JRE 1050 · December 8, 2017
Dr. Shawn Baker
Who is Dr. Shawn Baker?
Dr. Shawn Baker is an orthopedic surgeon, weight lifting world record holder, and carnivore diet advocate.
Topics and Timestamps
- 01Dr. Shawn Baker is an orthopedic surgeon who advocates for an all-meat carnivore diet as optimal human nutrition
- 02Baker discusses how he transitioned to carnivore eating and claims it resolved various health issues including autoimmune problems
- 03The conversation covers the carnivore diet's potential benefits for weight loss, mental clarity, and athletic performance
- 04Baker holds a world record in weightlifting and credits his carnivore diet with supporting his strength gains
- 05Joe and Shawn discuss how the carnivore approach contrasts with conventional nutritional wisdom and plant-based diets
- 06They explore the biochemistry of meat consumption and question long-held assumptions about dietary requirements
- ▶Dr. Baker introduces his carnivore diet approach and background as an orthopedic surgeon0:00:00
- ▶Baker describes his personal health transformation after switching to all-meat carnivore diet0:15:30
- ▶Discussion about Baker's world record weightlifting achievement and nutrition0:32:15
- ▶Joe and Baker debate whether humans need plant foods and discuss plant anti-nutrients0:45:00
- ▶Baker explains autoimmune disease resolution in patients who adopted carnivore diet1:10:45
The Show
JRE 1050 brings on Dr. Shawn Baker, an orthopedic surgeon who's become a controversial figure in the nutrition world for promoting an all-meat carnivore diet. This isn't your typical keto conversation. Baker takes it further, arguing that humans thrive on animal products alone without vegetables, fruits, or grains.
Baker explains his journey into carnivore eating and how it transformed his health. He describes dealing with various physical and mental issues that he claims resolved after eliminating plant foods. Joe naturally gets curious about how someone can build muscle and maintain strength on nothing but meat, especially given everything we've been told about balanced nutrition. Baker counters with his own results: he's a legitimate strength athlete with world records, suggesting the carnivore approach clearly isn't leaving him weak.
The discussion digs into the science around meat consumption, micronutrients, and whether the human body actually needs plant diversity. Baker argues that many of the nutrients we think we need from plants can be obtained from animal sources, and that plant compounds like oxalates and lectins might actually be problematic for many people. Joe brings up legitimate questions about this approach while remaining open to the possibility that conventional dietary advice might not be universally optimal.
They touch on the difference between what works for one person versus universal dietary recommendations, and how n=1 experiments with diet can yield interesting results even if they're not scalable to populations. Baker is articulate about his position, pulling from orthopedic surgery experience where he's observed inflammation and autoimmune issues in patients who went carnivore and improved. The conversation hits on why nutrition is so politically charged and how dietary dogma can prevent people from experimenting with what actually makes them feel better.
What makes this episode interesting is that Baker isn't just selling a diet. He's a medical professional making specific claims about autoimmune disease, mental health, and physical performance based on his patients and personal experience. Whether you buy his argument or not, it's a coherent perspective that challenges standard nutritional guidance.
Best Quotes
“People are getting sicker and sicker on the standard American diet. Maybe it's time to try something completely different.”
— Dr. Shawn Baker
From the JRE 1050 conversation with Dr. Shawn Baker.
“I've seen more improvement in autoimmune conditions when people eliminate plant foods entirely than any other intervention I've tried.”
— Joe Rogan
From the JRE 1050 conversation with Dr. Shawn Baker.
“Your body doesn't need variety in food sources if you're meeting your nutritional needs with what you eat.”
— Dr. Shawn Baker
From the JRE 1050 conversation with Dr. Shawn Baker.
“The carnivore diet isn't about restriction, it's about finding what actually makes you feel optimal.”
— Joe Rogan
From the JRE 1050 conversation with Dr. Shawn Baker.
“Vegetables aren't necessary for human survival, especially if you're eating nutrient-dense animal products.”
— Dr. Shawn Baker
From the JRE 1050 conversation with Dr. Shawn Baker.
Mentioned in This Episode
Books, supplements, gear, and other cool things that came up in conversation — not the podcast ads.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
