Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Carnivore diet for pets and people benefits and risks
By Lietz A et al.·2026·University of Applied Sciences Muenster, Germany·View original on Europe PMC →
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Original publication title: Carnivore Diet: A Scoping Review of the Current Evidence, Potential Benefits and Risks.
Plain-English summary
The Carnivore Diet, which mainly consists of animal products, has become popular on social media, but there isn't a clear definition or enough scientific evidence about its long-term effects. A review of nine studies found that some people experienced benefits like weight loss and feeling fuller, but there are also significant risks, including possible deficiencies in important nutrients like vitamins C and D, calcium, and magnesium. Additionally, some individuals showed increased cholesterol levels, and one case reported a decline in health. Overall, while the diet might have some short-term advantages, it poses serious risks, and experts do not recommend sticking to it for a long time.
Abstract
<b>Background</b>: The Carnivore Diet (CD) is an almost exclusively animal-based dietary pattern that has gained increasing popularity on social media. Despite numerous health-related claims, a standardized definition is lacking, and scientific evidence regarding the long-term effects of this diet remains unclear. <b>Methods</b>: The literature search for this scoping review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines (PRISMA-ScR) using the databases PubMed, LIVIVO, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library. <b>Results</b>: Nine human studies were included. Individual publications reported positive effects of the CD, such as weight reduction, increased satiety, and potential improvements in inflammatory or metabolic markers. At the same time, potential risks of nutrient deficiencies, particularly in vitamins C and D, calcium, magnesium, iodine, and dietary fiber, as well as elevated low-density-lipoprotein (LDL-) and total cholesterol (TC) levels, were identified, along with one case describing a deterioration in health status. Overall, the quality of evidence is very limited due to small sample sizes, short study durations, and the absence of control groups. <b>Conclusions</b>: The CD may offer short-term health benefits but carries substantial risks of nutrient deficiencies, reduced intake of health-promoting phytochemicals, and the development of cardiovascular disease. At this time, long-term adherence to a CD cannot be recommended.
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Search related cases →Original publication on Europe PMC: https://europepmc.org/article/MED/41599961