5 Best Carnivore Diet Supplements

The typical modern diet, especially in the Western world, does not deliver all the nutrients one needs for optimal health. That, combined with our fast-paced lifestyles, is why many people rely on dietary supplements to stay healthy. 

But are there any carnivore diet supplements, and are they necessary? This short guide explains why some carnivore dieters may need supplements and what the best carnivore diet supplements are. It also explains which supplements to avoid, and why.

​What Is The Purpose Of Carnivore Diet Supplements?

The purpose of dietary supplements is to support health by boosting specific nutrient levels or filling in any nutritional gaps in the diet. And the purpose of carnivore diet supplements is the same. Carnivore diet supplements are especially helpful for people new to carnivore eating. 

When you eat a varied diet and consume multiple, high-quality animal foods, you will get all the nutrients you need. That includes essential vitamins like vitamin C and essential minerals like calcium. But when you shift from a plant-based diet to a carnivore diet, your body can take time to adjust. 

Your digestive system may be temporarily affected. You could initially lose a lot of weight, mostly water weight, which in turn can affect your electrolyte balance. And you may also have existing nutritional deficiencies, caused by your previous plant-based diet, that need to be addressed. 

There are carnivore diet supplements to solve all these problems.

​What Causes Nutrient Deficiencies on the Carnivore Diet?

One of the main reasons people take supplements is to fill nutritional gaps. But can you have nutrient deficiencies on the carnivore diet? Yes, you can have nutritional deficiencies on the carnivore diet, just like on any other diet. 

When you follow the strict carnivore diet, eating only meat, and avoiding all else (even dairy), you’re vulnerable to nutrient deficiencies. However, this version of the carnivore diet is meant to be temporary, as a type of reset for your body. 

While it is possible to experience nutrient deficiencies on the carnivore diet, the risk largely depends on how strictly you follow it and what foods you consume. For instance, an all-meat diet without organ meats could lead to deficiencies in vitamins like vitamin C, magnesium, and fiber. Organ meats contain higher concentrations of vitamins and minerals, so including them reduces the risk of deficiencies.

Once you have stabilized your health, and transitioned to a more relaxed form of the carnivore diet, you probably won’t need carnivore diet supplements anymore. You’ll get the essential nutrients your body needs, even the micronutrients like vitamins and minerals, from your diet.

​5 Best Carnivore Diet Supplements

These five carnivore diet supplements can make switching to the carnivore diet easier and healthier.

1. ​Bone Broth Powder 

Bone broth is filling and nutritious, and a staple of the carnivore diet. It can help you maintain strong bones and joints. It can also give your hair, skin, and nails a boost. And it can improve your digestive health. Indeed, there are many bone broth health benefits. 

But if you’re not keen on making bone broth, you can still enjoy the benefits, by using a bone broth powder supplement.

2. ​Digestive Enzymes And Probiotics

Digestive enzymes and probiotics help to support gut health. And that’s a very good thing because research increasingly demonstrates that gut health is crucial for a robust immune function. But these supplements are also important for newcomers to carnivore eating. 

Temporary digestive issues and changes in the gut microbiome are common when switching to a radically different diet. The issue typically resolves after a while. Much depends on your existing state of health before starting the carnivore diet. This supplement may be all you need for a fresh start to your health. ​

3. ​Electrolyte Supplements 

People new to the carnivore diet are often amazed at how much weight they can lose in a short space of time. This is one of the reasons many obese people consider making the switch to carnivore. But that initial massive weight loss is mostly water loss. 

And that impacts your electrolyte balance. Significant water loss means you also lose electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and magnesium, necessary for maintaining fluid balance, and even muscle and nerve function. But you can restore your electrolyte balance with electrolyte supplements.

​4. Organ Meat Extracts

Organ meats are some of the most nutrient-dense foods and are rich in B vitamins, especially B6 and B12. Beef liver is a good source of protein, amino acids, iron, vitamin A, B vitamins, and many more important nutrients. Brain meat contains omega-3 fatty acids and other nutrients.

But if you don’t have a taste for eating organ meat, you can get the same benefits with an organ meat extract. And if your earlier diet has left you nutritionally deficient, grass-fed beef organ extracts are carnivore-friendly supplements that will help you address these problems, fast. 

Krill oil capsules are also a good supplementary source of omega fatty acids.

5. WHEY PROTEIN

An all-meat carnivore diet, the strictest version of carnivore (meat, water, salt, and nothing else) is never meant to be a long-term lifestyle. It’s a temporary solution meant to help your body overcome years of poor eating choices or recover from food-related sensitivities, allergies, and auto-immune responses. 

The carnivore diet includes other animal foods like dairy and eggs, and these are important for your diet, too. But if you don’t like dairy and eggs, you can amp up your protein with some whey protein powder. And if you’re trying to build muscle and bulk on the carnivore diet, this one is a must.

​Supplements To Avoid On The Carnivore Diet

The best carnivore diet supplements are those free from plant-based extracts and artificial additives.

Many supplements contain sweeteners and other additives to make them more palatable, and/or plant-based “fillers”. These are incompatible with the carnivore diet. Check the labels for information on the contents, and if the information is missing or vague, avoid that product. 

​Why Are Plant-Based Supplements a Problem?

The carnivore diet is built around animal-based foods and excludes plant-based foods. There are several reasons for this.

• A diet that is too high in carbohydrates (most plant foods) has been linked to obesity and even a higher risk for chronic illnesses like cardiovascular disease. 

 

• Food allergies can occur in both plant and animal-based foods. However, plant-based food allergies are more common. Most cereal grains also contain proteins like gluten, which in some people can trigger autoimmune conditions and food sensitivities. 

 

• Anti-nutrients are naturally found in many foods but are mostly found in plant foods. These natural plant defenses, meant to protect them from predators in the wild, can block nutrient absorption. 

So, what does this have to do with supplements? 

The additives and fillers in many supplements can trigger the allergies and autoimmune reactions that made you switch to carnivore in the first place! So use mainstream supplements with care, and always check the labels before consuming. 

​Final Thoughts

Do you need to take any carnivore diet supplements if you are following a balanced carnivore eating plan? Probably not. A well-structured carnivore diet eating plan should include all of the nutrients that you need. 

People who have just switched to the diet, and are following a strict carnivore plan, may benefit from these carnivore diet supplements. However, if you are following a more varied carnivore diet, you should get all the nutrients you need for optimal health.

Consult your primary care physician for advice if you are concerned about nutritional deficiencies due to underlying medical conditions.