Carnivore Diet will do this to Your Labs [Carnivore Diet Results]- 2024

Summary

Dr. Ken Berry, a family physician, explains the impact of the carnivore diet on various lab tests, including blood counts, metabolic panels, and hormone levels. The diet, consisting solely of animal products, can improve anemia, liver and kidney function, blood sugar, and reduce inflammation. Dr. Berry highlights that the carnivore diet often lowers triglycerides and boosts HDL cholesterol, though its effects on total and LDL cholesterol can vary. He dispels the myth that eating meat makes blood acidic and emphasizes how the diet can improve overall health, including hormonal balance and reducing markers of pre-diabetes and metabolic syndrome.

Takeaways

• 🥩 The carnivore diet consists solely of animal product foods, including meats, eggs, seafood, crustaceans, shellfish, and insects, cooked in animal fats.
• 🩸 A carnivore diet can significantly improve anemia by increasing hemoglobin and hematocrit levels due to its richness in iron, B12, and folate.
• 📈 The complete metabolic panel may show improvements in liver and kidney function, as well as a decrease in blood sugar levels after following a carnivore diet.
• 💧 Urine analysis may reveal the presence of ketones, indicating a state of ketosis, which is considered a healthy state for those on a carnivore diet.
• 📉 A lipid panel may show decreased triglycerides and increased HDL cholesterol, suggesting a positive impact on heart health.
• 🔄 About one-third of people may experience a decrease, no change, or an increase in total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels when starting a carnivore diet.
• 📉 Hemoglobin A1c levels, a marker for diabetes, are likely to decrease significantly, especially for those with pre-diabetes or diabetes.
• 💉 Fasting insulin levels, often elevated in modern society, are expected to decrease drastically after three months on a carnivore diet.
• 🚹 In men, total testosterone levels may increase, while in women, it may increase slightly or decrease if they have PCOS.
• 🔍 CRP, a marker of inflammation, typically decreases after three months on a carnivore diet, indicating reduced inflammation.
• 🌡 Contrary to popular belief, a carnivore diet does not make the blood more acidic; arterial pH remains unchanged.

Q & A

What is the carnivore diet?

The carnivore diet is a diet consisting solely of animal product foods, including meat, eggs with yolk, seafood, crustaceans, shellfish, and insects. It excludes any plant-based foods and emphasizes cooking with animal fats only.

How does the carnivore diet affect blood work, specifically anemia?

The carnivore diet, being rich in iron, B12, and folate, can significantly improve anemia as indicated by increases in hematocrit and hemoglobin levels after a few months of adherence.

What changes can one expect in liver function tests after following the carnivore diet?

The carnivore diet can lead to improvements in liver function tests, particularly for those with fatty liver disease, as indicated by normalization of liver function markers such as AST and ALT.

How might kidney function be affected by the carnivore diet?

The carnivore diet can improve kidney function, as evidenced by improvements in creatinine levels and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in those with chronic kidney disease.

What is the impact of the carnivore diet on blood sugar levels?

The carnivore diet can lead to a decrease in blood sugar levels, which is beneficial for individuals with high blood sugar or conditions like pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes.

Why might a doctor be concerned about ketones in urine, and what does the carnivore diet do in this regard?

Traditionally, doctors may be concerned about ketones in urine as a sign of dehydration or kidney problems. However, the carnivore diet, which keeps one in a state of ketosis, can result in ketones in urine, which is now considered a healthy state by some medical professionals.

How does the carnivore diet affect lipid profiles?

The carnivore diet can lower triglycerides and increase HDL cholesterol, which are beneficial changes. However, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol may decrease, remain the same, or increase, with a small percentage experiencing a significant rise.

What changes in hemoglobin A1c levels can be expected with the carnivore diet?

The carnivore diet can significantly lower hemoglobin A1c levels, especially in those with pre-diabetes or diabetes, often bringing them closer to normal ranges.

Why is it important to check fasting insulin levels before and after starting the carnivore diet?

Checking fasting insulin levels is crucial as the carnivore diet can drastically reduce fasting insulin, which is a risk factor for many chronic medical conditions.

How does the carnivore diet affect testosterone levels?

Men may experience an increase in total testosterone levels after three months on the carnivore diet, while women without PCOS may see a slight increase, and women with PCOS may experience a decrease in abnormally high testosterone levels.

What is the impact of the carnivore diet on thyroid function?

Individuals with hypothyroidism may notice improvements in TSH, free T3, and free T4 levels, potentially allowing for reduced thyroid medication. Those with Hashimoto's thyroiditis may see a decrease in TPO and TG antibody levels.

Does the carnivore diet make the body acidic as some influencers claim?

Contrary to popular belief, the carnivore diet does not make the body or blood more acidic. After three months on the diet, arterial pH levels remain unchanged, debunking the myth that eating meat acidifies the body.

