Dr. Shawn Baker: The Rise of the Carnivore Diet and Its Impact on Health

The Origins of the Carnivore Diet

Dr. Shawn Baker, a 58-year-old orthopedic surgeon and athlete, stumbled upon the carnivore diet through a journey of personal health exploration. In his 40s, Baker noticed his health deteriorating despite maintaining an active lifestyle and what he considered a "good" diet. After experimenting with various nutritional approaches, including low-fat and low-calorie diets, he discovered the ketogenic diet.

The ketogenic diet marked a significant turning point for Baker. For the first time, he experienced a noticeable change in his appetite. As someone who could routinely consume 7,000-8,000 calories a day, the reduction in hunger was a novel and welcome change.

From Ketogenic to Carnivore

Baker's transition from ketogenic to carnivore was gradual and driven by curiosity. He first encountered a group of people eating only meat through an online community called "Zeroing in on Health." Initially skeptical, Baker followed the group for six months before deciding to try the diet himself.

He started with a simple meal of steak and eggs, omitting his usual sides of whole grain toast, fruit, or yogurt. Surprisingly, he didn't feel like he was missing anything. This experiment led to longer periods of eating only animal products, eventually stretching to a full month.

The Birth of "Carnivore"

At the time, this way of eating was referred to as a "zero-carb" diet. However, Baker found this term confusing, as it could technically include items like soybean oil and diet soda. In search of a more accurate descriptor, he coined the term "carnivore diet" to represent a diet consisting primarily of animal products.

The Science Behind the Carnivore Diet

The carnivore diet is based on the premise that humans need specific nutrients to thrive:

1. Essential amino acids
2. Essential fats
3. A source of energy
4. Vitamins and minerals
5. Water

Baker argues that meat provides all these essential components in a highly bioavailable form. He contends that meat has been a crucial part of the human diet for a long time and is not a "fad" food like many modern diet trends.

Historical Context

Baker points out that the use of all-meat diets for health purposes is not new. He cites examples such as:

• James Salisbury, a 19th-century American physician who advocated for a meat-centric diet
• Ancient Greek physicians who prescribed all-meat diets for certain conditions

The Potential Benefits of a Carnivore Diet

According to Baker, the carnivore diet can offer numerous health benefits, even for those who don't have specific health issues to resolve:

Improved Digestion

Many people report better digestion and fewer gastrointestinal issues when following a carnivore diet. Baker himself noticed that he stopped experiencing hiccups and itching, issues he hadn't even realized were problematic before.

Mental Clarity

Some carnivore diet adherents report improved mental clarity and focus. This could be due to the stable blood sugar levels associated with a low-carb, high-fat diet.

Reduced Inflammation

Baker suggests that a carnivore diet may help reduce systemic inflammation, which is linked to many chronic diseases.

Weight Management

While not the primary goal for everyone, many people find that a carnivore diet helps them maintain a healthy weight without calorie counting or restriction.

Addressing Skepticism

Baker acknowledges that the carnivore diet faces skepticism from many in the medical and nutritional communities. He addresses this by emphasizing several points:

1. Meat is not a new food for humans, unlike many fad diet staples.
2. The diet provides all essential nutrients humans need to thrive.
3. The rapid sharing of information in the modern age allows for quick assessment of the diet's effectiveness.
4. If the diet didn't work, it would naturally fade away like other fad diets.

Baker argues that humans are the only species that seems to struggle with determining what to eat, suggesting that we may have strayed too far from our natural diet.

The Future of the Carnivore Diet

Baker believes the carnivore diet will continue to grow in popularity for several reasons:

1. Increasing pushback against plant-based diet trends
2. Growing recognition of its potential as a therapeutic intervention for various health conditions
3. More healthcare providers adopting it as a tool for treating chronic diseases
4. A shift in perception about meat from demonized food to a nutritious staple

He doesn't expect the entire world to adopt a carnivore diet but anticipates it will become more widely accepted as a valid nutritional approach.

Baker's Current Passion: Revolutionizing Healthcare

Baker is currently focused on changing the way healthcare is practiced through his company, Revero. This nationwide health company pairs patients with physicians who understand the importance of nutrition in treating chronic diseases.

The key aspects of Baker's approach include:

1. Addressing nutritional problems as the root cause of many chronic diseases
2. Providing continuous support and care, rather than infrequent, short doctor visits
3. Tackling psychological and addictive issues related to food
4. Offering real-time feedback and support to patients

Baker believes this approach is necessary to truly address chronic health issues, as the current model of brief, infrequent doctor visits is inadequate for dealing with complex nutritional and lifestyle factors.

The Importance of Solving the Healthcare Crisis

Baker's motivation for tackling the healthcare crisis stems from several factors:

1. Concern for future generations, including his own children and potential grandchildren
2. Witnessing the decline in societal health over his lifetime
3. Recognition of the medical profession's failure to adequately address these issues
4. The interconnection between physical and mental health

He argues that by addressing underlying nutritional problems, we can improve both physical and mental health on a societal level. This, in turn, could lead to better social cohesion and reduced conflict.

World Carnivore Month

Baker initiated World Carnivore Month in January 2018 as a response to the vegan movement's "Veganuary." Now in its eighth year, World Carnivore Month serves as an opportunity for people to try the carnivore diet and experience its potential benefits.

Baker's advice for those participating in World Carnivore Month:

1. Enjoy the experience and have fun with it
2. Don't focus on restricting calories or losing weight
3. Experiment with a variety of animal-based foods
4. Use it as an opportunity to learn about your body and how it responds to different nutrition
5. Join online communities for support and motivation

Conclusion

Dr. Shawn Baker's journey with the carnivore diet has evolved from a personal health experiment to a mission to revolutionize healthcare. While the diet remains controversial in some circles, Baker and a growing number of adherents believe it offers significant health benefits.

As interest in the carnivore diet continues to grow, it's likely to become a more recognized approach in both personal health optimization and medical treatment. However, as with any significant dietary change, it's important for individuals to consult with healthcare professionals and listen to their own bodies when considering the carnivore diet.

Whether the carnivore diet becomes a mainstream approach or remains a niche lifestyle choice, Baker's work highlights the importance of questioning conventional wisdom about nutrition and exploring new approaches to health and wellness.

Article created from: https://youtu.be/MuvYR9c7Qlk?feature=shared