TikTok influencer Mackenzie Elliot, known as @healthwmac, has gained attention for promoting the Carnivore diet on the platform, showcasing her unusual eating habits.
The Carnivore Diet Trend
The Carnivore diet, emphasizing meat, animal-based fats, and minimal carbs, gained popularity through influencers like Jordan Peterson and Joe Rogan. However, experts caution against the diet due to potential health risks. Jacob Mey, a nutrition scientist, warns of diseases linked to high red meat consumption, such as cancer and heart disease.
Risks of Raw Liver Consumption
Eating raw liver poses bacterial and contamination risks, and Mey expresses concerns about scurvy, a vitamin C deficiency. Scurvy symptoms include fatigue, muscle weakness, bruising, bleeding gums, and skin rash. Previous cases, like singer James Blunt’s scurvy diagnosis on an all-meat diet, highlight the dangers.
Caution Urged by Dietitians
While the Carnivore diet claims benefits like improved blood glucose control, dietitians urge caution. Dr. Joel Fuhrman even suggested legal consequences for influencers promoting the diet, citing misinformation that could harm people. Experts recommend established, researched diets over newer, unproven trends for overall health and safety.