Carnivore/Keto Study, Integrative Medicine, and the Doc Associated | Rob Abbott EP 229

In this episode, Dr. Robert Abbott, a clinician and researcher in functional medicine, joined me to discuss his role in what is set to become the largest study ever conducted on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) using dietary intervention, specifically the ketogenic diet and the carnivore “lion” diet. These conditions are typically treated with powerful immunosuppressive medications, yet very little rigorous research has explored how diet itself might influence inflammation, symptoms, and quality of life.

We discussed why dietary interventions have historically been neglected in medical research and the long established history of research and randomized trials for vegan diets (which are extensive despite the nutritional profile of the carnivore diet beating it on nearly every nutritional metric without use of supplements).

We also talked about the current evidence that inspired the study. At the moment, there are no large dedicated trials examining ketogenic or carnivore diets for RA or IBD. The largest published evidence in inflammatory bowel disease is a 2024 case series of just 10 patients following mostly carnivore–ketogenic diets, where all participants achieved remission with significant quality-of-life improvements. While promising, the study was small and uncontrolled—which is why larger, rigorous research like this is needed.

Enjoy!

Link to GoFundMe

Study overview

Link to apply to the study

Criteria for Inclusion:

1. Lives in US (for labs)

2. Age 18-64

3. Confirmed IBD (Crohn's or UC) or RA diagnosis - and willing to confirm with our team

4. No previous carnivore or keto diet for more than 4 weeks

5. Willingness to follow the lion - carnivore diet or keto as well as do at home blood sugar/ketone testing, blood testing at a lab and stool testing over a 6 month period

6. No pregnant or breastfeeding women

7. BMI 18.4 - 34.9 (normal weight, overweight and obese (class I) accepted)

Thank you again to all those who have reached out to participate!

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—Research Sites—

Newsletter/website

Fuller Research Foundation

PrescribedHarm

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#carnivore #liondiet #IBD #RA #randomizedtrial