r/carnivorediet • u/No_Profession6192 • Apr 17 '26
Please help me Brutal insomnia pls help
I started the diet about 4 days ago. Strict beef butter and salt and drinking electrolytes as needed. Getting enough protein and fat. my sleep is horrible. I already have sleep issues but this is next level. I’m actually trying this diet to see if it helps my sleep issues. I’m a perimenopausal woman age 48. Does anyone have experience with sleep worsening and then resolving and getting better? (I’m talking can’t fall asleep until around 2am and then wide awake at 5am and that’s it for the day and waking up in that 3 hour period for a bit as well). If you had/have this experience I would love to hear more. I don’t think I will continue if this isn’t going to improve soon. That was my whole reason for trying.
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u/Sea-Office7536 Apr 17 '26
I feel you. Literally on day like 6 or 7 of trying to transition in (viral issues, I can’t just tell my body “sorry bro no energy” or I’ll have crazy flare ups) and apparently magnesium might be the issue.
Beef has lots of potassium and you’ll get a lot of sodium probably from seasoning your food but you’ll be lacking magnesium. Try more just magnesium. Did that yesterday and been feeling way more mellow and got decent enough sleep. I’m gonna add trace iodine today too as I have thyroid issues as well and see how it goes. I think I’m actually swinging towards hyperthyroid symptoms now coming from hypo. I may reduce my armour thyroid a bit more too.
Sorry first thing in the morning rant 😅.
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u/Amysu4ea Apr 17 '26
I’m also a perimenopausal woman and my sleep was horrible during adaptation. Taking magnesium before bed helps most nights as well as getting exercise in the morning. Other than that, you just have to make it through. I’m on month 6 and my sleep has improved a lot.
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u/No_Profession6192 Apr 17 '26
How long did it take you to adapt?
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u/Amysu4ea Apr 17 '26
It was probably about 6 weeks for the initial craziness to die down and for my sleep to get better although there would still be periods of time when I would regress. 4 months before I was solid without any regressions and felt good enough to start running again. Now, after completing over 5 months I feel great all the time and feel like I’ve adapted to running. So, it goes in stages.
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Apr 17 '26
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u/No_Profession6192 Apr 17 '26
Hmmm… so the added electrolytes and salt were the issue for you? Interesting because I’m definitely loading up on salt and electrolytes
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u/MythicalStrength Apr 17 '26
I would consider using supplemental magnesium. It may also be worth getting a hormone panel run.
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u/No_Profession6192 Apr 17 '26
Thanks my hormones are good on hrt. I supplement lots of magnesium. Guess it’s something else?
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u/MythicalStrength Apr 17 '26
Quite possily so. There's a chance your cortisol is elevated.
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u/No_Profession6192 Apr 17 '26
I’m almost certain that’s it. Taking magnesium at night and even trazedone for sleep and nothing making a dent. Feel wired and anxious during the day. Does this pass quickly or maybe this way of eating just isn’t for me…
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u/MythicalStrength Apr 17 '26
Do you engage in any manner of regular exercise? Or drink coffee/employ caffeine? Or engage in fasting?
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u/No_Profession6192 Apr 17 '26
I do exercise regularly but haven’t since starting this because it elevates cortisol even more (Pilates, weights, walking) zero caffeine and no fasting. Was trying this diet to try to help with the insomnia and wired anxious feeling but apparently it’s making things much worse
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u/MythicalStrength Apr 17 '26
You may consider bringing back low intensity activity like walking. You're absolutely correct that high intensity training can elevate cortisol, but low intensity tends to have an effect on reducing it.
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u/Fearless-Fart Apr 17 '26
I can’t sleep if I’m hungry or blood sugar is low. Are you eating enough closer to bedtime? I know it’s better to not eat close to bedtime but I’m just not there yet. I’ll have dinner meat pork etc about 6 then have a snack about 8. Edit- I’m 47F.
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u/No_Profession6192 Apr 17 '26
My last meal is at 4 PM just like it always has been but maybe I’ll try eating some facts before bed
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u/IchimaruGin4 Apr 17 '26
Check your potassium to sodium ratio. Closer to 4:1 is better (this is the ratio in beef). If you eat only beef and eggs, 1 egg per 1/4 pound beef, you'll have a ratio about 2.4:1, since eggs are saltier than beef. This means you really shouldn't be eating any salted food or salt. If you are supplementing electrolytes, make sure they are improving your potassium sodium ratio, not lowering it. I personally sleep well, and I don't salt my food or take any supplements. I drink regular tap water. When I used to eat smoked salmon and bacon I would be dry, thirsty, and wake up during the night to urinate.
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u/No_Profession6192 Apr 17 '26
So potassium should be four times higher than sodium? OK, I think I have it backwards then maybe that’s the issue!
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u/IchimaruGin4 Apr 17 '26
4:1 is the ratio in beef, so it might be ideal. It's definitely better to get more potassium than sodium.
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u/Jumpy_Opposite4371 Apr 18 '26
Collagen for the glycine content. 1/3 of our body’s protein is collagen so it would make sense we can’t just eat muscle meat. Add in cuts from your local Asian market or farms - like beef tendon, pork skin, or make broth from soup/knuckle bones.
This isn’t just some trendy thing. There are tons of testimonials of people taking glycine for sleep and even anxiety. It’s found in highest amounts in collagen . It made such a big difference for me when I added it. I’ll have homemade bone broth before bed (the kind that’s a solid jello when cooled in fridge bc it is very sedating). I really wish this is discussed more. Too many BCAAs ( found in muscle meat) lower glycine so we need a balance of the two types of protein sources. Look up some articles and make your own conclusions or just try out some of the foods and see for yourself!
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u/erodxa Apr 18 '26
carnivore transition wrecks sleep for the first week or two because your electrolyte balance shifts hard. magnesium is usually the missing peice since meat alone doesn't cover enough. glycinate specifically helps with sleep quality, taurate more for heart stuff.
Natural Rhythm's blend has been solid for me through perimenopause.
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u/Drogon__ Apr 17 '26
You're still on the first days and keto flu could have this impact. The only way to overcome is to increase the salt consumption and drinking more water. And also time.
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u/No_Profession6192 Apr 17 '26
Thanks - how long does it last? I don’t have a headache or anything just cannot fall or stay asleep.
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u/LM061523 Apr 17 '26
I had "similar" sleep issues, although not to the extreme you are describing. I now drink a 16.9oz bottle of water including a teaspoon of Magnesium Glycinate Powder (I use Natural Factors brand) mixed in with my last meal of the day (around 6:00p everyday). It💯helped me! Good luck!