Why I'm Quitting the Carnivore Diet After 202 Days: Results, Reflections & Next Steps
After 202 days on the carnivore diet, I've made the difficult decision to pause this journey. Despite experiencing significant improvements in my chronic lower back pain throughout this time, recent days have brought unexpected inflammation returning. This coincided with a restaurant meal where oil might have been used despite my instructions, or perhaps from my regular bacon consumption.
Today marks a transition as I begin a 5-day water fast in solidarity with my friend Jeff, who battles stage four cancer. Jeff combines carnivore eating with regular fasting around his chemotherapy treatments. This approach aligns with research from Professor Thomas Seyfried suggesting cancer is fundamentally a metabolic disease. The traditional human diet likely included periods of feast and famine—our ancestors wouldn't have consumed multiple meat meals daily but instead might have gone days between successful hunts.
Key Takeaways
The carnivore diet successfully eliminated chronic inflammation for over 200 days before recent symptoms returned.
Periodic fasting may complement a meat-based diet and better reflect ancestral eating patterns.
The metabolic approach to cancer treatment remains underutilized despite promising research suggesting its benefits.
Carnivore Diet Journey Conclusion
After 202 days following the carnivore diet, it's time for a change. The journey brought remarkable benefits, including relief from chronic lower back pain that had persisted for years before adopting this eating approach. However, recent inflammation symptoms have begun to return, possibly triggered by restaurant food or regular bacon consumption.
The transition now involves a 5-day water fast. This decision serves multiple purposes: supporting a friend battling stage four cancer who undergoes regular fasting before chemotherapy treatments, addressing the returning inflammation, and exploring the health benefits of periodic fasting.
The theory behind this approach connects to ancestral eating patterns. Early humans likely hunted animals, consumed the meat, organs, and fat, then naturally fasted until the next successful hunt. Modern carnivore eating with regular daily meals of steaks, ground beef, bacon, and eggs doesn't perfectly mirror this ancestral pattern.
Fasting offers potential health benefits including:
Promotion of autophagy (cellular cleaning process)
Reduction of inflammation
Historical precedent across generations
Metabolic advantages
This shift also reflects growing awareness about the metabolic nature of many diseases. Research from Professor Thomas Seyfried suggests that mitochondrial damage from chronic inflammation—often caused by poor dietary choices including carbohydrates, sugar, seed oils, and processed foods—contributes to numerous health conditions.
The standard American diet has led to concerning statistics:
88% of people have poor metabolic health
Rising rates of heart disease and diabetes
Widespread depression, anxiety, and inflammatory conditions
The current medical approach to treating these conditions often fails to address these root dietary factors. Particularly in cancer treatment, patients deserve to know about all potential approaches, including metabolic solutions involving proper nutrition and fasting protocols alongside conventional treatments.
Onset of Lower Back Pain
After 202 days on the carnivore diet, a noticeable return of lower back pain occurred. This pain had been completely absent throughout the carnivore journey but suddenly reappeared.
Prior to adopting the carnivore lifestyle, this back pain had been a persistent issue for many years. What was originally thought to be a physical injury turned out to be inflammation-related discomfort that resolved when following the carnivore regimen.
The reemergence of inflammation symptoms possibly stemmed from two potential sources:
Restaurant meal (despite requesting no oils)
Regular consumption of bacon
This unexpected return of symptoms prompted a decision to temporarily modify the nutritional approach. Instead of continuing with carnivore or switching to the lion diet, a 5-day water fast was chosen.
The water fast served multiple purposes:
Supporting a friend undergoing cancer treatment
Addressing the returning inflammation
Exploring health benefits of fasting including autophagy
Aligning more closely with ancestral eating patterns
Historical human dietary patterns likely involved periods of feast following successful hunts, alternated with natural fasting periods. Modern carnivore eating patterns with regular daily meals of steaks, ground beef, bacon and eggs differ somewhat from these ancestral patterns that included natural fasting periods.
The connection between chronic inflammation and various health conditions cannot be overlooked. Inflammation from poor dietary choices may contribute to mitochondrial damage, which research by Professor Thomas Seyfried suggests plays a significant role in cancer development.
