Optimal - The Blog
March 5, 2025
A man in his 40s developed yellowish skin nodules after following an extreme high-fat "carnivore diet" for eight months, consisting of large amounts of cheese, butter, and fatty hamburgers.
While he reported weight loss, increased energy, and improved mental clarity, his total cholesterol skyrocketed to over 1,000 mg/dL—five times the normal threshold.
Doctors diagnosed him with xanthelasma, a condition where excess lipids leak from blood vessels, forming deposits that white blood cells cannot fully process.
High cholesterol is considered 240 mg/dL. The man's was over 1,000 mg/dL.
Credit: JAMA Cardiologym 2024, Marmagkiolis et al.
Xanthelasma is often linked to high cholesterol and, in some cases, an increased risk of heart disease. While lipid deposits commonly appear around the eyes, they can form anywhere in the body. The case highlights the potential dangers of extreme dietary choices and the importance of managing cholesterol levels to prevent cardiovascular complications.
His case was published in JAMA Cardiology: Marmagkiolis, Konstantinos et al. “Yellowish Nodules on a Man Consuming a Carnivore Diet.” JAMA cardiology, 10.1001/jamacardio.2024.5209. 22 Jan. 2025, doi:10.1001/jamacardio.2024.5209
Reference
Mole, B. Florida man eats diet of butter, cheese, beef; cholesterol oozes from his body. Ars Technica January 22, 2025. Retrieved February 19, 2025 from https://arstechnica.com/health/2025/01/florida-man-eats-diet-of-butter-cheese-beef-cholesterol-oozes-from-his-body/#comments
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