Carnivore Questions Answered Live with Rich & Lauren
In a Nutshell
Carnivore diet delivers sustained energy, mental clarity, and healing by eliminating inflammatory foods, with many experiencing complete resolution of chronic conditions that medications failed to address. The most effective approach involves strict adherence without compromise foods like diet soda or fruit, allowing natural transition to OMAD eating patterns and reduced cravings once gut bacteria shifts. Raw animal products including liver provide superior nutrition, while dry fasting accelerates healing at triple the rate of water fasting, and regenerative carnivore eating causes fewer animal deaths than plant-based diets.
These notes were generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies.
Kerry Mann joined Rich and Lauren for the live session at 7 p.m. UK time. The group referenced a previous recorded episode scheduled to go live the following Tuesday morning. Kerry expressed appreciation for the invitation.
Rich acknowledged Kerry's extensive work on the Healing Humanity documentary, including the UK premiere attended several months prior. Kerry has been traveling globally including throughout the US to promote the project.
Kerry explained that carnivore eating provides excess energy compared to previous brain fog and fatigue. This allows staying awake until 2 a.m. with sustained alertness. Reduced time needed for eating and sleeping creates additional available hours in each day.
After completing the documentary, Kerry identified a second major challenge: promotion and distribution. The film requires reaching audiences beyond completion of production. Kerry began a lion diet protocol 24 days into a planned 30-day trial at the time of recording.
Kerry reported feeling even better on lion diet than on standard carnivore (beef, butter, bacon, eggs). The simplified approach of eating only ground beef/mince for approximately 10 consecutive days proved surprisingly enjoyable despite initial perceptions of boredom. Lauren confirmed noticing incremental improvements at each dietary step from low-carb keto through carnivore to lion diet.
Kerry and the hosts discussed recommending incremental dietary changes rather than abrupt transitions from standard American diet directly to carnivore. Kerry spent years on ketogenic diet before discovering carnivore and believes the gradual approach prevented potential failure from an overly extreme shift.
Lauren transitioned from near-vegan eating (with salmon and chicken prepared per nutritionist guidance removing all fat and skin) directly into carnivore. This shift occurred from a state of desperation as a last hope for healing after previous protocols worsened symptoms.
Rich described testing clients repeatedly for food intolerances before recommending carnivore. Removing identified intolerant foods often produces significant improvement, serving as an intermediate step before considering carnivore for those not initially ready.
Kerry's primary objective is reaching millions of viewers through major distribution platforms, with Netflix identified as the ideal target. The team is working with Jeff, a film industry veteran with 30 years experience who has placed four previous films on Netflix.
Seventeen theatrical screenings sold out in multiple cities, providing concrete data demonstrating audience demand. This represents unusual performance for documentary films.
The original plan involved streaming the film from home starting October 23rd for 30 days, then presenting accumulated data to Netflix. Jeff recommended accelerating this timeline based on positive trajectory indicators.
Pre-orders at healinghumanity.movie directly contribute to the numbers being presented to Netflix. The $10 pre-order grants permanent ownership with access beginning October 23rd.
The website features a trailer available for sharing across platforms including Facebook to expand reach beyond existing YouTube audiences.
Comments during the live session included a viewer celebrating 600 days on carnivore.
Kerry acknowledged Netflix's typical content preferences may not align with the documentary's message. However, unexpected titles like MeatEater have appeared on the platform.
Beyond Netflix, the team is pursuing traditional theatrical distribution. Recent precedent exists with three YouTubers achieving wide theatrical releases after demonstrating ability to fill seats.
Theaters increasingly accept independent films from YouTubers and independent filmmakers who can prove audience draw, bypassing traditional Hollywood gatekeepers.
Theatrical screenings enable easier conversion of skeptics through direct invitation compared to suggesting Netflix viewing. The 17 test screenings demonstrated friends and family attending who had no prior exposure to the message.
Lauren was filmed approximately halfway through production after initial interviews and live Q&As with Kerry. The process moved rapidly from October/November contact to December filming in the UK.
Lauren described feeling isolated early in the carnivore journey, knowing only Kerry initially before additional connections formed. Family remained unaware of documentary participation until Rich informed them.
Kerry noted the three-year production timeline drew criticism for length, though several subjects required one-year follow-up filming intervals.
