Carnivore Wasn't Enough: How I Tanked!
In a Nutshell
The speaker achieved deep therapeutic ketosis (2-3.0 ketones, GKI ~1.0) on a carnivore diet by eating one meal daily, lowering fat intake, and exercising, reporting euphoric mood, energy, and cognition. Public speaking triggered a cortisol-driven ketone crash to near zero that took nearly a week to recover from. Chronic stress emerged as the main barrier to sustained ketosis and healing, outweighing diet adherence alone.
These notes were generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies.
The speaker wore a continuous ketone monitor for 14 days and discovered significant ketone fluctuations despite following a carnivore diet. They had the device for approximately one year but initially dismissed its value, assuming their ketones would remain stable on a carnivore diet. The 14-day tracking revealed important lessons about ketosis that extended beyond basic carnivore eating.
Carnivore is not a binary state of being either on or off the diet. There exists a range of approaches within carnivore eating, particularly regarding the fat-to-protein ratio. Individuals can adjust fat intake up or down while correspondingly adjusting protein levels. Additional variables include timing of meals and factors beyond food consumption that influence results.
Over three and a half years on carnivore, the speaker has tested multiple variations including the lion diet (ruminant meat, salt, and water only), beef butter bacon eggs, bee lion (lion diet with added butter), two meals per day, three meals per day, one meal per day, and alternate day fasting.
Approximately one month prior to the video, the speaker began experimenting with one meal a day combined with daily gym visits. They also intentionally lowered fat intake, which represented a departure from their previous approach of maximizing fat consumption. The motivation for lowering fat stemmed from gradual weight gain, specifically abdominal fat attributed to overeating bacon despite not feeling hungry.
The speaker noted that weight gain remains possible on carnivore when consuming excess calories, even from approved foods. The combination of lower fat intake, one meal a day, and regular exercise produced an exceptionally positive state with improved mood, energy, cognitive function, and an overall euphoric feeling.
The speaker referenced hearing multiple doctors in their documentary discuss deep therapeutic ketosis for serious health conditions. Professor Thomas Seyfried recommends metabolic therapies including deep therapeutic ketosis for cancer treatment, involving tracking ketones, glucose, and calculating a GKI (glucose-ketone index) number. Similar recommendations exist for seizure management and major mental health disorders including depression and schizophrenia.
Using a Keto Mojo device, the speaker tested their ketones and glucose after experiencing the euphoric state. Initial results showed ketones at 3.0, glucose around 80-90, and a GKI number around 1.0, which the device indicated represented deep therapeutic ketosis. After approximately one week of tracking, the speaker reported being able to recognize their ketone levels by physical sensation alone, estimating they were consistently at or above 3.0 ketones with a GKI around 1.0.
The continuous ketone monitor showed consistent readings around 2.0 to 3.0 throughout most of the 14-day period, with minor daily fluctuations related to waking, eating, and exercise. The speaker reported feeling better than at any previous point during their carnivore journey, despite already feeling significantly improved compared to their pre-carnivore state.
The speaker addressed skepticism about pursuing deep therapeutic ketosis without having cancer or major mental health disorders, explaining that if the state benefits those with serious conditions, it may offer advantages for others as well. They emphasized they are not a doctor and are not prescribing this approach for anyone else.
A sudden and dramatic drop in ketones occurred during the speaker's presentation at Meat Stock in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, where they spoke in front of over 1,200 people. Ketones dropped from the consistent 2.0-3.0 range to near zero. The speaker confirmed they did not consume any carbohydrates or cheat on their carnivore diet during this period.
The drop coincided precisely with the adrenaline response from public speaking. While the speaker reported not experiencing pre-event anxiety as they would have before carnivore, the physiological stress response during the presentation was evident on the continuous ketone monitor.
The speaker observed that many people report following strict carnivore protocols identical to their own yet fail to experience comparable healing. Through further investigation, the speaker identified chronic stress as a common factor in these cases. Sources of stress mentioned include job-related stress, relationship difficulties, financial concerns, and general life pressures.
When stressed, the body releases cortisol which converts to glucose and kicks the individual out of ketosis. The speaker concluded that most healing occurs through deep therapeutic ketosis, and chronic stress prevents sustained ketosis, thereby halting the healing process entirely rather than merely reducing it.
Following the Meat Stock presentation, the speaker's ketones did not immediately return to the 2.0-3.0 range. Recovery took nearly one week of consistent tracking before returning to previous deep ketosis levels. The speaker noted they were traveling during this period, which may have contributed to the extended recovery time.
The speaker recommends the continuous ketone monitor and will provide a link in the video description, noting availability varies by location and the device may not be approved in the United States. They also recommend the Keto Mojo device for spot testing of ketones and glucose, with a link provided in the description.
The speaker invites viewers to share their experiences with ketone tracking and whether it has influenced their healing journey.
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