Jake Moscato, a 28-year-old YouTuber, embarked on an intense journey where he consumed nothing but red meat and salt for 60 days. With the aspiration of transforming himself into a 'superhero', Jake opted for the 'lion' version of the carnivore diet, a regimen strictly limited to beef and salt. Unfortunately, he quickly found that this challenge was tougher than expected.

In the midst of his adventures, only four days into the diet while on vacation in California, Jake encountered difficulties finding suitable dining options, leading to inconvenient skipped meals. He soon fell prey to fast food, indulging in ice cream and ultra-processed snacks—a setback he hadn't anticipated so early in his strict dietary commitment.

Jake expressed his frustrations, saying: 'The biggest challenge is the lack of convenience. I can't just pop into Chipotle or grab a quick bite at Taco Stop. Cooking everything myself is the only option.' The restricted food choices contributed not only to logistical hurdles but also to adverse health effects. Within just a week, he felt an increase in anxiety, experienced chest pains, and noted a strange sensation in his stomach, alongside bouts of mild depression.

Realizing that the original diet was not sustainable, Jake began to compromise by incorporating pork and some fruits into his meals by the third week. At one challenging moment he confessed, 'I’m so sick of meat; I might even try going vegan after this.' His revised diet consisted of about 95-97% red meat, with modest additions of fruit, eggs, and pork.

As he integrated these new foods, Jake rediscovered the pleasure in his meals, remarking on the delightful aroma of cooking beef and pork together. By the end of his 60-day challenge, Jake noticed significant improvements in his mood, energy levels, and mental focus.

After completing the challenge, he underwent blood tests to see how his body had transformed. Surprisingly, Jake managed to reduce his body fat from 16% to 14.6% and lost 6 pounds. In a winsome twist, he gained muscle in his arms and chest, totaling around 6 pounds of increased muscle mass. However, not all results were positive; his overall cholesterol levels had risen, with LDL (bad cholesterol) surging from 67 mg to 92 mg—an alarm for potential heart health risks.

Experts stress that while a slight rise in cholesterol levels is not immediately concerning, maintaining LDL levels under 100 mg is crucial for heart health. Jake's testosterone also stunted a significant increase from 748 to 800 nanograms, while his iron levels sharply escalated from 88 micrograms to a concerning 176 micrograms, risking iron overload—a condition that can wreak havoc on organs like the liver and heart.

Despite his overwhelming distaste for the extreme carnivore diet during the challenge, Jake announced plans to continue a similar diet, this time integrating fruits and healthy fats like avocados following his medical results.

Expert opinions, however, advise against the exclusive meat-based diet. Research overwhelmingly points towards the Mediterranean diet as an optimal dietary choice, emphasizing fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes, which are linked to reducing health risks including heart disease and cognitive decline. A study published in JAMA revealed that women adhering to the Mediterranean diet for up to 12 years saw a 28% decreased risk of heart disease.

The emphasis on unsaturated fats, found in olive oil and nuts typical of Mediterranean cuisine, is pivotal for lowering harmful LDL cholesterol levels. In contrast, high consumption of red meat is linked to elevated saturated fats, increasing cardiovascular disease risk. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, red meat is classified as a probable carcinogen, with its excessive consumption linked to various cancers, including colorectal and lung cancer.

Additionally, a recent study indicated that excessive red meat intake correlates with an increased risk of cognitive decline, with those consuming higher amounts experiencing significantly greater risks of developing dementia.

For optimal health, nutritionists recommend limiting red meat consumption to no more than 12-18 ounces (cooked) per week, striving for balance and variety in dietary choices to promote health and longevity.