Two blind test screenings were conducted with audiences bribed $15 via newspaper advertisements. Most attendees expected vegan content. Scientific methodology included rating scales and structured questions matching Hollywood screening protocols.
Test screening participants stayed 2.5 hours post-film for Q&A despite having no obligation. The consistent message was recognition that many family members needed the information presented.
Kerry reported grocery store encounters with strangers whose carts contained only carnivore-compatible items. The ripple effect of personal healing driving word-of-mouth appears stronger than other dietary movements.
Lauren described a restaurant encounter where a neighboring patron recognized her carnivore order and initiated conversation about the diet, recommending YouTube channels including Dr. Anthony Chaffee and Dr. Shawn Baker without knowing her own carnivore involvement or connections.
Rich shares a story about his mom and stepdad who have been carnivore for three years. They travel around the United States in an RV and encountered a man who also follows the carnivore diet. The man was already subscribed to Rich's YouTube channel. Rich notes that people recognize him at carnivore meetups and events, but in his small town, most people don't know what he's doing. He was recognized once in Madison, Wisconsin at a steak restaurant about a year or two ago. Rich jokes about his wife's reaction to the recognition, pretending to be exhausted from the attention.
Rich addresses comments about carnivore being cruel, explaining that a strict carnivore lifestyle causes one animal death per year. A vegan lifestyle causes at least 21 animal deaths each year, not counting deaths from glyphosate and herbicides. He references an EPA report stating that 67 million birds die every year from pesticide poisoning on plants. Rich notes that harvesting crops kills wildlife including mice, rats, and snakes caught in machinery. Herbicides and pesticides kill microbes in the ground, leading to insect die-offs and subsequent bird deaths, destroying entire ecosystems.
"If you want to cause death to animals, become a vegan because that's going to certainly do that."
Rich states that regenerative farming is best for the environment, health, and animals. He argues that carnivore is the most compassionate way of eating if people care about themselves, animals, and the environment. Lauren was previously involved in farming. Rich emphasizes that one cow provides hundreds of meals for a family, and regeneratively farmed cows naturally graze on green fields, benefiting the environment and having long, happy lives. The 67 million birds that die from pesticide poisoning experience a slow, horrible death, which doesn't count other animals like squirrels, bunnies, and deer.
"I do not think there is a more compassionate way of eating than eating carnivore diet."
Rich discusses how fasting is divisive among carnivores. Lauren explains that people find carnivore extreme enough, and adding fasting seems to push it too far. Fasting is another tool for healing beyond just what people put in their mouths. It involves timing of eating, what people put on their skin, and getting feet in grass—all aspects of natural living that promote healing.
Lauren describes her transition from eating multiple meals daily and having cereal before bed, to naturally fasting because she's not hungry. She now follows OMAD (one meal a day), eating around 8-9 PM after working and caring for children. She advises people to eat when hungry and not eat when not hungry, especially during the beginning of carnivore when navigating different opinions online.
Rich references Dr. David Sinclair, who notes that people who eat least frequently live the longest across all studies. This aligns with carnivore eating patterns where people naturally eat less frequently, similar to ancestral patterns of waiting until hungry rather than grazing throughout the day.
Rich notes that prolonged fasting may be problematic in certain situations, particularly for women doing OMAD who cannot consume enough nutrients in one meal, leading to hair loss from nutrient deficiency. Lauren has done eight days of dry fasting with no food or water, which Rich finds remarkable. He has done three days. The healing benefits are exponential, but prolonged fasting without understanding mechanisms can be problematic. Rich's school community runs dry fasting challenges with proper education. Fasting is powerful and free, which is why it's been suppressed on social media. When sick, the body knows not to eat, entering autophagy for healing and repair.
Kerry takes keto electrolytes occasionally, especially before big workouts or projects. She received a container from Rich while in the UK. Her daughter Emma takes electrolytes in water every morning. Rich explains that in early stages, insulin drops and releases electrolytes in urine, causing keto flu. Over time, many carnivores overcome the need for electrolytes. However, most people tested are deficient in one electrolyte or another, with standard ranges being inadequate. Electrolytes come from organ meats, connective tissue, and bone knuckles containing glycine. Ancestrally, people drank blood for electrolytes. Modern cattle are deficient because soil lacks electrolytes, and water no longer contains minerals due to purification and treatment processes.
