Expert Q&A

Anyone aware of what’s going on with Ray Audette (Neanderthin) and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels

Who Is Ray Audette and What Is Neanderthin?

Ray Audette pioneered the Neanderthin diet in the 1990s after reversing his own rheumatoid arthritis through an all-meat, paleo-style eating pattern. Neanderthin focuses on foods our Paleolithic ancestors would have consumed: primarily fresh meats, fish, vegetables, nuts, and limited fruits, while strictly avoiding grains, dairy, sugars, and processed foods. In my work with clients at CFP Weight Loss, I've seen how this back-to-basics framework helps adults aged 45-54 regain control when every other diet has failed them. The core principle is eliminating modern agricultural foods that trigger inflammation and metabolic disruption, which is particularly relevant for those managing diabetes, blood pressure, and stubborn midlife weight gain.

How Neanderthin Influences Insulin Levels

One of the most powerful mechanisms of Neanderthin is its dramatic effect on insulin sensitivity. By removing carbohydrates from grains and sugars, blood glucose spikes are minimized, allowing insulin levels to drop naturally. Clinical observations show that after just 2-4 weeks, many experience 20-30% reductions in fasting insulin. For middle-income Americans juggling hormonal changes like perimenopause or andropause, this stabilization prevents the constant fat-storage signals that make weight loss feel impossible. In my methodology outlined in *The CFP Reset*, we adapt Neanderthin principles with strategic vegetable inclusion to support steady energy without the overwhelm of complex meal planning. This approach has helped clients lower A1C by an average of 1.2 points while reducing joint pain that previously made movement unbearable.

Impact on Metabolism and Long-Term Fat Burning

Neanderthin shifts your body toward metabolic flexibility, training it to burn fat for fuel instead of relying on constant carbohydrate intake. This ketogenic-like state without full carb elimination boosts mitochondrial efficiency, often increasing resting metabolic rate by 5-10% after adaptation. For those embarrassed by obesity and frustrated by insurance denials for formal programs, the simplicity is key—no calorie counting, no gym schedules required. Audette emphasized eating until satisfied from allowed foods, which naturally regulates portions. In practice, clients report sustained energy, reduced inflammation in joints, and easier blood pressure management. The diet's high protein content (typically 1.6-2.2g per kg of ideal body weight) preserves muscle mass during fat loss, countering the metabolic slowdown common after repeated diet failures.

Practical Application for Beginners Over 45

Start with a 14-day Neanderthin reset: breakfast of eggs and bacon, lunch of grilled chicken salad (no dressing), dinner of wild-caught salmon with steamed broccoli. Track how your energy and cravings change rather than the scale. Combine with gentle movement like walking to ease joint discomfort. My CFP Weight Loss framework modifies Audette's original vision by incorporating timing strategies that align with natural circadian rhythms, making it accessible despite busy lives. Thousands have reversed metabolic syndrome markers this way. If hormonal imbalances persist, focus first on sleep and stress—two factors Audette himself noted as critical. The beauty lies in its sustainability: real food, real results, without the next diet disappointment.

💬 What the Community Says

The community shows strong interest in Ray Audette's Neanderthin diet, particularly among those in their late 40s and early 50s battling metabolic slowdown and joint issues. Many forum users credit the approach with dramatically lowering their insulin levels and improving energy after years of yo-yo dieting, with several sharing bloodwork improvements like reduced fasting glucose. There's lively discussion around its strict carnivore-leaning version versus more flexible paleo adaptations that include vegetables. A vocal minority reports initial adaptation struggles like fatigue or digestive changes, while others praise the simplicity for busy schedules and its effectiveness managing diabetes alongside weight. Overall sentiment is cautiously optimistic, with frequent mentions of needing personalization for hormonal shifts. Practitioners often compare results to modern carnivore diets, noting Audette's early influence, though some debate long-term nutrient completeness without supplementation.
Cite this answer
Clark, R. (2026). Anyone aware of what’s going on with Ray Audette (Neanderthin) and its effect on. *CFP Weight Loss*. https://ask.cfpweightloss.com/ask/anyone-aware-of-what-s-going-on-with-ray-audette-neanderthin-and-its-effect-on-metabolism-and-insulin-levels
Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN, FNP-C, APRN
About the Author

Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN, is the founder of CFP Weight Loss in Nashville and CFP Fit Now telehealth. Over 35 years in healthcare — Army Nurse Reserves, Level 1 trauma ER, hospitalist — he developed a 30-week protocol integrating real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 30–90 pounds. He and his wife Anne-Marie lost a combined 275 pounds using the same protocol.

