Carnivore Diet: A Scoping Review of the Current Evidence, Potential Benefits and Risks

TL;DR

The Carnivore Diet may help with short-term weight loss and some health markers but poses risks like nutrient deficiencies and heart disease due to lack of long-term evidence.

Contribution

This scoping review systematically evaluates the current evidence on the Carnivore Diet's benefits and risks.

Findings

The Carnivore Diet may lead to weight reduction and increased satiety.

Potential risks include nutrient deficiencies and elevated LDL and total cholesterol levels.

Long-term evidence is limited due to small sample sizes and short study durations.

Abstract

Background: The Carnivore Diet (CD) is an almost exclusively animal-based dietary pattern that has gained increasing popularity on social media. Despite numerous health-related claims, a standardized definition is lacking, and scientific evidence regarding the long-term effects of this diet remains unclear. Methods: The literature search for this scoping review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines (PRISMA-ScR) using the databases PubMed, LIVIVO, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library. Results: Nine human studies were included. Individual publications reported positive effects of the CD, such as weight reduction, increased satiety, and potential improvements in inflammatory or metabolic markers. At the same time, potential risks of nutrient deficiencies, particularly in vitamins C and D, calcium, magnesium, iodine, and dietary fiber, as well as elevated low-density-lipoprotein (LDL-) and total cholesterol (TC) levels, were identified, along with one case describing a deterioration in health status. Overall, the quality of evidence is very limited due to small sample sizes, short study durations, and the absence of control groups. Conclusions: The CD may offer short-term health benefits but carries substantial risks of nutrient deficiencies, reduced intake of health-promoting phytochemicals, and the development of cardiovascular disease. At this time, long-term adherence to a CD cannot be recommended.

Figures