What are the potential dangers of consuming an extremely high-fat diet consisting of beef, cheese, and sticks of butter? One major concern is that cholesterol levels could rise to such extreme heights that lipids might start leaking from blood vessels, creating yellowish nodules on the skin.
This alarming situation was documented in the case of a man from Florida who arrived at a Tampa hospital with a three-week history of painless yellow bumps appearing on his palms, soles, and elbows. His case was published today in JAMA Cardiology.
The man, described as being in his forties, informed doctors that he had taken up a “carnivore diet” eight months earlier. His dietary intake consisted of approximately 6 to 9 pounds of cheese, sticks of butter, and daily hamburgers that included extra fat. Since adopting this controversial meal plan, he reported a decrease in weight, increased energy levels, and enhanced “mental clarity.”
In the meantime, his total cholesterol level soared beyond 1,000 mg/dL. For context, an ideal total cholesterol reading is under 200 mg/dL, while a score of 240 mg/dL is deemed “high.” Cardiologists pointed out that prior to switching to his high-fat diet, his cholesterol levels ranged from 210 mg/dL to 300 mg/dL.
The cardiologists diagnosed him with xanthelasma, a condition characterized by the release of excess blood lipids from blood vessels, resulting in localized lipid deposits. Normally, these excess lipids would be absorbed by mobile white blood cells known as macrophages. However, in cases of xanthelasma, the lipid quantity overwhelms the macrophages, transforming them into foam cells that accumulate excess cholesterol and form visible deposits.
These deposits often appear around the eyes (referred to as xanthelasma palpebrarum) and frequently affect individuals with lipid disorders, such as familial hypercholesterolemia. It is believed that the continuous blinking over a person’s lifetime can ultimately weaken the capillaries in the eye area, leading to lipid leakage. While this may be the most prevalent manifestation of the condition, lipid deposits can form in various locations throughout the body.
While xanthelasma—especially xanthelasma palpebrarum—does not always indicate high cholesterol and cardiovascular risks, elevated total cholesterol levels are strongly linked to coronary heart disease.
The case report does not detail the man’s prognosis. Nonetheless, the authors emphasize that this case “underscores the influence of dietary habits on lipid levels and the necessity of addressing hypercholesterolemia to avert complications.”
This article originally appeared on Ars Technica.