The majority of people (approximately 88%) have poor metabolic health related to consumption of processed foods, sugars, seed oils, and carbohydrates. These dietary choices may contribute to widespread health issues including heart disease, diabetes, mental health concerns, and chronic pain.
For those dealing with cancer, having access to information about all possible approaches—including metabolic interventions like fasting and specialized diets—represents an important option that deserves consideration alongside conventional treatments.
Decision to End Carnivore Eating
After 202 consecutive days following a carnivore diet, a significant change in physical well-being prompted a dietary shift. Lower back pain, which had disappeared during the carnivore period, unexpectedly returned. This inflammation might have been triggered by restaurant food or regular bacon consumption.
The decision to stop eating carnivore-style coincides with beginning a 5-day water fast. This choice was made partly in solidarity with a friend battling stage four cancer who undergoes regular fasting before chemotherapy treatments. The friend has maintained this challenging regimen for 28 weeks while fighting terminal cancer.
Water fasting isn't an entirely new experience, as previous 3-day and 5-day fasts produced positive results. The potential benefits include:
Reduction of inflammation
Promotion of autophagy (cellular renewal)
Support for a friend's cancer journey
Testing different health approaches
The dietary shift also aligns with observations about ancestral eating patterns. Early humans likely hunted large animals, consumed the entire animal (meat, organs, fat), and then naturally fasted until finding the next food source. This cycle of feast and fast more accurately reflects historical eating patterns than the modern practice of regular, scheduled meals.
The connection between diet and cancer has become increasingly clear through research by Professor Thomas Seyfried, who identifies cancer as a metabolic disease with metabolic solutions. According to this research, cancer frequently develops from mitochondrial damage caused by chronic inflammation from poor food choices including processed foods, carbohydrates, sugar, and seed oils.
This understanding reveals that proper nutrition, fasting, and achieving ketosis may serve as powerful tools against cancer. Unfortunately, these approaches aren't commonly discussed in conventional cancer treatment settings, where standard protocols rarely address underlying metabolic factors.
The decision to transition from carnivore to fasting represents both a personal health choice and a broader recognition that 88% of people suffer from poor metabolic health. This widespread condition contributes to increasing rates of heart disease, diabetes, depression, anxiety, and inflammation.
Solidarity Fast with Friend Jeff
After 202 days on the carnivore diet, I've decided to temporarily pause this approach. Recently, I experienced lower back pain—an issue that had disappeared during my carnivore journey but has mysteriously returned. This inflammation might be connected to restaurant food or excessive bacon consumption.
I'm joining my friend Jeffrey de Prosperous in a 5-day water fast. Jeff faces stage four cancer that has spread from his colon to his liver. Despite being told his condition was terminal with only months to live, he took control of his health through fasting, carnivore eating, and exercise alongside his chemotherapy treatments.
Jeff's regimen includes a 5-day water fast before each chemotherapy session. He's completed this challenging process 28 times already. While he fasts out of necessity, I'm doing it both in solidarity and for personal health benefits. Water fasting can promote autophagy and reduce inflammation—something I've experienced positively in previous 3-day and 5-day fasts.
This approach also aligns with natural human eating patterns. Our ancestors likely hunted large animals, feasted on the meat, fat, and organs, then fasted until the next successful hunt. Modern carnivore eating with regular meals throughout the day doesn't necessarily reflect these historical patterns.
Jeff's YouTube channel "Blessings on my Journey" documents his incredible story. Through him, I've learned about Professor Thomas Seyfried's research showing cancer as a metabolic disease with potential metabolic solutions. This perspective reveals how mitochondrial damage from chronic inflammation—often caused by poor food choices—contributes to cancer development.
The standard medical approach typically doesn't address these nutritional factors. Patients rarely receive information about fasting regimens or metabolic approaches that might enhance treatment effectiveness. Instead, conventional treatments sometimes include practices that could feed cancer cells, like providing sugary foods during chemotherapy.
This knowledge gap represents a larger nutritional crisis. With 88% of people suffering from poor metabolic health, conditions like heart disease, diabetes, anxiety, and chronic inflammation continue rising. Everyone deserves access to all available information about their health options, especially when facing serious conditions like cancer.
