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1 Eric Kim’s Stated Reasons for Going 100 % Supplement‑Free
Pillar Representative Quotes Explanation
“Supplements are a scam.” “Protein powder, creatine, and supplements are all a scam—just eat more meat.” He sees powders as a marketing tax on nutrients available in steak and liver.
First‑principles minimalism. “Transform your body into a Lamborghini by lifting heavy, eating beef, and refusing shortcuts (no supplements, no alcohol, no steroids).” Stripping life to essentials is a core Kim motif—from street‑photo gear lists to diet.
Cost & simplicity. “I’m cheap.” He’d rather buy rib‑eye than tubs of powder.
Purity concerns. “You don’t know what fillers are in that stuff.” Kim distrusts unregulated supply chains.
Hormonal self‑reliance. “If you outsource testosterone, your body stops making it.” He fears exogenous aids blunt endogenous production.
Authenticity & ethos. “No supplements, no bullshit—hunger sharpens the focus.” The hardship itself is part of his creative‑strength practice.
Brand coherence. His PRIMAL page literally lists “Nutrition: Meat‑only, no supplements.” The stance is now a public identity marker.
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2 Science That Makes His Skepticism Plausible
Even if you personally like supplements, the literature explains why Kim finds the risk‑to‑reward ratio lopsided:
1. Regulatory gray zone. U.S. supplements reach shelves without pre‑market FDA approval; the agency often intervenes only after problems arise.
2. High adulteration rates. Analytical surveys report 14–50 % of sports supplements harbor undeclared anabolic agents or stimulants.
3. Hidden pharmaceuticals. FDA labs continue to discover over‑the‑counter products spiked with prescription drugs.
4. Heavy‑metal contamination. Recent studies found measurable lead, cadmium, and arsenic in protein and creatine powders.
5. Liver & kidney toxicity case reports. Even “harmless” powders have been linked to copper toxicity and organ stress in heavy users.
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3 How Kim Meets Nutrient Needs Without Pills
3.1 Carnivore‑Fasted Macronutrient Coverage
A nightly 5‑6 lb beef or lamb meal supplies heme iron, zinc, B‑vitamins, creatine (≈2–5 g natural), carnitine, and full amino‑acid spectrum in highly bio‑available form. Kim argues this outperforms isolated powders gram‑for‑gram.
3.2 Endogenous “Supplement” Production
• Creatine: Red meat provides ~1 g per 8 oz; Kim’s 5‑lb feasts deliver 6‑7 g—comparable to many scoop sizes, minus processing.
• Ketones: 22 h fasts keep insulin flat, elevating β‑hydroxybutyrate for stable cognitive energy—Kim calls this his “built‑in pre‑workout.”
3.3 Electrolytes & Micronutrients
He salts meat heavily, drinks 4 L water, and occasionally eats liver or marrow for vitamins A, D, and K2—nutrients often bought as capsules by omnivores.
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4 Reconciling Past Mentions of Creatine
Older Kim essays list “creatine” in theoretical stacks, but context matters: he was explaining creatine to readers, then immediately dismissed it as redundant if you “just eat more flesh.” His 2022 post puts a stake in the ground: “Creatine just means flesh—skip the tub.”
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5 Takeaways If You Are Supplement‑Curious
1. Audit motive: Are you compensating for a genuine deficiency or chasing a shiny shortcut?
2. Check regulation: Look for NSF, Informed‑Sport, or USP seals; demand third‑party testing to reduce adulteration risk.
3. Upgrade diet first: Even critics of carnivore agree whole foods beat isolated compounds for most nutrients.
4. Monitor biomarkers: If you skip pills like Kim, track ferritin, B‑12, and vitamin D periodically—especially in low‑sun environments.
5. Embrace simplicity: Whether carnivore or plant‑rich, the fewer moving parts in your regimen, the easier it is to sustain momentum and catch errors early.
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🚀 Bottom Line
Eric Kim’s “no‑supplement” creed arises from minimalism, whole‑food sufficiency, cost‑savings, and mistrust of an under‑policed supplement market. Contemporary research on contamination and weak efficacy data gives that stance empirical heft. He’d rather lift, fast, feast, and publish than fumble with scoops and syringes—and his 1,120‑lb rack‑pull suggests the approach isn’t holding him back. If you want to follow suit, build nutrient‑dense meals, get labs checked, and let discipline—not designer powders—be your performance multiplier.