Phase 1 was focused on weight loss while establishing baseline anthropometric and blood-based measurements, without a specific disease or organ-focused hypothesis.

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Primary Intent at Phase Start:

• Weight loss

• Establish objective baseline health measurements

• Document blood test biomarkers and anthropometric data over time

 

Implementation Chosen at Phase Start:

• Carnivore Diet (65% Fat / 30% Protein / 5% Carbs)

• Continue existing resistance training 2-3 days/week and increase activity level

• Periodic blood testing

• Document blood test results in spreadsheet to identify trends

• Supplement use was broad and non-targeted, reflecting a general health-maintenance approach rather than a phase-specific intervention

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Measurements Introduced / Emphasized:

• FitnessPal food tracking use

• Baseline blood tests including fasting insulin

• Body Measurement baseline

• Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) introduced for intermittent, real-time glucose observation during dietary variation; data not systematically captured.

 

Observed Directional Trends:

• Anthropometric Data (9/8/24 to 2/23/25)

  • 252.7 lbs to 225.1 lbs

    • 27.6 lb reduction

    • Ave. loss per week: 1.15 lbs

  • Fat/Lean Mass (per Withings Body Comp scale):

    • 9/8/24 to 10/6/24:

      • 27.9% / 68.5% to 23.1%/72.9% (14.2 lb loss)

      • Lean Mass Change: +4.4%

    • 10/6/24 to 2/23/25:

      • 23.1%/72.9% to 23.4% / 72.8%  (13.4 lb loss)

      • Lean Mass Change: -0.1%. 

      • Fat and lean mass declined at comparable rates during this period

  • Waist/Height Ratio:

    • .61 to .55

  • Waist/Hip Ratio:

    • 1.05 to 0.98

  • BMR:

    • 2,140 to 1,974 kcals
       

• Blood Tests (Footnote 1​) - for details, see Blood Test Master File

  • Lipid Markers (mg/dL):

    • Total Cholesterol (TC): 157 to 143

    • Triglycerides (TG): 144 to 121

    • HDL Cholesterol (HDL-C): 61 to 49

    • LDL Cholesterol (LDL-C): 67.2 to 72

    • Apolipoprotein B (ApoB)

      • Calculated: 72 to 70

      • Measured (10/3/24): 89 (single measurement)

  • NMR LipoProfiles (LabCorp):

    • LDL Particle Count (LDL-P) (nmol/L): 1382 to 1056

    • Small LDL Particles (sdLDL-P) (nmol/L): 734 to 447

    • Insulin Resistance Index (LP-IR): 49 to 56

  • Fasting Glucose–Insulin Index (HOMA-IR) (calculated from lab data): 1.8 to 2.0

  • Fasting Total Insulin (µU/mL) (Footnote 2): 8 (St Lukes) to 9 (Boston)

  • Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) (IU/L): 31 to 72

  • Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) (IU/L): 35 to 74

  • Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase (GGT) (IU/L): 30 (single measurement)

  • Homocysteine (umol/L): 19.4 (single measurement)

  • FIB-4 Index (calculated from lab data): 3.78 (single measurement)

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Key Discoveries / Signals:

• Focus on fat for energy dramatically increased satiety, lowering overall food intake  and enabled daily 12-16 hour intermittent fasting, often resulting in one meal a day (OMAD)

• Black coffee and bulletproof coffee discovered as tools to assist intermittent fasting regimen

• Measured ketosis status via urine sticks

• Rising AST/ALT coincided with continued alcohol use, raising concern about its potential contribution and the need to address intake

• Average weekly weight loss across Phase 1 was 1.6 lbs, starting at 5.1 lbs the first week and gradually dropping each week to 1.2 lbs/week on 2/28/25.

 

Constraints / Confounders Noted:

• Strict adherence to Carnivore Diet, with exception of black coffee and alcohol use (spirits only)

• Standard Carnivore influencer guidance “Eat until Full” was not sustainable given macronutrient imbalance

• CGM was used to observe fasting glucose levels and insulin response after any deviations from the diet occurred. CGM data was tracked in the Dexcom app but not captured separately.  No notable concerns arose during the phase.

• Ketosis state was intermittent and low (up to 1.5mmol/L)

• Began use of Fatty15 supplement on 2/26/25 to offset reduced dairy fat intake

 

Open Questions at Phase End:

• Diet change was needed to increase protein to slow lean mass loss, requiring reduction in fat intake to continue low carbohydrate approach

• Alcohol use remained an unresolved issue requiring direct intervention

 

FOOTNOTES:

1. For each biomarker listed in this section, the first value represents the earliest available measurement obtained on or shortly after September 7, 2024, and the second value represents the most recent measurement obtained on or shortly before March 10, 2025. Exact test dates, laboratories, assays, and reference ranges are documented in the linked source file.
    

2. “Total” insulin refers to assays that may detect circulating insulin plus proinsulin and proinsulin fragments, depending on laboratory methodology. Values are therefore assay-dependent and not directly comparable across laboratories. Directional interpretation is appropriate within-lab only. Where available, insulin-specific assays are referenced separately.