Jeff's Cancer Battle and Health Journey
Jeff de Prosperous received devastating news when doctors diagnosed him with stage four colon cancer that had spread to his liver. Medical professionals told him the cancer was inoperable and incurable, giving him only months to live.
Instead of accepting this prognosis, Jeff took control of his health journey. He developed a comprehensive approach combining traditional cancer treatments with metabolic interventions. His regimen includes weekly chemotherapy treatments every other Wednesday, supported by a strict 5-day water fast leading into each session.
The scientific foundation for Jeff's approach comes from Professor Thomas Seyfried's research, which suggests cancer is primarily a metabolic disease with metabolic solutions. This perspective differs from conventional oncology treatments that rarely address nutritional factors.
Jeff's treatment protocol includes:
Element Details Fasting 5-day water fast before chemotherapy Diet Carnivore diet when not fasting Exercise Regular physical activity Chemotherapy Treatments every other Wednesday
Jeff documents his journey on his YouTube channel "Blessings on My Journey," where he shares his experiences and the knowledge he's gained. His understanding of cancer as a metabolic issue caused by mitochondrial damage from chronic inflammation has transformed his approach to treatment.
The inflammation that contributes to cancer development often stems from poor dietary choices including processed foods, excessive carbohydrates, sugars, and seed oils. By eliminating these inflammatory triggers, Jeff works to create an environment where cancer cells cannot thrive.
Unfortunately, Jeff found that standard cancer treatment protocols often contradict metabolic approaches. He was dismayed when hospital staff offered cookies and sugary supplements during chemotherapy—potentially feeding the cancer cells that utilize sugar as their primary fuel source.
Jeff's story highlights the gap in conventional cancer treatment information. Many patients aren't informed about metabolic approaches that could potentially complement traditional treatments and improve outcomes.
Health Benefits of Fasting
Fasting has been practiced across generations with significant health advantages. The practice involves abstaining from food for specific periods, allowing the body to reset and heal naturally. Many people report feeling revitalized after completing fasting protocols ranging from 3-5 days. Historical evidence suggests our ancestors likely experienced natural fasting cycles between successful hunts, making it a pattern our bodies may be well-adapted to handle.
Cellular Renewal
Fasting triggers a natural cellular cleaning process in the body. When food intake stops, cells begin recycling damaged components and eliminating cellular waste. This renewal process helps maintain proper cellular function and may support longevity. Research indicates this mechanism becomes particularly active after 24-48 hours without food.
The body becomes more efficient during fasting periods, focusing energy on repair rather than digestion. This efficiency extends to mitochondria, the cellular powerhouses that generate energy. Properly functioning mitochondria are essential for optimal health and may play a role in preventing various chronic conditions.
Inflammation Reduction
One of the most significant benefits of fasting is its ability to decrease inflammation throughout the body. Chronic inflammation has been linked to numerous health issues including persistent pain, metabolic disorders, and potentially serious diseases. Many people experience relief from long-standing inflammatory symptoms after implementing fasting protocols.
Inflammation reduction often manifests as:
Decreased joint and muscle pain
Improved digestive function
Enhanced mental clarity
Better mobility and flexibility
Fasting may help reset inflammatory pathways that contribute to chronic discomfort. For those experiencing unexplained pain that hasn't responded to other interventions, a supervised fasting protocol might offer relief by addressing underlying inflammatory processes.
Historical Perspective on Human Diet
The consumption patterns of humans have evolved significantly over time. Early humans primarily operated as hunters, catching large animals for sustenance. After a successful hunt, they would consume the meat, fat, and organs, then potentially face several days without food until the next successful hunt.
Ancient dietary patterns differed substantially from modern eating habits. Rather than having consistent, scheduled meals throughout each day, our ancestors likely experienced natural periods of feasting followed by fasting. This cyclical pattern of eating and fasting appears to be more aligned with our biological design.
Summer months might have occasionally provided access to seasonal berries or other plant foods, but animal products constituted the primary nutritional source for early humans. This pattern created a natural metabolic flexibility that modern humans rarely experience.
Modern dietary habits often include multiple daily meals with consistent timing, which represents a significant departure from historical eating patterns. The frequency and consistency of modern meals doesn't reflect the natural variability our ancestors experienced.
