I first learned about the carnivore diet from Saifedean and I remember him emphasizing that you need to eat organ meats. It was the podcast he did with Dr. Cate Shannahan I can never forget it. It was what got me to try the carnivore diet in the first place but I reacted poorly to it. I felt worse after a month of pure carnivore, I was very lethargic. Had to take a nap midday.
Discussion
Saifadean has said many times all he eats is ribeyes (or McDonald’s beef patties if he travels). Organ meat doesn’t have some special power or energy lol it’s just more nutrient dense. It’s too nutrient dense to eat regularly. Muscle meat and fat has all the same nutrients as organ meat just in different (and optimal) proportions - it can and does nourish any human perfectly.
The effective utilization of fat as an energy source isn’t something that happens quickly or simply. That was your issue. It takes longer than a month, much longer in many cases. Your body has to “learn” how to use fat as energy after having a lifetime of cheap exogenous glucose to use as fuel. It’s a huge metabolic shift. Your endocrine system has to adapt as well and your hormonal production needs to be completely reworked from the insulin-soaked baseline. It won’t happen in days, it’s a months long process. Potentially up to 2 years according to Dr Rob Cywes depending on the person.
Another major issue for people on carnivore is lack of sodium. Your sodium intake needs to be likely 10x’d by weight. 4-5 grams daily. It is critical.
Like I said I have made this transition and sustained it for 4 years. I’ve progressively gotten more healthy and athletically performant as I’ve stuck with it and I’m almost 40 now.