Disclaimer: This content has been produced purely for informational and educational purposes only and is never intended to be used as a substitute for professional medical guidelines including diagnosis, advice, and treatment.  

Choosing supplements while on a carnivore diet is fascinating. The most purported concern people often raise about eating only meat is about getting all the vitamins and minerals that the body needs to function correctly. But is it really a valid concern at all? Let’s find out together. 

In this article, we’ll validate the need for supplements on a carnivore diet and if justified, what they really are. But before we get into the discussion of some best supplements to consider for a carnivore diet, we’ll need to learn the basics of the carnivore diet first. 

Table of contents

• What is a carnivore diet?
• Do I need supplements while on a carnivore diet?
• Best supplements to consider while on a carnivore diet 
• Precautions and side effects 
• Final  words 

What is a carnivore diet? 

The carnivore diet refers to a diet regimen where people completely exclude plant foods and consider consuming only meat and animal foods, making it technically a zero-carb diet. Unlike keto, where people limit taking carbs to a certain number every day, on a carnivore diet, the aim is to meet zero carbs every day. 

In general, people who are on a carnivore diet eat red meat, poultry, eggs, fish, and other animal foods but do not take other food groups than sources from animals, such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, seeds, grains, and nuts.

While a wide range of health benefits have been purported for a carnivore diet, especially in the carnivore community, ranging from aiding weight loss to regulating blood sugar levels to enhancing moods, many people wonder whether there’s a risk of missing out on some essential nutrients by eliminating other food groups, particularly fruits and vegetables. Let’s dig a little deeper to see whether it’s safe to eat nothing but only animal foods. 

Do I need supplements while on a carnivore diet?

Many people think that a carnivore diet may cause deficiencies of certain essential nutrients especially vitamins and minerals from a nutritional standpoint, but it’s actually not the case. A carnivore diet could be a balanced diet if it’s well-planned, for instance, adding organ meats such as liver, sweetbreads, brain, kidney, and lungs to the diet regime. In fact, there’s no risk of deficiencies while on a balanced diet no matter whether it’s a carnivore diet or a plant-based vegan diet. 

Nevertheless, supplements have a huge importance in improving the desired health outcome and performance depending on the specific health type and status. For example, if you need to take a lot of water to combat dehydration and stay well-hydrated throughout the day, you should obviously consider adding electrolytes such as potassium and magnesium to your diet regimen to reduce the risk of cramps and maintain optimal energy levels. This is the reason why you might need certain supplements on a carnivore diet. 

Although a well-planned and balanced carnivore diet can provide all the essential nutrients that the human body needs to perform its normal functions, there are certain conditions that might lead to the requirements of supplements. For example, people with a specific health issue such as celiac disease that limits the absorption of certain specific nutrients due to the disease itself may require supplements. 

In addition, the nutritional requirements for people who are athletes or those who exercise hard and long frequently are generally higher than for a normal person. Supplements might be a great choice for them. 

Finally, in today’s fast-paced modern lifestyle, it’s really difficult for most people to maintain a well-balanced diet regimen all the time. In this scenario, taking supplements on a carnivore diet is possibly the easiest way to get all nutrients the human body needs. 

Let’s take a look at a short list of supplements one should consider exploring while on a carnivore diet: 

Best supplements to consider while on a carnivore diet 

Magnesium 

Magnesium is critical for normal muscle and nerve functions. It also plays an important role in strengthening immune response and regulating heartbeat as well. Low levels or deficiencies of magnesium may cause various symptoms, including: 

• Heart palpitations 
• Muscle cramps
• Constipation 
• Fatigue 

Here you can see Vorst’s natural Magnesium Bisglycinate Vegan Capsules  

Potassium 

Potassium can help promote a healthy thyroid function and maintain hormone levels. It also helps improve immune response and prevent airway blockage. Besides, a healthy balance of potassium and sodium is important for various bodily functions. 

Here you can see Vorst’s pure and natural Potassium Iodide Vegan Capsules  

Collagen 

Collagen is essential for skin, bone, ligaments, tendons, hair, muscle, and more. It provides structural support throughout the body. It’s highly beneficial for preventing age-related muscle loss, improving joint health, and addressing gut-related issues that cause autoimmunity such as the leaky gut.  

Here you can see Vorst’s Salmon Collagen with Vitamin C Capsules 

Fish oil    

Fish oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids that can help balance omega-6 levels and reduce the risk of various serious diseases such as cardiovascular diseases. It helps improve bone health and density and cognitive functions as well. 

Here you can see Vosrt’s Fish Oil Softgels  

Precautions and side effects 

Although dietary supplements that are recommended while on a carnivore diet are mostly well-tolerable and safe when taken as advised, some people may experience side effects or allergic reactions, especially on higher doses. 

Besides, they may also affect how certain medications work in the body and may interact with them. Therefore, it’s always best to work with a professional healthcare provider to check the safety profile of a supplement based on the specific health status prior to using it. 

Final words 

Although a carnivore diet can provide the complete nutrition a person needs, one might need supplements while on a carnivore in certain specific conditions such as having a medical condition in which certain specific nutrients may be deficient for the disease itself. Besides people with higher activities, such as athletes or runners, whose nutritional requirements are higher than a normal person, may need supplements.  

Supplements are also the easiest option for getting all the necessary nutrients for those who find it difficult to have a balanced diet. However, it’s important to work with a professional nutritionist or healthcare provider to check the safety profile before using any supplements. 

Important resources:

1. https://carnivoreinsider.com/how-do-people-on-a-carnivore-diet-get-all-the-vitamins/
2. https://www.carnivorerx.com/what-supplements-should-i-take-on-the-carnivore-diet/
3. https://health.selfdecode.com/blog/carnivore-diet/
4. https://healthcoachkait.com/blog/electrolytes-on-a-carnivore-diet
5. https://takecareof.com/articles/best-supplements-to-take-on-carnivore-diet
6. https://www.allthingscarnivore.com/do-you-need-supplements-on-the-carnivore-diet/
7. https://carnivoreaurelius.com/carnivore-diet-supplements/