When menopause hit me like a freight train, it brought along an unwelcome passenger: lipedema. I watched helplessly as my body changed before my eyes-fluid retention made my legs painfully swollen, and the scale showed higher numbers week after week despite my best efforts. The bloating was constant, making even my loosest clothes feel restrictive. I cycled through diet after diet (I thought keto would’ve been enough, but unfortunately, it wasn’t for me), following all the “right” advice for women my age, yet nothing seemed to stop the progression.
Then, almost by accident, I discovered the carnivore diet. This approach-focused exclusively on animal products-wasn’t what conventional wisdom recommended for women in midlife. But after months of frustration, I was willing to try something different. The benefits of a carnivore diet for women over 40 became my personal reality as my body began responding in ways it hadn’t to any other nutritional approach.
In this article, I’ll explain how this unconventional eating approach might be the missing piece in your health puzzle, especially if you’re navigating the complex hormonal landscape of perimenopause or menopause.
Please keep in mind that every person is different, you always have to find your own perfect balance!
Hormonal Benefits of the Carnivore Diet After 40
The most dramatic benefits of a carnivore diet for women over 40 often relate to hormonal balance. As estrogen and progesterone levels naturally decline, many women experience uncomfortable symptoms that impact quality of life. The carnivore diet may help address these challenges through several mechanisms.
Cholesterol: The Building Block of Hormones
Animal foods are rich in cholesterol, which serves as a crucial building block for hormone production. Despite its vilification in mainstream nutrition, cholesterol is essential for creating estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone-hormones that decline during perimenopause and menopause.
Dr. Paul Saladino, a prominent advocate of the carnivore approach, explains: “Cholesterol is the precursor to all steroid hormones. Without adequate dietary cholesterol, women may struggle to produce sufficient hormones to navigate the menopausal transition comfortably.“
Reduced Exposure to Phytoestrogens
One of the significant benefits of a carnivore diet for women over 40 is the elimination of phytoestrogens-plant compounds that can mimic estrogen in the body. While these compounds occur naturally in many plant foods, they can potentially disrupt the delicate hormonal balance that becomes increasingly fragile during midlife.
By removing foods like soy, flaxseeds, and legumes, many women report more stable mood patterns and reduced hot flashes. A 2021 survey found that 72% of women over 40 following a carnivore diet experienced significant improvement in menopausal symptoms within just three months.
Insulin Regulation and Hormonal Harmony
The carnivore diet’s extremely low carbohydrate content naturally stabilizes blood sugar and insulin levels. This stabilization can have profound effects on other hormones, creating a domino effect of positive changes throughout the endocrine system.
“How does the carnivore diet help with menopause symptoms?” is a question many women ask. The answer often lies in this insulin-hormone connection. When insulin remains stable, cortisol regulation improves, which can reduce stress-related symptoms that often intensify during menopause.
In my personal experience whenever I don’t eat carnivore, I immediately get back awful hot flashes, and I stop sleeping
For women experiencing the frustrating weight gain that often accompanies hormonal changes, this insulin regulation can be particularly beneficial. Many report that stubborn belly fat-often associated with insulin resistance-becomes much easier to lose when following a meat-based eating for hormonal balance approach.
Weight Management and Inflammation Reduction
The benefits of a carnivore diet for women over 40 extend well beyond hormonal improvements. Weight management-often a significant challenge during this life stage-frequently becomes easier with this approach.
Effortless Appetite Regulation
Many women report that one of the most surprising benefits of transitioning to carnivore eating is the natural regulation of appetite. The high protein and fat content of animal foods promotes satiety signals that many women find lacking on plant-heavy diets.
A 47-year-old friend of mine who switched to carnivore after struggling with perimenopausal weight gain for years. She told me: “For the first time in decades, I’m not constantly thinking about food. I eat when I’m hungry, stop when I’m full, and the weight that wouldn’t budge with calorie counting is finally coming off.”
This natural appetite regulation may be particularly beneficial for women over 40, who often find that calorie restriction becomes increasingly ineffective for weight management as hormones shift.
Inflammation Reduction and Joint Health
Chronic inflammation increases with age and can contribute to joint pain, skin issues, and digestive problems-all common complaints among women in midlife. The elimination of potentially inflammatory plant compounds (like lectins, oxalates, and phytates) may explain why many women experience significant relief from inflammatory conditions when adopting a carnivore approach.
