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.

Blocked ears are one of the most common and irritating problems associated with air travel.

While the sensation usually resolves on its own shortly after landing, for 22-year-old Aida Burkins from California, it persisted and eventually led to a frightening diagnosis of rare head and neck cancer.

Blocked Ears Persisted After Flight

Burkins was travelling to Chicago in May 2025 when her ears became blocked. When she returned home, her ears still hadn’t popped.

She later developed unusual symptoms, including hearing loss and bleeding from her throat.

“I started bleeding into my throat, which would only come out of my nose if I was bent at the hip at about 90 degrees,” the 22-year-old told Newsweek. “My hearing got worse and worse. Then I started getting more tired and losing weight.”

Symptoms Were Initially Dismissed

When Burkins sought medical help, her condition was initially dismissed as “just altitude sickness.” After several months, her hearing had deteriorated significantly.

“Everything sounded so muffled, and I had a ringing that wouldn’t go away,” she said.

Burkins eventually saw an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist, who discovered a mass and noted that her adenoids — soft tissue in the throat, just behind the nose — were inflamed.

“The doctor told me he had never seen anything quite like what I had going on. He couldn’t be sure it was cancer, but he said it was very suspicious,” she told the outlet.

Diagnosed With Rare Head And Neck Cancer

In February 2026, after undergoing CT scans and two biopsies, Burkins learned that she had a widespread tumour affecting the cervical lymph nodes near the base of her skull.

She was diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma, a rare type of head and neck cancer that starts in the upper part of the throat behind the nose and near the base of the skull, according to the American Cancer Society.

“Hearing I have cancer, all I thought about was not being able to see my babies grow up or do the things they want to do in life. It was horrifying,” Burkins, who is a mother to a 1-year-old and 3-year-old.

Burkins has since undergone months of chemotherapy and radiation. She is now finishing her treatment and hopes to be cancer-free soon as her body is responding well to the treatments.

What Is Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma?

According to the Mayo Clinic, nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a cancer that starts as a growth of cells in the nasopharynx, the upper part of the throat located behind the nose.

The cancer is rare in the United States and occurs much more often in other parts of the world, particularly Southeast Asia.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma can be difficult to detect early because the nasopharynx is not easy to examine and there may be no symptoms initially.

Symptoms To Watch For

When symptoms do occur, they present non-classic signs which include:

• A lump in the neck caused by a swollen lymph node
• Nosebleeds
• Bloody saliva
• Double vision
• Ear infections
• Facial numbness
• Headaches
• Hearing loss
• Nasal stuffiness
• Ringing in the ears, known as tinnitus
• Sore throat

How Is It Treated?

Treatment for nasopharyngeal carcinoma usually involves radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of the two, depending on the cancer and the individual patient.

Perimenopause has become a regular conversation and its been high time that people are talking about it. You can see friends discussing it, social media coverage has increased and more importantly women are discussing this with their gynaecologists.

For decades, menopause was thought to be a single event - that is the day the periods stopped, but today we understand that the transition lasts for a few years. These changes can affect the quality of a woman’s life and hence I’m glad the conversation has gained more traction.

Perimenopause-Related Changes

Also read: Yoga Or Strength Training: What Can Help Manage Hot Flashes During Perimenopause?

First lets understand what perimenopause is. It literally means “around menopause” Its a transition phase where the ovaries gradually change the production of the hormones, mainly oestrogen and progesterone. It usually begins in the early 40’s but some women may experience it earlier.

One of the commonest signs of this is a change in the pattern of your menstrual cycle. Periods can be become longer or shorter, heavier or lighter. Basically the menstrual cycle becomes a bit unpredictable.

But periods aren’t the only sign. A woman may start experiencing disturbed sleep cycles. She may wake up randomly at 3am or feel exhausted despite getting 7-8 hours of sleep. Hot flushes and night sweats may also occur. Mood changes, irritability, anxiety and difficulty in concentration can also affect her quality of life.

Some women complain of being forgetful or more commonly used term "experience brain fog”. They forget names, lose train of though or struggle to multitask. There can also be a change in libido, vaginal dryness, discomfort during intercourse, headaches, join pain and alterations in skin and hair.

