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.

A GP has raised concern about a key sign that may show you have Covid rather than a cold or flu. Winter illnesses often look alike, which makes it hard to tell them apart, and getting the right diagnosis is important for proper care. Dr Rupa Parmar, GP and medical director at Midland Health, explained that there are certain clues that can help people understand what they are dealing with. She advised that anyone unsure should check with their doctor, as it is safer to ask than ignore a concern.

Why Breathlessness Matters

Dr Parmar noted that shortness of breath stands out as a sign of Covid. It rarely appears in a cold or flu, but it is common with Covid because the infection tends to affect the lungs and cause inflammation. The NHS also lists breathlessness as a sign linked more strongly with Covid than with flu or a cold. This symptom is also seen in conditions such as respiratory syncytial virus. In some cases, people with the flu who do not recover and worsen may develop breathing trouble if they develop complications such as pneumonia.

How Cough Patterns Differ

She added that coughs appear in all three infections, but they do not sound the same. A cold usually causes a light cough, flu tends to bring a dry one, and Covid usually causes a dry, ongoing cough. Many people with Covid cough for more than an hour or have several episodes of coughing through the day.

Loss Of Taste Or Smell As A Warning Sign

Another clue is a change in taste or smell. Dr Parmar said this sign is more specific to Covid. A sudden loss of taste or smell, or even a noticeable change, is more likely linked to the coronavirus. She explained that the pattern of symptoms often helps point to the right illness. A mild cough and sore throat usually fit a cold, a fever and strong fatigue suggest flu, and a loss of smell or taste with a steady cough point to Covid.

How Symptoms Begin And Progress

She also noted that the start of symptoms can differ. A cold tends to appear slowly, flu symptoms usually show up quickly within a few hours, and Covid can begin with mild signs that grow stronger over time. A cold mainly affects the nose and throat, while flu and Covid can cause symptoms across the body.

What To Do If You Have Covid Symptoms

Even though there are no formal self-isolation rules anymore, the NHS advises people to stay home and limit contact with others if they or their children have symptoms and either have a high temperature or feel too unwell to manage daily activities at work, school, or home. The NHS states that people can return to their usual routine once they feel well again or no longer have a high temperature.

As winter settles in, many people sense a shift in their mood. Shorter days and colder weather often leave us feeling a little dull. In some cases, this may be linked to seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Yet there may also be another explanation.

A doctor has cautioned that a very common deficiency could be the reason you have been feeling unusually low. He noted that this problem affects well over a billion people around the world.

Iron Deficiency Might Be The Reason Behind Your Low Mood

In a TikTok video, Doctor Sermed Mezher raised concern about iron deficiency. Iron is a mineral the body relies on to move oxygen through the blood and support several important processes. Dr Mezher explained as per Express, “Low iron is the most common nutritional deficiency in the world, affecting more than one billion people.” He also described how it can influence dopamine, often referred to as the “feel-good” chemical.

He added, “And its effects on dopamine go way deeper than just oxygen transport. Dopamine is made from an amino acid called tyrosine over a couple of steps, and the enzyme involved in the first step needs iron to work properly. It is no surprise, then, that in iron deficiency, studies show problems in dopamine pathways that play a part in happiness, reward, self control and social behaviour.”

The positive news is that this can usually be managed. Dr Mezher said, “Once your iron levels are restored, these pathways return to their normal state, and you can help this process by taking iron with vitamin C and staying away from caffeinated drinks for two hours before and after.”

Symptoms Of Iron Deficiency

The NHS lists several signs of iron deficiency anaemia, including:

• Tiredness and low energy
• Shortness of breath
• Heart palpitations
• Paler skin
• Headaches

If you think you may be low in iron, you should talk to your GP. A simple blood test can confirm it.

How To Boost Iron Levels?

Iron levels can be raised through the foods you eat. These options are naturally rich in iron:

• Dark-green vegetables such as watercress and curly kale
• Iron-fortified cereals and bread
• Meat
• Dried fruits like apricots, prunes and raisins
• Pulses including beans, peas and lentils

The NHS also suggests cutting back on:

• Tea
• Coffee
• Milk and dairy products
• Foods high in phytic acid, like wholegrain cereals, which can prevent your body from absorbing iron from meals and supplements

The NHS notes, “Large amounts of these foods and drinks make it harder for your body to absorb iron. You might be referred to a specialist dietitian if you're finding it hard to include iron in your diet.”

