Experts’ theory of Liver King meltdown is warning for red meat lovers,
Experts are sounding the alarm over the dangers of the Liver King’s raw meat diet, warning it may have contributed to his recent erratic behavior.
Brian Johnson, 48, known online as the Liver King, was arrested this week after launching into a manic tirade on Instagram.
He posted dozens of disturbing videos: ranting about fighting Joe Rogan, giving himself a coffee enema, and appearing to talk to himself.
Johnson built his brand on eating raw organ meats, including bone marrow, testicles, heart and kidneys – a diet he claims promotes primal masculinity and peak performance.
But doctors say this extreme regimen, combined with Johnson’s admitted use of $11,000 worth of anabolic steroids per month, could explain his psychological breakdown.
Eating undercooked or raw meat raises the risk of exposure to harmful bacteria and parasites, said Maura Fowler, a Florida-based dietitian and public health expert.
‘[These parasites] can lead to severe conditions, where their larvae form cysts directly within brain tissue.’
Left untreated, they can trigger brain infections that lead to ‘seizures and profound changes in one’s personality’, said registered dietitian Kaytee Hadley.
On top of that, anabolic steroids are strongly linked to psychiatric side effects such as mania, aggression and delusions.
The experts said the combination of steroid abuse and a parasitic infection could have exacerbated side effects.
The Liver King rose to fame in late 2021 with his ‘primal, ancestral lifestyle’ centered around the consumption of raw meat, particularly liver, and his claims of being a ‘natural’ athlete.
He was later forced to admit that he was using excessive amount of steroids after leaked emails revealed the secret behind his physique.
‘The belief that raw meat provides superior nutrition compared to properly cooked meat is blatantly incorrect,’ Hadley told the Daily Mail.
‘Harmful parasites like Taenia solium, known as the pork tapeworm, can lead to severe conditions such as neurocysticercosis, where their larvae form cysts directly within brain tissue.’
Studies have shown that eating any type of meat raw or undercooked increases the risk of ingesting live parasites or their eggs, which can hatch and spread inside the human body.
While all undercooked meats pose some risk, pork, lamb and wild game – such as venison, wild boar and bear – are among the most notorious for parasite contamination.
‘Trichinellosis is a parasite that is found in raw or undercooked meat,’ often wild game and pork, Fowler explained.
‘This infection starts in the stomach and moves throughout the body through the bloodstream, possibly leading to the brain, causing brain swelling. Brain swelling may lead to seizures or confusion.’
She also pointed to studies suggesting a broader link between parasites and mental health.
‘A study on cancer.org reported that the Toxoplasma gondii parasite, which is from undercooked meat or shellfish from infected animals, may cause an infection in the brain and has been linked to cognitive function and behavioral disorders.
‘This has also shown a possible link to brain cancer (glioma brain tumors) in some infected individuals.’
While parasitic infections may take time to affect the brain and other organs, excessive steroid use can cause major cognitive and behavioral changes in just months.
Anabolic steroids – synthetic versions of testosterone – are often misused by bodybuilders, athletes and influencers looking to enhance muscle growth and performance.
Experts warn that these drugs are often taken at doses up to 10 times higher than those used medically.
Side effects can include delusions, mood swings, blood clots, high blood pressure and even strokes. Specifically, Hadley said they can lead to behavioral changes such as ‘heightened aggression, paranoia and unstable moods.’
‘If a parasitic brain infection is combined with steroid-induced behavioral issues, it can result in a complex and severe display of altered thinking and abnormal behaviors (such as manic episodes),’ she added.
Fowler also noted that increased aggression is a known side effect, adding that a nervous system parasite could exacerbate the damage.
‘Anabolic steroids can also cause immunosuppressive effects and reduce the number of cells and their functions, especially when abused and used in higher doses,’ Fowler adds.
‘Parasitic infections may be more severe in individuals who are immunocompromised, which may include individuals who abuse anabolic steroids.’
Johnson was arrested Tuesday in Austin after several days of posting threats aimed at podcaster Joe Rogan. He was charged with making terroristic threats and released on a $20,000 bail.
Rogan, responding to the incident, reportedly told police that Johnson ‘appears to be significantly unstable and seems like he needs help.’
Johnson has not responded to the Daily Mail’s request for comment.
