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.

Hepatitis remains one of the most misunderstood liver conditions, largely because it isn't a single disease but a group of infections—A, B, C, D, and E—each of which behaves very differently once it enters the body.

The question "can hepatitis be cured?" doesn't have one straightforward answer. The truth lies somewhere between full recovery and lifelong management, depending entirely on which type of hepatitis a person has contracted.

Not All Hepatitis Is the Same

Hepatitis A and E are generally short-lived infections. The liver, in most cases, clears these viruses naturally without any specific antiviral medication. Rest, hydration, a balanced diet, and avoiding alcohol are usually enough to help the body recover fully. Chronic infection is rare with these two types, and when it does occur, particularly with Hepatitis E in people with weakened immunity, it can still be treated successfully.

Hepatitis C tells a much more encouraging story. Thanks to advances in medicine, Direct-Acting Antivirals, or DAAs, now cure more than 95 percent of cases. These are oral tablets taken for roughly eight to twelve weeks, and they carry minimal side effects compared to older treatments. For patients diagnosed early, Hepatitis C is, quite genuinely, curable.

Where Treatment Manages Rather Than Cures

Hepatitis B and D are a different story altogether. When the infection is acute, the body often fights it off on its own without much trouble.

Chronic cases, though, are far tougher to deal with. As of now, no medication can fully remove the Hepatitis B virus from the body once it settles in. What doctors can do is keep it under control, usually through antiviral tablets or interferon injections, so that it doesn't quietly damage the liver over time and lead to cirrhosis or cancer. For many patients, this isn't a short course of treatment. It's something they may need to stay on for years, and in several cases, for the rest of their lives.

Hepatitis D is considered the more severe of the two, and it only shows up in people who already have Hepatitis B; it cannot infect someone on its own. Treatment choices here are still quite limited. A few newer drugs have shown some promise in keeping the disease in check, but nothing yet counts as an actual cure. When the liver damage has progressed too far, a transplant sometimes becomes the only way forward.

Why Early Diagnosis Changes The Outcome

The single most important factor in determining outcomes across all types of hepatitis is timing. Detected early, Hepatitis C can be eliminated. Detected early, Hepatitis B can be controlled well enough that liver damage never progresses. Left unchecked, however, both can silently damage liver tissue for years before symptoms even appear.

Regular liver function tests, hepatitis screening for those at risk, and vaccination—especially for Hepatitis B—remain the strongest tools available for prevention and timely intervention.

The Bottom Line

Hepatitis doesn't follow a single script, and that's something patients often find confusing at first. Some forms clear up completely with the right treatment, others require ongoing management to keep the virus in check, and in many cases, vaccination and timely screening make the real difference in avoiding complications down the line.

Knowing exactly which type of hepatitis one is dealing with is what allows a doctor and patient to set realistic expectations and work out a treatment plan that actually fits the situation.

The rise of GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic (semaglutide), Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound (tirzepatide) has transformed obesity and diabetes treatment.

However, soaring demand and earlier drug shortages also fueled the rapid growth of compounded GLP-1 drugs, which are now under increasing scrutiny from regulators and medical experts.

Over the past few months, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has intensified its crackdown on compounded GLP-1 products, warning that patients could face quality, dosing, and safety concerns if they obtain these medications from unlawful sources.

What Are Compounded GLP-1 Drugs?

A compounded drug is a medication that is custom-made by a licensed compounding pharmacy to meet an individual patient's specific medical needs. For example, removing an allergen, changing the dosage, or preparing a formulation that is not commercially available.

The FDA said, "Compounded drugs are not FDA-approved, which means the agency does not review them for safety, effectiveness or quality before they are marketed."

Also read: People Are Microdosing GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs; What Do Experts Have To Say About It?

Why Have Compounded GLP-1 Drugs Become Popular?

Demand for GLP-1 medications for weight loss skyrocketed worldwide between 2022 and 2025, leading to shortages of semaglutide and tirzepatide.

During these shortages, compounding pharmacies were legally allowed under specific circumstances to prepare several versions of these medications.

Many patients turned to compounded GLP-1s because they were often affordable, available, and easier to buy online.

Also read: Can GLP-1 Drugs Like Ozempic, Mounjaro Cause Hair Loss? Study Says It's Rare But Real

FDA Is Tightening Scrutiny

FDA's efforts to restrict this practice include widespread compounding of semaglutide, tirzepatide, and liraglutide.

The agency has proposed excluding these drugs from the list of bulk substances used for large-scale compounding because FDA-approved alternatives are now available.

It has also issued warning letters to companies producing compounded GLP-1 products outside permitted circumstances.

Also read: Novo Nordisk Sues Eli Lilly Over Weight-Loss Drug Ads: Should GLP-1 Users Be Concerned?

