A nutrition expert has sounded the alarm over a trendy diet after followers have started to notice alarming cholesterol deposits forming under their skin. These fatty lumps, particularly around the eyes and fingers, are cropping up in individuals on the carnivore diet due to excessive intake of saturated fats from meats and high quantities of butter.
Nutritionist and fitness coach Luke Hanna took his concerns to TikTok, sharing a study that reveals these worrying signs. In his viral video, watched by nearly 700,000 people, he warns: “Can we please talk about how unhinged it is that people on the carnivore diet are eating so much fat and cholesterol it is leading to a visible build-up of fatty deposits under the skin.”
The condition, known as xanthelasma, manifests as soft yellowish growths containing cholesterol that accumulate under the skin, often around the eyelids or on the fingers.
Luke’s video draws attention to research focusing on a man who followed the carnivore diet, consuming an astonishing three to four kilograms of cheese daily, multiple sticks of butter, and high-fat meats like burgers. This extreme diet, devoid of fruits, vegetables, or fibre, resulted in the man having shockingly high cholesterol levels of 1000mg/dL.
The U.S. Centre for Disease Control (CDC) suggests that a healthy individual’s cholesterol levels should hover around 200mg/dL, deeming anything above 240mg/dL as high and unhealthy. The CDC further explained: “Having high blood cholesterol can lead to a build-up called “plaque” on the walls of your arteries As plaque builds up over time, the insides of your arteries narrow.”
This narrowing can block blood flow to and from your heart and other organs, potentially causing chest pain or a heart attack.
High cholesterol also heightens your risk for heart disease and stroke, two leading causes of death in the United States. Luke also cautioned that once you develop xanthelasma, they are incredibly hard to eliminate, with dietary changes or cholesterol-lowering medications having minimal effect. He noted that the most effective solution is surgery or chemical peels, adding “reason 101 not to do this diet.
BBC Good Food experts also warned that there has been little high-quality evidence to demonstrate its all-round health benefits. They added that the diet lacks many essential micronutrients and antioxidants found in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes.
It also lacks fibre, contributing to poor gut health, and is unsuitable for children, pregnant women or those with impaired kidney function.
While there’s some proof that this diet can aid in shedding pounds and maintaining a healthy weight, it’s largely because meat tends to be quite filling. This keeps you satisfied for longer periods, reducing the likelihood of excessive snacking or overeating.