Rethinking the Standard Diet
Michael Kummer began his health journey as a professional athlete. It wasn’t until he moved to the US and faced chronic health issues like IBS that he started rethinking everything he thought he knew about nutrition. In this conversation, Michael explains how adopting elements of the Paleolithic and ketogenic diets led him to question mainstream dietary advice.
The Evolution of Michael Kummer’s Diet
Starting with Paleo and experimenting with keto and carnivore diets, Michael shares how his current eating style is now best described as animal-based. He focuses on nutrient-dense whole foods while avoiding processed ingredients and seed oils. Michael emphasizes that nutritional choices should be driven by how your body feels and performs. Not just external guidelines or trends.
Tools for Metabolic Flexibility
Michael highlights how metabolic flexibility—not strict adherence to ketosis—is the priority. He tracks biomarkers using tools like the Biosense breath ketone meter and, at times, a continuous glucose monitor. These tools helped him understand how food, fasting, and stress affect his energy and mental clarity throughout the day.
Michael Kummer’s Thoughts on Modern Diet Trends
The conversation turns to popular diets like veganism and plant-based eating. Michael argues that many short-term benefits of such diets stem from the elimination of processed junk food, not from the plant-exclusive nature of the diets themselves. He emphasizes the importance of bioavailable nutrients from animal sources, making a strong case for why meat and organs remain essential for long-term health.
Organ Meats and Supplementation
Michael explains why he founded a supplement line focused on freeze-dried organ meats. While he encourages eating fresh organ meats when possible, he acknowledges that many people struggle with the taste and texture. His supplements are intended to bridge nutritional gaps, especially as modern farming practices deplete food quality.
Michael Kummer’s Health Metrics and Blood Work
He walks through his routine bloodwork and the markers he actually pays attention to—like fasting insulin, inflammatory markers, and hormone levels—rather than total cholesterol or LDL. His emphasis is on prevention and self-monitoring over traditional prescriptions.
Advice for Anyone Starting Out
For those just beginning to improve their diet, Michael recommends cooking at home, using single-ingredient foods, avoiding processed oils, and focusing on animal-based nutrition. He offers practical tips for those on a budget and reminds listeners that poor dietary choices will eventually lead to higher health costs down the line.
The Core Principles Michael Kummer Lives By
Beyond nutrition, Michael shares his broader framework for health: sleep, exercise, sun exposure, stress management, and a sense of community. His approach combines evolutionary biology with modern technology, always rooted in personal experimentation and listening to the body’s response.
More From Michael Kummer
www.MichaelKummer.com
Instagram: @mkummer82
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaelkummer
