Consisting entirely of meat and animal products, the carnivore diet claims to help you lose weight, regulate blood sugar levels, and even regulate mood swings. However, this restrictive diet is likely to be unhealthy in the long term. While many people insist it has helped them healthier than ever, experts are skeptical about the true benefits of eating this rigid diet.

Dr. Rupi Aujla, a GP with the NHS has warned that those who are strict carnivores along with those following the keto diet - which involves a low-carb menu, could “be pro-inflammatory and pro-ageing,” pointing to past research. “They observed changes in key organs such as the heart and kidneys where the accumulation of senescent cells contributed to systemic inflammation and toxicity,” he explained, as per an article in Express.

“These don’t get cleared away by the immune system, these are the cells you don’t want in excess and they can contribute to overall systemic inflammation,” he added.

Many studies in the past have also voiced concerns over the amount of nutrition that this meat-heavy, veggie-less diet gives. Carnivore diet eliminates all plant-based foods and so, is low in vitamin C, and folate has no fibre and is difficult to maintain.

Aujla noted that the carnivorous lifestyle could also increase the risk of cardiofibrosis and dysregulated mitochondrial function in addition to increased cholesterol levels. “This is something that would concern me, that people are putting themselves at risk of cardiovascular disease and even dementia as well,” he said while adding that a short-term iteration of the diet could prove beneficial to “those with genuine intolerances,” he said.

Eating lots of meat in all meals can cause serious digestive issues - and consuming only saturated fats, which are plentiful in the carnivore diet, elevates LDL cholesterol and shoots up your risk of heart disease. Also, some processed meats like bacon and other breakfast essentials such as sausages and hams are also loaded with high amounts of sodium.

Eating a lot of these foods on the carnivore diet can lead to excessive sodium intake, which has been linked to an increased risk of high blood pressure, kidney disease, and other negative health outcomes.

Studies say foods that are high in fat, sugar, and saturated fats are associated with early and premature degeneration of brain health – leading to issues like dementia and Alzheimer’s.

Also, a growing body of research shows that processed meats – loaded with sodium and preservatives can cause early decline of your brain health. Moreover, you need to eat plant-based foods to lower your risk of certain long-term conditions which include heart disease, Alzheimer’s, type 2 diabetes, and dementia. This is not only due to the high vitamin, fiber, and mineral contents of plant foods but also their beneficial plant compounds and antioxidants.

According to experts, there should be a total balance of foods – both plant-based and animal meat for your overall health and well-being. Chop off processed foods – especially red meats – from your diet completely and take food servings of vegetables and fruits along with fibre, nutrients, minerals, and vitamins to give adequate benefits to both your body and brain.

Also, to reduce your risk of heart issues and brain decline, experts also suggest following a healthy lifestyle – which includes enough sleep, regular exercise, social contact, and leisure activities. All of these things work together for better health conditions.

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