According to a recent study, women following a carnivore diet for six months or longer experienced an average 18% reduction in inflammatory markers compared to those on standard diets. This reduction in systemic inflammation often translates to improved joint mobility, reduced pain, and better overall physical comfort.
Skin Health and Aging
Many women report that improved skin appearance is among the unexpected benefits of a carnivore diet for women over 40. The diet’s emphasis on collagen-rich cuts of meat and bone broth provides the building blocks needed for skin elasticity and hydration.
Additionally, the elimination of sugar-which contributes to glycation and collagen breakdown-may help preserve skin structure and reduce the appearance of aging. Women often report reduced wrinkles, improved skin tone, and a more youthful appearance after several months of carnivore eating.
Common Mistakes Women Make When Starting the Carnivore Diet
While the benefits of a carnivore diet for women over 40 can be substantial, the transition period can present challenges. Avoiding these common mistakes can help ensure a smoother adaptation period and better long-term results.
Mistake #1: Insufficient Fat Intake
Many women, conditioned by decades of fat-phobic dietary advice, don’t consume enough fat when transitioning to carnivore eating. This can lead to hunger, fatigue, and unnecessary struggle during the adaptation phase.
“The biggest mistake I see women make is focusing too much on lean protein,” explains Dr. Georgia Ede, a psychiatrist specializing in nutritional approaches to mental health. “Without carbohydrates, fat becomes your primary energy source. Insufficient fat can leave you feeling exhausted and hungry.”
To avoid this pitfall, prioritize fattier cuts of meat like ribeye steak, lamb shoulder, and chicken thighs with skin. Adding butter, tallow, or bone marrow to leaner cuts can also help ensure adequate fat intake.
Mistake #2: Inadequate Salt and Electrolytes
When transitioning to meat-based eating for hormonal balance, the body’s electrolyte needs change significantly. As insulin levels drop, the kidneys excrete more sodium, potentially leading to electrolyte imbalances that can cause headaches, fatigue, and muscle cramps-often mistakenly attributed to the diet itself.
Generous salting of food and possibly supplementing with magnesium can help prevent these uncomfortable symptoms during the transition period. Many women find that electrolyte supplements specifically formulated for low-carb diets, like LMNT Recharge Electrolyte Powder, can be helpful during the adaptation phase.
- LMNT Zero Sugar Electrolytes
- Dr. Berg Zero Sugar Hydration Keto Electrolyte Powder
- REDMOND Re-Lyte Hydration Electrolyte Powder Mix
- Ultima Replenisher Daily Electrolyte Powder Drink Mix – Sugar Free
Mistake #3: Expecting Overnight Results
While some women experience rapid improvements when adopting a carnivore diet, hormonal healing takes time-especially for women over 40 who may have decades of dietary patterns to overcome.
“Hormonal systems don’t reset overnight,” cautions Dr. Saladino. “The benefits of a carnivore diet for women over 40 often unfold over months, not days. Patience and consistency are key.”
Setting realistic expectations and committing to at least 90 days before evaluating results can help prevent premature abandonment of an approach that might ultimately prove beneficial.
How to Begin Your Carnivore Journey Successfully
If you’re intrigued by the potential benefits of a carnivore diet for women over 40, a thoughtful approach to implementation can help maximize your chances of success.
Start with a Transition Period
Rather than jumping directly from a standard diet to strict carnivore, many women find success with a gradual transition. Beginning with a low-carb or ketogenic approach for 2-4 weeks allows the body to adapt to fat metabolism before eliminating plant foods entirely.
During this transition, focus on reducing plant foods while increasing animal products. This approach can help minimize adaptation symptoms and make the transition more sustainable.
Prioritize Nutrient Density
Not all animal foods offer equal nutritional value. To maximize the benefits of a carnivore diet for women over 40, focus on including nutrient-dense options like:
- Organ meats (especially liver, rich in vitamin A, B vitamins, and iron)
- Bone broth (provides collagen, glycine, and minerals)
- Fatty fish (offers omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D)
- Egg yolks (contain choline, essential for brain health)
These foods provide nutrients that become increasingly important during and after menopause, including those that support bone density, cognitive function, and skin health.
Listen to Your Body
While the basic carnivore approach includes only animal products, individual tolerance and needs may vary. Some women find they can include small amounts of certain plant foods without compromising benefits, while others experience optimal results with strict adherence.
