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Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose any conditions. LifeDNA does not provide diagnostic services for any conditions mentioned in this or any other article.
Among the various diet plans out there, the carnivore diet stands out for its strict focus on animal products. But is it right for you, and could your genetic make-up play a role? While this meat-only diet may work for some, others may not experience the same results. One possible explanation for this is genetics. While the carnivore diet is popular for its potential weight loss and health benefits, how your body responds might depend on genetic factors like those affecting your fat metabolism and nutrient absorption.
Understanding how your genetics can influence your body’s response to the carnivore diet is important because anything that we consume regularly can greatly impact  the overall health in the long run. When you know how your body processes protein, fat, and other essential nutrients, you can make better choices about what you should eat. For some people, the carnivore diet can improve things like weight, energy, and blood sugar, but for others, it might not bring the same benefits. By understanding your genetic makeup, you can align your diet with your body’s needs, helping you feel your best and avoid potential health problems.
The carnivore diet focuses only on animal-based foods, completely cutting out plants. People on this diet mainly eat meat, fish, eggs, and dairy. It is high in protein and fat, which makes it popular for those looking to lose weight through a ketogenic effect, or to control their blood sugar. However, not everyone has the same experience on this diet. Genetic differences may affect how our bodies process certain nutrients, meaning it might work well for some but not for others.
The Carnivore Connection theory by Brand-Miller and Colaguir explains how our genetics may affect our body’s response to the carnivore diet, especially concerning the type 2 diabetes. During the Ice Ages, early humans ate mostly animal-based, low-carb foods, and theydeveloped insulin resistance as a critical survival mechanism. This condition helped conserve glucose for important functions like pregnancy, where the body needs extra energy for fetal growth.
The Carnivore Connection theory suggests that the lack of carbohydrates, rather than food scarcity, was key to developing insulin resistance. As humans began farming and eating more carbohydrates, insulin resistance became even more common, and the body adapted to handle the higher intake. This might explain why some populations, like those in Asia, are more likely to have increased insulin resistance due to a sudden increase in dietary carbohydrates, while Europeans, who have been farming longer, are less likely to have harmful levels of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetesÂ
The same research also shows that certain genes, such as PC-1, CAPN10, and ACAD10, play a role in how we process sugar and fat. More studies are needed, but it is clear that the types and amounts of protein and carbohydrates we eat are important for managing obesity and type 2 diabetes.Â
There are other ways our genes can influence how our body responds to the carnivore diet, affecting various functions:
Your genetics also influence how your body deals with fats and cholesterol, especially if you’re on a high-fat diet like the carnivore diet. Genes like APOE and LDLR help your body process fats and cholesterol. Some people may have a genetic tendency to have higher cholesterol levels on a high-fat diet, which can increase the risk of heart disease. On the other hand, others may process fats more efficiently and handle a high-fat diet better. Knowing your genetic makeup can help you decide if a high-fat diet is right and safe for you.
The carnivore diet includes some dairy, but not everyone can digest dairy well. The LCT gene helps the body produce lactase, an enzyme that breaks down lactose, a sugar in dairy. If you have a genetic variation that makes you lactose intolerant, eating dairy could cause stomach issues like bloating or diarrhea. In this case, you might need to avoid dairy or choose lactose-free options. Genetic analysis and lactose tolerance testing can help identify if you’re likely to have trouble with dairy, so you can adjust your diet accordingly.
Genetics also play a role in how your body responds to inflammation, which is the body’s natural reaction to injury or irritation. The carnivore diet, being high in protein and fat, could cause increased inflammation. Certain genes, like IL6 and TNF, are involved in controlling inflammation and how your immune system responds. Some people might experience increased inflammation when eating lots of animal-based foods, while others may experince reduced inflammation due to this diet. Knowing your genetic profile can help you understand whether this diet might worsen or help with the inflammatory response in your body.
The carnivore diet is very low in fiber because it excludes plant-based foods, which are the main sources of beneficial fiber. Fiber helps with digestion and keeps your gut healthy, but some people’s bodies handle low fiber better than others. The FUT2 gene can affect how your gut processes fiber and carbohydrates. Some people are more suited to a low-fiber diet, while others may experience digestive issues like constipation. If your genetics suggests that you need more fiber, you may need to add fiber supplements or adjust the diet to help regulate gut health.
Your genes also affect how well your body absorbs essential nutrients like vitamin B12 and folate, which are found in animal products. The MTHFR gene plays a role in the absorption of these nutrients. The carnivore diet provides a lot of protein and fat-soluble vitamins but can lead to deficiencies in nutrients commonly found in plant foods, such as vitamin C, magnesium, and potassium. If you have certain genetic variants, these deficiencies might be harder to address. It’s important to monitor your nutrient intake and consider supplements if necessary to make sure you’re getting all the essential vitamins and minerals your body needs.
Understanding how your genetics impact different aspects of the carnivore diet can help you decide if it’s the right choice for your health and if adjustments need to be made to fit your specific needs.
The carnivore diet, which focuses on eating only animal foods, may work well for some people but not for everyone. Your genetic variants play a big role in how your body processes fats, proteins, and other nutrients. That’s why it’s important to consider your genetic makeup before starting the carnivore diet.
Genetic testing may help you to understand how your body might react to this type of diet and whether it’s a good fit for you. Before making any big changes to your diet, it’s a good idea to talk to a healthcare professional and consider getting genetic testing. This way, you can make smart choices that support your health and overall well-being.
Even if you adjust the carnivore diet to fit your needs, it is still important to keep an eye on your health. You should have your lipid profile, blood sugar, gut health, and inflammation levels checked to make sure the diet is not causing any harm.
If you have certain health risks, like a higher chance of heart disease or digestive problems, regular check-ups are even more important. Monitoring your health helps you make changes to your diet if needed, so you can stay healthy in the long run.
Genetic testing can give you important information about how your body will react to an extreme diet such as the carnivore diet. It can help you see if your genetic make-up would make it easier for you to process fat, absorb nutrients, maintain gut health, or deal with inflammation.
For example, testing can show if your body is good with a high-fat diet or if you need more fiber to keep your gut healthy. Understanding your genetic profile lets you adjust your personal diet to work best for your body, so you get the most benefits and avoid problems.
