Man Adopts Extreme Carnivore Diet, Develops Xanthelasma, and ‘Leaks’ Cholesterol Through His Hands
An unusual and alarming case has caught the attention of the medical community and the general public. A 40-year-old man from Florida, United States, followed an extreme carnivore diet for eight months and developed a rare condition called xanthelasma, which caused fat and cholesterol to accumulate and “leak” through his hands, feet, and elbows. His daily diet included up to four kilograms of cheese, hamburgers with added fat, and entire sticks of butter. He sought medical attention after noticing yellow lumps forming on his extremities, and tests revealed that his cholesterol levels were five times above the recommended limit. The case was documented in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), one of the world’s most respected scientific journals, raising concerns about the dangers of extreme diets, especially those high in saturated fat.
The carnivore diet, which promotes the complete elimination of carbohydrates and the exclusive intake of protein and animal fats, has gained popularity on social media and nutrition forums. Many followers report rapid weight loss, increased energy, and improved mental clarity, but the risks associated with this type of diet are often overlooked. Doctors and experts warn that excessive fat consumption can lead to dangerous cholesterol buildup in the bloodstream, significantly increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and strokes.
Despite claiming to feel more energetic on the diet, the patient presented a severe case of hypercholesterolemia, a condition in which cholesterol levels are excessively high, potentially compromising blood circulation and heart health. His tests showed abnormally high lipid levels, leading doctors to diagnose xanthelasma, characterized by fatty deposits on the skin. The removal of these nodules can only be performed through surgery, and controlling cholesterol levels requires drastic dietary changes.

What is Xanthelasma and How Does It Manifest in the Body?
Xanthelasma is a dermatological condition that appears as yellowish plaques or nodules, usually around the eyes, hands, and other parts of the body, caused by fat buildup in the skin. This phenomenon is a visible indicator that cholesterol levels are elevated, signaling an imminent cardiovascular health risk. In some cases, the condition may be linked to genetic factors, but it is most commonly a result of an unbalanced diet high in saturated fats.
The Florida patient’s case highlights the direct impact of diet on the formation of these fat deposits. With excessive consumption of lipid-rich foods, his body could not efficiently process and eliminate cholesterol, leading to visible deposits on the skin. Although xanthelasma itself is not a life-threatening condition, it serves as a warning sign for more severe complications, such as artery blockages, hypertension, and even fatal cardiovascular events.
The Dangers of High-Fat Diets and Their Impact on the Body
Extreme diets always generate debates among health professionals, and the carnivore diet is no exception. The case of the man who followed this regimen for eight months highlights the risks associated with excessive saturated fat intake and a lack of nutritional balance. The high cholesterol levels resulting from this diet are one of the leading risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, which rank among the top causes of death worldwide.
Doctors explain that high cholesterol can lead to plaque buildup in the arteries, which impairs blood circulation and increases blood pressure. When these plaques rupture, they can form clots that block blood flow to the heart or brain, resulting in a heart attack or stroke. Additionally, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and insulin resistance are other health issues frequently linked to excessively high-fat diets.
Alarming Statistics on High Cholesterol and Cardiovascular Diseases
The numbers are concerning when it comes to high cholesterol and its health impacts. According to the Brazilian Ministry of Health, approximately 40% of the population has elevated cholesterol levels, often without knowing it, since the condition does not present obvious symptoms until a severe complication occurs. Among adults, high cholesterol is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, with heart attacks and strokes being the leading causes of death in the country.
A study conducted by the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) found that one in four Brazilian children and adolescents also has high cholesterol levels, showing that the problem is not limited to adults. Excessive consumption of ultra-processed foods, fast food, and products rich in saturated and trans fats are the main contributors to this worrying trend.
Carnivore Diet and Its Risks to Health
The carnivore diet has been promoted as a method for weight loss and metabolic health improvement, but its long-term effects remain highly controversial. Experts point out that eliminating carbohydrates and fiber from the diet can impair gut function, disrupt the microbiota, and increase inflammation in the body. Moreover, high consumption of animal-based proteins and fats can overload the kidneys and liver, making it harder to filter toxins and increasing the risk of renal and hepatic diseases.
Carnivore diet followers often report initial benefits such as rapid weight loss and increased energy, but negative effects can emerge over time. Some of the most common symptoms observed in individuals following this diet for extended periods include fatigue, constipation, bad breath, cholesterol fluctuations, and deficiencies in essential micronutrients.
Medical Recommendations for a Healthy Lifestyle
Given the risks highlighted by the case of the patient who developed xanthelasma, doctors reinforce the importance of a balanced diet rich in vegetables, fiber, lean proteins, and healthy fats. The main recommendations for keeping cholesterol levels in check include:
- Reducing the intake of saturated and trans fats while prioritizing healthy fat sources such as olive oil, avocados, and nuts;
- Incorporating fiber into the diet, as it helps lower the absorption of bad cholesterol (LDL);
- Engaging in regular physical activity to increase good cholesterol (HDL) levels;
- Avoiding excessive consumption of ultra-processed foods and fast food;
- Undergoing periodic medical check-ups to monitor cholesterol levels and adopt early preventive measures.
The Role of Social Media in Promoting Extreme Diets
The popularization of the carnivore diet and other extreme nutritional trends primarily occurs through social media, where influencers promote eating habits without sufficient scientific backing. Many individuals are drawn to promises of rapid weight loss and increased energy without considering the associated health risks. Doctors warn about the dangers of following dietary advice without professional guidance, emphasizing that each body responds differently to restrictive diets.
The Florida man’s case serves as a warning about the side effects of extreme eating habits. His experience underscores the need for awareness about the impact of diet on health and the importance of seeking medical guidance before adopting any radical nutritional regimen.

