Introduction

Welcome back nude followers, today we are summarizing an episode by Judy Cho, a board-certified holistic nutritionist, where she discusses the problems with Dr. Paul Saladino's carnivore diet and presents her own insights on animal-based diets. The episode delves into the health implications of strict carnivore diets and the importance of incorporating carbohydrates.

• Judy Cho critiques Dr. Paul Saladino's carnivore diet, highlighting its potential health drawbacks and why she believes it is not ideal for long-term health.
• The discussion includes a detailed analysis of blood work, nutritional deficiencies, and the impact of diet on overall health.

The Critique of Dr. Paul Saladino's Carnivore Diet

Judy Cho critically examines Dr. Paul Saladino's strict carnivore diet, which he followed for several years before experiencing negative health outcomes.

• Health Issues: Dr. Saladino reported a drop in testosterone, sleep disturbances, heart palpitations, and muscle cramps after years on the carnivore diet, leading him to incorporate carbohydrates into his diet.
• Nutritional Deficiencies: The carnivore diet lacks fiber and can lead to vitamin and mineral deficiencies, gastrointestinal issues like constipation and acid reflux, and damage to the gut microbiome.
• Blood Work Analysis: Judy Cho compares her own blood work, which includes a balanced animal-based diet with carbohydrates, to Dr. Saladino's, highlighting differences in markers such as HDL, triglycerides, and DHEA levels.
• Electrolyte Imbalances: The podcast discusses how long-term ketogenic diets can lead to electrolyte deficiencies and how these imbalances can persist even after adding carbohydrates to the diet.
• Hormonal Impact: Dr. Saladino's DHEA levels were found to be low, indicating possible adrenal insufficiency or chronic stress, despite his improved overall health after adding carbohydrates.

The Importance of Carbohydrates

Judy Cho emphasizes the importance of including carbohydrates in the diet, contrary to the strict carnivore approach.

• Insulin Sensitivity: Including carbohydrates can improve insulin sensitivity, as evidenced by Judy Cho's own blood work showing low fasting blood sugar and high HDL levels despite consuming significant amounts of fruit and honey.
• Stress Hormones: Carbohydrates can help lower stress hormones like cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine, which is beneficial for overall health.
• Hormonal Balance: The podcast discusses how carbohydrates can affect hormonal balance, including the cortisol to DHEA ratio, which is important for longevity and health.
• Clinical Experience: Judy Cho shares her clinical experience with over 2,000 carnivore clients, highlighting the importance of functional medicine lab ranges and the need for a balanced approach to diet.

Blood Work and Health Markers

The episode delves into the details of blood work and various health markers to understand the impact of different diets.

• Functional Medicine Ranges: Judy Cho explains the difference between standard care and functional medicine lab ranges, emphasizing the importance of tighter ranges for optimal health.
• DHEA and Adrenal Function: Low DHEA levels are discussed as a sign of adrenal insufficiency or chronic stress, and the importance of testing for this marker is highlighted.
• Homocysteine and Inflammation: Elevated homocysteine levels are linked to inflammation and deficiencies in B vitamins, and the need for adequate folate intake is emphasized.
• Electrolyte Balance: The podcast discusses the importance of electrolyte balance and how imbalances can occur even when consuming carbohydrates, suggesting deeper hormonal or metabolic issues.

Key Takeaways

Here are the key insights from the episode:

• Balanced Diet: A balanced diet that includes carbohydrates, such as fruit and honey, can be beneficial for overall health and hormonal balance.
• Electrolyte Management: Managing electrolytes is crucial, especially on ketogenic or carnivore diets, to avoid deficiencies and imbalances.
• Hormonal Health: Monitoring hormonal markers like DHEA and cortisol is essential for understanding the body's stress and adrenal function.
• Clinical Evidence: Clinical experience and blood work analysis are more important than theoretical studies in determining the effectiveness of a diet.
• Personalized Approach: Trusting one's own body and symptoms is crucial, and a personalized approach to diet and health is recommended rather than following a one-size-fits-all diet.