Carnivore vs Omnivore! A friendly debate with Chris Masterjohn PhD

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Paul Saladino2h 33m · 2019-10-08

Claims Made

244

Claims Supported

182

Support Rate

75%

Support rate

182 of 244 claims supported

182 supported62 partial / not

Claims from this content

186

Well SupportedThe Rotterdam Study indicated a correlation between higher intake of Vitamin K2 and improved health outcomes.Well SupportedRiboflavin is crucial for methylation reactions, particularly for individuals with MTHFR polymorphisms, and can help a 'broken' MTHFR enzyme function optimally.Well SupportedAncestral Supplements produces freeze-dried organ meat supplements in convenient gelatin capsules, sourced from grass-fed, grass-finished animals in New Zealand.Well SupportedConsuming connective tissue provides glycine and helps maintain a healthy methionine-to-glycine ratio.Well Supported

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Bookmarking — the dossier-vs-overview split is the right call. Most of the time I want overview; sometimes I want receipts.

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An excess of methionine without sufficient glycine can be harmful.

Well SupportedThe full spectrum of vitamin K2 menoquinones is best obtained from organs and meat of well-raised animals.

Well SupportedNatural folate precursors and riboflavin, abundant in organ meats like heart and liver, are crucial for supporting MTHFR function.

Well SupportedPlants contain toxins like oxalates, lectins, and tannins that can be harmful to some people.

Well SupportedDiversifying organ consumption beyond muscle meat to include organs like liver, heart, testicles, spleen, or thymus leads to improved nutritional status.

Well SupportedIndigenous cultures like the Inuit historically preferred animal-based diets when possible.

Well SupportedBalancing sodium and potassium intake, aiming for a ratio of approximately 1:1 or slightly more potassium than sodium, is important for health.

Well SupportedThe human body may not synthesize enough glycine on average diets to meet metabolic needs, including collagen and glutathione synthesis.

Well SupportedIndividuals may become deficient in nutrients like riboflavin, vitamin A, and folate if they exclusively consume muscle meat, highlighting the necessity of organ meats.

Well SupportedHuman dietary patterns are heavily influenced by geographic latitude, with more plant food available near the equator and more animal food in the Arctic.

Well SupportedMuscle meat is rich in tryptophan and methionine, while bone broth and collagenous tissues are rich in glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline.

Well SupportedVitamin K2 (menaquinone MK-4, MK-7, MK-11) is not present in plants, and the conversion rate of K1 to K2 in humans is likely insufficient.

Well SupportedTaking 25-50 micrograms of vitamin K2 daily has been shown to decrease calcium buildup in arteries.

Well SupportedVitamin K2 is better absorbed by the body and harder for the body to synthesize from Vitamin K1 compared to Vitamin K1.

Well SupportedThe human body is designed to consume animals from nose to tail, as organ meats provide essential nutrients like zinc, copper, manganese, selenium, and heme iron.

Well SupportedIncreasing choline intake and creatine supplementation are data-backed strategies to mitigate issues arising from poor methylation capacity.

Well SupportedOrgan meats like liver and kidney are necessary for obtaining adequate riboflavin, especially for those with MTHFR polymorphisms.

Well SupportedA carnivore diet, especially without added salt and with lower intake of fat and collagenous tissues, may lead to a sodium intake of around 1.5 grams per day.

Well SupportedMeasuring the ratio of reduced to oxidized glutathione in plasma is ideal for assessing redox status, rather than whole blood glutathione.

Well SupportedHumans are inefficient at converting Vitamin K1 to Vitamin K2, suggesting K2 should be obtained from animal foods.

Well SupportedA properly executed carnivore diet can support methylation by providing sufficient choline, methionine, methylcobalamin, and B vitamins from liver.

Well SupportedIndividuals should aim to consume 3-5 grams of sodium daily.

Well SupportedMost individuals on a carnivore diet with fresh, gently cooked meat marinated in an acidic medium likely consume enough vitamin C to prevent scurvy.

Well SupportedGlycine deficiency can impair the synthesis of important proteins like collagen and glutathione.

Well SupportedKetones can suppress reactive oxygen species (ROS) by oxidizing ubiquinone, thereby reducing superoxide anion production.

Well SupportedMeat is generally a poor source of vitamin C, with most beef items containing only tiny amounts, though some organ meats contain slightly more.

Well SupportedAiming for at least 90 mg/day of vitamin C is supported by data, with 100-150 mg/day recommended for maximal suppression of chronic disease risk.