Inflammation issues prevalent today may be connected to this deviation from historical dietary patterns. Many contemporary health problems—including metabolic disorders, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers—might be linked to modern dietary practices that conflict with our evolutionary design.
Research by scientists like Professor Thomas Seyfried suggests that many modern diseases have metabolic origins. His work indicates that mitochondrial damage often results from chronic inflammation, which frequently stems from consuming processed foods, refined carbohydrates, and industrial seed oils.
The combination of proper nutrition and strategic fasting appears to have powerful health implications. Fasting has been practiced across cultures for thousands of years, offering benefits like cellular cleanup processes (autophagy) and metabolic reset opportunities.
Water fasting specifically has shown therapeutic potential in addressing inflammation and supporting overall health. This practice mimics the natural periods without food that our ancestors would have regularly experienced between successful hunts.
Current research continues to explore how returning to more historically aligned dietary patterns might address modern health challenges. The metabolic approach to understanding disease offers new perspectives on prevention and treatment strategies that differ significantly from conventional approaches.
The Last Carnivore Meal
After 202 days following the carnivore diet, the journey reached a turning point. Lower back pain, which had disappeared during carnivore eating, suddenly returned. This inflammation may have been triggered by restaurant food or from consuming bacon regularly.
The decision to pause the carnivore diet coincided with supporting a friend battling stage four cancer. This friend had been following a regimen of 5-day water fasts before chemotherapy treatments for 28 consecutive sessions.
A farewell meal consisting of a strip steak and ribeye marked the transition to this 5-day water fast. The fast serves multiple purposes: showing solidarity with a friend in need, potentially reducing inflammation, and exploring additional health benefits.
Fasting aligns with ancestral eating patterns. Our early human ancestors likely hunted large animals, consumed the meat, organs, and fat, then naturally fasted until the next successful hunt. Modern carnivore eating patterns, with regular daily meals, differ from these historical patterns.
The connection between diet and cancer has become increasingly evident through research. Professor Thomas Seyfried's work suggests cancer is primarily a metabolic disease with metabolic solutions. Mitochondrial damage from chronic inflammation—often caused by poor dietary choices including processed foods, carbohydrates, sugar, and seed oils—may contribute significantly to cancer development.
Many conventional cancer treatments fail to address the metabolic aspects of the disease. Remarkably, medical facilities sometimes serve sugar-laden foods to cancer patients, despite evidence that cancer thrives on sugar.
This dietary approach reflects broader concerns about modern nutrition. With 88% of people experiencing poor metabolic health, conditions like heart disease, diabetes, depression, and chronic inflammation continue to rise.
The lack of awareness about metabolic approaches to treating cancer represents a significant gap in healthcare information. Patients deserve to know all potential options beyond conventional treatments alone.
Jeff's YouTube Channel and His Health Journey
Jeff, diagnosed with stage four terminal cancer, faced a grim prognosis of only a few months to live. The cancer had spread from his colon to his liver and was deemed both inoperable and incurable by medical professionals. Rather than accepting this fate, Jeff took control of his health through a comprehensive approach.
His YouTube channel, "Blessings on My Journey," documents his remarkable journey. The channel shares valuable information about his regimen and experiences fighting cancer through metabolic approaches.
Jeff follows a strict protocol that combines several strategies. Every other Wednesday, he undergoes chemotherapy treatments. Before each session, he completes a 5-day water fast starting on Monday, with Sunday being his last meal day. He has maintained this challenging routine for 28 consecutive weeks.
His approach is informed by the work of Professor Thomas Seyfried, who proposes that cancer is primarily a metabolic disease with metabolic solutions. This perspective differs significantly from conventional medical approaches. According to this research, cancer often results from mitochondrial damage caused by chronic inflammation, which frequently stems from poor dietary choices.
Jeff's treatment combines:
Regular chemotherapy
Extended water fasting
Carnivore diet when not fasting
Regular exercise
Ketosis maintenance
One particularly concerning observation Jeff has shared is how hospitals often serve cancer patients cookies and sugary supplements like Ensure during chemotherapy. This practice directly contradicts the metabolic approach, as cancer cells thrive on sugar.
