A carnivore diet is a restrictive diet that only includes meat, fish, and other animal products like dairy and eggs. More recently, it has been brought into the limelight by influencers and social media personalities. In fact, there is a whole community of "meatfluencer" who are sharing their meat-eating plans. One of them is Dr Paul Saladino MD, whose belief that there was no better way to prevent chronic diseases than a carnivore diet prompted him to write books and post videos regarding the same. He believed so much in this eating plan that he became a go-to person for many following the same plan, until recently, when he decided to quit.

Here Are Seven Reasons Why He Decided To Quit

Carnivore Diet Disrupted His Sleep

Switching to an all-meat diet isn't always straightforward, especially when it comes to digestion—a lesson Dr Saladino learned firsthand. He experienced sleep disturbances, likely due to the difficulty of digesting high-protein meals. Since protein takes longer to break down, it demands more energy from the body, which can interfere with rest.

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, digestion slows by up to 50% during sleep. Additionally, many types of meat contain tyramine, a compound derived from the amino acid tyrosine. Increased tyramine intake can lead to health issues and also triggers the release of norepinephrine, a hormone that raises heart rate and blood pressure, making restful sleep harder to achieve.

He also experienced hypnagogic jerks—sudden muscle spasms that jolt the body awake. "I would fall asleep but then jerk myself awake like I was falling multiple times. It was stressful and traumatic, leading to poor sleep," he shared in his YouTube video.

Eating Only Meat May Have Triggered Heart Palpitations

Another concerning side effect Dr Saladino experienced was heart palpitations—episodes where his heart felt like it was racing or fluttering. While stress is a common cause, few would immediately link palpitations to meat consumption.

However, a sudden shift to an all-meat diet can lead to electrolyte imbalances. The elimination of carbohydrates lowers insulin levels, prompting the kidneys to excrete more sodium. This disrupts the balance of essential minerals like potassium and magnesium, which are crucial for heart function.

Muscle Cramps Became Persistent

Dr Saladino also suffered from frequent muscle cramps while following the carnivore diet. In a post on X, he emphasized the importance of maintaining adequate magnesium, calcium, and potassium levels to prevent cramping. He initially believed that animal-based foods provided sufficient minerals, but his ongoing cramps led him to reconsider.

"I started to think maybe long-term ketosis is not great for me,” he admitted on the *More Plates More Dates* podcast. “Probably not a great thing for most humans."

His Testosterone Levels Dropped Significantly

Dr Saladino also saw a decline in his testosterone levels after following the carnivore diet for over a year. "At the beginning of my carnivore experiment, my testosterone was about 800. After a year to a year and a half, it had dropped to around 500," he revealed.

The issue likely stems from excessive protein intake, which can elevate inflammation and disrupt hormone levels. A 2022 study published in Nutrition and Health found that consuming more than 35% of daily calories from protein can lead to various negative effects, including reduced testosterone.

He Had Chronically Low Insulin Levels

Because he largely eliminated carbohydrates—except for a small amount of fruit—Dr Saladino developed persistently low blood sugar. In his YouTube video, he explained, "I had very low insulin because I wasn’t eating carbohydrates, and the protein I consumed wasn’t insulinogenic enough."

While some diabetics report improved blood sugar control on the carnivore diet, its effects vary based on individual metabolic responses. For non-diabetics, low insulin can lead to hypoglycemia, causing symptoms like dizziness, confusion, a racing heart, and, in extreme cases, seizures or coma. Mild cases can be managed with fast-acting carbohydrates like juice or candy, but severe episodes require medical attention.

His Blood Test Results Showed Concerning Imbalances

Lab tests revealed that his magnesium levels were low, while his sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) was elevated—both potential red flags for long-term health issues.

A magnesium deficiency can cause numbness, tingling, fatigue, nausea, headaches, and muscle cramps. Since cramps often strike at night, low magnesium may also contribute to sleep disturbances.

High SHBG levels indicate an excess of circulating protein in the blood, which can increase the risk of heart disease, osteoporosis, and depression. To counteract these imbalances, introducing more magnesium-rich foods—such as leafy greens, nuts, beans, and yogurt—could be beneficial.