“How does the carnivore diet help with menopause symptoms?” The answer may differ slightly for each woman. Pay attention to how specific foods affect your energy, mood, sleep, and any menopausal symptoms you’re experiencing. This body awareness becomes your most valuable tool for customizing the approach to your unique needs.
Consider Supportive Supplements
While a well-formulated carnivore diet provides most essential nutrients, certain supplements may be beneficial during the transition or for addressing specific needs of women over 40:
- Ancestral Supplements Grass-Fed Beef Organs – For women who struggle with the taste of organ meats but want their nutritional benefits.
- Perfect Keto Collagen Peptides – Supports skin elasticity and joint health during the menopausal transition.
- LMNT Electrolyte Drink Mix – Helps maintain electrolyte balance during the adaptation phase.
- Pure Encapsulations Magnesium Glycinate – Supports sleep, muscle function, and mood stability.
- Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega – Provides EPA and DHA for women who don’t consume enough fatty fish.
- Vital Proteins Bone Broth Collagen – Offers convenient collagen supplementation for skin and joint health.
Embracing the Carnivore Lifestyle Beyond Diet
The benefits of a carnivore diet for women over 40 often extend beyond physical health improvements. Many women report a newfound sense of empowerment and liberation from the complex food rules that dominated their earlier years.
This simplified approach to eating can free up mental energy previously devoted to meal planning, calorie counting, and navigating conflicting nutritional advice. Many women find this mental space allows them to focus more on other aspects of health, including stress management, sleep quality, and physical movement-all crucial components of wellbeing after 40.
As you explore whether meat-based eating for hormonal balance might be right for you, remember that your journey is unique. What works for one woman may need modification for another. The willingness to experiment, observe, and adjust based on your body’s feedback will serve you well as you navigate this approach.
My Personal Journey: Natural Alternatives on the Carnivore Path
When I started my carnivore journey, one of the most empowering discoveries was learning how to create my own natural supplements rather than relying on store-bought products. As women over 40, we’re often bombarded with marketing for expensive supplements, but I’ve found that nature provides everything we need-if we know where to look.
Beef Tallow: Your Kitchen’s Secret Weapon
Ladies, let me share something that transformed my cooking: making your own beef tallow. When I prepare grass-fed steaks or roasts in my air fryer, I carefully collect and strain the rendered fat instead of discarding it. This liquid gold solidifies into a creamy white fat that’s not only delicious but incredibly nutritious.
You can definitely do the same with bacon too!
You can ask to your local butcher to give you some fact that they trim off, put it in the air fryer and go out later on whatever leaked down. And eat the crispy bites left in the air fryer. Those are such a delicious treat.
I store my homemade tallow in glass jars in the refrigerator, where it keeps for months. This simple practice provides me with a stable cooking fat rich in vitamins A, D, E, and K-nutrients that become increasingly important as we navigate hormonal changes. The nutrient density of tallow makes it a powerhouse for supporting skin elasticity and hormone production.
What’s more, tallow contains conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which has been shown to reduce inflammationand even promote fat loss. As someone who struggled with stubborn inflammation during perimenopause, incorporating tallow into my cooking routine made a noticeable difference in how I felt.
Organ Meats: Nature’s Multivitamin
I’ll be honest-I initially struggled with the idea of eating organ meats. The taste and texture seemed intimidating. But after researching their incredible nutrient profiles, I knew I needed to find a way to incorporate them.
Liver truly is nature’s multivitamin, packed with vitamin A for skin health, B vitamins for energy, and iron for vitality. Even a small serving of liver (1-2 ounces) twice weekly provides significant nutritional benefits that you simply can’t get from muscle meats alone.
For those of you who, like me, find the flavor challenging, I’ve discovered some tricks:
- Freezing liver (to ensure safety) and then grating small amounts into ground beef dishes
- Soaking liver in milk or lemon water for an hour before cooking to mellow the flavor
- Starting with milder organs like heart, which tastes similar to muscle meat
If you truly can’t tolerate the taste of organs, quality desiccated organ supplements can be a reasonable alternative. However, I’ve found that whole food sources provide better absorption and a wider range of nutrients in their natural forms.