His journey highlights the lack of awareness about metabolic approaches to cancer treatment. Despite decades of research by Professor Seyfried and others, these options remain largely unknown to most cancer patients and their families.
Through his channel and personal example, Jeff continues to educate others about alternative approaches to cancer management while navigating his own health challenges.
Cancer's Metabolic Roots
Dr. Seyfried's Groundbreaking Cancer Research
Dr. Thomas Seyfried's decades of research has fundamentally challenged conventional cancer theories. His work proposes that cancer is primarily a metabolic disease, not a genetic one as commonly believed. This perspective shifts our understanding of cancer's origin and offers new treatment approaches beyond traditional chemotherapy and radiation.
Dr. Seyfried's research demonstrates that cancer cells rely heavily on glucose metabolism (glycolysis) even in the presence of oxygen - a phenomenon known as the Warburg effect. This metabolic dependency creates a potential vulnerability that can be exploited through nutritional interventions.
The implications of Dr. Seyfried's work are profound but remain underutilized in mainstream oncology. His findings suggest that metabolic therapies including ketogenic diets, fasting protocols, and targeted nutritional strategies could significantly enhance cancer treatment outcomes.
Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Cancer Development
Mitochondria, our cellular powerhouses, play a crucial role in cancer formation when damaged. When these energy-producing organelles malfunction, cells can switch to alternative, less efficient energy pathways that paradoxically promote cancer cell survival and proliferation.
The damage to mitochondria disrupts normal cellular respiration and triggers compensatory mechanisms that ultimately contribute to the cancerous state. Rather than properly utilizing oxygen for energy production, damaged mitochondria lead cells toward fermentation metabolism even when oxygen is present.
This metabolic shift creates an environment where cancer cells can thrive while normal cells struggle. The mitochondrial damage theory helps explain why cancer cells demonstrate such remarkable adaptability and resistance to many conventional treatments.
Chronic Inflammation as Cancer's Root Cause
Chronic inflammation represents one of the primary triggers for mitochondrial damage that can lead to cancer. This persistent inflammatory state can arise from various sources, with diet being a significant contributor for many people.
Foods high in refined carbohydrates, sugars, and industrial seed oils frequently drive inflammatory processes throughout the body. This ongoing inflammation damages mitochondrial membranes and DNA, potentially initiating the metabolic dysfunction that precedes cancer development.
The connection between inflammation and cancer development explains why populations consuming anti-inflammatory diets typically show lower cancer rates. By addressing the inflammatory roots of mitochondrial damage, it may be possible to both prevent cancer and support existing cancer treatments.
The Metabolic Perspective on Cancer Treatment
Cancer treatment approaches have serious flaws that need addressing. The conventional medical system typically offers limited options, primarily focusing on chemotherapy without discussing the metabolic aspects of cancer development and potential alternative approaches.
Research by Professor Thomas Seyfried suggests cancer is fundamentally a metabolic disease rather than merely a genetic one. This perspective shifts our understanding of both cancer's causes and potential treatments.
The standard approach to cancer care often ignores the role of chronic inflammation in damaging mitochondria. This inflammation frequently stems from poor dietary choices such as processed foods, high carbohydrates, sugar, and seed oils.
Most concerning is how hospitals manage cancer patients' nutrition. Some medical facilities serve cookies and sugar-laden foods to patients undergoing chemotherapy, despite evidence suggesting cancer cells thrive on sugar. This contradictory approach undermines treatment effectiveness.
When patients ask about cancer's origins, they're often told it's a random occurrence or genetic fluke. Yet research indicates many cases stem from lifestyle factors and metabolic dysfunction that could potentially be addressed through nutrition.
Key Problems with Current Cancer Treatment:
Limited discussion of metabolic approaches
Minimal focus on nutrition as treatment support
Inadequate education about inflammation's role
Failure to address sugar consumption during treatment
Little emphasis on fasting protocols that might enhance treatment
Water fasting protocols combined with conventional treatment have shown promising results for some patients. These approaches may help reduce inflammation and potentially enhance the body's natural healing processes through autophagy.
Metabolic health appears central to both cancer prevention and treatment support. With approximately 88% of the population having poor metabolic health, addressing this underlying issue could significantly impact cancer rates and outcomes.
