Meat lovers will rejoice at the idea of a diet that promises better health and wellness from animal products like steak and eggs. While most dietary recommendations encourage eating less meat for overall health and chronic disease prevention, the carnivore diet aims for zero carbohydrates by nixing all plant foods, including fruits, vegetables, and grains. Members of MyLupusTeam have experimented with the carnivore diet in their quest to improve lupus symptoms. But can a diet consisting only of meat and animal products really be healthy?

There’s some evidence that people with lupus — especially those with lupus nephritis, which affects the kidneys — should be careful about eating too much meat. Here’s what the research says about treading lightly before jumping into a long-term carnivore diet.

Potential Benefits of the Carnivore Diet

No high-quality evidence supports following the carnivore diet for people with lupus. In fact, for people who have lupus nephritis, a high-protein carnivore diet can be dangerous and harmful to their kidneys. Any hype surrounding the carnivore diet is primarily based on individual testimonials, not scientific studies.

If weight loss is a goal for you, there’s a good chance you’ll drop pounds on a carnivore diet, but that’s because it’s very restrictive and eliminates all forms of sugar. Nonetheless, MyLupusTeam members have experimented with the carnivore diet and reported some positive effects.

Proponents of the Carnivore Diet

“I tried the carnivore diet. My butterfly rash seemed to improve,” one MyLupusTeam member said. “I haven’t yet isolated what foods bring it on. My next experiment will be with removing eggs. If that doesn’t work, then I’ll remove dairy and maybe even ground meats.”

“I’ve been on it for almost 60 days. I wasn’t sold on it until I no longer had joint pain, rash, fatigue, or a cloudy memory,” shared another member. “I’m not sure this diet is sustainable for me long term, but … I encourage people to try it for 30 days. If it’s not for you, then don’t continue. If it is, enjoy feeling amazing.”

“I tried the carnivore diet, and all my autoimmune symptoms went into remission within a few weeks — right now feeling better than ever,” a third member reported. “To get these results, I had to cut out all dairy products.”

It’s worth noting that none of the MyLupusTeam members reported staying on the carnivore diet for more than a month or two. Nonetheless, hearing about their positive results raises questions about whether the improvements could be attributed to diet-related factors such as:

• Losing weight
• Avoiding sugar
• Cutting out gluten or some dairy products

Although food doesn’t affect everyone’s lupus symptoms the same way, members have noted some common triggers. “I have to cut out gluten, sugar, lactose, and yeast from my diet,” one member said. “Although my symptoms don’t totally disappear, I’ve noticed it definitely makes symptoms worse if I consume one of these.”

Carnivore Diet Dangers and Downsides

There’s growing evidence that a healthy gut microbiome (community of bacteria, viruses, and fungi) is essential to living well with lupus. Diets high in fat, such as the carnivore diet, may negatively affect gut bacteria. Additionally, getting enough fiber and polyphenols (beneficial plant compounds) can support a healthier gut and immune system.

High-protein diets, like the carnivore diet, aren’t recommended for people with impaired kidney function. The kidneys work hard to process dietary protein and can become overloaded by an excess, allowing acid and other toxins to build up in the blood.

Finally, there are several heart disease implications of the carnivore diet that people with lupus shouldn’t ignore. Lupus can put you at higher risk of cardiovascular problems. Decades of research indicate that fiber, which is found only in plant foods, helps protect against heart conditions. Conversely, diets high in animal products, especially processed types, are not considered heart-healthy because of their high saturated fat content.

Meat Worsens Symptoms for Some People

“I’ve noticed a link to symptoms worsening whenever I have meat or dairy products,” one MyLupusTeam member explained. “I’ve eliminated all red meats and am slowly integrating vegan alternatives.”

Another shared, “What helped me was a whole food plant-based way of eating. I lost 100 pounds, and it’s helped tremendously.”

Lots of members have also had success with versions of an anti-inflammatory or Mediterranean diet. “I did a lot of online searches about what food and beverages cause inflammation and what food and beverages help prevent inflammation. As a result, I eliminated processed foods, sugary foods and beverages, and fatty foods, mostly red meat,” shared one member. “I now pretty much follow the Mediterranean diet and found that eating fresh or frozen fruit, especially cherries and cherry juice, pretty much has eliminated joint pain and swelling.”

Other Diets To Consider

Sometimes moderation really is the best policy. Although people with lupus may need to avoid specific food triggers, the carnivore diet leaves out important nutrients that your body needs.

If you suspect that a certain ingredient (such as gluten, lactose in dairy foods, or other sugars) worsens your flare-ups, you may be better off trying an elimination diet to get a better understanding of your body’s response to specific foods. During an elimination diet, you’ll systematically remove potential food triggers from your diet and keep a food diary, noting how the changes affect your symptoms. Then you’ll reintroduce these foods one by one and track how they affect your body. Reach out to your doctor or dietitian if you’re not sure what foods contain the elimination ingredients.

Some MyLupusTeam members have found a better balance by focusing more on certain foods rather than eliminating all plants. One member described their switch from a vegetarian diet to a ketovore diet, a high-fat, low-carb eating style that blends parts of carnivore and ketogenic diets. “I have tumid lupus, and the vegetarian way of eating wasn’t helping. My hair was falling out, my joints hurt, and my rashes kept flaring. I switched to mostly meat with some vegetables and fruit. My hair came back with no fallout, and my joints don’t hurt as much,” they said. “Overall, eating mainly meats with animal fat is helping me.”

A registered dietitian nutritionist can guide you through the process of changing your diet and avoiding potentially dangerous fads like the carnivore diet. Your best bet may be combining positive aspects of the carnivore diet (like avoiding sugar and refined grains) with beneficial plant-based foods rich in polyphenols and fiber.

Talk With Others Who Understand

MyLupusTeam is the social network for people with lupus and their loved ones. On MyLupusTeam, over 222,000 people with lupus come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories.

Have you tried a meat-based eating style such as a carnivore, ketogenic, or paleo diet for lupus? Or do you prefer to focus on plant-based foods like fruits, veggies, and legumes? How do you feel dietary changes affect your autoimmune disease? Post your thoughts in the comments below, or start a conversation by sharing on your Activities page.