Ovarian cysts can be painful and disruptive. The carnivore diet has been promoted as a cure-all for many health conditions. But does scientific evidence support using it for ovarian cysts? Let's take an in-depth look.
What Are Ovarian Cysts?
First, let's make sure we all understand what ovarian cysts are. Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs that develop on one or both ovaries. They are very common, especially in women during their reproductive years.
Most ovarian cysts are noncancerous (benign) and cause no symptoms. However, larger cysts can cause pelvic pain, fullness or heaviness in the abdomen, frequent urination, pain during sex, and changes in menstruation. Ovarian cysts usually go away on their own within a few months. But some may need to be removed surgically if they twist, rupture, or grow very large.
So in short, ovarian cysts range from being completely harmless to being very disruptive and painful. Any woman who has experienced the worst symptoms is eager to find relief without resorting to surgery. This leads many to try eliminating various foods from their diets.
What Is the Carnivore Diet?
The carnivore diet, as the name suggests, involves eating only animal foods and eliminating all plant foods. On a true carnivore diet, you would eat fatty meats, fish, eggs, and full-fat dairy, and avoid everything else – no fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, or plant-based oils.
Followers of the diet claim it can cure autoimmune diseases, digestive issues, mental health problems, and more. But what does the science say about its effects on ovarian cysts specifically? Let's analyze the evidence.
Potential Benefits of the Carnivore Diet for Ovarian Cysts
- It excludes foods that may worsen inflammation. Ovarian cysts are often linked to inflammation. The carnivore diet eliminates many foods that may promote inflammation, like gluten, lectins found in grains and legumes, nightshade vegetables, and industrial seed oils. This anti-inflammatory effect may help prevent cyst formation.
- It contains nutrients that support hormone balance. Nutrients like zinc, magnesium, selenium, and vitamins A and D are essential for proper hormone metabolism and production. Since meat, fish, and eggs are rich sources of these nutrients, the carnivore diet ensures you get enough of them. Proper hormone balance may help prevent cysts.
- It limits carbohydrate intake. Some research indicates that higher blood sugar and insulin levels can contribute to ovarian cysts in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Since the carnivore diet contains no carbohydrates, it may help control cysts by regulating blood sugar.
- It promotes weight loss in overweight women. Excess body weight is linked to higher estrogen levels and increased risk of ovarian cysts. By making it easier to lose weight, the carnivore diet may help lower cyst risk in overweight and obese women.
Potential Drawbacks of the Carnivore Diet for Ovarian Cysts
However, there are also some potential downsides to consider:
- It lacks antioxidants from plants. Fruits, vegetables, herbs, spices, coffee, and tea contain antioxidants that combat inflammation and protect cells. Lacking these on the carnivore diet may promote the inflammatory conditions that contribute to ovarian cysts.
- It is extremely restrictive long-term. Following a 100% carnivore diet long-term is challenging. The extreme dietary restriction may lead to bingeing on off-limit foods, causing blood sugar spikes. These fluctuations could potentially worsen cysts.
- It may be low in magnesium. Magnesium from green leafy vegetables helps control estrogen levels and balance hormones. Without these plant sources, a carnivore diet could negatively impact hormones.
- It lacks fiber. Fiber feeds the good bacteria in our gut microbiome that produce anti-inflammatory compounds. With no fiber sources, the carnivore diet may allow inflammation-causing bacteria to thrive.
- Nutrient deficiencies may develop over time. Without any fruits or vegetables, it is possible to become deficient in vitamin C, folate, potassium, and other critical nutrients. These deficiencies can impair hormone function.
Tips for Trying the Carnivore Diet for Ovarian Cyst Relief
If you want to experiment with the carnivore diet to see if it relieves your ovarian cyst symptoms, keep these tips in mind:
- Don't jump in too quickly. Transition gradually by first eliminating gluten, dairy, processed foods, and added sugar. Then reduce high-carb foods and eventually other plant foods.
- Consider a modified approach. Rather than full carnivore, try a low-carb Paleo diet, keto diet, anti-inflammatory diet, or autoimmune protocol diet. These provide more plant foods.
- **Keep it short-term.**Try the carnivore diet for 1-2 months max to avoid nutritional deficiencies. Then reintroduce nutrient-dense plant foods like leafy greens, berries, and herbs.
- Emphasize fatty fish and grass-fed meats. Salmon, sardines, grass-fed beef, and lamb provide anti-inflammatory omega-3s to balance the pro-inflammatory omega-6 fats.
- Eat fermented dairy. Kefir and yogurt provide probiotics to support gut and hormone health. Go for full-fat and limit added sugars.
- Consider supplements. Take a multivitamin, magnesium, vitamin D, zinc, and selenium to prevent nutrient deficiencies. Discuss with your doctor.
- Watch for side effects. The carnivore diet may cause constipation, diarrhea, fatigue, weakness, headaches and other issues. Stop if any severe side effects develop.
The Bottom Line: Proceed With Caution
Research has not directly analyzed the impact of a carnivore diet on ovarian cysts. But based on what we know about cyst formation, there is a plausible mechanism for how eating only meat and other animal foods could potentially help.
However, drastic dietary changes come with health risks. Many experts warn against following such an extremely limited diet long-term. There are no studies evaluating the safety or sustainability of the carnivore diet.
If you have recurring ovarian cysts and want to try dietary changes, work with both an OB-GYN and a nutritionist. They can help you trial a modified anti-inflammatory diet tailored to your needs without putting your health at risk. Be cautious about attempting a strict carnivore diet on your own without medical supervision.
The carnivore diet may offer some benefits but also has considerable drawbacks. A more moderate approach to reducing inflammation through diet is likely safer and sustainable long-term for managing frustrating ovarian cyst symptoms. With your doctor's guidance, you can find the right nutritional approach to support your hormonal health.