Keto Genesis: My Personal and Scientific Evolution to Carnivore

The journey of dietary revolutions—from Dr. Atkins' low-carb revolution to Loren Cordain's Paleo movement, and finally to the modern carnivore diet—reflects not just a shift in nutritional science but also a deeply personal transformation for many, including myself. This is a story of resilience, discovery, and the relentless pursuit of optimal health.

A Personal Battle: Cancer, Addiction, and the Spark of Change

At 16, I faced cancer—a diagnosis that would shape my life forever. The experience left me not only physically scarred but also searching for answers about health and survival. Later, during my college years, I fell into substance abuse, a dark chapter fueled by escapism. Yet, even in those moments of despair, a spark of hope emerged.

That hope came unexpectedly when I discovered Nightingale-Conant’s self-improvement programs thanks to watching a Tony Robbins infomertial in 1993. Their 30-day money-back guarantee was a lifeline I clung to. Among the materials I absorbed was Kevin Trudeau’s Mega Memory program. While the course taught memory techniques, it also opened doors to deeper learning. It placed me on a mailing list that introduced me to Frank Wallace’s offbeat Neo-Tech philosophy at 21 years of age—a strange system that challenged conventional thinking and ultimately introduced me to Ayn Rand’s Objectivism.

Through Neo-Tech, I first encountered the Atkins Diet. Dr. Robert Atkins’ pioneering work on low-carbohydrate eating resonated with me profoundly as I sought ways to prevent cancer recurrence. This was the beginning of my obsession with understanding nutrition and its role in health.

From Atkins to Paleo: The Evolution of Low-Carb Thinking

Dr. Robert Atkins revolutionized dieting in the 1970s by advocating for carbohydrate restriction as a means to manage weight and improve metabolic health. His approach was groundbreaking because it defied the prevailing low-fat dogma of his time. The Atkins Diet emphasized high protein and fat while minimizing carbohydrates, triggering ketosis—a metabolic state where fat becomes the primary fuel source[1][6][13].

By the early 2000s, Loren Cordain expanded on this foundation with the Paleo Diet. Cordain’s work delved into evolutionary biology, arguing that our ancestors thrived on diets devoid of processed foods, grains, and dairy[2][14]. The Paleo Diet emphasized whole foods like meat, fish, vegetables, and nuts while eliminating modern agricultural products like grains and legumes[11][17]. It was not just about weight loss but about aligning our diets with our genetic makeup to prevent chronic diseases.

Cordain’s research captivated me during my studies in financial engineering. His scientific rigor mirrored my own analytical approach to understanding risk—whether in markets or health. I even reached out and had an agreement to help bring his ideas to market (sadly, I couldn’t make it happen). Yet, as I delved deeper into mortality statistics and iatrogenic harm (medical errors), my skepticism toward modern dietary guidelines grew.

The Carnivore Revolution: A Return to Simplicity

The carnivore diet represents the latest evolution in low-carb eating—a radical simplification that involves consuming only animal-based foods such as meat, fish, eggs, and animal fats[3][27]. Advocates like Dr. Shawn Baker popularized it in recent years through social media and clinical anecdotes[3]. The diet challenges even Paleo principles by eliminating plant-based foods entirely.

For me, this approach resonated with insights from Dr. Sean O’Mara and functional nutritionist Candi Frazier. Dr. O’Mara’s groundbreaking research on visceral fat—an indicator of chronic disease—underscored the importance of dietary change over exercise alone[4][60]. His work revealed how an animal-based diet could reverse conditions like diabetes and heart disease while optimizing performance.

Candi Frazier’s Primal Bod system added another layer of understanding by connecting ancestral nutrition with modern challenges like hormonal imbalances and metabolic damage[5][42]. Her holistic approach reinforced my belief that food is medicine.

A Framework for Health: Lessons Learned

1. Nutrition as Prevention: My battle with cancer taught me that diet is foundational to health. Low-carb approaches like Atkins and carnivore have shown promise in reducing inflammation and stabilizing blood sugar—factors linked to cancer prevention.

2. Critical Thinking: From Neo-Tech to Objectivism, I learned to question assumptions and seek evidence-based solutions. This intellectual rigor guided my skepticism toward mainstream dietary advice.

3. Personal Experimentation: Every individual is unique. What works for one person may not work for another. My journey has been one of trial and error—testing different diets until finding what aligns with my body’s needs.

4. Focus on Metrics: Whether tracking visceral fat or blood glucose levels, measurable outcomes provide clarity amidst conflicting nutritional advice.

Inspiring Change

Today, I am healthier than ever—physically strong, mentally sharp, and emotionally resilient. This transformation would not have been possible without embracing unconventional ideas and challenging the status quo.

The carnivore diet is more than a fad; it represents a return to simplicity in an era of dietary confusion. For those willing to question conventional wisdom and experiment boldly, it offers a path not just to survival but to thriving.

Let this be your invitation to take control of your health—one bite at a time.

Citations:
[1] Atkins Diet: A Way of Balanced Lifestyle https://www.atkins.com/how-it-works/atkins-at-a-glance
[2] History of The Paleo Diet https://thepaleodiet.com/history-of-the-paleo-diet/
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[12] Human ancestor Homo erectus probably wasn’t the carnivore we ... https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/news/2022/january/human-ancestor-homo-erectus-probably-wasnt-carnivore-we-thought.html
[13] Atkins diet — Boston Specialists https://www.bostonspecialists.org/atkins-diet
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