21. Benefits and pitfalls of carnivore and ketogenic diets with Robb Wolf

Adaptability

The discussion on microbiome diversity highlights the adaptability of gut bacteria. Paul Saladino and Robb Wolf emphasize that the gut microbiome can thrive on various diets, including carnivore and ketogenic. Paul mentions a study where mice without fiber showed no inflammation, challenging the belief that plant fiber is essential for gut health 1. Robb adds that even in ketosis, the gut microbiota can be sustained by beta hydroxybutyrate, a ketone body 2.

Your gut microbiome can live on protein. And they're just like, what? Like, how do you. Or. Yeah, and there's like that amazing study in cheetahs that your gut microbiome can ferment collagen. You can make short chain fatty acids out of collagen.

--- Paul Saladino

This adaptability suggests that the gut can adjust to different dietary inputs, debunking some common myths about fiber and plant-based diets.

   

Complexity

Robb discusses the complexity of the gut microbiome and its interaction with our health. He notes that people with celiac disease often have high microbiome diversity, which may be a response to gut damage 3. He criticizes the justification of refined foods by some nutritionists, pointing out that such foods can negatively alter the gut microbiome 4.

The gut microbiome, the one consistency is change. So even within that, like, sneezing appears to change your gut microbiome. Like, photoperiod changes, its stress levels change it.

--- Robb Wolf

This underscores the dynamic nature of the gut microbiome and the need for personalized dietary approaches.

   

Healing

Robb shares his personal journey with gut healing, emphasizing the effectiveness of carnivore and elimination diets. After suffering from food poisoning, he followed a strict gaps diet, which significantly improved his digestion 5. He later transitioned to a carnivore diet, which helped him manage autoimmune symptoms and allowed him to reintroduce some foods without adverse effects 6.

I went a good eight weeks, twelve weeks, just carnivore and bone broth. And then I slowly started reintroducing some mixed berries that I actually cook pretty well.

--- Robb Wolf

This experience highlights the potential of carnivore diets in gut healing and managing autoimmune conditions.

   

Implications

Paul and Robb discuss the broader implications of carnivore diets for gut health. Paul shares his own journey, noting that eliminating plant foods helped him manage eczema and autoimmune issues 7. He also mentions that the carnivore diet could be more effective than the autoimmune paleo diet for certain conditions 8.

Often a meat-based diet, a carnivore type diet, is what's going to work best for them. We can't say all the time for any one condition or anything in medicine.

--- Paul Saladino

This suggests that carnivore diets may offer a viable alternative for those struggling with gut-related health issues.