The Animal-Based Diet
Paul Saladino's animal-based diet centers meat, organs, fruit, honey and dairy while de-emphasizing most plants, a contested, minority approach. Critics warn it reliably raises LDL and apoB, a cardiovascular risk marker, and removes fibre; Saladino himself already reversed his stricter carnivore stance, so treat this as one evolving experiment, not a recommendation.
This is a contested protocol, and we present it as Saladino's case alongside its critics, not as a recommendation. Saladino, once the strict 'Carnivore MD', moved to what he calls animal-based: centring meat, organs, eggs, fish, dairy, fruit and honey, while de-emphasising or removing grains, legumes, seed oils and most vegetables. Proponents report better digestion and energy and argue animal foods are the most nutrient-dense. Critics, with mainstream nutrition on their side, point out that animal-heavy eating reliably raises LDL cholesterol and apoB (a cardiovascular risk marker), that cutting plants removes fibre and beneficial compounds, and that long-term evidence is lacking. Notably, Saladino himself reversed his strict-carnivore stance, a sign this framework is evolving, not settled.
Why it works▼
Know this is a minority, contested approach
Going in informed about the cardiovascular debate is the single most important step here.
Build meals around meat, eggs and fish
These are the core of the framework and supply protein and key micronutrients.
Include organ meats for nutrient density
Organs are nutrient-dense; this is central to his nutrient-density argument.
Use fruit and honey for carbohydrate
Adding these resolved issues he attributed to zero-carb eating.
Dairy yes, but be careful with raw
Raw dairy is a meaningful safety issue, not just a preference.
Test lipids and markers, with a doctor
Even sympathetic sources advise this; the LDL/apoB response can be significant.
- People researching animal-based eating
- Those who react badly to many plant foods
- Anyone wanting the case and the criticism side by side
- Experimenters who will monitor bloodwork
- This is a controversial, minority approach that mainstream nutrition does not recommend; we present it for balance, not as an endorsement
- Animal-heavy diets reliably raise LDL cholesterol and apoB, a cardiovascular risk marker; adding fruit and honey does not offset this, and Saladino's claim that LDL does not matter on these diets is disputed by the weight of evidence
- Raw dairy carries real infection risk (listeria, E. coli, salmonella); avoid it in pregnancy, in children, and if immunocompromised
- Cutting most plants removes fibre and beneficial compounds; contraindicated with familial hypercholesterolemia, existing heart disease, or a history of disordered eating
- Get baseline and follow-up bloodwork with a doctor before and during; Saladino himself reversed his strict-carnivore position, so treat this as evolving, not proven
- Educational only, not medical or nutrition advice
- July 3, 2026 Protocol published.
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Not medical advice. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical care. Consult a qualified clinician before changing your health routine.
Independent curation. YourProtocol.ai is an independent platform. This protocol is based on the publicly available work of Paul Saladino and is not created, reviewed, endorsed by, or affiliated with Paul Saladino or MD / 'Carnivore MD'.