The tragedy isn't that conventional treatments exist, but rather that patients often aren't informed about complementary approaches. Everyone deserves complete information about their treatment options to make informed decisions based on their specific situation.
Poor Metabolic Health and Dietary Challenges
Metabolic health issues affect approximately 88% of people today, stemming largely from modern dietary choices. The standard diet filled with carbohydrates, sugar, seed oils, and processed foods creates chronic inflammation throughout the body. This inflammation represents a significant concern for long-term health outcomes.
Chronic inflammation from poor dietary choices can damage cellular mitochondria. When mitochondria become dysfunctional through continuous exposure to inflammatory triggers, the body becomes susceptible to various health conditions, including serious diseases like cancer.
The connection between diet and disease remains underrecognized in conventional healthcare settings. Many medical professionals attribute conditions like cancer to "flukes" or unknown causes rather than examining metabolic factors. This gap in understanding prevents patients from receiving comprehensive information about potential dietary interventions.
Heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death in many populations. Meanwhile, diabetes rates are increasing dramatically across age groups. Mental health conditions like depression and anxiety have become commonplace, often with underlying metabolic components.
Most concerning is that dietary factors contributing to these conditions aren't widely discussed in treatment settings. For example, cancer patients may receive treatments while simultaneously being offered sugary foods that potentially feed cancer cells, according to metabolic research.
The therapeutic potential of nutritional interventions, including:
Properly formulated meat-based diets
Strategic fasting protocols
Ketosis maintenance
Elimination of inflammatory foods
These approaches may complement traditional treatments by addressing the metabolic underpinnings of disease. Evidence suggests cancer cells particularly thrive on glucose, making dietary modification potentially beneficial alongside conventional care.
Personal experiences demonstrate how inflammatory symptoms can disappear when switching to anti-inflammatory dietary patterns. Common issues like chronic back pain, previously attributed to injury, often resolve when inflammatory triggers are removed from the diet.
Reintroducing even small amounts of problematic foods or cooking oils can trigger inflammatory responses in sensitive individuals. This highlights how critical food quality and preparation methods remain for maintaining metabolic health.
Looking to ancestral eating patterns provides insight into potential dietary frameworks. Historical human populations likely experienced natural cycles of feast and famine, eating animal-based foods when available followed by periods without food. This natural rhythm may have metabolic benefits not replicated in today's constant-feeding environment.
Personal Views on Cancer Treatment Options and Metabolic Approaches
After 202 days following a carnivore diet, the individual decided to take a break to join their friend Jeff in a 5-day water fast. This decision came after experiencing inflammation and lower back pain for the first time since starting the carnivore lifestyle.
Their friend Jeff, who has stage four cancer that spread from his colon to his liver, was originally told his condition was terminal with only months to live. Instead of accepting this prognosis, Jeff took control of his health through a combination of fasting, carnivore diet, exercise, and chemotherapy treatments. He follows a specific protocol of 5-day water fasts before each chemotherapy session.
The individual believes the carnivore diet represents humanity's natural eating pattern throughout evolution. They suggest our ancestors likely hunted large animals, consumed the meat, organs, and fat, then fasted until finding the next prey. This cycle of feast and famine differs from modern carnivore approaches where meals are regular and abundant.
Their understanding of cancer has been significantly influenced by Professor Thomas Seyfried's research, which proposes that:
Cancer is primarily a metabolic disease with metabolic solutions
Cancer often stems from mitochondrial damage caused by chronic inflammation
Chronic inflammation frequently results from poor dietary choices (processed foods, carbohydrates, seed oils)
Cancer cells thrive on sugar
The individual expresses frustration that metabolic interventions for cancer receive little attention in conventional treatment settings. They find it troubling that patients receiving chemotherapy are often served sugary foods and drinks, which may counteract treatment effectiveness according to metabolic theory.
They believe people should have access to information about all treatment options, including metabolic approaches. The individual doesn't advocate for any specific cancer treatment but feels strongly that patients should be informed about alternatives beyond conventional therapies.
The concern extends beyond cancer to broader public health issues. They note that approximately 88% of people have poor metabolic health, which contributes to rising rates of heart disease, diabetes, depression, anxiety, and chronic inflammation.
