7 Essential Supplements for Carnivore Diet Success

Many dieticians and health experts believe that the carnivore diet offers several benefits. From helping you lose weight and build muscle to improved mental clarity, the list of benefits is growing.

While the carnivore diet provides a wealth of protein and fats, it can sometimes fall short on vitamins, minerals, and other critical nutrients. So, if you want to feel at your very best while maintaining a carnivore diet, you need supplements to fill these nutritional gaps.

Let’s examine the specific nutrients you should supplement with while on a carnivore diet to stay healthy. 

1. Vitamin C

Vitamin C is an essential nutrient essential for your body's proper functioning. It helps in collagen synthesis, protects your cells from oxidative damage by free radicals, and boosts immune function. The recommended amount of this vitamin is 90 mg daily if you are a male or 75 mg if you are a female.

The richest sources of this vitamin are plant foods like lemon, oranges, and leafy greens, which you don't consume when on a carnivore diet. While you can get some vitamin C from fatty meat, it might not be enough to meet your daily requirements.

For instance, beef tongue, which is the richest source of vitamin C among animal foods, contains only 6 mg per 100 grams. On the other hand, the same weight of oranges gives you a whopping 53.2 mg of vitamin C. Consequently, supplementation is your best choice to get enough of this essential nutrient.

You will likely develop vitamin C deficiency in the long run if you are on a strict carnivore diet. According to a case study reported in the journal Cutis, an exclusive carnivore diet might lead to the development of scurvy due to a lack of vitamin C. The authors recommend vitamin C supplementation to prevent such an issue.

Vitamin C also helps your cells to fight oxidative stress by exerting an antioxidant effect. When your diet lacks this essential vitamin, your cells become susceptible to oxidative damage.

High-quality Organic Liquid Vitamin C Drops from Why Not Natural will help you meet your daily allowance of this essential vitamin while you are on a carnivore diet. We source it from organic acerola cherries, and the liquid formulation makes the vitamin easily absorbable and boosts your health.

2. Magnesium

Magnesium is one of the key micronutrients essential for the proper functioning of your body. It regulates DNA synthesis, nerves, and muscle function, and it also keeps your blood glucose level in check. You need about 350-450 mg of magnesium daily to prevent deficiencies.

Plant-based foods like beans, nuts, and seeds are rich in magnesium, but these sources are eliminated when following a strict carnivore diet.

Fatty cuts of steak like ribeye and lamb meat have a good amount of magnesium, but it might not be enough. For example, if you consume a 3.5-ounce ribeye steak, it will provide you with about 22 mg of magnesium. So, even if you consume 2-3 pounds of steak daily, you only get 200-300 mg of this mineral in your diet. It still leaves a 100-200 mg deficit in your diet that you need to fill in from other sources.

A diet deficient in magnesium can cause long-term effects on the human body. For instance, while your carnivore diet might provide you with enough protein for building muscle, it might not be able to provide enough magnesium to protect your bone health. Studies have shown that a lack of this mineral increases the risk of cracks, fractures, and osteoporosis.

As you are not consuming plant-based foods, the next best option is using a high-quality, quickly absorbable supplement. Ensure that the supplement you choose has the right form of magnesium for faster nutrient absorption. Try Why Not Natural’s 4-in-1 Magnesium Complex. It combines four of the most highly absorbable forms of magnesium: Glycinate, Orotate, Taurate, and Malate.

Also read: Different Forms of Magnesium in Supplements: Which One Should You Choose?

3. Vitamin K2

Vitamin K2 is a fat-soluble vitamin crucial for maintaining your bone health and blood clotting. A deficiency of this vitamin might lead to various bone diseases, including osteoporosis. While leafy greens are the best source of this vitamin, you might struggle to meet your RDA of 90-120 mcg on an all-meat carnivore diet.

Let’s take an example to highlight why you should supplement vitamin K2 while on a carnivore diet. Say you are consuming an all-beef diet and planning to consume about 2 pounds daily. In this scenario, you will get about 75 mcg of vitamin K2 through your diet, which is less than your RDA by almost 40%.

While there are other, richer sources of vitamin K, like salmon or chicken liver, you might not be able to incorporate them daily in your diet. It boils down to the fact that unless you ensure that you eat the right combination of meat cuts and organ meats, chances are, you might be getting less vitamin K2 than your body needs on a carnivore diet.

