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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.
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.

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From being a macho dude, Bruce Willis’ personality has changed to becoming more ‘tender’ even as the 71-year-old action hero continues to battle dementia, according to his daughter Rumer.
“I’m so grateful I get to go see him,” Rumer, 37, said during a podcast interview. “Even though it’s different now, I’m so grateful.”
“There’s a sweetness. He’s always been this kind of macho dude, and there’s like a — fragile is not the right word, but — just a tenderness that maybe being Bruce Willis might not have allowed him in a certain way,” she added.
Bruce Willis is continuing into his third year living with the condition.
In March 2022, Bruce Willis, the media legend who dominated Hollywood in his prime, was diagnosed with dementia, and since then, his family has been sharing their struggle with his diagnosis and how slowly it has been taking a toll on his health.
The following year, his diagnosis was confirmed as frontotemporal dementia (FTD), which is a degenerative disease that slowly chips away at your motor skills, communication skills, etc. His wife, Emma Heming Willis, noted early signs were subtle changes in his speech, initially mistaken for a resurgence of his childhood stutter.
Rumer is the eldest daughter of Bruce and The Substance star Demi Moore, who were married from 1987 to 2000. The former couple also had Scout Willis, 34, and Tallulah, 32, together.
Although FTD is considered to be one of the rarest forms of dementia, Rumer said the disease is more “prevalent” than she realized.
“It’s wild to me. So many people come up to me now, and they say, ‘My uncle had FTD. My dad had this,” she said.
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Earlier this year, in March, a hoax news of Bruce Willis’ death circulated. However, his representatives confirmed that the news is fabricated and that the actor is alive.
"He joins the long list of celebrities who have been victimized by this hoax. He's still alive and well. Stop believing what you see on the Internet," his official representative stated.
Frontotemporal dementia is a less prevalent type of dementia that mainly occurs in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. It tends to affect behavior, personality, language, and movement more than memory, particularly in its initial stages.
In contrast to Alzheimer's, which generally strikes older individuals, FTD can hit at an earlier age—sometimes as young as 40. The symptoms can range from changes in personality, emotional flatness, or the inability to show empathy to impulsiveness, so it is especially hard for spouses and children to cope.
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The Mayo Clinic states that the symptoms of FTD vary depending on the most affected part of the brain. The progression is gradual but relentless.
Behavioral symptoms:
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Even as injectable aesthetic procedures are gaining popularity as "cosmetic" treatments in beauty clinics and wellness centers across the country, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has tightened rules around cosmetic use.
In a new public notice issued this week, the CDSCO stated that cosmetic products that come in injectable form do not fall under the definition of cosmetics under the law. It said that such products are not permitted for use by consumers, professionals, or aesthetic clinics.
"Cosmetic means any article intended to be rubbed, poured, sprinkled or sprayed on, or introduced into, or otherwise applied to, the human body," the notice said.
It added that cosmetics are for "cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance."
Thus, "products supplied in the form of injectable preparation do not fall under the definition of cosmetics. No cosmetic is permitted to be used as injection by consumer/professionals/aesthetic clinics," the notice added.
The new rules bar professionals and stakeholders from using or manufacturing any cosmetic product intended for injection or medical purposes.
The move also seeks to curb misleading advertising and unauthorised cosmetic practices by clinics and individuals.
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The regulator also warned against misleading claims and the use of prohibited ingredients in cosmetic products, saying such violations attract action under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and Cosmetics Rules, 2020.
"Use of prohibited ingredients in cosmetic products, misleading claims on label, use of cosmetics for treatment, and application of cosmetics through injection attracts violations of the said Act & Rules," the notice said.
The regulator stated that no person shall alter, obliterate, or deface any inscription made by the manufacturer on the container or label of the product intended for use as a cosmetic.

The notice added that the list of generally not recognised as safe (GNRAS) and restricted ingredients is published by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).
It has also encouraged the public and users to report any instance of misleading claims or violations through email and state licensing authorities.
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The move follows several incidents of sub-standard cosmetic products found to be sold in the market, ranging from Botox parties in upscale salons to glutathione “skin whitening” drips offered in local aesthetic clinics.
Social media trends, celebrity endorsements, and growing demand for “preventive anti-ageing” treatments among younger consumers have driven the market for injectable beauty products, especially Glutathione drips, as well as detoxifying therapies, in the country.
Medical experts have also been raising concerns over their long-term safety and efficacy. As per experts, unregulated injectable procedures carry risks ranging from allergic reactions and infections to liver and kidney complications in extreme cases.
The new norms, thus, are part of the government's plans to strengthen the regulatory mechanism for cosmetics.
The government is also reportedly planning to designate a Central Cosmetics Laboratory to test cosmetic samples and may also designate any laboratory under its control for testing, according to Mint.
In addition, manufacturers will have to keep details and records of each batch and raw materials. Records are to be maintained for three years after the expiry of each batch. Imported cosmetic products shall bear a code number as approved by the State Licensing Authority.
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Amid continuing heatwave conditions in northern India, prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures can trigger serious and potentially fatal medical emergencies, particularly among elderly individuals and cardiac patients, according to an expert.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of severe temperatures across several states.
"Heat wave to severe heat wave conditions likely to continue to prevail over northwest & central India during the week and over East India during the next 5 days," the IMD said, in its latest update on May 20.
It added that severe heat conditions will persist for at least the next 72 hours across Delhi-NCR, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Haryana. Temperatures in several cities are expected to touch 47°C to 48°C, with Banda currently emerging as the hottest place in the country.
Dr. Vaibhav Mishra, Senior Director & Head, CTVS, Max Super Speciality Hospital, told HealthandMe that heat-related illnesses are not limited to discomfort or dehydration alone, and can rapidly worsen if early warning signs are ignored.
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There are two major heat-related illnesses that people must understand so that timely precautions can be taken — heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
"Heat exhaustion is a milder and more common condition and typically occurs after prolonged exposure to high temperatures or intense physical activity in the outdoors," Dr. Vaibhav said.
Excessive sweating leads to significant loss of water and salts from the body, resulting in:
"However, if heat exposure continues and the body’s cooling mechanisms begin to fail, the condition can progress to heat stroke, which is a medical emergency. In heat stroke, body temperature often rises above 104°F," Dr Vaibhav told HealthandMe.
What may initially appear as confusion, disorientation, or irrelevant talking can rapidly worsen into:
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Dr Vaibhav said that to cool the body during extreme heat, the heart has to work harder and beat faster so that more blood can be directed towards the skin for heat dissipation.
"This places additional stress on an already weakened heart. Many cardiac patients are also on medications such as diuretics, which increase fluid loss and dehydration. Certain blood pressure medicines may blunt the body’s normal response to heat and delay warning symptoms," the expert told HealthandMe.
Dehydration further thickens the blood and, combined with increased cardiac workload, can significantly raise the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and dangerous rhythm disturbances.
Dr. Vaibhav stressed the critical need for early recognition of symptoms, especially in vulnerable individuals such as elderly people and cardiac patients, who are much more susceptible to heat-related complications.
Simple preventive measures can save lives. These include
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