Dr. Paul Saladino, a board-certified psychiatrist turned health influencer, posted a video in 2022 declaring he uses no shampoo, no soap, no deodorant, and no toothpaste — just water. It racked up over 1.1 million views and the internet called him “rancid.” Now he’s back under a new handle, and the drama is bigger than ever.
The Rise of CarnivoreMD | Who Is Paul Saladino?
Paul Saladino was born on June 29, 1977. He earned a Bachelor of Science from the College of William and Mary and an MD from the University of Arizona. He is a board-certified psychiatrist.
But Saladino left psychiatry to become a health influencer. He became one of the most vocal advocates of the carnivore diet — a meat-only eating plan that eliminates all plants. His 2020 book, The Carnivore Code, argues that humans evolved as carnivores and that plants are harmful. The New Yorker called it the closest thing the Paleo diet movement has to a manifesto.
Saladino built a massive following. As of late 2025, his Instagram had around 2.8 million followers and his TikTok had over 700,000. He posts under the handle @carnivoremd2.
What Is the Carnivore Diet?
The carnivore diet is a zero-carb, meat-only eating plan. It consists of meat, organs, eggs, and some dairy. Followers eliminate all plant foods — vegetables, fruits, grains, and legumes. Proponents claim it helps with weight loss, autoimmune conditions, and mental health issues.
But the diet lacks scientific evidence. No controlled studies have confirmed its advertised benefits. Health experts warn it may increase health risks. Even Saladino’s fellow carnivore advocate Shawn Baker has admitted the evidence is mostly anecdotal.
The Controversies That Made Him Viral | The “No Soap” Video (2022)
In June 2022, Saladino posted a TikTok that changed everything.
Standing in the shower, he told viewers:
“People always ask me what kind of shampoo I use? None. Just water. Soap? Just water, don’t use that either. What about toothpaste? No. Deodorant? Bull****. Why would I use that stuff?”
He claimed diet determines body odor and breath quality. He said he avoids hygiene products because they contain parabens, phthalates, fragrances, and xenoestrogens — which he calls “hormonal disruptors.”
“I don’t have bad breath because I don’t have G.I. dysbiosis. Your bad breath isn’t the fact you’re not using enough toothpaste, it’s the fact your diet is garbage.”
He told viewers he is “not afraid to smell like a human.”
The video was viewed over 1.1 million times. The reaction was harsh.
One commenter wrote: “Don’t get me wrong I’m all for a good diet and exercise but using soap and deodorant ain’t gonna take years off your life.” Another said: “I hope this is satire.”
The Children’s Hospital Video (2022)
Later in 2022, Saladino filmed himself inside Dell Children’s Medical Center at Ascension Seton in Austin, Texas.
So, he reviewed the cafeteria menu and picked out chicken tenders, french fries, Cheetos, and an orange vanilla Coke. Finally, ended the video with: “This is a children’s hospital. Disgrace.”
The backlash was fierce.
An oncology nurse responded: “I tell my patients we don’t diet when on chemo. Eat whatever you want whenever you want it because there will be times you won’t.”
Curtis Vallier, a father whose daughter died of brain cancer, filmed a lengthy response. He said cancer treatments “destroy a child’s appetite, it destroys their willingness to eat.” He called Saladino “way out of line.”
Other viewers raised concerns: Why was Saladino inside a children’s hospital with patients who have compromised immune systems? Others noted he may have selectively shown only the unhealthy options.
One parent commented: “I had one kid that wasn’t eating. He overheard we had chicken tenders and asked for like five. We all nearly cried cause he was getting so skinny.”
Another cancer survivor said: “I can guarantee you that the last thing my parents were worried about was the food.”
The Raw Milk at the White House (2025)
In 2025, Saladino appeared at the White House with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
The pair drank raw milk shots together. Saladino posted on X: “Raw milk shooters at the @WhiteHouse with @RobertKennedyJr.”
Raw milk carries serious risks of bacterial infection. Doctors slammed the move. One pediatric nurse recalled: “We had several kids with HUS from unpasteurized milk during my Peds Nursing days. Renal failure and dialysis are not fun.”
