11/24/2025
A Florida man in his 40s developed yellow nodules on his palms, soles, and elbows after eating 6 to 9 pounds of cheese, butter, and high-fat hamburgers every day, according to a JAMA Network report published on January 22.
He had followed a strict carnivore diet for eight months before noticing the yellow discoloration for about three weeks.
When doctors tested his blood, they found his cholesterol had skyrocketed to over 1,000 mg/dL, compared to his usual range of 210–300 mg/dL.
The painless nodules were diagnosed as xanthelasma, a condition linked to extremely high cholesterol levels.
Despite this, the man said he experienced weight loss, better energy, and improved mental clarity while on the diet.