Well SupportedDietary and lifestyle needs can change over time, requiring ongoing experimentation and adaptation.

Partially SupportedLipid peroxides and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine indicate oxidative damage.

Partially SupportedRiboflavin is important for methylation processes, including allosteric control of MTHFR, and deficiency can lead to poor methylation and elevated homocysteine levels.

Partially SupportedA low oxalate diet, less than 50mg per day, may be recommended for individuals with a history of kidney stones.

Partially SupportedVitamin C recycles oxidized vitamin E and is regenerated by glutathione in the cellular antioxidant system.

Partially SupportedCholine is important for converting to glycine, but excessive conversion should be avoided.

Partially SupportedA diverse range of animal and plant foods contributes to nutrient diversity.

Partially SupportedThe carnivore diet may address potential nutrient deficiencies by considering specific nutrient levels.

Partially SupportedRemoving plants from the diet can improve certain health conditions.

Well SupportedLow potassium intake plays an important role in blood pressure regulation due to the sodium/potassium balance.

Partially SupportedAnimal fat, particularly grass-fed, may be a significant source of vitamin K2, potentially partitioning into fat more than currently recognized.

Partially SupportedA fasting plasma vitamin C level of 0.8 mg/dL may be a reasonable cutoff, achievable through a nose-to-tail carnivore diet without supplementation.

Well SupportedCooking plant foods can cause significant loss of vitamin C, while cooked animal foods show no known significant loss of vitamin C.

Partially SupportedCreatine supplementation may reduce methylation demand by up to 50%, potentially lowering folate requirements.

Partially SupportedDark chicken meat can provide 100-200mcg of K2 per serving.

Partially SupportedHunter-gatherer groups possessed extensive knowledge of the medicinal uses of plants and how different foods could address various ailments.

Partially SupportedWood smoke from fires was likely the largest historical source of dioxin exposure for humans throughout evolution.

Not SupportedAdrenals should be avoided for consumption due to their high vitamin C content and the presence of glucocorticoids.

Partially SupportedThe carnivore diet is a unique immunologic intervention, distinct from keto or fasting.

Partially SupportedLiver may be a significant source of vitamin C in a carnivore diet due to its high content of reducing agents like glutathione.

Partially SupportedThe ketogenic diet may increase glutathione demand in the hippocampus due to increased oxidative stress, leading to localized glutathione synthesis.

Partially SupportedVitamin K1 has no demonstrated effects on cardiovascular risk, unlike vitamin K2.

Partially SupportedAnimal-heavy diets, including red meat, provide more absorbable iron than plant-heavy diets.

Partially SupportedIncreased oxidative stress leads to a worsening of vitamin C status.

Partially SupportedAdequate potassium intake (3-5 grams per day) can mitigate issues related to normal sodium intake (4-5 grams per day).

Not SupportedRestricting sodium intake to below 500 mg/day can lead to insulin resistance.

Partially SupportedMolybdenum is essential for converting toxic sulfite to less harmful sulfate.

Partially SupportedVitamin K2, found in animal foods, plays an essential role in the body and may be less effective than K1 or MK7 for blood clotting.

Partially SupportedPlant-based folate is dihydrofolate, while animal meat likely contains L-methylfolate.

Not SupportedOvereating muscle meat on a carnivore diet can lead to biochemical stress due to unfavorable methionine and glycine ratios.

Partially SupportedCarnivores likely have better riboflavin status than vegans, with omnivores in between, as most good riboflavin sources are animal-based.

Partially SupportedThe previous Adequate Intake for potassium was set at 4.7 grams based on the premise that this amount could abolish the blood pressure increase caused by salt.

Partially SupportedMeasuring fasting plasma vitamin C is the simplest way to assess vitamin C status.

Partially SupportedAdministering insulin to diabetics increases their glutathione levels, enhancing their capacity to handle oxidative stress.

Partially SupportedThe LabCorp whole blood glutathione test is considered the best available test for measuring glutathione.

Partially SupportedRemoving soluble fiber from the diet may benefit individuals experiencing microbiome issues.

Partially SupportedExcess methionine intake can lead to a loss of glycine.

Well SupportedDietary diversity maximizes nutrient acquisition, avoids excesses, and reduces the need for meticulous diet management.

Partially SupportedKetogenic diets mimic fasting physiology, which is associated with reduced whole-body glutathione synthesis.

