The Shocking Truth About the Carnivore Diet and Hemorrhoids You Need to Know!

The carnivore diet, an eating plan that restricts food intake to only meat and animal products, has gained popularity for its potential benefits in weight loss and managing certain health conditions. However, this restrictive diet can also lead to some adverse effects, including constipation and an increased risk of hemorrhoids. This article explores the connection between the carnivore diet and hemorrhoids, explains why constipation may occur, and provides recommendations for prevention and treatment.

What is the Carnivore Diet?

The carnivore diet involves eating only animal-based foods, excluding all other food groups, such as vegetables and fruits. This means it is typically high in fat and protein and low in carbohydrates. The carnivore diet consists entirely of meat and animal products, excluding all other foods. Specifically, someone on the carnivore diet can eat:

Meat: Beef, chicken, turkey, lamb, pork, etc.
Organ meats: Liver, kidney, sweatbread, tripe, heart, brain
Fish: Salmon, mackerel, sardines, crab, lobster, tilapia, herring, etc.
Other animal products: Eggs, lard, bone marrow, bone broth, etc.
Low-lactose dairy (in small amounts): Heavy cream, hard cheese, butter, etc.
Water

According to some proponents of the diet, salt, pepper, and seasonings with no carbs are allowed. In addition, some people choose to eat yogurt, milk, and soft cheese, but these foods are typically not included due to their carb contents.

All foods that do not come from animals are excluded from the carnivore diet. Restricted foods include:

Vegetables: Broccoli, cauliflower, potatoes, green beans, peppers, etc.
Fruits: Apples, berries, bananas, kiwi, oranges, etc.
High-lactose dairy: Milk, yogurt, soft cheese, etc.
Legumes: Beans, lentils, etc.
Nuts and seeds: Almonds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, etc.
Grains: Rice, wheat, bread, quinoa, pasta, etc.
Alcohol: Beer, wine, liquor, etc.
Sugars: Table sugar, maple syrup, brown sugar, etc.
Beverages other than water: Soda, coffee, tea, fruit juice, etc.

While some people incorporate some of these foods, a strict carnivore diet does not permit them.

The Connection Between the Carnivore Diet and Constipation

Constipation is a common condition in which a person does not pass stools regularly or cannot empty their bowel fully. A range of possible causes of constipation may occur when following the carnivore diet. Some may worry about becoming constipated due to this diet’s lack of fiber. However, there is a mixture of evidence on fiber and constipation in the carnivore diet. Nevertheless, generally accepted treatment recommendations for constipation start with diet and lifestyle changes, such as increasing fiber and water intake and getting regular exercise. If that does not work, people may want to try laxative medications.

Constipation can occur for a range of reasons, which include:

The slow movement of stool through the colon
Delayed emptying of the colon due to pelvic floor disorders or colon surgery
Functional gastrointestinal conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome
Life changes, such as pregnancy or starting a new eating pattern
Health and nutrition issues, such as not drinking enough water or having diabetes

Why Does Constipation Occur on the Carnivore Diet?

Several factors associated with the carnivore diet may contribute to constipation:

Low fiber intake: Some research shows an association between a lower fiber intake and a higher risk of constipation among adults in the United States. Fiber is a nutritional component responsible for bulking up stool, holding water in the digestive tract, and helping stool pass through the digestive tract more smoothly. It’s found in fruits and vegetables and plant-based proteins like beans and lentils. Not getting enough fiber in your diet may increase your risk of constipation and hemorrhoids. The carnivore diet does not include fiber.
Glycogen breakdown: Eating a low carbohydrate diet, such as the carnivore diet, requires the body to break down glycogen stored in the muscles and liver. Glycogen attaches to water, which the body then expels through the urine. This could lead to dehydration and a lack of water for forming stools.

Read also: The Carnivore Diet's Impact on Sleep
Gut health: It is worth considering that a person’s gut needs to adapt to their new way of eating on the carnivore diet, which includes a higher fat intake. Similarly, the bacterial populations that make up the microbiome need to change in response to this change in diet. Carbohydrate-loving bacteria might die out while fat-loving bacteria increase in numbers. Putting effort into these adaptations could decrease the food transit time through the gut.

How the Carnivore Diet Can Lead to Hemorrhoids

The carnivore diet eliminates all foods except meat and animal products, which may slow digestion and lead to constipation. This can result in hard stools that are more difficult to pass. This may increase your risk of hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids can be itchy and painful and may bleed when passing stools. Hemorrhoids can be internal (start above the dentate line and don’t hurt) or external (start below the dentate line and usually hurt). They can also be prolapsed (when internal hemorrhoids swell and hang out of the anus) or thrombosed (when a blood clot forms in the hemorrhoid tissue). People may get hemorrhoids while on the carnivore diet because they do not consume enough fiber and water.

Managing and Treating Hemorrhoids on the Carnivore Diet

If you experience hemorrhoids while following the carnivore diet, it’s best to talk with a doctor. They can examine and confirm the diagnosis of hemorrhoids and recommend treatment. They can also determine if something else is causing your symptoms. Treating hemorrhoids typically involves:

Increasing dietary fiber
Using stool softeners
Increasing water intake
Applying topical pain relievers to hemorrhoids

Whether you eat fiber-rich foods or consume fiber as a dietary supplement, be sure to drink lots of water with it. Water can help soften stool, making it easier and less painful to pass.