He Felt Cold All The Time

Electrolyte imbalances and metabolic disruptions can even affect body temperature, which Dr. Saladino experienced firsthand. "I was always cold,"he shared in his YouTube video.

Upon testing his thyroid function, he discovered that his total T3 and free T3 hormone levels were "not ideal." These hormones regulate metabolism, and low levels can slow down metabolic processes, leading to cold intolerance.

As winter transitions into warmer summer months, many people notice a sudden worsening of dandruff. During colder months, dandruff often appears as dry, fine flakes due to scalp dryness. However, as temperatures rise and humidity increases, dandruff can become oily and sticky because of increased sweating and sebum production. This seasonal shift highlights that dandruff is not limited to a particular time of year; rather, changes in climate can disrupt scalp balance and trigger flare-ups. Dr. Anupriya Goel, MBBS, MD, DPD (UK) – Dermatology, answered this for us.

Why does dandruff recur?

Many people struggle to understand why dandruff keeps recurring. It is often treated as a temporary cosmetic concern, but in reality, dandruff is a chronic scalp condition that requires consistent care and appropriate treatment. The primary cause of dandruff is a yeast called Malassezia globosa, which naturally resides on the scalp. This microorganism feeds on sebum (the natural oils produced by the scalp). As it breaks down these oils, it releases by-products that can irritate the scalp, leading to inflammation, itching, and visible flaking.

Seasonal factors further aggravate this process. In winter, cold air, low humidity, indoor heating, and frequent hot showers can strip the scalp of its natural moisture and weaken the skin barrier, resulting in dryness and flaking. In contrast, summer brings increased sweat and oil production. The combination of humidity, sweat, and sebum creates an ideal environment for Malassezia to multiply, which can worsen dandruff symptoms.

Read here: Simple Secrets To Establishing The Right Winter Hair Care Routine

What are the external factors responsible for dandruff?

Environmental factors such as pollution can also settle on the scalp and contribute to irritation. In addition, daily habits like wearing helmets for long hours, tying up damp hair, or not cleansing the scalp regularly can further disrupt scalp health. The transition period between seasons is often the most challenging, as the scalp has limited time to adapt to changing environmental conditions.

Because dandruff is often mistaken for a temporary issue, many people rely on occasional treatments or home remedies. However, effective management typically requires regular scalp-focused care using clinically proven active ingredients.

Treating dandruff

One such ingredient commonly used in anti-dandruff formulations is Piroctone Olamine, an antifungal agent that helps control the growth of Malassezia on the scalp. By reducing fungal proliferation, it helps address the underlying cause of dandruff and can assist in decreasing flaking, itching, and scalp irritation. It also helps cleanse the scalp by removing excess oil and buildup while being relatively gentle on the hair and scalp.

Read more: 7 Ayurvedic Hair Health Tips You Should Try For Healthy Locks

For optimal results, individuals experiencing recurrent dandruff may benefit from incorporating an anti-dandruff shampoo containing Piroctone Olamine into their regular hair care routine. Consistent use is important for maintaining scalp balance. During periods of increased sweating, such as in hot and humid weather, washing frequency may be increased as needed. Maintaining hygiene practices such as regularly cleaning helmets, pillowcases, and hair accessories can also help minimise recurrence.

In addition to controlling dandruff, well-formulated shampoos containing Piroctone Olamine are often combined with conditioning and moisturising ingredients that help maintain hair softness and scalp comfort while supporting long-term scalp balance.

Autism in women is not often entirely recognized because this disorder does not always have to correspond to the “classic” picture characteristic of males.

The diagnosis is based on a male criterion with such behavior as obvious withdrawal from a group, overtly displayed repetitive behaviour, and limited interests. There can be mild social deficit or internalized anger and frustration that can pass unnoticed in clinical practice.

The Art of Masking

One of the most significant reasons behind underdiagnosis is masking (also called camouflaging). Masking is one of the most significant reasons for underdiagnosis. This is helpful in masking but also covers or conceals essential symptoms.

Masking causes mental exhaustion, anxiety, and burnout, but it does not address the underlying autism and leaves it undiagnosed.