Outlines

00:00

🥩 The Carnivore Diet and Its Impact on Lab Work

Dr. Ken Berry, a family physician with over 22 years of experience, discusses the carnivore diet, which consists solely of animal product foods like meat, eggs, seafood, crustaceans, shellfish, and insects. He explains that this diet can significantly affect lab results, particularly in areas like blood pH, complete blood count, complete metabolic panel, and lipid panel. Dr. Berry suggests getting lab tests done before starting the diet and after three months to observe improvements in anemia, liver and kidney function, blood sugar levels, and ketone levels in the urine. He also highlights that the diet can lead to changes in cholesterol levels, with some individuals experiencing a decrease, while others may see an increase. The video aims to provide insights into how a carnivore diet can influence health based on lab results.

05:00

📈 Continued Effects of the Carnivore Diet on Health Markers

Continuing the discussion on the carnivore diet, Dr. Berry addresses its effects on various health markers. He mentions that the diet can lead to a decrease in hemoglobin A1c levels, indicating improved blood sugar control, especially for those with diabetes. Fasting insulin levels are expected to decrease, which is beneficial for preventing chronic medical conditions. Testosterone levels in men are likely to increase, while in women, it may increase slightly or decrease if they have PCOS. DHEA levels may also rise or fall depending on one's health status and PCOS condition. CRP, a marker of inflammation, is expected to decrease, suggesting reduced inflammation. The thyroid panel may show improvements in TSH, free T3, and free T4 levels, and a reduction in TPO and TG antibodies for those with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Lastly, Dr. Berry debunks the myth that a carnivore diet acidifies the blood, stating that arterial pH remains unchanged. The video concludes with a reassurance that the carnivore diet can positively affect various health conditions.

Keywords

💡Carnivore Diet

The carnivore diet is a dietary regimen that consists exclusively of animal products, such as meat, eggs, seafood, crustaceans, shellfish, and insects. It is characterized by the absence of any plant-based foods and is often associated with high protein and fat intake. In the video, Dr. Ken Berry discusses the potential effects of this diet on various health markers, emphasizing its potential to improve conditions like anemia, fatty liver, and high blood sugar.

💡Lab Work

Lab work, or laboratory testing, refers to the analysis of biological samples, such as blood, urine, or tissue, to assess an individual's health status. In the context of the video, Dr. Berry explains how the carnivore diet can influence lab results, including blood counts, metabolic panels, and hormone levels. These tests provide insights into the body's physiological functions and can indicate the presence of certain diseases or conditions.

💡Anemia

Anemia is a condition characterized by a deficiency in the number of red blood cells or the amount of hemoglobin in the blood, leading to a reduced capacity to carry oxygen. In the video, it is mentioned that the carnivore diet, being rich in iron, B12, and folate, can help improve anemia by increasing hemoglobin and hematocrit levels.

💡Metabolic Panel

A metabolic panel is a group of blood tests that provide information about the body's metabolic state, including liver and kidney function, electrolyte balance, and blood sugar levels. Dr. Berry notes that the carnivore diet can positively affect these parameters, particularly in individuals with fatty liver disease or chronic kidney disease, by normalizing liver enzymes and improving kidney function.

💡Ketosis

Ketosis is a metabolic state in which the body burns fat for energy instead of carbohydrates, leading to the production of ketones in the blood and urine. The video explains that the carnivore diet, being very low in carbohydrates, can induce ketosis, which is often associated with improved blood sugar control and potential weight loss.

💡Lipid Panel

A lipid panel is a blood test that measures the levels of lipids (fats) in the blood, including cholesterol and triglycerides. Dr. Berry discusses how the carnivore diet can lead to decreased triglycerides and increased HDL cholesterol, which are generally considered beneficial for heart health.

💡Hemoglobin A1c

Hemoglobin A1c, or HbA1c, is a blood test that reflects the average blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months. It is used to diagnose and monitor diabetes. The video suggests that the carnivore diet can lower HbA1c levels, indicating improved blood sugar control, particularly in individuals with diabetes.

💡Fasting Insulin

Fasting insulin is a blood test that measures the level of insulin in the blood after an overnight fast. High fasting insulin levels can indicate insulin resistance, a precursor to diabetes. Dr. Berry emphasizes the importance of monitoring fasting insulin levels and notes that the carnivore diet can lead to a significant reduction in these levels.

💡Testosterone

Testosterone is a hormone that plays a key role in the development of male reproductive tissues and secondary sexual characteristics. In the video, Dr. Berry mentions that the carnivore diet can increase testosterone levels in men, which could have various health benefits, including improved muscle mass and bone density.

💡C-Reactive Protein (CRP)

C-reactive protein is a blood marker of inflammation in the body. Elevated CRP levels can be indicative of chronic inflammation, which is associated with various diseases. The video suggests that the carnivore diet can reduce CRP levels, suggesting a reduction in inflammation.