That’s where supplements like Organic Vitamin D3 Liquid Drops with K2 from Why Not Natural can help you make up the difference. The specially formulated liquid supplement ensures that the vitamin is highly bioavailable and your body can absorb it quickly and efficiently for the most benefit.

4. Vitamin E

Vitamin E is another essential fat-soluble vitamin that is difficult to source from a carnivore diet. Vitamin E ( Tocopherol) is a potent antioxidant that plays several key roles in your body, including supporting immune health and keeping your eyes and skin healthy. As the richest sources of vitamin E are nuts, seeds, and oils, you might find it challenging to meet your RDA on a carnivore diet.

You need about 15mg of vitamin E daily; sourcing it from grain-fed meat can be difficult. For instance, the richest source of vitamin E, fish eggs (roe), contains only 7 mg per 100 grams. The situation gets even more difficult if you exclusively eat beef and chicken.

If your daily diet is two pounds of grass-fed beef and chicken, you will end up with only 3.4 mg of vitamin E, a whopping 78% less than the RDA. While you can try to include salmon and roe in your diet, it is difficult to maintain such a diet for a long time, making you susceptible to deficiencies.

Supplementing with vitamin E is your best chance to bridge this nutrient deficit and get enough vitamin E for a healthy body. Thus, taking a high-quality vitamin E supplement makes a lot of sense if you are on a strict carnivore or a very low-carb diet.

Always choose organic carnivore diet supplements that don’t have additives or fillers to get the best results. As always, talk to your healthcare provider when trying out new diets and supplements to avoid potential health issues.

5. Polyphenols

Plant polyphenols are a class of organic compounds found exclusively in plant foods like berries, herbs, and spices. These compounds have a strong antioxidant property that can protect your cells from oxidative damage.

Many scientists believe that these compounds are essential for your health and wellness. These polyphenols protect your body from cancer, heart disease, and damage to your nervous system. Several studies show that people who don’t get enough of these compounds are more prone to develop age-related diseases.

As polyphenols are exclusively found in plants, you won’t get them at all if you are on a carnivore diet. Compounds like curcumin and lycopene are available as supplements that you should consider adding to your carnivore diet.

You can consider carnivore diet supplements containing Ceylon cinnamon, and curcumin to boost your plat polyphenol intake and get all the benefits of these compounds without compromising your carnivore diet.

Why Not Natural’s 5-in-1 Organic Ceylon Cinnamon, Garlic, Berberine, Turmeric, and Black Pepper Capsules are an excellent option if you are trying to boost your polyphenol intake. The 100% organic and vegan capsules perfectly blend these five spices to give you a balanced nutrient profile without any added fillers or excipients.

6. Digestive enzymes and probiotics

When you are on a carnivore diet, which consists primarily of animal products and excludes plant-based foods, it’s important to support your digestive system with appropriate enzymes and probiotics. The diet can be high in protein and fat, which may be challenging for some people to digest efficiently.

If the all-carnivore diet is giving you gastric trouble, you can consider taking the following digestive proteolytic enzymes:

• Protease: Since your diet is high in protein, protease enzymes help break down protein into amino acids, aiding digestion and absorption.

• Lipase: This enzyme helps digest fats, which are also prevalent in a carnivore diet. Lipase ensures that your body efficiently breaks down and absorbs fats, preventing digestive discomfort.

• Betaine HCl: Betaine hydrochloride increases your stomach acid levels, improving digestion and absorption of proteins and minerals from animal foods.

Including probiotic supplements in your diet can also help maintain and nourish the intestinal microbiota. Here are a few probiotic supplements you might want to include while on a carnivore diet:

• Lactobacillus: This bacteria helps maintain gut health and can improve digestion and nutrient absorption. It can also help mitigate potential constipation from a low-fiber, carnivore diet.

• Bifidobacterium: It supports gut health by producing short-chain fatty acids and aiding in the digestion of proteins and fats.

Incorporating these digestive enzymes and probiotics can help optimize digestion, improve nutrient absorption, and support overall gut health while following a carnivore diet. Always consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regimen to ensure it’s appropriate for your individual needs.

