A man who ate only cheese, beef, and butter for 8 months experienced a surprising and concerning health side effect.
A man from Florida has reported alarming health issues after following an extreme carnivore diet for eight months.
This diet consists mainly of meat, fat, and dairy products.
The man, in his mid-40s, sought medical help when he noticed unusual yellowish nodes appearing on his hands and other parts of his body.
Man follows extreme carnivore diet for 8 months
The man’s daily food intake included large amounts of cheese, butter, and hamburger patties.
He consumed entire sticks of butter and between six to nine pounds of cheese every day.
This extreme approach to dieting is part of the carnivore diet trend, which encourages eating only animal products and avoiding all plant-based foods.
Man faces chilling side effects from eating cheese, beef, and sticks of butter for 8 months
After several months on this diet, the man developed yellowish nodes on his palms, elbows, and the soles of his feet.
These nodes were not only alarming but also emitted an ooze.
He eventually went to a Tampa hospital to seek treatment for these strange symptoms.
Doctors diagnosed him with a condition known as xanthelasma.
This condition is often related to high cholesterol levels and can occur when excess fats in the blood lead to localized lipid deposits.
In the case of this man, his cholesterol levels were found to be exceedingly high, exceeding 1,000 mg/dL.
For reference, a normal cholesterol level is considered to be below 200 mg/dL, while levels over 240 mg/dL are classified as high.
Doctors diagnosed him with xanthelasma condition.
Upon examination, doctors noted that the man’s cholesterol levels had been fluctuating between 210 and 300 mg/dL before he started the carnivore diet.
The rapid increase in cholesterol due to his new eating habits raised concerns about his overall health.
Xanthelasma can often appear near the eyes but, in this instance, it manifested on his hands and feet.
Claims of health benefits
Despite the serious side effects, the man claimed that he felt improvements in his energy levels and cognitive function while on the diet.
He also reported weight loss, which is a common claim among those who promote the carnivore diet.
However, his skin issues contradicted the positive claims about his health.
Medical experts warn against extreme diets like the carnivore diet.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not recommend this eating plan.
Instead, they advise a balanced diet that includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, grains, and lean proteins.
The CDC emphasizes the importance of a diverse diet for overall health.
The carnivore diet is gaining popularity.
The carnivore diet has gained popularity in certain fitness and health circles, with many claiming various benefits.
Supporters often share testimonials online, highlighting their personal success stories.
However, many health professionals caution that such diets can lead to serious health risks, as seen in this case.
A growing number of influencers on social media platforms promote similar diets that focus heavily on animal products.
Some have even claimed improvements in their hair, skin, and overall health after switching to these diets.
Nevertheless, the potential for negative health outcomes should not be ignored.