💡Blood pH

Blood pH refers to the acidity or alkalinity of the blood, which is a critical factor in maintaining physiological balance. The video dispels the myth that a carnivore diet makes the blood more acidic, asserting that the diet does not change arterial pH and is not associated with increased acidity.

Highlights

The carnivore diet is gaining popularity and can have surprising effects on lab work.

Dr. Ken Berry, with over 22 years of clinical experience, discusses the impact of the carnivore diet on lab results.

A carnivore diet consists solely of animal product foods like meat, eggs, seafood, crustaceans, shellfish, and insects.

The carnivore diet can improve anemia by increasing hemoglobin and hematocrit levels.

Liver function markers, such as AST and ALT, may return to normal in those with fatty liver disease.

Kidney function can improve, as indicated by changes in creatinine levels and eGFR.

Blood sugar levels may decrease on a carnivore diet, especially for those with high blood sugar readings.

Urine analysis may show ketones, indicating a healthy state of ketosis.

Triglycerides are likely to decrease, while HDL cholesterol may increase on a carnivore diet.

Total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol may decrease, remain the same, or increase on a carnivore diet.

Hemoglobin A1c levels, a marker of cellular stickiness, tend to decrease on a carnivore diet.

Fasting insulin levels are expected to decrease significantly after three months on a carnivore diet.

Total testosterone levels in men may increase, while in women, it may increase slightly or decrease if they have PCOS.

DHEA levels may increase slightly in healthy individuals but decrease in women with PCOS.

C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, a marker of inflammation, are likely to decrease after three months on a carnivore diet.

Thyroid function may improve, with TSH levels decreasing and free T3 and T4 levels increasing.

The carnivore diet does not make your blood more acidic; this is a common myth.