An unusual and alarming case has caught the attention of the medical community and the general public. A 40-year-old man from Florida, United States, followed an extreme carnivore diet for eight months and developed a rare condition called xanthelasma, which caused fat and cholesterol to accumulate and “leak” through his hands, feet, and elbows. His daily diet included up to four kilograms of cheese, hamburgers with added fat, and entire sticks of butter. He sought medical attention after noticing yellow lumps forming on his extremities, and tests revealed that his cholesterol levels were five times above the recommended limit. The case was documented in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), one of the world’s most respected scientific journals, raising concerns about the dangers of extreme diets, especially those high in saturated fat.
The carnivore diet, which promotes the complete elimination of carbohydrates and the exclusive intake of protein and animal fats, has gained popularity on social media and nutrition forums. Many followers report rapid weight loss, increased energy, and improved mental clarity, but the risks associated with this type of diet are often overlooked. Doctors and experts warn that excessive fat consumption can lead to dangerous cholesterol buildup in the bloodstream, significantly increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and strokes.
Despite claiming to feel more energetic on the diet, the patient presented a severe case of hypercholesterolemia, a condition in which cholesterol levels are excessively high, potentially compromising blood circulation and heart health. His tests showed abnormally high lipid levels, leading doctors to diagnose xanthelasma, characterized by fatty deposits on the skin. The removal of these nodules can only be performed through surgery, and controlling cholesterol levels requires drastic dietary changes.

What is Xanthelasma and How Does It Manifest in the Body?
Xanthelasma is a dermatological condition that appears as yellowish plaques or nodules, usually around the eyes, hands, and other parts of the body, caused by fat buildup in the skin. This phenomenon is a visible indicator that cholesterol levels are elevated, signaling an imminent cardiovascular health risk. In some cases, the condition may be linked to genetic factors, but it is most commonly a result of an unbalanced diet high in saturated fats.
The Florida patient’s case highlights the direct impact of diet on the formation of these fat deposits. With excessive consumption of lipid-rich foods, his body could not efficiently process and eliminate cholesterol, leading to visible deposits on the skin. Although xanthelasma itself is not a life-threatening condition, it serves as a warning sign for more severe complications, such as artery blockages, hypertension, and even fatal cardiovascular events.
The Dangers of High-Fat Diets and Their Impact on the Body
Extreme diets always generate debates among health professionals, and the carnivore diet is no exception. The case of the man who followed this regimen for eight months highlights the risks associated with excessive saturated fat intake and a lack of nutritional balance. The high cholesterol levels resulting from this diet are one of the leading risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, which rank among the top causes of death worldwide.
Doctors explain that high cholesterol can lead to plaque buildup in the arteries, which impairs blood circulation and increases blood pressure. When these plaques rupture, they can form clots that block blood flow to the heart or brain, resulting in a heart attack or stroke. Additionally, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and insulin resistance are other health issues frequently linked to excessively high-fat diets.
Alarming Statistics on High Cholesterol and Cardiovascular Diseases
The numbers are concerning when it comes to high cholesterol and its health impacts. According to the Brazilian Ministry of Health, approximately 40% of the population has elevated cholesterol levels, often without knowing it, since the condition does not present obvious symptoms until a severe complication occurs. Among adults, high cholesterol is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, with heart attacks and strokes being the leading causes of death in the country.
A study conducted by the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) found that one in four Brazilian children and adolescents also has high cholesterol levels, showing that the problem is not limited to adults. Excessive consumption of ultra-processed foods, fast food, and products rich in saturated and trans fats are the main contributors to this worrying trend.
Carnivore Diet and Its Risks to Health
The carnivore diet has been promoted as a method for weight loss and metabolic health improvement, but its long-term effects remain highly controversial. Experts point out that eliminating carbohydrates and fiber from the diet can impair gut function, disrupt the microbiota, and increase inflammation in the body. Moreover, high consumption of animal-based proteins and fats can overload the kidneys and liver, making it harder to filter toxins and increasing the risk of renal and hepatic diseases.
Carnivore diet followers often report initial benefits such as rapid weight loss and increased energy, but negative effects can emerge over time. Some of the most common symptoms observed in individuals following this diet for extended periods include fatigue, constipation, bad breath, cholesterol fluctuations, and deficiencies in essential micronutrients.
Medical Recommendations for a Healthy Lifestyle
Given the risks highlighted by the case of the patient who developed xanthelasma, doctors reinforce the importance of a balanced diet rich in vegetables, fiber, lean proteins, and healthy fats. The main recommendations for keeping cholesterol levels in check include:
- Reducing the intake of saturated and trans fats while prioritizing healthy fat sources such as olive oil, avocados, and nuts;
- Incorporating fiber into the diet, as it helps lower the absorption of bad cholesterol (LDL);
- Engaging in regular physical activity to increase good cholesterol (HDL) levels;
- Avoiding excessive consumption of ultra-processed foods and fast food;
- Undergoing periodic medical check-ups to monitor cholesterol levels and adopt early preventive measures.
The Role of Social Media in Promoting Extreme Diets
The popularization of the carnivore diet and other extreme nutritional trends primarily occurs through social media, where influencers promote eating habits without sufficient scientific backing. Many individuals are drawn to promises of rapid weight loss and increased energy without considering the associated health risks. Doctors warn about the dangers of following dietary advice without professional guidance, emphasizing that each body responds differently to restrictive diets.
The Florida man’s case serves as a warning about the side effects of extreme eating habits. His experience underscores the need for awareness about the impact of diet on health and the importance of seeking medical guidance before adopting any radical nutritional regimen.

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