The viral carnivore diet can lead to this scary kidney condition, warns study

New year, new fad diet. The year has begun with a controversial wellness trend - carnivore diet - that encourages you to eliminate all plant-based foods and embrace animal-derived products, for weight loss and improving focus. High in fat and cholesterol, and low in carbs and fibre, this eating pattern has been in news for its potential in improving weight loss, fighting inflammation, and improving mental health. What's its formula for weight loss? When you cut all carbs, the body burns fat for energy, resulting in burning of fat.

While this viral eating style has sparked curiosity of many, it has its own dangers. The carnivore diet isn't in line with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which recommends that adults get 45% to 65% of their daily calories from carbohydrates. People may develop deficiencies in important vitamins and minerals. Not getting enough fibre could lead to constipation too.

How carnivore diet can affect your kidney

A new study has warned about dangers of carnivore diet, especially an increased risk of getting kidney stones. In some cases, large stones block the flow of urine out of the body, leading to potentially life-threatening infections and risking sepsis.

The single-patient study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition discussed how a patient who followed the diet after coming to know about it from YouTube suffered major complications. The 68 year-old man lost two-stone while only eating meat.

The tests performed a year after revealed the earliest stages of forming the painful crystals. Experts said he was at an elevated risk of all three types of major kidney stones - those formed of calcium oxalate, calcium phosphate, and uric acid, and these were now at 'levels consistent with stone growth'.

After being convinced by doctors to quit the diet, an examination after one year revealed him to be kidney stone free.

Why did it happen?

"This patient’s urine studies demonstrate the potential hazards of the carnivore diet," said the researchers as quoted by DailyMail.

The researchers further noted that due to increased animal protein, the exclusion of dairy products, and the removal of fruits and vegetables, the diet creates an optimal environment for the development of all stone types.

"The lack of literature on this and other fad diets’ safety and efficacy should be a cause for alarm among physicians. The advent of social media and the use of such communication for health information will make fad diets a continually growing issue," they added.

What happens to your kidneys when you eat too much protein?

According to Harvard Health, eating too much animal protein, such as red meat, poultry, eggs, and seafood, is linked to a higher risk of developing kidney stones, especially if you are prone to them.

Eating foods rich in fibre on the other hand could help feed good bacteria in the gut, thereby hindering kidney stone formation.

What are kidney stones?

Kidney stones are hard deposits of minerals and salts that form inside your kidneys. Most stones pass out of your body in your pee on their own, but they can be very painful as they move through. A procedure is needed to remove the stone from the body if it doesn't pass on its own.

Other side effects of carnivore diet

Animal-based diets are bound to be high in saturated fat, raising the risk of high low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol which could increase your chances of heart disease and stroke. Eating processed meats, which are allowed in this diet can raise blood pressure as they are high in salt.