Hi Alec. I think Dr. Paul Saladino needs to make it more clear just how active he is, and that the amounts of carbohydrates he has brought back into his WOE, the honey and fruits, are fitted to his activity levels, and others, even if metabolically healthy, must fit their amounts to their individual activity levels. As I understand it he was strict carnivore, but then healed to the extent he could bring back some carbohydrates such as fruits, honey and raw milk, and that is wonderful, it’s clearly doing him good. Many sees the strict carnivore WOE as an exclusion diet with a view to, once healed, bring back in foods and see how they do with them. Some choose to continue the strict carnivore path because they feel better on it, and that’s great, but I’m just amazed at the negative reactions with regards to Dr. Paul Saladino making those changes to his WOE, like they feel he’s betrayed the carnivore society, that’s ridiculous. It’s not a religion, it’s not an identity, it’s a WOE designed to heal.
So some of the animosity he has met with, simply because he incorporated those foods back which appears to be doing him well, is mind boggling to me. He continues to research nutrition, continues to research what is the optimum human diet, and instead of falling prey to dogmas, he appears to have an open mind. I have been quite surprised in people’s lack of objectivity, in their animosity when faced with new ideas and the sheer unwillingness to discuss and keep an open mind, as learning is just that, keeping an open mind. Yes, I’ve read all about Ancel Keys and his legacy, I’ve read the usual rules and helpful advice pertaining to a ketogenic WOE, ketosis, fat-adaptation, and the effects of fructose on the liver, insulin resistance, etc. And I understand a very simple formula is very helpful for those who are obese, diabetic, metabolically unhealthy, carb and sugar addicts, but there must also come a time when we can discuss more openly and freely how a ketogenic WOE will affect men and women differently, whether remaining perpetually in ketosis could potentially do more harm than good, for a woman, with regards to thyroid function, whether it is wise to keep insulin consistantly low, whether a WOE that has you grasping for supplements is really all that optimum, and this is all of course highly individual, and some will thrive and some will do poorly, but it is certain that one WOE will not fit all. Those who continue to do strict carnivore, great, wonderful that better health is felt on this WOE, but to call out someone who then decides to make positive changes to their WOE, like Dr. Paul Saladino, and try to ridicule him on that premise, is well, it tells me those particular carnivores have become attached to their WOE in a way that is unhealthy, and have begun to identify themselves with it. Then, indeed it is a cult. I am always on the lookout for the best nutrition, and the best way to live, I am always willing to learn, and would just wish for more open discussions, with new ideas welcomed instead of ignored or met with negativity, just because they don’t suit the carnivore’s society of views, or the ketogenic society. New ideas, whether good or bad, should always be welcomed.
I got stuck in the comment section to one of Dr. Paul Saladino’s videoes on youtube, and that was where I observed this animosity, but also on other sites as well. The idea that he is not to be taken seriously because he changed his mind, or opened up his mind rather to new possibilities is well, silly. Dr. Ken Berry was dead sure about vegetables, then he made a video about how he was wrong about vegetables, and noone seemed to call him out saying he could no longer be trusted or listened to because he had changed his mind. Having an open mind is key when researching nutrition and health. That said, I don’t take any of the youtube doctors’ word as gospel, but I find it interesting to listen to them.