Partially SupportedIndividuals who are insulin resistant and adopt a carbohydrate-restricted diet to improve insulin sensitivity may end up with more insulin signaling than before.

Partially SupportedSulfur amino acids increase the body's requirement for molybdenum, and the only reliable dietary source of molybdenum is liver.

Partially SupportedWild animals, including humans, naturally seek out salt licks, suggesting that adding salt to food is not unnatural.

Partially SupportedThe National Academy of Medicine has halved the adequate intake (AI) for potassium, not due to new evidence of reduced need, but because of a change in DRI guideline methodology that separates deficiency prevention from chronic disease risk reduction.

Partially SupportedThe Maasai diet of meat, milk, and herbs may reduce disease risk.

Partially SupportedNon-sweet fruits like squash, avocado, and olives are considered the least toxic plant foods from an anti-nutrient standpoint.

Partially SupportedCarnivore diets without organ meats can lead to significantly elevated homocysteine levels.

Partially SupportedDiets high in fat and collagenous tissue, if not carefully planned, may lead to deficiencies in essential vitamins and minerals found in muscle meat.

Not SupportedRestricting food groups, such as in carnivore, vegan, keto, or low-carb diets, may not be optimal for everyone due to individual genetic predispositions.

Partially SupportedIndividuals with genetic predispositions may be poor at obtaining certain nutrients from plant foods or have higher needs for others, impacting their suitability for specific diets.

Partially SupportedChris Masterjohn believes the benefits of a carnivore diet are due to the removal of plant toxins that trigger the immune system.

Partially SupportedThe San people historically consumed large game like giraffes for extended periods, supplemented with foraging for plants and smaller animals.

Partially SupportedCholine in the diet may significantly reduce the dietary requirement for folate.

Partially SupportedMeasuring glutathione redox status in specific cellular compartments is clinically difficult due to compartmentalization.

Partially SupportedSulfite can induce deficiencies in vitamin B1 and B6, damage protein function, and contribute to allergy-like symptoms.

Partially SupportedInsulin signaling, not absolute levels, is key for glutathione status, and robust signaling can occur on a ketogenic diet.

Partially SupportedThe significance of decreased glutathione levels is questionable if oxidative stress does not increase.

Partially SupportedIncluding organ meats and shellfish in a carnivore diet can help correct potential nutrient deficiencies.

Partially SupportedFish roe and shellfish can help meet vitamin C requirements on a carnivore diet.

Partially SupportedThe ratio of reduced to oxidized glutathione regulates hundreds of cellular processes, including cellular proliferation and mucus fluidity.

Partially SupportedCooking methods and marination can lead to a 30-40% loss of vitamin C in meat.

Partially SupportedThe definition of salt sensitivity is controversial and was a reason for discarding studies that used it to set the AI for potassium.

Partially SupportedHumans have thrived for millions of years, suggesting that a natural dietary framework exists to obtain necessary nutrients for reasonable function and reproduction.

Partially SupportedMethionine is crucial for the production of sulfur-containing compounds like taurine, sulfate, and glutathione.

Partially SupportedPaul Saladino is homozygous for a genetic predisposition to hemochromatosis, leading to high iron levels if he consumes iron-rich foods without plant-based inhibitors and does not donate blood.

Partially SupportedPlasma selenium, plasma zinc, serum copper, and an iron panel are good collective markers of antioxidant mineral status.

Partially SupportedA carnivore diet may not provide sufficient vitamin C for optimal antioxidant function in individuals with high oxidative burdens.

Partially SupportedThe ratio of methionine to glycine is a factor to consider when constructing a carnivore diet.

Limited ResearchFew, if any, steak-dominant carnivores achieve 50 micromolar/liter plasma vitamin C without organ meats.

Limited ResearchThe necessity of 50 micromolar/liter plasma fasting vitamin C for preventing heart disease, potentially mediated by LDL oxidation, is debatable.

Partially SupportedPotassium intake may be reduced on a carnivore diet due to loss of juices during cooking and displacement of potassium-rich lean meats by higher fat and collagenous tissues.

Partially SupportedA largely carnivorous diet does not necessarily provide a large margin for scurvy prevention.

Partially SupportedMost people not on ketogenic or carnivore diets have a significant glycine deficiency, potentially ranging from 10 to 60 grams per day.

Partially SupportedVitamin C is unstable and can be destroyed by freeze-thaw cycles and heavy cooking.

Partially SupportedMost individuals on a carnivore diet have a significant chance of not meeting the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for folate.

