The Medical Advisor

Dr. Paul Saladino trained at the University of Arizona with a focus on integrative medicine. He completed his residency in psychiatry at the University of Washington in 2019, and is a certified functional medicine practitioner through the Institute for Functional Medicine. In this interview, Saladino discusses the surprising benefits of the carnivore diet, especially for those struggling with autoimmune disease. Initially, I was skeptical of the carnivore diet, but once I listened to Saladino’s detailed analysis and justification for this approach, I changed my position and believe it is appropriate for a large number of individuals. While at the time of this interview, Saladino was still a resident-in-training, he's developed profound expertise in this area by attending medical school twice, and diving deep into the medical literature. "I graduated from college in 1999. I went to the College of William and Mary, studied chemistry and biology and did a whole ...

Introduction Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive decline are growing global concerns, with genetics and lifestyle both playing critical roles. Recent research suggests that diet may interact with genetic risk , particularly the APOE ε4 gene , to influence brain health. A groundbreaking Swedish cohort study found that higher unprocessed meat consumption may be linked to slower cognitive decline in APOE ε4 carriers — a finding that challenges conventional wisdom on red meat and brain health. This article dives into the evidence, compares it with Mediterranean, MIND, and plant-based diets , and explains how you can apply these insights to support cognitive function. The Swedish Study: Meat, Genetics, and Cognitive Health A longitudinal study  (2026) published in JAMA Network Open, followed over 2,000 adults aged 60 and older for up to 15 years, examining the interaction between meat intake and APOE genotype .  Key takeaways: APOE ε4 carriers (ε3/ε4 or ε4/ε4) who ate more u...

Eczema is a type of dermatitis that can cause inflammation, itching, redness, dryness, and roughness of the skin. In severe cases, it may also lead to blisters, oozing, and crusting, which can result in thickened skin. It is also notoriously difficult to cure. This skin condition is quite common in the United States, affecting more than 31 million Americans. It usually begins in childhood, and while nearly half of the cases improve or disappear with age, a significant portion of individuals continue to experience symptoms into adulthood. Carnivore Diet Cures Eczema In one case, a patient who had suffered from eczema and allergic rhinitis for more than a decade experienced complete symptom relief after adopting a carnivore diet. The underlying mechanism behind this improvement is worth exploring. This patient had long been troubled by eczema, acne, and allergic rhinitis. Surprisingly, these symptoms disappeared after switching to a carnivore diet for three weeks. We will explore possibl...

What Is the Carnivore Diet? The carnivore diet is an ultra-restrictive dietary pattern that includes only animal-derived foods , such as: Red meat (beef, lamb) Poultry and fish Eggs Animal fats (tallow, lard) Organ meats (liver, heart) Optional dairy (cheese, butter) All plant foods— vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, herbs, and spices —are excluded. It is often framed as: An extension of low-carbohydrate or ketogenic diets An elimination diet for food intolerances A metabolic intervention to lower insulin levels Why Has the Carnivore Diet Become Popular? Interest in carnivore eating has surged due to anecdotal reports of improvements in: Digestive symptoms (bloating, IBS-like complaints) Autoimmune or inflammatory conditions Mental clarity and energy Weight loss and glycemic control However, popularity on social media does not equal scientific validation. What Does the Scientific Evidence Say? Lack of Long-Term Clinical Trials As of 2026: No long-term randomized cont...

The phrases "vegetarian diet" and "carnivore diet" are being tossed around a lot these days.  For some, a "vegetarian diet" is what vegans eat. Veganism combines a diet free of animal products with a moral philosophy that rejects the "commodity status of animals." Vegans are the strictest of vegetarians, avoiding milk, fish, and eggs. One plant-based diet advocate in the introduction to a  special issue of the Journal of Geriatric Cardiology  (2017) wrote that "a plant-based diet consists of all minimally processed fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds, herbs, and spices and excludes all animal products, including red meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy products." You will notice that this cardiologist "excludes all animal products" and that the qualifying phrase "minimally processed" crept into the definition. Whole-Foods Version The so-called documentary "Forks Over Knives" brought t...