A man was left with yellow ‘veins’ and nodules across his skin thanks to his diet, a new medical report has revealed. The man was left covered in yellow ridges and bumps on his hands, feet and elbows.
The man, in his 40s, went to see his doctor after the markings failed to heal or disappear after three weeks. It was diagnosed that the nodules were down to cholesterol caused by a diet high in meat and fat.
The man is reported to have been following a carnivore diet, eating 9 pounds of fatty food every day and adding fat to his burgers. His cholesterol level was 1,000 mg/dL, more than five times higher than the recommended healthy level.
His body was so overloaded with cholesterol it started to break through his skin. He was diagnosed with an extreme case of xanthelasma – yellow deposits of cholesterol under the skin. It most often shows up around the eyes, but can appear on other parts of the body.
Xanthelasma has been linked to diabetes and thyroid issues. The yellow despite in the skin can only be removed by surgery. That could include using lasers or ultra-cold liquid nitrogen. H igh cholesterol is linked toheart disease, stroke, and kidney disease.
It has also been linked to a higher risk of cancer and dementia. The case study was published in JAMA Cardiology.
Dieticians say there has been a notable surge in interest in the carnivore diet. Searches for “carnivore diet rules” have risen by more than 5,000% at the start of this year and searches for “pros and cons of carnivore diet” have increased by 3,700%. The carnivore diet is a restrictive diet, focusing on consuming only meat, fish and other animal products like eggs and certain dairy items, while completely excluding foods such as fruits, vegetables, legumes and nuts, aiming for minimal to zero carbohydrate intake.
This trend is driven by the controversial belief that ancient human populations primarily consumed meat and fish, and that today’s high-carb diets are responsible for the surge in chronic diseases. Lily Keeling, a Registered Nutritionist with Green Chef, said: “While the reported benefits of this diet – weight loss, improved mood and better blood sugar regulation – are appealing, there are currently no controlled studies which support claims that the carnivore diet can effectively address any health issues.
“It is true that some may experience short-term benefits like weight loss while following the carnivore diet, but the long-term effects of eliminating entire food groups, especially fruits and vegetables, can increase the risk of disease, digestive issues and other chronic conditions. The carnivore diet does drastically reduce your carbohydrate intake, but can lead to nutrient deficiencies, especially in essential vitamins and minerals like fibre, vitamin C and potassium found in plant-based foods. This is why I would always recommend incorporating balanced, low carb meals that include all food groups, instead of following a carnivore diet.”