Partially SupportedDioxins bioaccumulate up the food chain, leading to higher concentrations in animal foods compared to plant-based foods.

Partially SupportedFolate requirements are dependent on the context of other nutrients, such as choline.

Partially SupportedChris Masterjohn has extensively researched the work of Weston Price regarding nutrition.

Partially SupportedMaasai women did not consume the warrior diet of meat, blood, and milk.

Partially SupportedAdequate methionine intake is desirable.

Partially SupportedDioxins can be found in both animal and plant foods, with no consistent difference in amounts.

Partially SupportedFolate and choline support methylation, and homocysteine levels increase with inadequate methylation, particularly in the fasting state.

Partially SupportedVitamin K1 intake was not correlated with reduced cardiovascular disease or calcific aortic stenosis in the Rotterdam study.

Partially SupportedInsulin sensitivity, not absolute insulin levels, determines insulin signaling effects.

Partially SupportedMany individuals may have marginal riboflavin status, especially if they have increased needs due to genetic factors.

Partially SupportedRed meat, eggs, and salmon are excellent sources of riboflavin, comparable to almonds and kidneys.

Partially SupportedCooked spinach loses significant vitamin C, while cooked pork liver retains a similar amount.

Partially SupportedArctic indigenous peoples prevented scurvy by consuming adrenal glands from killed animals.

Partially SupportedScurvy is dangerous and can take a long time to develop, with symptoms potentially including heart attack-like events or internal bleeding, which can be reversed with vitamin C.

Partially SupportedExtracellular superoxide dismutase (ecSOD) is an uncertain marker of oxidative stress due to influences from zinc and copper status.

Partially SupportedThe link between dioxin exposure and cancer is less likely to be a primary driver of cancer given significant reduction in exposure.

Partially SupportedVitamin C is necessary for carnitine synthesis, and a carnivore diet may spare vitamin C needs.

Partially SupportedVitamin C and folate are high risk for deficiency on a carnivore diet, while manganese, molybdenum, potassium, magnesium, and vitamin K are conditional risks.

Partially SupportedTallow and lard are generally not high in nutrients unless the animal was exposed to high amounts of those nutrients.

Partially SupportedThe RDA for folate may be questionable as it is based on homocysteine levels, not necessarily optimal folate status.

Partially SupportedAlpha-tocopherol can be used as an index of vitamin E status.

Partially SupportedKetogenic physiology may improve oxidative stress markers in mitochondria, brains, and the hippocampus.

Partially SupportedLow glutathione status, worsened by reduced insulin sensitivity and glycation damage, creates a cycle that exacerbates insulin resistance and further depletes glutathione.

Partially SupportedGlutathione levels are regulated by oxidative stress and the insulin to glucagon ratio.

Partially SupportedMeasuring oxidized and reduced glutathione requires immediate precipitation of plasma samples with perchloric acid.

Partially SupportedAn adequate sodium intake target is 3-5 grams per day when potassium intake is 4.7-10 grams per day.

Partially SupportedThe Inuit historically consumed an estimated 38 mg of vitamin C per day, primarily from animal foods.

Partially SupportedStudying the precise vitamin C requirement to minimize chronic disease risk is difficult due to the lack of RCTs and contextual factors.

Partially SupportedStudies on vitamin C and plasma/neutrophil indices might have contextual differences when comparing ketogenic diets to carbohydrate-based diets.

Partially SupportedThe role of vitamin C in preventing LDL oxidation is controversial.

Partially SupportedGlutathione, a major recycler of vitamin C in the body, is primarily found in the liver.

Partially SupportedPlasma vitamin C status may not accurately reflect antioxidant status.

Partially SupportedOysters contain approximately 8mg of vitamin C per 100g.

Partially SupportedThere is no single, unified measure of insulin sensitivity because the insulin signaling pathway has multiple bifurcations.

Partially SupportedDietary protein is a precursor for glutathione synthesis, and higher protein intake can spare vitamin C needs.

Partially SupportedRemoving plant-derived immune triggers can lead to significant health improvements.

Partially SupportedHealth declined with the advent of agriculture, despite humans surviving evolutionarily with nutritional deficiencies.

Partially SupportedRed blood cell potassium levels can provide an indication of total body potassium stores.

Partially SupportedMussels are an excellent source of manganese, with a 100-gram serving fulfilling the daily requirement.

Partially SupportedEven pre-agricultural hunter-gatherer populations did not have exemplary health based on skeletal evidence.

