Can the Carnivore Diet raise your cholesterol?

Yes—cholesterol can rise sharply; one reported case exceeded 1,000 mg/dL after about eight months. The article revisits a viral Carnivore Diet case and puts it beside small group studies. In that case, a man's Total Cholesterol rose from earlier readings of 210–300 mg/dL. The journal later corrected the name for his fatty skin deposits. That correction did not change the reported cholesterol numbers. The widely shared claim about 6–9 pounds of cheese also lacked a time frame in print. The group evidence points toward concern, but it remains limited. An April 2025 study surveyed 24 people in Germany. They had followed their own versions of the diet for at least a month. Among those with before-and-after results, LDL Cholesterol rose from a middle value of 157 to 256 mg/dL. This is the type most closely tied to artery disease. The study had no comparison group, and volunteers chose the diet themselves. A January 2026 review covered nine human studies. Blood fat levels often exceeded common ranges. Reviewers flagged very high saturated fat and very low Dietary Fiber. They noted possible short-term benefits but advised against long-term use. None of the studies tracked heart attacks, strokes, or deaths. For BioSocial members, the takeaway is to compare personal results, not assume everyone responds alike. Before-and-after bloodwork, dates, and food notes can give community discussions more context. One person's extreme result cannot predict another person's change. Feeling different and seeing different blood numbers are also separate parts of the story. What changes have you seen in your cholesterol numbers, and over what time frame?