How Much Iron Does One Need?

The daily iron requirement is:

• 8.7mg for men aged 19 and above
• 14.8mg for women aged 19 to 49
• 8.7mg for women aged 50 and above

The NHS adds, “Taking 17mg or less a day of iron supplements is unlikely to cause any harm. But continue taking a higher dose if advised to by a GP.”

From celebrities trying to slim down for a red-carpet event to people using medication to manage diabetes or obesity, GLP-1 drugs have become a widely used choice for weight control. They are often described as near-perfect solutions, yet they can bring unexpected effects. In 2025, many users began noticing reactions that had not been mentioned before, especially among those taking Ozempic. If you rely on Ozempic for weight management or overall health, it helps to know the unusual side effects people spoke about during the year.

What are GLP-1 Drugs?

GLP-1 drugs, also known as GLP-1 agonists, were first developed for diabetes care. They work much like the body’s own GLP-1 hormone, which is released after meals to prompt insulin production. Those living with diabetes often do not make enough insulin to keep blood sugar steady. A GLP-1 medication boosts insulin release so blood sugar stays more stable. These drugs often support weight reduction as well.

For many people with diabetes, weight control plays an important role in managing the condition. GLP-1 drugs reduce hunger and help the stomach empty more slowly, creating a longer sense of fullness. This can lead to marked weight loss in people with or without diabetes.

Ozempic: What Is It And How Does It Work?

Ozempic is a prescribed treatment mainly used for adults with type 2 diabetes. The active substance is semaglutide, given once a week through an injection. It is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist that acts like a natural hormone in the body. It increases insulin when blood sugar rises, lowers glucagon levels, and slows the movement of food through the stomach, which in turn reduces appetite.

5 Unusual Side Effects Of Ozempic People Reported In 2025

Beyond the familiar effects such as nausea, constipation, and stomach discomfort, some users shared experiences that felt different from the typical list. Below are the unusual reactions connected with Ozempic that gained attention in 2025.

Ozempic Vulva

“Ozempic vulva” is a phrase women have used to describe changes in the vulva, including loss of volume, sagging, or dryness, especially after major weight loss linked to Ozempic or similar medicines. These changes are not a medical diagnosis. They seem to come from rapid fat loss, reduced muscle mass, shifts in hormones, or dehydration, rather than the drug itself, according to Healthline. Reported changes include a less plump appearance in the labia majora, dryness, and a looser texture.

Ozempic Poop

Medical News Today notes that Ozempic often triggers what is known as a “stool reflex”, in which the gut tries to clear space once food reaches the intestine. In some people, this reflex becomes unusually strong, leading to diarrhea. Many users have discussed this on Reddit. One person created a widely shared thread asking, with complete honesty, for tips on avoiding accidents while sleeping. They explained they had struggled with this for months and called it their most frustrating symptom. Another user, after three doses, said that “sh*tt*ng the bed” was the one thing they were dreading.

The good news is that most people do not face such long-lasting trouble. Studies from 2022 show that diarrhea linked with Ozempic usually lasts around three days when starting the drug. For most users, it settles within about four weeks as the body adapts.

Ozempic Breasts

“Ozempic breasts” is an informal expression used for changes in breast size or shape that appear after rapid weight loss while on Ozempic. Breasts contain a large amount of fatty tissue, so when someone loses weight quickly, they may notice less fullness, sagging, or a flatter look. Although this is not a recognised medical term, it has become a common concern among those using the medication, according to Healthline.

Ozempic Butt

“Ozempic butt” refers to loose or sagging skin that may show up after dramatic and fast weight loss while using these drugs. This can cause a softer or deflated look in areas where people naturally hold more weight. It is important to remember that this effect comes from rapid weight loss and not from the medication acting directly on the body.

Ozempic Feet

“Ozempic feet” is a name people have given to changes in the feet linked with sudden weight loss from drugs like Ozempic. These include loose skin, reduced fat padding, more visible veins, and extra pain while walking. These shifts can make the feet more sensitive and increase the chance of developing corns and calluses, since there is less cushioning. Other possible concerns include tingling, numbness, or swelling, as noted by Healthline.

If you notice any of these changes, remember that they often appear during periods of fast weight loss. Still, it is best to speak with your healthcare professional if anything becomes difficult to manage or feels out of the ordinary.