7. B-vitamins, especially Biotin and folate

Vitamin B7 (Biotin) and B9 (folate) are essential for your metabolism and cell division. While you can get these vitamins from meat, you must consume organ meats rather than muscle meat and cuts. Beef liver is your best option to get folate and Biotin, but eating it daily might be a problem.

You need 30 mcg of Biotin and 400m mcg of folate daily. A 3-ounce serving of beef liver will give you all the B7 you need and about half the folate. However, you might not find beef liver appetizing enough to eat daily.

Even if you consume a mixture of beef, salmon, and chicken, you might not get enough Biotin and folate to meet your RDA. While you can consider adding organ meats to your carnivore diet, supplementing is the best option.

With biotin deficiency, you might experience symptoms like rashes, hair loss, and neurological disorders, and with folate deficiency, you might experience anemia. The best way to avoid these issues is to add a high-quality, quickly absorbable supplement of B7 and folate.

Try Why Not Natural’s B Complex Liquid, which contains all eight essential B vitamins, including folate and B7. The highly bioavailable liquid formulation contains no additives, preservatives, or artificial flavors.

We recommend that you consult with your doctor before starting any supplements. Your doctor might order blood tests to determine whether you need supplements. Always follow your doctor’s advice regarding your diet and supplements to avoid any potential interactions and side effects.

Also read: The Benefits of Liquid B Complex Over Tablets: A Comprehensive Guide. 

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions that might help you find answers to questions you might still have:

Which vitamins might be deficient on a carnivore diet?

If you are on a strict carnivore diet, you may be more prone to develop a deficiency of vitamins C, B7, Folate, and K2. As plant foods are the best sources of these vitamins, switching to an exclusive carnivore diet might make it challenging to get them in adequate amounts.

Which digestive enzyme is most effective for a carnivore diet?

As your carnivore diet is rich in protein and fats, you might benefit from supplementing with enzymes called protease and lipase. These enzymes help to digest proteins to amino acids and fats to fatty acids, facilitating a better absorption of these nutrient-dense foods. Supplementing with these enzymes might help you achieve better digestion and overall health if you are on a carnivore diet.

What are the best ways to enhance digestion on a carnivore diet?

Efficiently digesting the protein and fat in your carnivore diet can be challenging, at least during the initial few months. Adding carnivore diet supplements like protease and Betaine HCl might aid digestion and improve your gut health. Another thing you should do is stay hydrated and eat smaller, more frequent meals to avoid overwhelming your digestive system.

How can you boost protein intake on a carnivore diet?

You can boost your protein intake on a carnivore diet by including high-protein meals like poultry, beef, and seafood. Try to vary your protein sources and add bone broth to improve your protein intake.

Are probiotics necessary on a carnivore diet?

As your carnivore diet lacks fiber, which supports your gut microflora, probiotics might help to maintain a healthy gut microbiome. Try to include probiotic supplements, especially if your carnivore diet is giving you digestive health issues.

What beverages are allowed on a carnivore diet?

Your choice of beverages is limited if you are on a carnivore diet. You can consume bone broth, sugar-free electrolyte drinks, tea, and coffee. 

How do those on a carnivore diet get fiber?

The sources of fiber are extremely limited on a carnivore diet. However, you might not require bulking and fermentation action of fiber if you consume easy-to-digest animal foods. Consuming bone broth and collagen will provide gelatin to aid digestion in lieu of plant-based fiber.

Which fruits are suitable for a carnivore diet?

While any plant foods are not allowed in a carnivore diet, some people make an exception for avocadoes and olives. As both these fruits are very low in sugar and carbs, you can consider them in your carnivore diet.

Takeaway: Maximize your carnivore diet with essential supplements

A carnivore diet has many benefits but might lack certain vitamins, minerals, and other key micronutrients. If you want to thrive on a carnivore diet, supplement your diet with minerals such as vitamin D, vitamin K2, and vitamin C.

These supplements will fill your nutritional gaps, supporting your overall health and enhancing the benefits of your carnivore diet. 

Why Not Natural offers high-quality supplements that are perfect for a carnivore diet, check out our extensive selection of 100% natural, easily bioavailable, and additive-free supplements to complement your carnivore diet.

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