The man had adopted the carnivore diet eight months before cholesterol began leaking from his body (Pic: JAMA Cardiology/iStock)
In a bizarre case, a man from Florida, US, saw cholesterol oozing from his blood vessels, prompting him to go to the emergency services. The man, in his 40s, said he experienced painless, yellow eruptions on the palms of his hands, soles of his feet, and elbows for three weeks.
Doctors who treated him said he had adopted the carnivore diet—a restrictive food habit that includes only meat—to help eliminate health issues eight months before showing cholesterol on his body.
Experts say the diet, which is known to cause rapid weight loss, lacks beneficial nutrients, including fibre and plant compounds like antioxidants, and can be extremely unsafe for some peThe carnivore diet is a type of ketogenic diet, which suggests that 70–75 per cent of daily calories should come from fat, 20 per cent from protein, and no more than 10 per cent from carbohydrates.
It eliminates fruits, vegetables, legumes, grains, nuts, and seeds.
What did the man eat daily?
The unique case, published in the journal JAMA Cardiology, revealed that the man's diet included over 2.7 kg of cheese, 4.1 kg of butter, and daily burgers that had additional fat in them.
The man said while his weight dropped and his energy levels increased along with better mental clarity, he began noticing yellow liquid leaking from his body. According to experts, his cholesterol levels exceeded 1000 mg/dL—significantly higher than his baseline level of 210 to 300 mg/dL. Thereafter, he was diagnosed with xanthelasma.
What is xanthelasma?
Doctors say xanthelasma, or xanthelasma palpebrarum, is a harmless, yellow growth that appears on or by the corners of your eyelids next to your nose due to the buildup of cholesterol under your skin. Having xanthelasmas could be a sign of another condition, like:
- Diabetes
- Hyperlipidemia
- Thyroid issues
Does xanthelasma go away on its own?
Doctors say xanthelasma does not go away without treatment and can stay the same or get bigger. You cannot pop or squeeze a xanthelasma like a pimple. Xanthelasma removal by a doctor is the best option, as they may use liquid nitrogen cryotherapy as a first-choice removal method.
Even though the doctor may ask you to change to a low-fat diet and take a statin, these will not help you get rid of the existing xanthelasmas.
How are xanthelasmas removed?
Xanthelasmas are painless but you may want to remove them anyway. Xanthelasma removal methods include:
- Surgery
- Liquid nitrogen cryotherapy
- Laser surgery
- Radiofrequency ablation
- Chemical peel
- Surgery using extreme heat
According to doctors, xanthelasmas often come back after removal, no matter which treatment you get. And so, to lower the chance of recurrence, make sure to lower your cholesterol levels.
Ways to reduce high cholesterol levels
High cholesterol levels significantly increase your risk of heart disease and heart attacks. Medications can help improve your cholesterol, but doctors say you must first make lifestyle changes to improve your cholesterol. Try these four healthy changes.
- Eat a healthy diet which includes fruits and vegetables
- Exercise at least five days a week
- Quit smoking and alcohol
- Lose weight
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