Rich states that the most effective way to combat leptin resistance is reducing excess body fat through ketogenic or carnivore lifestyles, which tap into stored body fat. This goes beyond caloric value. Improving insulin sensitivity happens almost immediately on low-carb, ketogenic, or carnivore diets, with insulin dropping overnight. This leads to rapid improvements in insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Prioritizing protein and improving sleep also help. High fat is necessary.
Rich was a major carb addict. Successful people who find carnivore easy do it strictly without treating it like weight watchers or counting calories. Those who struggle continue having cravings by allowing diet soda, fruit, or birthday cake. This changes gut bacteria and reinforces addiction.
Addiction pathways are activated when consuming sugar, carbs, or other addictive foods, making it a constant struggle. The key to overcoming addiction is complete abstinence, similar to quitting alcohol. The belief that one can reward themselves with a diet soda, fruit, or birthday cake after a good week will reactivate the addiction. Once someone successfully abstains, cravings diminish significantly and the addiction can be overcome completely. A cupcake or any other tempting food can be placed in front of someone without triggering any desire once the addiction is broken.
When starting the carnivore diet, it's essential to stay full and satiated because cravings often occur when not eating enough fat or consuming too lean. Bacon serves as an effective go-to food for managing early cravings. The initial period is difficult, but it becomes much easier after getting over the initial hump.
Lauren experienced a significant transformation after starting carnivore. At a birthday celebration surrounded by chocolates and cake, she genuinely had no desire for any of it, which she previously would have found impossible. Before carnivore, she was a major carb addict who consumed a family bar of chocolate and tub of Ben & Jerry's ice cream every single night, often eating until physically sick and continuing to eat more. She would hide wrappers in bins to conceal the extent of her consumption.
After reaching a certain point on carnivore, her gut bacteria changed and her cravings completely transformed. She describes being in a healthy state where her mind works as it should. For Lauren, carnivore was not a choice but a necessity due to severe illness, which helped her stay on track since she knew any deviation would be detrimental.
Regarding raw animal products, including raw egg yolks in coffee, Kerry has progressively moved toward eating meat more rare to almost blue rare to raw over three and a half years on carnivore, finding that their body feels better eating this way. Cooking meat can render out fat, leaving only protein without adequate fat. The main caution is sourcing meat carefully, especially from grocery stores when consuming it super raw.
Lauren tried whisking an egg yolk into coffee as a substitute for cream after coming off dairy, finding it delicious and frothy. Both Lauren and Rich have eaten raw ground beef when necessary, finding it surprisingly palatable despite initial psychological resistance. Lauren notes that she cannot eat as much raw meat as cooked meat and feels fuller quicker, suggesting the body may extract more nutrients from smaller amounts of raw meat.
Lauren prefers liver raw because cooked liver tastes rubbery and chewy. After eating raw meat, she feels light without the digestive energy expenditure she experiences with cooked meat. While convinced that humans ancestrally ate raw meat and that this may be optimal, she still enjoys cooked meat, particularly black and blue steak seared on the outside.
Research from the FDA sampling thousands of beef, pork, and chicken samples found zero parasites in beef and chicken when checking for toxoplasma gondii. However, five percent of pork samples tested positive for toxoplasma gondii, making pork more important to cook than beef or chicken. Chicken is not recommended to eat raw despite the research findings.
A one-day dry fast is equivalent to a three-day wet fast in terms of healing achieved. Lauren has completed multiple dry fasts including three-day, seven-day, and eight-day durations. The three-day dry fast achieved healing equivalent to what would take nine days of wet fasting.
Coming into a dry fast from a ketogenic state provides a two-day advantage since the body is already in ketosis and autophagy. Benefits of dry fasting are extensive, with the body bringing up symptoms in areas needing healing. During one fast, Lauren experienced appendix region pain where she previously had appendicitis, followed by shoulder pain in an arthritic area.
Days four to five mark when healing of organs and damaged body areas begins. Contrary to common belief, dehydration does not occur during dry fasting. The body produces its own water, and Lauren documented producing urine even on day six and seven of dry fasting. Google search results claiming death by day three without water are contradicted by actual experience.
Wet fasting still involves consuming water, which keeps the digestive system somewhat active and maintains hunger signals. During a five-day wet fast attempt, Lauren experienced severe dizziness, difficulty walking, and nausea by day three due to lack of electrolytes. Dry fasting eliminates these issues because the body balances electrolytes without external input, and the digestive system completely shuts down.