Why He Left the Carnivore Diet | Heart Palpitations and Low Testosterone
In May 2024, Saladino appeared on the More Plates More Dates podcast. He admitted he quit the carnivore diet after two years.
He experienced:
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Sleep disturbances
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Muscle cramps
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Heart palpitations
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A drop in testosterone levels
His testosterone dropped to 500 ng/dl. He started questioning whether long-term ketosis was good for anyone.
“I started to think, maybe long-term ketosis is not great for me.”
He concluded that ketosis is “probably not a great thing for most humans.”
The Irony | He Wrote a Book Promoting the Diet
Critics pointed out the contradiction.
Saladino wrote The Carnivore Code promoting the strict meat-only diet. He described plants as “poison.” Yet he later admitted the diet caused serious health problems.
Fitness influencer Ben Carpenter shared the interview with his 740,000 followers. He said: “Honestly, I am torn. I love seeing people change their mind publicly. Admitting mistakes shows maturity and growth.”
But he added: “He could have done his research before he wrote a carnivore book, but hey ho.”
The Rebrand | CarnivoreMD 2.0 | From Carnivore to Animal-Based
Saladino abandoned strict carnivore. He pivoted to promoting a meat-heavy diet that includes fruit and honey.
On his podcast, he said his current diet is: “meat, organs, fruit, honey, and raw dairy.”
He now calls this an “animal-based” diet. He defines it as: “Animal foods FIRST … nutrient-dense foods like meat, organs, eggs, raw dairy, fruit, and honey.”
In a 2025 video with YouTuber Bobby Parrish, Saladino explained he started eating fruit because he “wasn’t getting enough carbohydrates” on a strict carnivore diet.
The “2.0” Rebrand
The handle @carnivoremd2 has been active since at least 2022. But the “2.0” suggests an evolution — a new chapter.
What does the “2.0” mean?
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A response to criticism
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A pivot after abandoning his old diet
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A more extreme version of his previous content
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A rebrand after facing backlash
Whatever the reason, the “2.0” handle signals change. It creates curiosity. People want to know: What happened to the old CarnivoreMD? What’s different now?
Why This Story Keeps Going Viral | The Psychology of Outrage
Outrage is the most shareable emotion on social media. Saladino’s content triggers multiple outrage buttons:
| Trigger | Example |
|---|---|
| Disgust | No soap, no deodorant, no toothpaste |
| Moral outrage | Criticizing food for sick children |
| Contradiction | A doctor promoting a diet that harmed him |
| Authority abuse | A board-certified psychiatrist giving dangerous advice |
The Curiosity Gap
The “2.0” handle creates an unanswered question: What changed? Why the rebrand? The human brain hates incomplete information. Users must click to resolve the uncertainty.
The Tribal Divide
The carnivore diet community versus the medical establishment versus anti-diet activists. This topic forces people to pick a side. That drives comments, shares, and arguments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is CarnivoreMD2?
Dr. Paul Saladino, a board-certified psychiatrist turned health influencer who promotes the carnivore diet and animal-based eating.
Why is CarnivoreMD2 controversial?
He posted a viral video saying he doesn’t use soap or toothpaste. He also criticized a children’s hospital’s food, sparking backlash from doctors and parents.
What happened to CarnivoreMD?
Saladino abandoned the strict carnivore diet after experiencing heart palpitations, sleep disturbances, muscle cramps, and a drop in testosterone.
What is the CarnivoreMD 2.0?
It refers to his rebrand and evolution from strict carnivore to an “animal-based” diet that includes meat, organs, fruit, honey, and raw dairy.
Does Paul Saladino still use soap?
Unknown. He previously claimed he uses only water.
Is the carnivore diet safe?
Most medical professionals say no. It lacks scientific evidence and may increase health risks.
What is Paul Saladino’s current diet?
Meat, organs, fruit, honey, and raw dairy. He calls this an “animal-based” diet.
Disclaimer:
This article is for information only. It comes from public sources and news reports. Talk to your doctor before changing your diet. Only a doctor can give medical advice. Your doctor knows your health history. We do not endorse any diet or product. The views here are Dr. Saladino’s own. They are not our views.
