Primary Sources: The Original Carnivore Diet
Can these mountain men journal entries help us understand nutrition in the modern world?
One of the important realizations history provides you with is the understanding that we’re all just people. Always have been, and always will be. History can be seen as the study of people doing the same things over and over again. Groups in very different places, and at different times, doing the same things. Not only can studying history teach us those common threads, but it can help connect us to those past people. We’re all just people. It’s one thing that living history can teach us. When we do the same things that people of the past did, we can share an experience with them. In some cases, this can create more empathy and understanding of the reality of people’s lives. In other cases, it can have a direct impact on our modern lives. Take this mountain man journal entry for example.
This journal entry comes from Charles Larpenteur who went west in 1833. In it, he describes a period when they were living on meat alone:
“So we had to go it on buffalo alone; but, thank Providence! we soon got into fine fat cows, and fared well. My comrades had told me that we should now get a sickness called by them le mal de vache; it is a dysentery caused by eating too much fat meat alone, and some are known to have died of it. So it was not long after we fared so well on the fat of the land that very bad expressions were used in reference to living on meat alone.”
The point that stands out to me, is the remark about dysentery. You may know dysentery is a stomach disease, and one of its main symptoms is diarrhea. Now, this might not be interesting, unless you’ve ever learned about the carnivore diet in the modern world.
For those who don’t know, the carnivore diet is a modern diet trend/fad where people only eat meat. Numerous people have reported that the carnivore diet has many health benefits. However, one side effect is the carnivore flu. Some call it the keto flu because the carnivore diet is so similar to the keto diet. People who try both diets tend to report a period of flu-like symptoms as their body adjusts. Although people seem to experience this “flu” differently, many people seem to report another common side effect; diarrhea. Perhaps the most entertaining description of this comes from Joe Rogan when he tried the carnivore diet. Putting it mildly, Rogan recounted that he had some pretty noticeable diarrhea.
What’s interesting about this, is that it sounds like the same thing Larpenteur noted in the 1800s. What’s also interesting is that after the initial period of flu symptoms disappears, people claim to feel great. Here are some examples from the past:
WA Ferris
“We killed here a great many buffalo, which were all in good condition, and feasted, as may be supposed, luxuriously upon the delicate tongues, rich humps, fat roasts, and savoury steaks of this noble and excellent species of game. Heretofore we had found the meat of the poor buffalo the worst diet imaginable, and in fact grew meagre and gaunt in the midst of plenty and profusion. But in proportion as they became fat, we grew strong and hearty, and now not one of us but is ready to insist that no other kind of meat can compare with that of the female bison, in good condition. With it we require no seasoning; we boil, roast, or fry it, as we please, and live upon it solely, without bread or vegetables of any kind, and what seems most singular, we never tire of or disrelish it, which would be the case with almost any other meat, after living upon it exclusively for a few days.”
Rufus Sage 1841
“Perhaps nothing is more conducive to good health than animal food. In proof of this I need only to refer to the uniform good health of those subsisting entirely upon it.
“Sickness of any kind is rarely known to the various Indian tribes confined exclusively to its use. These people almost invariably live to an extraordinary age, unless cut off by the ravages of war or some unforeseen event. Consumption, dyspepsy, colds, and fevers, are alike strangers to them.
“The same observation holds good in regard to the whites who reside in this country and subsist in a similar manner.
“I have known confirmed cases both of consumption and dyspepsy cured by visiting these regions and submitting exclusively to this mode of living.
“For my own part, I felt not the least indisposed during the entire period of my stay, nor did I even hear of an instance of death from natural causes in the mean time, and but rarely of a case of sickness, however slight. The same also has been repeatedly remarked in my hearing by persons who have resided here for ten or twelve years, and whose united experience corroborates my own.
“A further fact, relative to the teeth, is worthy of note in connection with this subject. These never suffer by decay or aches, when employed only in the mastication of flesh; or, at least, I have never seen or heard of an instance of the kind.
“I am, therefore, led to conclude from the foregoing facts, that animal food is in every respect the most wholesome and innocent diet which can be adopted.”
As you can see, there are numerous sources from the early 19th century providing anecdotal evidence that a mountain man's diet based on meat resulted in good health.
Why would any of this matter? Well, today some people will say that this sort of animal based diet can help a few people improve their health. Here is one example.
Paul Saladino, MD- Present (Note, Saladino does own a company that sells supplements related to an animal-based diet.)
“An animal-based diet is centered around the most optimal foods for humans; meat, organs, fruit, honey, and raw dairy.
These are the most nutrient-rich foods on the planet, long sought after by humans. By choosing these foods instead of sub-optimal foods like leaves, stems, roots and seeds, we can reverse and prevent disease, as well as unlock our most powerful forms.”
And, another article about the positive effects of an all-meat diet.
Now, I’m not a nutritionist, and none of this information is intended to serve as nutrition advice. However, I also won’t pretend not to notice a recurring thread that seems to run consistently through time. Some people, whether today or in the 1800s, seem to experience real health benefits by switching to an animal-based diet. Ferris said they grew, “strong and hearty,” and the article written by the journalist says he wrote, “The fourth month brought some unexpected benefits that I couldn't have foreseen. Apart from the initial weight loss and increased energy levels, which I did expect, I noticed a significant improvement in my mental health.” At the same time, it’s also worth pointing out that Charles Larpenteur noted that, “some people have died,” from dysentery, and some modern people have reported bad health related to some heavy meat diets. Should we be surprised that human beings across two hundred years have the same experiences related to diet? Probably not. One constant thing is that people seem to react to diets differently.
If nothing else, maybe these primary sources can help us realize that people have always appreciated good health. In fact, in the past, it was a common practice to wish people good health or to report good health when writing friends and family. Most people seem to realize how important health is. If you don’t have it, you really don’t have anything. Perhaps there are some things we can learn from the past about health to make our lives better in the present. That is, of course, the real treasure of studying history.
