Effect of an Exclusive Meat Diet on Chemical Constituents of the Blood.

This is a preliminary report of an experiment to study the effect on human beings of an exclusive meat diet of several months duration. Our subjects were 2 Arctic explorers who had spent many years in the Arctic Circle, and while there, lived for the greater part of the time on a practically 100% meat and fat diet. Preliminary to our observations they were given careful physical surveys. Both were in excellent condition and showed no evidence of impaired health. Following these examinations studies were made of the respiratory exchange, ketogenesis, protein balance, mineral metabolism, fecal bacteriology, hematology and the chemistry of the blood. This report confines itself to the blood chemical findings.

Both men have eaten absolutely nothing but meat, cooked or raw Two experienced dieticians prepared and served the meat. No subjective untoward effects were noted.∗ Each subject consumed 120 to 130 gm. of protein and enough fat to total a daily caloric intake of 2200 to 2800. Both men were up and about, and took their exercise in walking. At times when they left the hospital they were accompanied by an attendant so that there might be no criticism as to the supervision of their diet. After 4 months the intensive metabolic studies were temporarily suspended. These subjects reported only once a month for blood chemical studies which we have continued for the past 11 months.

This communication deals with 2 questions: (1) Does an exclusive meat diet over a period of 11 months affect the kidney? (2) What changes, if any, are found in the blood of men receiving such a diet over the period mentioned? The following were studied: N. P. N. urea, uric acid, creatinine, NaCl, sugar, CO₂ C. P., serum Ca, plasma P, albumin (plasma), globulins, total protein (plasma), A/G, and cholesterol, before the meat diet and after an exclusive meat diet for 8 months. All analyses were done in duplicate whenever there was a question as to the correctness of the procedures analyses were checked at frequent intervals.