Partially SupportedLean, insulin-sensitive individuals experience the most insulin signaling when consuming carbohydrates.

Partially SupportedPlant foods and whole animals tend to have a good balance between methionine and glycine.

Partially SupportedAdrenal glands contain approximately 50-100 milligrams of vitamin C per 100 grams.

Partially SupportedKetogenic diets have substantial research supporting their benefits.

Partially SupportedDextrose powder is considered to be low in plant toxins.

Partially SupportedMaasai warriors consumed honey while on the march.

Partially SupportedThe Nutri-Eval and Ion panels may include lipid peroxides and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) as markers of oxidative damage.

Partially SupportedSerum folate levels are not a reliable indicator of folate status; homocysteine and folate levels are better metrics.

Partially SupportedThe Genova Diagnostics Oxidative Stress 2.0 plasma panel is a useful test for assessing oxidative stress.

Partially SupportedBlood pressure is driven by the sodium and potassium balance.

Partially SupportedThe optimal target for potassium intake is 4.7 grams per day.

Partially SupportedGlycine supplementation may help stabilize blood sugar when taken with meals, improve sleep, and is crucial for collagen synthesis.

Partially SupportedExcess vitamin C intake above scurvy prevention levels is primarily related to its antioxidant function.

Partially SupportedTaking 75-100mg of vitamin C daily as a supplement is unlikely to cause significant negative effects, even for individuals on a carnivore diet.

Partially SupportedVitamin C participates in the antioxidant system.

Partially SupportedA carnivore diet should be done nose-to-tail, considering methionine and glycine balance.

Partially SupportedLower overall insulin levels do not necessarily lead to less glutathione.

Partially SupportedFolate is generally low in a carnivore diet, except for organ meats like liver and kidney.

Partially SupportedFolate and choline both support methylation, and elevated fasting homocysteine can indicate inadequate methylation.

Partially SupportedNutritional needs, such as iron requirements, can change over a lifetime, for example, after menopause.

Partially SupportedSome recent hunter-gatherer tribes did not have exemplary health, based on osteological evidence.

Partially SupportedDioxin concentrations in various foods are inconsistent, with some plant-based foods like olive oil showing high levels.

Partially SupportedExposure to dioxin and dioxin-related compounds, including PCBs, has decreased by approximately 95% from peak levels.

Not SupportedIt is inaccurate to assume that humans have never experienced nutrient deficiencies throughout evolutionary history.

Partially SupportedConsuming large amounts of certain spices like cloves, ginger, saffron, cardamom, cinnamon, or turmeric can meet manganese requirements.

Partially SupportedPasture-raised, grass-fed, grass-finished animals are unlikely to have the same levels of dioxin exposure as feedlot-finished animals.

Partially SupportedWhen exact nutrient requirements are unknown, it is prudent to aim for an intake well above any question of marginal benefit for chronic disease risk and well below any question of adverse effects.

Partially SupportedA study showed that 2.2 grams of sodium per day was insufficient to fully suppress renin in seven women.

Partially SupportedCertain animal products like dark chicken meat, thin fish, and shellfish can be good sources of Vitamin K if the diet is consciously planned.

Partially SupportedIndigenous peoples in the Arctic consumed moose adrenal glands as a significant source of vitamin C to prevent scurvy.

Partially SupportedAncestral Supplements prostate supplement contains nutrients from the prostate gland, which may be beneficial for bladder issues.

Partially SupportedThe Vertical Diet, involving white rice and meat, may be suitable for individuals engaged in extreme sports, with potential for carbohydrate addition to enhance performance.

Partially SupportedEstimating ancestral diets by studying living hunter-gatherers may be inaccurate due to modern environmental and political constraints.

Partially SupportedConsuming more than 200g of liver per week carries risks of vitamin A and copper overdose.

Partially SupportedA client supplemented a carnivore diet with 50 grams of dextrose for energy during high physical activity.

Partially SupportedOptimal vitamin C levels for human health may be higher than those required to prevent scurvy.

Partially SupportedKetogenic diets may combat cancer by depriving cancer cells of necessary glutathione.

Partially SupportedA carnivore diet that excludes connective tissue may lead to imbalances, potentially related to methane and glycine.

Partially SupportedEmu oil is a good natural source of Vitamin K2 per hundred grams.

Partially SupportedGlutathione peroxidase activity is a marker of selenium status.

Partially SupportedPastured eggs may be a good source of folate, potentially meeting the RDA with two eggs.