Healing Autoimmune Disease with the Carnivore Diet: The Case of Diabetes and Arthritis

For several years, testimonies have been flourishing on the internet concerning carnivorous diets , and sometimes in connection with the reduction , or even the disappearance, of symptoms linked to autoimmune diseases .

Jordan Peterson and his daughter Mikhaila Peterson are two prominent figures who have highlighted the beneficial effects of the carnivore diet in curing these diseases.

But what is it really?

In this article I will give you some ideas that may help you on this issue...

Happy reading to you, my Mouvers!

Where does the carnivore diet come from?

The carnivore diet, also known as the “zero-carb” or “ animal-based ” diet , is an extreme dietary approach that focuses exclusively on the consumption of meat, fish, poultry, and other animal products .

Although the carnivore diet is often associated with a contemporary wellness movement, its origins actually date back several millennia.

When our ancestors came down from the trees to feed on animal products, which would be rich in macronutrients but also in micronutrients.

This dietary change allowed homo sapiens to survive during the numerous ice ages that affected the fauna and flora of our planet, preventing the feeding of fruits or other plants.

But this dietary practice, although absent in our daily lives as Westerners, is still present in certain ancestral tribes .

Indeed, among the Inuit and the Maasai , the diet is mainly made up of animal products.

Whether this meat is brought by hunting or by breeding.

This way of life will have little impact on their environment , so they live in harmony with nature.

What does science say about the carnivore diet and autoimmune diseases?

The basic assumption on which we will rely throughout this article is the following:

Some autoimmune diseases may be triggered or exacerbated by dietary factors .

And in particular those linked to a diet rich in carbohydrates and potentially irritating substances present in foods of plant origin.

Now let's talk about diabetes...

Caused by an imbalance in the body, type 2 diabetes affects a hormone, insulin , which regulates blood sugar levels .

Diet plays a crucial role in managing this type of disease, and the carnivore diet offers a unique and specific approach that may have benefits for some people with this condition.

Because the meat diet consists of consuming mainly foods of animal origin, such as meat, fish, eggs and dairy products, according to some derivatives of the diet, while avoiding foods rich in carbohydrates .

By eliminating carbohydrates and sugars from plant foods, the carnivore diet will improve your cells' insulin sensitivity.

Since your cells are more receptive, they will be able to react in a better way, by regulating the sugar present in your blood.

It is also said that the body enters ketosis.

Ketosis is when your body literally switches fuels .

By switching to a low-carb diet, or even eliminating carbohydrates altogether, the body will be forced to find another way to produce energy, and to do this it will use sources of fat .

The fat will be converted into ketone bodies, and these bodies will be used to produce energy throughout your body.

This mechanism will possibly make you lose fat mass .

The great thing about ketosis is that you'll have more stable energy throughout your day, no more blood sugar spikes!

But in the case of diabetes, this state of ketosis will prevent cravings and increase the feeling of satiety, which can be particularly beneficial for people with type 2 diabetes who need to control their carbohydrate intake.

In other autoimmune diseases, symptom reduction is promoted by reducing chronic inflammation in the body .

By eliminating potentially irritating foods from plant foods,

We are thinking in particular of the fibers that are sold to us wrongly and indiscriminately in the nutrition sector, but which are in reality anti-nutrients responsible for many of our ailments,

The carnivore diet can help calm inflammation and improve overall health, especially if the person is transitioning from an ultra-processed diet to this type of healthy diet.

Even nutrition and strengthening specialist Dr. Rondha Patrick has researched the topic and noticed a clear connection,

In an interview she specifies:

“People who try this diet see their autoimmune symptoms improve , and I see that this seems to be a common theme.”

But she will also say that the carnivore diet has not been studied in the long term scientifically, and that we must therefore be vigilant with this type of diet.

Indeed, there are few specific studies on this diet and its impact on autoimmune diseases, and those that do exist are generally small and short-term.

However, a study was conducted on the Paleo diet , a close cousin of the carnivore diet which is primarily meat-based.

She talks about its correlation with a reduction in inflammation throughout the body, and therefore a reduction in symptoms related to autoimmune diseases.

Which means that the significant intake of meat and fish would seem to be a very interesting avenue for this type of problem.

Evidence of carnivore diets linked to autoimmune diseases

As you understood above, scientific evidence is lacking on the subject, even if the few studies carried out are in favor of the basic hypothesis:

Your diet is directly linked to the autoimmune diseases you may develop.

And to demonstrate this, I invite you to listen to the rather edifying testimony of Mikhaila Peterson , who tells us about her remissions from several autoimmune diseases from which she was affected.

Such as Arthritis, but also a serious disease that destroyed these bones.

It is true that at only 17 years old, she had her hip and ankle replaced.

In this interview, she sums up her entire struggle to achieve this optimal health.

She says that the meat diet saved him in a few weeks.

Another testimony that will complement this first one is that of her father, Jordan Peterson, who closely followed his daughter's recovery.

For his part, he is in complete remission from severe depression.

What are the contraindications and potential dangers of the carnivore diet?

But as usual, I would like to moderate my remarks...

It is important to remember that every person is unique and responses to diet can vary greatly from person to person .

It's obvious, what works for me, slim 1m80, 80 kilos and inveterate nomad, may not work for you!

So, before adopting the carnivore diet I recommend that you find out more. I have written a very comprehensive article entirely devoted to the carnivore diet .

In it I specify the origin, the benefits of this diet , but also the negative aspects ...

In this way you will be able to form a real, informed and constructive opinion!

And if you are facing an illness, whatever it may be, it is important to first surround yourself with the right people and then start a health approach.

The meat diet is one of them, but rest assured that nutrition is only one pillar of health among others ...

Connection to the earth, sociability, spirituality, movement…

You can find all these topics and many more on the Mouvers blog, but also in the first French-speaking podcast dedicated to movement and global health!

Through these channels, you will be able to discover several health specialists who have chosen to adopt different eating habits.

Whether it's veganism , vegetarianism, ketogenic diet , paleo diet, primal diet , or even carnivore diet.

I am thinking in particular of my naturopath friend Jeremy Dalzon, who shares with us the importance of plants in our human diet , even though he himself is a fervent defender of animal products!

He himself adopted the Paleo, or primal, diet, which includes a significant amount of fruits and vegetables.

Indeed, several experts are going in this direction.

Fruits and vegetables provide essential nutrients to our needs, and meat, although interesting at the micronutritional level, is not sufficient according to them.

Another point that can be revisited is the increased food budget associated with the carnivore diet.

Unless you have several hectares of land and choose to raise these animals for your own consumption, the cost of a carnivorous diet will be significant.

Beef liver, rib steak, duck breast, chicken breast or mackerel fillet , all these products are experiencing an unprecedented price increase.

So it is also for logistical reasons that the carnivore diet is not suitable for everyone.

On that note, good thinking to you my Mouvers and thank you for your attention!

And if you want to bounce back or simply share your experience with meat-based eating, I look forward to hearing from you in the comments section 😉

Nomad Slim
Founder of MOUVERS