The Dark Side of Carnivore & Keto: What Happens When These Diets Go Wrong

Why Extreme Dieting Can Backfire—and What to Do Instead

The carnivore and keto diets have exploded in popularity over the last few years, especially among those seeking fast fat loss, reduced inflammation, or mental clarity. While some people report short-term benefits, the reality is that these diets can be risky—especially when done incorrectly or without medical oversight.

I’m not writing this to shame anyone who’s tried keto or carnivore. I’m writing this because I’ve seen firsthand what can go wrong—and how devastating it can be.

Real Talk: Gout from the Carnivore Diet

I personally know a man who followed the carnivore diet religiously. He cut out every plant food—no fruits, no vegetables, no grains—just meat, eggs, and occasional dairy. At first, it worked. He dropped weight, felt sharp, and bought into the promise of effortless health.

Then came the crash.

He developed a severe case of gout—so bad that he couldn’t move for three months.

This wasn’t just joint pain. This was a total breakdown. He was an incredibly muscular man, and over the course of his immobility, he lost a large percentage of his muscle mass—not from lack of effort, but from the sheer inability to move without excruciating pain.

Here’s what happened:

Gout occurs when uric acid crystals build up in the joints, often triggered by diets high in purines, a compound found in large amounts in red meat, organ meats, and shellfish. Without fiber, hydration protocols, or micronutrients to support detoxification, his body couldn’t keep up. The result was immobilizing inflammation—and aggressive muscle loss.

Another Case: Sepsis on Keto

I also know a man in his 50s who followed a strict ketogenic diet. His goal was to lower his blood sugar and lose weight. He cut carbs almost completely, stayed in deep ketosis, and loaded up on fats like butter, cream, and oils.

But what he didn’t realize was that his gallbladder function became compromised—and keto’s heavy fat demands overwhelmed his system.

After months of silent buildup, he developed a gallbladder infection that escalated into sepsis, a life-threatening condition where the body’s reaction to infection causes widespread inflammation and organ shutdown.

He ended up in the ICU. His condition was traced directly to his unmonitored high-fat keto diet—something that, with proper oversight, might have been adjusted before reaching such a critical state.

Why These Diets Can Go So Wrong

Both carnivore and keto can work therapeutically—in specific cases, under expert supervision. But for most people, these diets are extreme, restrictive, and nutritionally imbalanced when used long-term.

Key Risks of the Carnivore Diet:

• Gut microbiome disruption (no fiber = starving beneficial bacteria)

• Vitamin deficiencies, including C, potassium, and magnesium

• Chronic inflammation, contrary to initial short-term reduction

• Hormonal issues, particularly thyroid and cortisol imbalances

• Kidney stress and uric acid overload, increasing gout risk
  

Key Risks of the Keto Diet:

• Electrolyte imbalance (sodium, magnesium, potassium loss)

• Gallbladder overload, especially in those with unknown dysfunction

• Blood sugar crashes, especially in active individuals or under-eaters

• Mental health swings, including irritability, anxiety, or depression

• Thyroid hormone suppression, reducing metabolism and energy
  

Why Doctors Aren’t Warning You

One of the most troubling things about the rise of carnivore and keto diets is that many people are doing them with their doctor’s blessing—or worse, with no warning at all.

Here’s the hard truth: Most doctors simply don’t know how dangerous these diets can be when done improperly.

That’s not an attack on medical professionals—it’s a flaw in the system. The average medical doctor receives less than 25 hours of nutrition education in their entire medical training. That’s roughly one chapter in a textbook, and it's often outdated or generalized. Exercise physiology? Even less.

I know this because I train doctors. They hire me for my knowledge in fitness and nutrition—because they know they weren’t taught this.

So when a patient walks in and says, “I’m doing carnivore, and I’ve lost 20 pounds,” most doctors will simply say, “Great—keep it up.” They’re happy you're losing weight, and on paper, many of your short-term markers (like blood glucose or inflammation) might improve temporarily.

But what they don’t see—and what often gets missed—is what’s happening underneath:

• Cholesterol levels can rise dramatically on a high saturated fat, no-fiber diet.

• Without soluble fiber, LDL particles oxidize more easily, increasing arterial plaque risk.

• Organ strain increases, especially in the kidneys and gallbladder, which are working overtime to process high amounts of protein and fat without buffering nutrients.

• The absence of plant antioxidants, polyphenols, and fiber means the body’s natural detox pathways (liver, kidneys, lymphatic system) are functioning with fewer tools, even as workload increases.
  

So yes, people will see benefits at first: less bloating, a drop in water weight, appetite suppression. But that’s not always healing—it’s often the calm before the storm.

What to Do Instead

There are better, safer ways to achieve your health goals without risking metabolic damage, hospitalization, or burnout.

1. Focus on Metabolic Flexibility

Alternate between fuel sources. Strategic carb cycling and balanced meals help your body adapt, not panic.

2. Support Your Gut Health

Fiber feeds your microbiome, regulates digestion, and supports hormone detox. Include vegetables, fermented foods, and prebiotic-rich starches.

3. Eat Enough to Train Well

Chronic low-calorie or low-carb eating while training hard stresses your body and hormones. Eat to match your output.

4. Balance Fats and Fiber

Too much fat without fiber (especially saturated fats) stresses the gallbladder and liver. Pair fats with greens and whole foods.

5. Choose Sustainability Over Extremes

Short-term restriction can have long-term costs. Your body was built for balance, not punishment.

Final Takeaway - Keto & Carnivore Diets Go Wrong when abused

Keto and carnivore diets are often presented as quick fixes. But they’re not designed for everyone, and they’re certainly not sustainable long term. When done wrong—or pushed too far—they can cause irreversible damage, from severe joint inflammation to life-threatening infections.

Many people don't realize how quickly these extreme diets go wrong when they're followed without proper education, support, or attention to individual health risks. If you’ve tried one of these diets and feel worse, not better, you’re not weak—and you’re not alone. You just need a smarter, more supportive strategy that works with your body, not against it.

Need help rebuilding after extreme dieting? I specialize in coaching that prioritizes gut health, hormone balance, and sustainable fat loss—without restriction, burnout, or guesswork.

Send me a message and let’s build your recovery plan—together.