This podcast episode features Dr. Anthony Chaffee and his guest, Aleksander Omtvedt from Norway, a 36-year-old high-level chess player who is ranked in the top 1% on Lichess with a 2,400 rating. Aleksander shares his personal journey and experiences with the carnivore diet, specifically highlighting its profound impact on his cognitive function and overall well-being. He attributes his ability to qualify for Norway’s Masters group in chess, despite having less time to practise, directly to the diet. The discussion also delves into Dr. Chaffee’s experiences with the diet’s benefits for his patients, covering a wide range of health improvements.
Aleksander’s path to the carnivore diet began with a history of poor nutrition and subsequent health problems, including inflammation and sports injuries from around age 27, which conventional medical and nutritional advice failed to resolve. He initially found some relief with a Paleo diet for six to seven years, followed by a Keto diet, which helped with weight loss but did not fully address his persistent issues, such as severe lower back pain that forced him to quit golf. His turning point came from an unexpected source – a 50-year-old Norwegian rapper known for health “hacks” and impressive athletic feats on a carnivore diet, which prompted Aleksander to explore it himself.
Upon adopting the carnivore diet, Aleksander experienced significant health improvements. He rapidly lost 8 kg, dropping from 92 kg to 84 kg in three weeks, and has maintained this weight, feeling strong and sharp. Crucially for his chess career, he noticed his “brain lighting up” and a sustained, steady focus that is essential for tournaments lasting many hours, where a single mistake can cost the game. He also reported an increase in testosterone, which made him more competitive, and saw his acne clear up and his dental health improve. These benefits extended to his work, making physical tasks like guiding tourist hikes much easier due to the absence of pain and inflammation.
Dr. Chaffee reinforces Aleksander’s experience by sharing numerous success stories from his own patients, demonstrating the broad applicability of the carnivore diet for various chronic conditions. He cites examples of older women reversing osteoporosis, a patient making remarkable neurological recovery decades after a stroke, and even a patient reversing Type 1 Diabetes in its early stages. Dr. Chaffee also mentions the potential for improvements in children with developmental issues like autism and a notable case of an 86-year-old man who regained his independence and moved out of a nursing home after three months on the diet.
The conversation concludes with practical advice on maintaining a carnivore diet while travelling and in social settings, emphasising that meat is almost always available and fasting is a viable option when good food is not. They also touch upon Norway’s historical reliance on meat due to its climate, referring to it as the “Viking diet,” and the extreme portability of pemmican for sustenance during long journeys. Ultimately, the episode underscores the diet’s potential to enhance not only physical health but also cognitive performance and overall quality of life, enabling individuals to excel in their chosen fields.