Stereotypes And Gender Bias

There is a strong societal stereotype that autism is a “male condition”. This bias is felt by parents, teachers, as well as health care professionals.

Sex bias is evident in that boys get referred for evaluation early. Girls are often tagged “shy,” “sensitive,” and “introverted.”

Their struggles are normalized instead of being explored for any issues. Gender bias is a significant contributor to delayed or wrong diagnosis.

Different Interests, Less Suspicion

A restricted interest is another hallmark of autism, but in women, it tends to be more socially acceptable. Their interests conform to the norms of society; they do not predispose clinical suspicion as opposed to more masculine interests like mechanical systems or numbers.

Overlap With Other Conditions

Autism in women being misdiagnosed as other psychiatric disorders is due to symptom comorbidity. Some of the common misdiagnoses are:

• anxiety disorders,
• major depressive disorder,
• borderline personality disorder,
• eating disorders.

In many cases, these are secondary to autism as a result of years of living with undiagnosed autism.

Social Expectations And Conditioning

From an early age, girls are often conditioned to be socially attentive, empathetic, and compliant. This societal conditioning pushes autistic girls to adapt and hide their difficulties.

These may include forcing themselves into socializing. Fitting in is deemed more important than comfort. They end up creating coping mechanisms that mask their difficulties.

While this may benefit outward functioning, it postpones the recognition of underlying neurodevelopmental differences.

The Consequences of Late Diagnosis

Delayed diagnosis or missed diagnosis has the following effects:

• Chronic mental illness
• Low self-esteem
• Confusion about identity
• Inadequate support services

The World Health Organization estimates that 10 percent (190 million) of reproductive-age women worldwide suffer from endometriosis.

The chronic and complex menstrual disease that affects many women is characterized by severe pain during menstruation, heavy menstrual bleeding, chronic pelvic pain (pain that does not go away when the menstrual cycle ends), infertility, and abdominal bloating and nausea.

The incurable condition poses a significant challenge to women as it affects their personal and professional lives, relationships, and fertility, among others, due to persistent pain and fatigue.

The diagnosis also gets delayed, as endometriosis is often confused with PCOS, or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, due to some overlapping symptoms like irregular menstrual periods. The symptoms may continue to persist or recur after treatment is initiated.

In a powerful statement resonating with millions worldwide, Indian American author and television host Padma Lakshmi has shared her experience with the condition.

Opening about her personal battle with endometriosis, the 55-year-old, Co-founder of Endometriosis Foundation of America, said that the condition made her understand how strong she is and called for greater awareness and self-advocacy among women.

"Endometriosis has taught me that I should always listen to my body. Pain is your body's way of telling you something is wrong,” said Lakshmi, in a media post on social media platform Instagram.

"Through my struggles with endometriosis, I've learned that, actually, I have a very high threshold for pain, that I may be stronger than I know, but that I shouldn't always need to be,” PopSugar quoted her as saying.

Lakshmi noted that it is now her life's mission "to advocate for my own health, and also to advocate for all women with endometriosis."

What Is Endometriosis?

Endometriosis happens when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. These tissues commonly develop on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or the pelvic lining.

Endometriosis affects many women and can impact their daily lives, including their ability to work comfortably. Many women continue their professional responsibilities despite experiencing severe discomfort, fatigue, and pain.

Raising awareness about the condition and encouraging supportive workplaces can help women manage both their health and career more effectively.

Since it is a progressive disorder, timely intervention remains key to managing it. In many cases, women live with symptoms for several years before receiving the correct diagnosis, which can delay treatment and affect their quality of life.

Treating Endometriosis

Treatment is particularly based on the severity of symptoms. Women will be advised lifestyle modifications such as regular exercise, stress management, and an anti-inflammatory diet. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may help reduce discomfort.

Hormonal therapies may also be used to control symptoms. Some women will be advised to undergo laparoscopy to remove endometriotic cysts.

Minimally invasive surgery can help remove lesions and restore pelvic anatomy, which may also improve fertility in some cases. In advanced cases, surgery can be recommended to women.