Thread by @GIdietitian

Recently members of the #IBD community have been slandered for not trying “everything” to cure their disease. Reminder: there is no cure for IBD, but we are working on it.

What was the purported “cure” you ask? A #carnivore diet. Let’s examine ... 1/

A carnivore diet, aka zero carb diet, is devoid of all foods except animal meat, fish, eggs, +/- lactose-free dairy. 2/

Despite the lack of supporting studies, proponents claim it to be a panacea, saying it cures diabetes, depression, helps weight loss and libido... the list goes on. This is all supported by testimony and conviction (highly biased), & not based on objective scientific evidence. 3/

Proponents of the carnivore diet feel carbs are to blame for chronic disease and that we should eat only meat because our ancestors did (our ancestors survived on meat and plants, btw). 4/

Supporters include Shawn Baker, CEO of MeatRx and an MD whose medical license was revoked in 2017, who profits heavily off of this diet via 1:1 consults, selling books, memberships, eating plans, and “Fasting Coach Certifications.”
healthgrades.com/media/english/… 5/

I’ll share my personal bias, which is that I am pescatarian. That doesn't influence my professional conduct, which is rooted in evidence. As an RD I adhere to a professional code of ethics, something you will not see from others supporting this diet.
eatrightpro.org/-/media/eatrig… 6/

We know meat contains nutrients beneficial to health (protein, B12, iron, magnesium, zinc, etc) and can be part of a healthy diet when balanced with other plant foods. We also know that high intakes increase morbidity. Too much of anything can be harmful. 7/

Fiber has been found to improve microbiota diversity, maintain a protective gut mucus layer, prevent bacterial translocation, and preserve gut integrity.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27863247/
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30322146/ 8/

High meat intakes increase stomach cancer risk:
>4 servs/wk of red meat increased risk for stomach cancer by 31%; fruits and vegetables were “powerful protective factors against stomach cancer.” pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32023777/?from… 9/

Red & Processed meat increases risk for breast, colorectal, pancreatic, lung, & esophageal cancer. Fruits, vegetables, grains = protective. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30183083/?from…

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29210053/?from…

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29025004/?from…

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29016198/?from…

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28821981/?from…
10/

All this before we consider the impacts on mental health, ethical and global consequences, or the ways in which an all-meat diet highlights the economic privilege of its followers. 11/

@langernutrition rightly noted “the psychological reasons to avoid a restrictive diet like this one might be even more compelling” than the health consequences. Mono-diets instill fears around foods that can lead to life-long disordered eating.
self.com/story/im-a-reg… 12/

@langernutrition Ethical/global consequences of a carnivore diet:
Factory farming has been linked to antibiotic resistance in humans (theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2…)
Climate change newscientist.com/article/214922…
theguardian.com/commentisfree/… 13/

@langernutrition Misinformation peddlers profit off of the expense of people who are desperate to feel better. The #carnivore diet is the latest fad, but evidence is lacking to support its claims. Let’s call out #pseudoscience when we see it to help keep our community safe. 14/

Please see an expert if you have questions about how diet changes may help – we have many evidence-based strategies, including diet, that have been shown to improve health and QoL.
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