Health Viewpoints
Abandoning grind culture, eating raw, organic grass-fed and finished beef liver, and gifting cheese on a first date are just some of the many odd yet influential practices of the 700,000 Instagram followers of Carnivore Aurelius.
With an avatar of Marcus Aurelius, this anonymous Instagram account has been sharing studies, beef liver crisps, and humorous memes encouraging the abandonment of modern health and living practices in favor of traditional ones practiced by older generations.
With millions of people seeking alternative approaches to health, could this wacky health influencer who eats raw eggs on the beach be onto something, or is this merely a health trap?
Health Trend or Trap?
Many followers of this anonymous account report improved well-being, which may or may not be related to eating a raw carrot a day, eating steak with their bare hands, or allowing “silly goose” time—the allowance of time for fun and laughter.
As with any health trend originating from the internet, some influencers have scientific backing, while others do not. For example, the influencer promotes alpacas and other farm animals as therapeutic, and animal-assisted therapy (pdf) may actually help treat depression.
Other examples with scientific backing include his advocacy of avoiding tap water, birth control wreaking havoc on women’s bodies, the benefits of embracing a carnivore diet, and laughter being necessary for well-being.
The influencer’s stance on veganism may also have some scientific support. While vegan diets are low in fat and high in fiber, which can benefit heart health and reduce the risk of different cancers, eliminating all animal products can also put one at risk for severe nutrient deficiencies.
Not surprisingly, many people are looking for an alternative to modern health traps—one that leads to improved health and life satisfaction.
The Alternative Health Movement
There is no shortage of scientific literature regarding various health topics discussed on social media. However, many alternative approaches to health may not be studied, which may reflect a lack of interest in funding this kind of research, possibly due to pushback from the allopathic medical community.
Americans report being less happy than they were in the 1980s. Increased obesity, hookup culture’s impact on well-being, the prevalence of mental health problems, especially in youth, and the capture of the nutrition profession by Big Food are just a few reasons to consider mimicking our ancestors’ practices.
Ancestrally, people consumed more protein (pdf), fewer carbohydrates, and more fiber and vitamin C than currently recommended. The modern food pyramid has gotten a slight makeover to reflect the difference between refined versus whole grains, yet still shames the consumption of red meat while encouraging the use of inflammatory seed oils.
In 1958, Congress granted permission for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to approve the use of thousands of chemicals in our food supply, resulting in problems such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and gastrointestinal disorders. These additives, along with the increased use of prescription medications, may also be fueling America’s obesity epidemic.
The World Economic Forum is pushing alternative proteins (pdf) into the food supply, including insects and the recently approved addition of lab-grown meat. These proposed practices are receiving plenty of criticism and outright “disgust.”
Many are turning to social media for health information, where a new generation of influencers can be found on platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.
The Growing Trend of Health Influencers
A 2022 study (pdf) found that over 59 million people in the United States now look to influencers on social media for health advice.
Using influencers for health information comes with risks. There are no credentials required to be an influencer. When content like a post, story, or reel goes viral, an influencer is often “discovered.”
On social media platforms, these influencers may be health professionals, health enthusiasts, or associated with health companies. As we saw during the COVID-19 pandemic, social media can cause people to change their behaviors drastically.
On one side, influencers have shed light on taboo topics, such as why many people declined COVID-19 vaccinations and the severe side effects experienced by many.
In contrast, some people can be deceptive and shameless in their self-promotion, such as a New York City school pediatrician exposed for fabricating a persona as a frontline doctor during the COVID-19 pandemic, uncovered by a New York Post reporter.
Social media functions through content creation, user response, and resulting behavioral changes. It’s essential to approach any health advice being promoted on social media with skepticism and caution.
Are Influencers Deserving of Your Trust?
Influencers are often charismatic and can develop a cult-like following with an ability to tap into our vulnerabilities and weaknesses while providing hopeful solutions. Many are proficient at reinforcing persuasive logic and ideals, often for personal gain.
An influencer may use esoteric words that the general public is unfamiliar with, along with a raised tone of voice to fearmonger. This creates a sense of urgency for the individual, often followed by the promotion of a product pitched as a solution to a specific problem.
Influencers typically reap financial rewards for promoting products or brands through affiliate marketing agreements. These financial incentives can be highly lucrative and motivate an influencer to push products they may not personally align with.
Discerning who to trust online requires doing your research before following someone’s advice. Are they credible? Are they trustworthy? Do they have the professional credentials to be offering the advice they’re giving?
It’s always important to choose like-minded health influencers who provide practical, inspiring advice to help you reach your goals.
The Epoch Times reached out to Carnivore Aurelius for comment and received no response.
Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Epoch Health welcomes professional discussion and friendly debate. To submit an opinion piece, please follow these guidelines and submit through our form here.