Transcripts

the carnivore diet is becoming very

popular and many people are considering

giving carnivore a try I thought I'd go

over what the carnivore diet can do to

your lab work will do to your lab work

because some of the things they can do

are quite surprising wait till I tell

you what it'll do to your blood pH at

the end of this video I'm Dr kenberry

I'm a family physician and in my over 22

years of clinical experience I have

ordered and reviewed well over 100,000

lab panels and so when I talk about lab

results and what your diet can do to

affect them I kind of know what I'm

talking about so check this out first of

all what is a carnivore diet so a

carnivore diet is a diet of Animal

product Foods only basically meat eggs

with the yolk you can include Seafood in

this uh you can include Crustaceans and

shellfish you can include insects

because they are also so carnivore you

don't want to bread any of these things

you want to eat them cooked only in

animal fat so you're not going to cook

any of this stuff in vegetable seed oils

but all those things are fair game if it

runs creeps crawls flies jumps or swims

or slithers you can eat it on a

carnivore diet now let's talk about what

the carnivore diet will do to your blood

workm so we're going to go through kind

of the basic panels that your doctor

would order and I'll tell you what

effect the carnivore diet is going to

have on each of those panels so first up

is the complete blood count now this is

a checks your your white blood cells

your red blood cells and your platelets

so many many people suffer from anemia

either a microtic anemia often caused by

iron deficiency or a macro ciic anemia

often caused by B12 deficiency or folate

deficiency a carnivore di is rich in all

three of those things so what people

often see is that their anemia as gay by

the hematocrite and hemoglobin improve

dramatically after just a few months on

a carnivore diet now the way you're

going to test this is get all these Labs

checked before you start carnivore and

then 3 months after you've been eating a

strict carnivore diet get these Labs

rechecked and you'll see that these

changes have happened to you at least in

some degree next up is the complete

metabolic panel now don't let your

doctor order a basic metabolic panel it

doesn't check nearly as many things as a

a complete metabolic panel uh the

complete metabolic panel checks liver

function it checks kidney function your

electrolytes and then also your blood

sugar and so on your CMP you're going to

notice especially if you had fatty liver

before that your a and your alt which

your liver function measures are going

to start to return to normal now they

may not go back all the way to normal in

3 months but they're going to move in in

the towards the normal direction if you

have chronic kidney disease and you

already have an elevated creatinine

level or a depressed egfr estimated

glomular filtration rate you're going to

notice that these get better yeah your

kidney function can actually improve on

a carnivore diet and then you're going

to notice also that if your blood sugar

has been high on previous complete

metabolic panels that your blood sugar

has actually come down next is your Ur

analysis or UA this check not just

kidney function but it can check also

liver function and other things inside

your body as well one of the main things

you'll notice is that you're probably

going your urine's going to be positive

for ketones now a lot of doctors still

freak out if you have ketones in your

urine because they were taught that's a

sign of dehydration or infection or some

kidney problem actually having ketones

in your urines means that you're in a

state of ketosis in this uh respect

that's actually a very healthy very good

thing many phds and MDS are starting to

consider being in ketosis our Baseline

line physiological State and so it's

good that you have ketones in your urine

carnivore diet is going to keep you in

ketosis for the majority of each day

just like a a ketogenic diet or a

ketovore diet will next is the lipid

panel now the first two markers you you

really want to focus on these probably

won't be the markers that your doctor

focuses on but your triglycerides are

going to come down if they're elevated

on a carnivore diet your HDL cholesterol

is going to

increase if it was low to begin with

many people have high triglycerides and

low HDL cholesterol and they don't know

why it's because you're eating too many

carbohydrates and since a carnivore diet

is the lowest carbohydrate diet you can

possibly eat it's going to make your

triglycerides move back towards normal

and make your HDL cholesterol Elevate

back up towards normal now your doctor's

probably going to focus on your total

cholesterol and your LDL cholesterol in

the lipid panel about 1/3 of people when

they start a carnivore diet their total

cholesterol and LDL cholesterol will

actually go down about 1/3 of people

their total cholesterol and LDL

cholesterol will stay about the same and

in about a third of people the total

cholesterol and the LDL will Elevate and

in about 1% of people the total

cholesterol and the LDL cholesterol will

elevate a large amount and will make

your doctor almost lose control of their

bowels uh you may be a lean mass hyperr

in that case I've got other videos on

this channel that talk about cholesterol

if you are in the onethird of the

population whose total cholesterol and

LDL cholesterol go up then watch my

other videos about cholesterol and

you'll kind of understand more about

what's happening the next is your

hemoglobin A1c which is a marker of how

sticky how gummed up your cells and

tissues and organs are you're going to

notice that your hemoglobin A1c gets

lower and especially if you're

pre-diabetic or type 2 diabetic or type

1 diabetic you're going to notice that

your A1C will decrease drastically back

towards normal many people who have been

on a carnivore diet for a year or longer

their hemoglobin A1c is 4.8 or 5.2 now

if that sounds like numbers you're like

there's no way I'll ever have that stay

on Carnivore long enough and you will my

friends next is a fasting insulin now

this is a test that most doctors do not

check but from this day forward you're

always going to politely insist that

your doctor check a fasting insulin

level on you it's very important the

vast majority of adults in the United

States and indeed in other parts of the

modern society their fasting insulin

level is very elevated doctors don't

know this because they don't check it

now like I said earlier I want you to

get your Labs checked before you start

carnivore your fasting insulin is

probably going to be elevated at least

to some degree I consider a normal

fasting insulin to be anything less than

10 after 3 months of carnivore when you

repeat that you're going to notice a

drastic reduction in in your fasting

insulin and that will be protecting you

from hundreds of chronic medical

conditions next is testosterone level

total testosterone in men what what men

have noticed is that their total

testosterone after 3 months of carnivore

goes up anywhere from 50 to

350 points after just 3 months on a

carnivore diet now in women if you don't

have PCOS because many women can have

low testosterone just like men can

you're going to notice a slight increase

in your total testosterone women who

have PCOS however actually notice a

decrease in their abnormally high

testosterone next is

DHEA and this is anybody in general is

going to who's just overall relatively

healthy but you don't have PCOS you're

going to notice a slight increase in

your DHEA level that's actually a good

thing but in women with PCOS you're

going to notice a reduction in your

abnormally High DHEA level next is CRP C

reactive protein virtually everyone

after three months of a carnivore diet

especially if their CRP was elevated in

the past showing that there's some kind

of inflammation going on in the body

you're going to notice that your CRP

level decreases back towards normal

after 3 months on a carnivore diet next

is the thyroid panel you need to have

your full thyroid panel checked

especially if you have thyroid problems

but what many people notice especially

people with hypothyroidism they notice

that their TSH tends to go down back

towards normal and their free T3 and

free T4 tend to go up and in many cases

they're able to take less thyroid

replacement medication than they did

before they started the carnivore diet

people with Hashimoto thyroiditis who

have elevated TPO antibodies and TG

antibodies notice almost without

exception that their antibodies the TPO

antibody and the TG antibody actually go

back back down closer to normal after 3

months on a carnivore diet and then

finally your blood pH you hear so often

on the internet from this influencer

that one that that eating meat makes

your makes you acidic makes your body

acidic makes your blood acidic after 3

months on a carnivore diet you're going

to know notice that your arterial pH did

not change at all eating meat does not

make your blood more acidic that is a

fallacy that is a myth that is a lie

that seemingly just will not die eating

meat does not make you acidic eating

meat reverses type 2 diabetes eating

meat gets rid of fatty liver eating meat

helps your hormones return back to the

normal levels and it also gets rid of

any pre-diabetes or metabolic syndrome

that you might have hope this video

helps this is Dr Barry I'll see you next

time