Dry fasting eliminates hunger and thirst sensations after an initial period where the mouth may feel slightly dry. Participants in school group challenges have consistently found dry fasting exponentially easier than wet fasting. Proper preparation and knowing how to break a fast correctly are essential. Lauren started with 24-hour dry fasts, progressed to 48 hours, then 72 hours, learning and adjusting the breaking process each time.
During a Cypriot barbecue, halloumi was mentioned as a food that hooked one participant. However, cheese was the last food consumed before starting the Lion Diet. UK cheese is considered superior to US cheese, with proper aging making a significant difference despite living in Wisconsin, the dairy state.
Dairy is recognized as addictive due to natural sugars, making it better to avoid completely rather than consuming small amounts that lead to overeating.
No conventional medicine was used for thyroid healing. The approach involved low carb, keto, and carnivore eating to allow natural body healing and repair. Improvements from lifetime damage take considerable time, and while not claiming complete repair of all thyroid issues, significant improvements have been observed through this lifestyle.
Carnivore and ketogenic lifestyles are very low in inflammation. Ketone production, specifically beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), blocks the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway and improves insulin sensitivity, providing the body with everything needed for healing and repair regardless of specific conditions suffered.
Rich states he has never seen clients who are so injured from psych medications that they cannot transition to carnivore. His experience shows at minimum a big improvement and often complete resolution when people become low carb, keto, and carnivore. He references a study on people suffering with severe psychosis who were put on a ketogenic lifestyle that was not even that strict. The study showed 100% improvement across all participants. Rich estimates 70-80% complete resolution rates among patients, noting no drug on the market can claim that percentage. He believes this is humanity's ancestral way of living.
Kerry shares that the biggest change for her was mental health improvements, and she still keeps a bucket of her previous medications for anxiety and depression. She had been led to believe there was something wrong with her brain and that she had a chemical imbalance requiring medication, but found this wasn't the case. She has witnessed people overcome severe mental health issues including psychosis through diet alone after trying all medications. She recommends Dr. Georgia Ede's book "Change Your Diet, Change Your Mind."
Lauren confirms they buy liver from the butcher and eat it completely raw without any preparation. They have not experienced any bacterial issues despite concerns from others. She finds liver tastes much nicer raw than cooked, as cooking makes it rubbery and chewy and completely alters the taste. She is convinced raw consumption provides many times the nutrients compared to cooked liver.
Rich mentions in their school group that many people want to eat organs but cannot tolerate the taste. The recommendation is to freeze liver, cut into tiny pieces, and swallow them like pills without chewing. This preserves the raw nutrients while avoiding the taste. He calls liver nature's multivitamin.
A community member reports carnivore has really helped their bipolar 1 condition, though they still need to take lithium after 30 years, believing they are probably dependent. Rich acknowledges they are not claiming miracles but notes the lifestyle takes away many issues around illnesses.
A viewer asks if anyone has gone through surgery to fix a bicuspid valve while on carnivore diet, mentioning they will have surgery in a few days. Kerry has not encountered this specific surgery but shares they are planning a Healing Humanity series after the documentary. One episode will focus on healing from everything, including miraculous stories of healing from major surgeries where doctors were dumbfounded by recovery speed. Patients attribute the rapid healing to carnivore.
Kerry states that eliminating inflammation, improving sleep, and strengthening the immune system sets the body up for healing. For anyone going through major surgery, her greatest advice would be to dial in diet, absent fasting depending on circumstances, to get rid of inflammation.
Rich notes it is heartbreaking to see friends and family who are sick when they have the best solution but people revert back to medication. He clarifies he is not against medication, stating medication saved his life several times, but medication only treats symptoms while diet addresses root causes.
The website healinghumanity.movie features a pre-order button. For $9.99 today, viewers can own the film forever and watch it October 23rd or any time later. The pay it forward option allows sending the film to friends or family. The numbers from pre-orders help prove value and data when approaching Netflix, as Netflix only cares about numbers and data rather than healing stories.
Kerry's YouTube channel is Homestead How, and Rich appeared on it for a Tuesday 9 a.m. Central Standard Time episode. Lauren is featured in the documentary trailer.
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