Recent Research Raises New Concerns

A new University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus secret shopper study published in July 2026 found that the compounded GLP-1 market remains active even after shortages have been curbed.

Researchers reported that many online pharmacies were still selling compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide, with some products originating from pharmacies lacking compounding licenses.

Potential Risks of Compounded GLP-1 Drugs

Inaccurate Dosing

Small differences in concentration may result in patients receiving too much or too little medication.

Sterility Concerns

Injectable medicines must be manufactured under strict sterile conditions. Improper preparation increases the risk of contamination.

Different Ingredients

Some compounded products have reportedly used semaglutide salts or added vitamins and other substances that are not present in FDA-approved versions. The FDA has previously stated that certain semaglutide salt forms have not been demonstrated to be safe or effective.

Limited Safety Data

Because compounded products are not FDA-approved, they have not undergone the rigorous clinical trials evaluating effectiveness, manufacturing consistency, and long-term safety.

Counterfeit or Unregulated Products

Experts warn that some websites advertise compounded GLP-1 medications that may not come from legitimate pharmacies at all.

As GLP-1 medications such as semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound) continue to help manage metabolic disorders and obesity, a new trend is rapidly gaining traction on social media - GLP-1 microdosing.

Instead of taking the prescribed doses approved for diabetes or obesity, some users are deliberately taking much smaller amounts, claiming they can lose weight, reduce food noise, avoid side effects, save money, or even improve longevity.

However, experts warn that there is currently little scientific evidence that GLP-1 microdosing is safe or even effective.

What Is GLP-1 Microdosing?

Some people reduce their dose by extending the time between injections, counting "clicks" on injection pens instead of using prescribed doses, or taking customized low-dose formulations.

HealthandMe spoke to Dr. Shehla Shaikh, Consultant Endocrinologist, Saifee Hospital, Mumbai, about the trend of GLP-1 microdosing.

Dr. Shaikh says, "The lowest dose that is supported by evidence for semaglutide is 0 25 mg. While, for tirzepatide, it is 2 5 mg Some people are using much smaller amounts for example using nine clicks on a semaglutide pen which gives about 0 06 mg. Now there are no randomized studies or clear guidelines that show if this kind of micro-dosing is safe or works."

Also read: Can GLP-1 Drugs Like Ozempic, Mounjaro Cause Hair Loss? Study Says It's Rare But Real

Medical experts caution that these practices fall outside approved prescribing guidelines and have not been rigorously studied.

The expert says, "One big worry is how accurate the dose is. These injectable pens are made to give set approved amounts; not amounts based on people counting clicks. Even a small mistake in counting can mean taking too little medicine which may not work well or too much, which could cause more problems. Since these instructions are complicated, they need careful handling good eyesight and understanding of the device."

Why Are People Trying It?

Fewer Side Effects

Lower Cost

These medications are expensive in various countries. So, people stretch a single prescription by taking less medication than prescribed.

Weight Maintenance

Rather than pursuing significant weight loss, some users say they simply want to maintain previous results or reduce constant food cravings without taking full doses.

Longevity Claims

Online influencers have begun promoting low-dose GLP-1s as potential "longevity drugs." While GLP-1 medications show promise for heart and metabolic health, experts stress that these benefits have only been demonstrated using clinically tested doses, not microdoses.

Also read: Novo Nordisk Sues Eli Lilly Over Weight-Loss Drug Ads: Should GLP-1 Users Be Concerned?

The Risks of Microdosing

Reduced Effectiveness

Taking too little medication may fail to adequately suppress appetite, improve blood sugar levels, or achieve meaningful weight loss.

Dr. Shaikh says, "People often choose microdosing because they want to avoid problems reduce appetite with a smaller dose or make a costly medicine last longer. While smaller amounts might help a bit, current information shows that the best and steadiest results come from following the approved ways to take the medicine. Using doses that are too low might not give the results to people who want to lose weight or manage their metabolic health."

Delayed Medical Treatment Or Risk Of Expiration

Experts also say that people with obesity or diabetes could unknowingly receive suboptimal treatment while believing they are protected. Another problem is how long the medicine lasts after it is opened.

Dr. Shaikh explains, "An opened semaglutide pen should be used within 60 days while an opened tirzepatide pen should be used within 30 days. Because microdosing uses the medicine over a longer time, people might keep using it past the time it is safe which could change how good it is."

Inaccurate Dosing

Also read: Could GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs Help People Take Fewer Sick Days? New Study Says So

Some users manually estimate doses by counting injection pen clicks. Experts warn these devices are designed to deliver specific calibrated doses, making partial dosing unreliable.

The expert says, "Some people think micro-dosing gives similar benefits with fewer problems or lower costs, but this practice has no scientific support and might have several dangers."