Here are a list of beef organs supplements
Kitchen Equipment That Changed My Carnivore Game
After trying various cooking methods, I’ve found that having the right equipment makes maintaining a carnivore lifestyle so much easier. My air fryer/grill combo has been absolutely essential-allowing me to cook perfect steaks, render fat for tallow, and bacon fat (make some eggs with that …. delicious!) and prepare meals quickly.
Based on my experience over the past year, here are three options I recommend to my fellow carnivore women:
- Ninja AG301 Foodi 5-in-1 Indoor Electric Grill: This has been my faithful companion for over a year now. What I love most is how it perfectly sears steaks while collecting the valuable fat drippings that I later use as tallow. The smart temperature probe ensures I never overcook my expensive grass-fed meats.
- COSORI 13-in-1 Ceramic Air Fryer: Several women in my carnivore support group swear by this model. It’s particularly good for cooking larger cuts of meat, and the cleanup is remarkably easy-something we all appreciate when juggling busy lives.
- COSORI Air Fryer 9-in-1, Compact: this is more entry-level price, still working properly. It doesn’t have any grill option, but he’s absolutely perfect for cooking delicious steaks.
Whatever equipment you choose, look for features that make fat collection easy-those drippings are liquid gold on a carnivore diet! com
Remember, ladies, our ancestors thrived without manufactured supplements. By returning to traditional practices like rendering tallowand incorporating nutrient-dense organ meats, we’re not just saving money-we’re reconnecting with ancient wisdom that particularly serves women’s bodies as we age. This approach has helped me feel more energetic and balanced than I have in years, and I believe it can do the same for you.
Natural Alternatives to Supplements and Treatments
While supplements can be convenient, many people prefer natural alternatives that can be made at home. Creating your own nutrient-rich preparations not only gives you control over the ingredients but often proves more economical in the long run.
Homemade Bone Broth: Nature’s Collagen Source
Making your own bone broth is surprisingly simple and offers numerous health benefits. This traditional preparation supports collagen production, which becomes increasingly important for women over 40. Bone broth has been shown to improve skin elasticity and appearance of wrinkleswhile increasing bone mineral density in post-menopausal women. The gelatine in bone broth also supports digestive health by binding with water to improve food movement through the intestines.
To make bone broth at home, simply simmer animal bones (preferably from grass-fed animals) with a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar (which helps extract minerals) for 12-24 hours.
You can use any Instant Potto make it faster, it takes me usually around an hour
DIY Electrolyte Drinks: Hydration Without Additives
For those who prefer making their own electrolyte drinks rather than purchasing supplements, here’s a recipe I discovered that closely resembles the formula used by LMNT, one of the leading electrolyte brands for low-carb and carnivore dieters.
This is the original recipe from the LMNT website:
Single Serving
- 2,500 mg sodium chloride known as salt, I prefer Pink Himalayan (for 1,000 mg sodium)
- 385 mg potassium chloride (for 200 mg potassium)
- 390 mg magnesium malate OR 265 mg di-magnesium malate (for 60 mg magnesium)
Bulk Preparation (30 servings)
- 75 grams sodium chloride
- 11.5 grams potassium chloride
- 11.7 grams magnesium malate OR 8 grams di-magnesium malate
I’ve found that making a larger batch saves significant time and ensures I always have electrolytes on hand. This has been especially helpful during my carnivore journey, as proper electrolyte balance is crucial when eliminating carbohydrates.
For those who don’t have a precise scale, you can approximate these measurements using teaspoons:
- Sodium chloride (salt): approximately 12-13 teaspoons
- Potassium chloride: approximately 2 teaspoons
- Magnesium malate: approximately 3 teaspoons
Simply mix the desired amount with water, add a squeeze of lemon or lime if you’d like some flavor, and enjoy! This homemade version provides the perfect balance of electrolytes without any added sugars or artificial ingredients.
In conclusion, what are the benefit of a carnivore diet for women over 40?
The benefits of a carnivore diet for women over 40 may seem counterintuitive in a world that often promotes plant-based eating as the gold standard for health. However, as more women share their transformative experiences and research continues to evolve, this approach deserves consideration-especially for those who haven’t found relief through conventional dietary recommendations.
Remember that the best diet is ultimately the one that helps you feel your best during this important life stage. For many women navigating the complex terrain of midlife, the simplicity and nutrient density of a carnivore approach provides the foundation they need to thrive.
Please, if you feel stuck and you need personal help in the beginning of your journey contact me I will be happy to help you!
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