Have you ever thought about what would transpire if you solely consumed meat and cheese?

A man in his 40s found himself hospitalized in Florida with an alarming cholesterol level. He informed doctors that his daily intake consisted of 6 to 9 pounds of cheese, sticks of butter, and hamburgers—this information comes from a study published in JAMA Cardiology on Wednesday.

For approximately 8 months, this man adhered to a high-fat, protein-rich diet, following recommendations found online, as per Dr. Konstantinos Marmagkiolis, an interventional cardiologist at Tampa General Hospital who looked after the patient.

The intended goal of the diet was to help him manage his weight and enhance his overall health, stated Marmagkiolis, who authored the JAMA article and is a collaborative associate professor of cardiology at the University of South Florida Health Morsani College of Medicine.

Initially, the man seemed to have succeeded in this — although it brought about significant side effects for his body. According to the journal article, he experienced weight loss, more energy, and improved mental clarity.

However, last spring, he arrived at Marmagkiolis’ hospital displaying smooth, yellowish lumps on his palms, elbows, and the bottoms of his feet.

His cholesterol soared past 1,000 mg per deciliter, which is excessively high compared to his usual range of 210 to 300 mg. For adults, standard cholesterol levels should be under 200 mg — five times lower than the man’s readings, based on data from Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Marmagkiolis diagnosed him with xanthelasma, which forms when cholesterol deposits accumulate on the skin. The man allowed researchers to share details about his medical case, but he chose to remain anonymous.

Xanthelasmas occur in about 1% of women and 0.3% of men and typically present as yellow growths on eyelids near the nose. While this condition itself is harmless, it may indicate a significantly increased risk for developing heart disease or experiencing a heart attack later on, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Cholesterol is necessary for the body to create cells, vitamins, and certain hormones. However, an excess can lead to fat buildup in arteries, heightening the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

The liver produces sufficient cholesterol on its own for the body’s needs.

Products like meat and dairy, prominent in high-protein diets such as the one this man followed, are also rich in cholesterol.

The incident with this patient underscores the profound impact that diet can have on cholesterol levels and emphasizes the importance of monitoring them.

It also serves as a cautionary tale for both physicians and individuals contemplating similar dietary approaches.

“These diets may not be suitable for everyone,” Marmagkiolis emphasized. “If someone tries them, they must closely monitor their cholesterol.”