to name a few.

My medical degree comes from Google University and the YouTube College of Medicine, so take the post for what it's worth (LOL). Everyone is different and we all took different routes to get here and we will all 'heal' at different rates. My very best guess is that your body is healing itself and sometimes it takes time/patience. (I have neither in abundance.)

Good luck and welcome. The uric acid and kidney function will be right in Bob's wheelhouse as he is far more knowledgeable in that area. Maybe he will see this and shed some light.

Scott

Hi Scott,

Thank you for your thought on this matter. I also thought that it is probably due to a combination of different things. Fo instance, I have a blood glucose test tomorrow because my blood sugar is borderline high, plus I carry to much weight. I thought already that this could be a contributing factor. I'm not giving up on going carnivore, but I will dial back on the red meat and replace it with chicken and fish. I eat eggs for breakfast and a fair amount of butter. I have to up the butter intake with my evening meal.Thanks for writing. Regards, Doug

Best of luck. Not that I consider myself all that motivational but the carnivore diet has done wonders for me. I dove in head-first with no forethought or plans. I made some mistakes the first month or so, but the weight peeled off at an amazing rate, around 30-31 pounds in 31-32 days. (lots of water but a lot of fat as well).

I went carnivore strictly as the 'latest weight loss hack' and was blown away at the weight loss.

I have an autoimmune disease called NMO-SD which just about the same as MS but it attacks the eyes/optic nerves. I had been on pain and inflammation medicine for six years 2018 to 2024. I watched a video about MS patients healing to the point they no longer needed medicine while on the carnivore. I called "BS" on the MS claims. LOL After six weeks of strict carnivore I was in full doubt about its health effects for MS/NMO-SD patients and realized I had went well over a week without my medicine. I called that a coincidence, maybe even anecdotal at first. Then another week and then another week. Now just about two years later I have been medicine free and no longer use the prednisone nor the gabapentin/Neurontin.

I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer because it took me several more weeks to buy into the healing effects of carnivore all the while the results were punching me right in the face.

I'm quite the believer now.

Good luck. Keep pushing.

Scott

While modern medicine wants to blame gout on red meat alone there has been evidence that Glucose (carbohydrates) causes cell damage from glycation and oxidation, and insulin-resistance contributes to gout as well as diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, breast and other cancers, PCOS, impotence, and a host of other problems. Elevated insulin also causes systemic inflammation as well as polyunsaturated fatty acids can also be inflammatory.

Many believe it’s due to oxalate built up in the joint. Sally K. Norton has some very good information on that in this article.

Sally K. Norton

Painful Gout, Joint Pain, and Oxalates - Sally K. Norton

A high-oxalate diet contributes to inflammatory joint pain, including painful gout. Get relief from bursitis, arthritis, rheumatism and other pain syndromes.

There are several mechanisms that can cause a gout flare-up. Red meat often gets the blame but is rarely the cause.

Drinks & Food

• Alcohol — especially beer and liquor. It stops your kidneys from removing uric acid and can dehydrate you.

• Sugary drinks and sweets — soda, fruit juices, and anything with high-fructose corn syrup. These quickly raise uric acid levels.

• Dehydration — not drinking enough water. Kidneys can’t flush out uric acid well when you’re low on fluids.

Body & Lifestyle

• Injury, surgery, or too much exercise — any physical stress or trauma to the body.

• Crash diets or rapid weight loss — sudden changes make uric acid spike temporarily.

• Extreme hot or cold weather — sudden temperature shifts.

Medicines & Health Issues

• Certain medications — like diuretics (water pills), low-dose aspirin, or some blood pressure drugs.

• Other conditions — obesity, kidney problems, diabetes, high blood pressure, or infections/illness.

• Stress or fatigue — emotional or physical tiredness.

Everyone is different. I would drink plenty of water daily, and limit alcohol and sugary stuff. I've had gout before, but have never had a flare-up in the last 3 years of being on a carnivore diet - so I know it's not the meat.