Besides this there could possibly a change in the body composition. A woman may notice increasing abdominal fat or find difficulty in maintaining her weight even though her lifestyle hasn’t changed.

Why The Current Focus On Wellness Is Important?

Also read: Explained: Why Some Women Start Experiencing Joint Pain As They Approach Menopause

The good part of this increase in awareness is that women are paying more attention to their health early rather than waiting of menopause. This transition phase provides a golden opportunity to reassess exercise, nutrition, sleep and preventative healthcare.

Strength training becomes even more valuable as it helps maintain muscle and bone mass.

Adequate protein, calcium and Vitamin D intake along with a balanced diet helps long term metabolic and bone health.

During this time, its important for a woman to even assess her cardiovascular health. Blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and weight don’t just become numbers on the chart anymore, they become important markers of future health during this time.

Not Every Symptom Should Be Blamed On Hormones

However every label shouldn’t be blamed on perimenopause. Thyroid disorders, anaemia, vitamin deficiencies, depression and few other medical conditions can produce similar symptoms.

Unusually heavy bleeding, bleeding between periods or after intercourse also warrants medical assessment rather than being dismissed as “just hormones”.

With the increasing accessibility of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy, more people are shedding pounds. But the transformation can come with its own caveats — sagging skin, hair loss and dental issues that may require further attention.

And if you thought women were the only ones taking the plunge, think again.

While women still account for the overwhelming majority of aesthetic treatments, demand among men in the US has risen in recent years, particularly among those who have undergone significant weight loss through GLP-1 therapies.

More US Men Seek Cosmetic Treatments

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, men underwent 1.7 million cosmetic procedures in 2024, including surgeries and minimally invasive treatments such as laser skin resurfacing and Botox injections. That was a 2.7% increase from the previous year.

Of the total, more than 98,000 were surgeries, with eyelid surgery, liposuction and tummy tucks among the most commonly performed procedures.

“I’ve seen probably a doubling in the number of male patients that I treat over the last one to two years,” Sean Alemi, a New York-based facial plastic surgeon, was quoted as saying to Reuters.

Also read: Lehengas, Diets & Now Mounjaro: The New Must-Have For Indian Brides?

Experts say demand will keep rising as more weight-loss drugs, including new pill versions, reach the market.

In the first quarter of 2026, nearly 70% of men who underwent surgical procedures had a history of GLP-1 use, Dr. Bob Basu, president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, said.

Younger men often seek procedures to remove loose skin and improve the appearance of an athletic physique, while older men are focused on signs of aging, particularly in the face and neck, doctors said.

Rapid Weight Loss May Affect Surgical Outcomes

Read More: GLP-1 Drugs Making You Lose Muscle Along With Fat? Scientists Discover Game Changing Weight-Loss Compound To Tackle It

The growing popularity of GLP-1 drugs has also created a new generation of body-contouring patients, along with new challenges for plastic surgeons, according to recent research by Duke University.

The research suggests that how much weight patients lose — and how quickly they lose it — could affect surgical results when tightening or removing excess skin after massive weight loss.

For the study, published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Duke researchers analyzed more than a decade of abdominal body-contouring procedures, such as tummy tucks, and found that patients who lost large amounts of weight quickly faced higher risks of surgical complications.

The more than 500 patients studied were grouped based on how they lost weight: through bariatric surgery alone, GLP-1 medications such as semaglutide and tirzepatide alone, or a combination of both.

The highest complication rates were seen among patients who combined surgery with GLP-1 drugs that reduce appetite. These patients not only lost the most weight overall — about 29% of their body weight, compared with 10% among GLP-1 users — but did so at the fastest rate.

A New Challenge for Plastic Surgeons

But those rapid changes may come with tradeoffs, said senior study author and professor of surgery Ash Patel, MBChB, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon at Duke Health.

“These are highly effective weight-loss tools, and they are changing the patient population we see in body contouring,” Patel said. “We’re operating on people whose bodies have undergone rapid, profound changes, and that affects healing.”