Other Considerations for the Carnivore Diet

The carnivore diet is contrary to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which emphasize the importance of fiber for good health. This results in higher fat and protein consumption and lower fiber consumption. Official dietary guidelines emphasize the need to consume enough fiber for good health. The reduction in fiber could be one reason why some people develop constipation when following the carnivore diet. No controlled studies support claims that the carnivore diet can help eliminate health issues. It lacks beneficial nutrients, including fiber and plant compounds like antioxidants. It may be unsafe for some people.

Due to its highly restrictive nature and complete elimination of the majority of food groups, there are many downsides to the carnivore diet.

High in fat, cholesterol, and sodium: Given that the carnivore diet consists solely of animal foods, it can be high in saturated fat and cholesterol. Saturated fat may raise your LDL (bad) cholesterol, which may increase your risk of heart disease. However, recent studies have shown that the link between saturated fat intake and heart disease risk may not be as strong as previously believed. Still, consuming high amounts of saturated fat on the carnivore diet may be of concern. No research has analyzed the health effects of eating animal foods exclusively. Therefore, the effects of consuming such high levels of fat and cholesterol are unknown. Moreover, some processed meats, especially bacon and breakfast meats, also contain high amounts of sodium. Eating a lot of these foods on the carnivore diet can lead to excessive sodium intake, which has been linked to an increased risk of high blood pressure, kidney disease, and other negative health outcomes. Red and processed meat intake has also been linked to higher rates of certain types of cancer, including colon and rectal cancer.
May lack certain micronutrients and beneficial plant compounds: The carnivore diet eliminates highly nutritious foods like fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains, all of which contain beneficial vitamins and minerals. While meat is nutritious and provides many micronutrients, it should not be the only part of your diet. Following a restrictive diet like the carnivore diet may lead to deficiencies in some nutrients and the overconsumption of others. What’s more, diets that are rich in plant-based foods have been associated with a lower risk of certain long-term conditions like heart disease, certain cancers, Alzheimer’s, and type 2 diabetes. This is not only due to the high vitamin, fiber, and mineral contents of plant foods but also their beneficial plant compounds and antioxidants. The carnivore diet does not contain these compounds and has not been associated with any long-term health benefits.
Does not provide fiber: Fiber, a non-digestible carb that promotes gut health and healthy bowel movements, is only found in plant foods. Thus, the carnivore diet contains no fiber, which may lead to constipation as a side effect. Additionally, fiber is incredibly important for the proper balance of bacteria in your gut. In fact, suboptimal gut health can lead to a number of issues and may even be linked to colon cancer. In fact, one review found that a high-protein, low-carb diet may increase your risk for gut inflammation. When your body digests large amounts of protein, it creates potentially harmful byproducts in your gut. These byproducts may have a negative effect on the health of your bowels. Overall, following the carnivore diet may harm your gut health.
May not be suited for some populations: The carnivore diet may be especially problematic for certain populations. For example, those who need to limit their protein intake, including people with chronic kidney disease, should not follow the diet. Also, those who are more sensitive to the cholesterol in foods, or cholesterol hyper-responders, should be cautious about consuming so many high-cholesterol foods. Furthermore, certain populations with special nutrient needs would likely not meet them on the carnivore diet. This includes children and people who are pregnant or lactating. Lastly, those who have anxiety about food or a history of disordered eating should not try this diet.

Sample Carnivore Diet Menu

The carnivore diet is difficult to follow long term and does not offer much variety. Here’s a five-day sample menu for the carnivore diet:

Day 1

Breakfast: eggs, bacon, sardines
Lunch: turkey burger patty, salmon jerky, beef tips
Dinner: filet mignon, crab, chicken liver
Snacks: a small amount of Parmesan cheese, jerky

Day 2

Breakfast: shrimp, eggs, a small glass of heavy cream
Lunch: strip steak, tuna fish, beef jerky
Dinner: lamb chops, scallops, beef liver
Snacks: a small amount of hard Cheddar cheese, bone broth

Day 3

Breakfast: eggs, salmon, turkey sausage
Lunch: sweetbreads, pork chops, mackerel
Dinner: turkey burger patty, a small amount of Parmesan cheese, bone marrow
Snacks: hard-boiled eggs, shrimp

Day 4

Breakfast: trout, shredded chicken, bacon
Lunch: beef meatballs, small amount Cheddar cheese, salmon jerky
Dinner: crab cooked in lard, filet mignon
Snacks: sardines, beef jerky

Day 5

Breakfast: eggs, chicken and turkey sausage links
Lunch: lamb roast, chicken liver, pork chop
Dinner: flank steak, scallops cooked in butter, a small glass of heavy cream
Snacks: bone broth, turkey jerky

Alternatives to the Carnivore Diet

The carnivore diet eliminates all foods except meat and animal products. Thus, it’s low in vitamin c, folate, has no fiber, and is difficult to maintain. You should follow a well-rounded diet instead. Other popular low-carb diets, like the keto and paleo diets, limit but don’t exclude carb intake. However, the carnivore diet aims for zero carbs. Instead, eating smaller amounts of wholesome, high-fiber carbs that don’t cause spikes in blood sugar is recommended.

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