Dr. Shawn Baker is an orthopedic surgeon, world champion athlete, and best-selling author of The Carnivore Diet. He’s a leading authority on treating disease with medical nutritional therapy and introduced the zero-carb elimination diet to the world through the Joe Rogan podcast. His personal experience and interactions with thousands of patients have shown powerful results in treating and reversing chronic diseases. Dr. Baker’s book explores the meat-focused Carnivore Diet, highlighting real-world transformations experienced by people of all types. 🥩📚🌟
One of the reasons why carnivores do not get sunburned, according to Dr. Baker, is that they have higher levels of vitamin D than omnivores or vegetarians. Vitamin D is not only important for bone health and immune function, but also for skin health and protection from UV damage.
Vitamin D helps to regulate the synthesis and differentiation of keratinocytes, the cells that form the outer layer of the skin.
Keratinocytes produce melanin, the pigment that gives skin color and protects it from sunburn. Vitamin D also stimulates the production of cathelicidin, an antimicrobial peptide that protects the skin from infections and inflammation.
Vitamin D also modulates the expression of genes involved in DNA repair, cell cycle regulation, and apoptosis, which are crucial for preventing skin cancer and aging.
Dr. Baker argues that carnivores get more vitamin D than other diets because they eat foods that are rich in vitamin D, such as fatty fish, egg yolks, liver, and cheese. He also claims that animal sources of vitamin D are more bioavailable and effective than plant sources, such as mushrooms, or synthetic sources, such as supplements or fortified foods. He says that plant and synthetic sources of vitamin D often contain ergocalciferol, which is less potent and has a shorter half-life than cholecalciferol, the form of vitamin D found in animal foods. He also says that plant and synthetic sources of vitamin D may interfere with the absorption and metabolism of vitamin D from animal foods, by competing for the same receptors and enzymes.
He recommends that carnivores eat at least 1000 IU of vitamin D per day from animal foods, and avoid any plant or synthetic sources of vitamin D.
Another reason why carnivores do not get sunburned, according to Dr. Baker, is that they have lower levels of inflammation and oxidative stress than other diets. Inflammation and oxidative stress are caused by various factors, such as infections, toxins, allergens, stress, and poor diet. Inflammation and oxidative stress can damage the skin and make it more susceptible to sunburn, as well as accelerate skin aging and increase the risk of skin cancer.
Dr. Baker says that carnivores have lower levels of inflammation and oxidative stress because they avoid foods that trigger them, such as grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, fruits, vegetables, and vegetable oils. He says that these foods contain anti-nutrients and toxins, such as lectins, phytates, oxalates, gluten, fructose, and polyunsaturated fatty acids, that impair digestion, absorption, and utilization of nutrients, and cause inflammation, oxidative stress, and leaky gut. He also says that these foods provide excess carbohydrates and calories, which can raise blood sugar and insulin levels, and lead to metabolic syndrome, diabetes, obesity, and chronic diseases.
He suggests that carnivores eat only animal foods, which are free of anti-nutrients and toxins, and provide adequate protein, fat, and micronutrients, to optimize health and prevent inflammation and oxidative stress.
Therefore, Dr. Baker believes that carnivores do not get sunburned because they have higher levels of vitamin D and lower levels of inflammation and oxidative stress than other diets. He says that these factors help to maintain healthy and resilient skin, and protect it from UV damage and infections. He also says that carnivores do not need to worry about sunscreen or sun exposure, as long as they eat enough animal foods and avoid plant and synthetic foods. He thinks that sun exposure is beneficial for health and mood, and that sunscreen is harmful and unnecessary. He advises carnivores to enjoy the sun and its benefits, without fear of sunburn.
The question of how long it takes to have no sunburn on the carnivore diet is not easy to answer, as it may depend on various factors, such as the individual's skin type, genetics, history of sun exposure, sun intensity, and duration of the carnivore diet.
According to some studies, vitamin D can help to prevent and treat sunburn, by modulating the immune system, reducing inflammation, enhancing DNA repair, and inducing antimicrobial peptides in the skin. Vitamin D can also protect the skin from aging and cancer, by regulating cell growth, differentiation, and apoptosis. Therefore, carnivores who eat foods that are rich in vitamin D, such as fatty fish, egg yolks, liver, and cheese, may have more resistance to sunburn and better skin health than other diets.
However, vitamin D is not the only factor that affects sunburn. Other factors, such as melanin, antioxidants, and hydration, also play a role in protecting the skin from UV damage. Melanin is the pigment that gives color to the skin and hair, and acts as a natural sunscreen, by absorbing and scattering UV rays.
Antioxidants are molecules that scavenge free radicals, which are harmful byproducts of oxidative stress that can damage the skin cells and DNA.
Hydration is the amount of water in the skin, which helps to keep it moist, elastic, and smooth.
Carnivores may have different levels of these factors than other diets, depending on what types of animal foods they eat, and how they prepare and consume them.
For example, carnivores who eat more red meat, such as beef, lamb, or venison, may have more melanin than carnivores who eat more white meat, such as chicken, turkey, or pork, as red meat contains more iron, zinc, and copper, which are involved in melanin synthesis. Carnivores who eat more organ meats, such as liver, heart, or kidney, may have more antioxidants than carnivores who eat more muscle meats, such as steak, roast, or chops, as organ meats contain more vitamins A, C, and E, selenium, and coenzyme Q10, which are potent antioxidants.
Carnivores who eat more raw or rare meats, such as tartare, carpaccio, or sashimi, may have more hydration than carnivores who eat more cooked or dry meats, such as jerky, bacon, or ham, as raw or rare meats retain more water and juices than cooked or dry meats.
Therefore, it is possible that carnivores who eat more red, organ, and raw or rare meats may have less sunburn than carnivores who eat more white, muscle, and cooked or dry meats, or than other diets that do not include these types of animal foods.
However, this is only a speculation, and more research is needed to confirm or refute this hypothesis and to determine the optimal amount and type of animal foods for sunburn prevention and treatment. Until then, carnivores should be cautious about their sun exposure, and consult their doctor or dermatologist if they have any concerns or questions about their skin health.
Commentaires