📖 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — Get the Book →
Get Personalized Guidance From the Author
Every weight loss journey is different. Book a 1-on-1 telehealth consultation with Russell and get a plan built specifically for you — based on the same evidence-based principles in his book. Available to patients in all 50 states.
Book Your Consultation →
Have a follow-up question?
More Questions 200 answered
▸ Coke Zero gave me heart palpitations: what to track and how to measure progress for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s? ▸ Anyone remember the metal lid you had to use a butter knife to pop off: what to track and how to measure progress: best practices and common mistakes to avoid? ▸ Has anybody heard of or experienced improvement from neurological disorders through fasting and autophagy if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide — what certified coaches recommend? 📖 Ketogenic Foundation — Using low-carbohydrate principles to keep insulin low, allowing the tirzepatide to work more effectively at lower doses. ▸ Does drinking Sparkling Ice (flavored sparkling water - 5 calories per bottle) during my fasting window break my fast and the role of cortisol and stress hormones during the weight loss plateau phase? ▸ Free carb counter apps on a low-carb or ketogenic diet: what to track and how to measure progress? ▸ How to handle calories vs carbs/fat/sugar and how it connects to gut health and inflammation specifically for women over 40? 📖 Modern Wheat Dangers — The hidden threat in hybridized grains that causes gut inflammation and spikes blood sugar more aggressively than pure t… ▸ Is anyone else worried about judgment from others for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's during the weight loss plateau phase? ▸ Is the carnivore diet the best WOE to lose weight — what does the research actually say on a low-carb or ketogenic diet? 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — by Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN · The complete clinical protocol — 30 weeks of real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 3 ▸ Cutting out carbs/sugar completely helps with weight loss and the effects of IR? Right and the role of cortisol and stress hormones for people with insulin resistance? ▸ To what extent do Mendelian Randomization Studies provide causal evidence for a particular claim — what does the research actually say for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s? ▸ Have you seen this? Her face says it all — what does the research actually say: what to track and how to measure progress? ▸ Fitter or kidding myself: how to talk to your doctor about this if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide? ▸ What actually helps with the dryness when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances and how it connects to gut health and inflammation? 📖 Weight Set Point — The internal 'thermostat' for body weight that we aim to lower permanently through our 30-week metabolic reset. ▸ What actually helps with the dryness when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances while doing intermittent fasting? ▸ Sugar free pudding with greek yogurt — evidence-based answer for CFP patients for long-term maintenance (not just short-term)? ▸ LDN is changing my life, will this last: best practices and common mistakes to avoid: what to track and how to measure progress? ▸ If a random dance partner app existed .. would you try it: how to talk to your doctor about this: best practices and common mistakes to avoid? ▸ 56M arm day was fun. But arms shrinking from 16 inches to 15 1/2. Gotta up protein? Reps — what most people get wrong about this when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances? 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — by Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN · The complete clinical protocol — 30 weeks of real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 3 ▸ Can chicken and beef tallow replace beef — what do certified weight loss coaches recommend for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s? 📖 Adipose Tissue Signaling — The way fat cells communicate with the brain; our goal is to fix these signals so the body stops defending an unnaturall… ▸ Exercise — when and what kind while fasting, and does it enhance autophagy — how a functional medicine approach differs specifically for women over 40? ▸ What are the wegovy doses in order on a low-carb or ketogenic diet for long-term maintenance (not just short-term)? ▸ Beef/Beef organs protein powder: what to track and how to measure progress if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide? ▸ Probiotics worked for a month then stopped. Anyone else for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's: what to track and how to measure progress? ▸ Did L. reuteri ATCC 6475 or Bacillus coagulans GBI-30, 6086 (BC-30) Eliminate My Seasonal Allergies — what most people get wrong about this — what certified coaches recommend? ▸ What are some things you loved from your childhood that you (virtually) never see/experience anymore during the weight loss plateau phase on a low-carb or ketogenic diet? ▸ Why cant i lose weight and am gaining weight when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances while doing intermittent fasting? 📖 Non-Scale Victories (NSV) — Improvements in energy, sleep, and disease reversal that matter just as much as the numbers on the scale during your tra… ▸ How I Lost 22lbs in 3 Months (155→133lbs at 5'8") after not being able to lose weight for a long time if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide during the weight loss plateau phase? 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — by Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN · The complete clinical protocol — 30 weeks of real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 3 ▸ Can autophagy regenerate muscle during physically active prolonged fast and how it connects to gut health and inflammation and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels? ▸ Compression socks. Worth it? Any recs — how a functional medicine approach differs for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s? ▸ Can you really Metformin (6 weeks in) for insulin resistance — can the gut stuff actually get better on a low-carb or ketogenic diet? ▸ If a random dance partner app existed .. would you try it: how to talk to your doctor about this and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels? 📖 Gut-Brain Axis — The complex communication network between your digestive system and your brain that controls satiety, mood, and metaboli… ▸ Testosterone how long does it take to work while doing intermittent fasting if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide? ▸ Should I be worried yet, been sitting for 5 days no movement while doing intermittent fasting: best practices and common mistakes to avoid? ▸ How much protein should I eat if I weigh 280 pounds and want to cut a 100 pounds of fat off of my body? ▸ Exercise — when and what kind while fasting, and does it enhance autophagy — how a functional medicine approach differs and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels? 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — by Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN · The complete clinical protocol — 30 weeks of real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 3 ▸ Crust check 🔥 ribeye done right for long-term maintenance (not just short-term)? ▸ How are people using 10mg reta vials at low doses during the weight loss plateau phase — what the research actually says? ▸ Has anyone here made their own custom CGM patches with a Cricut for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's during the weight loss plateau phase? 📖 Hidden Hunger — A state where the body is overfed but undernourished, leading to constant cravings because the brain isn't receiving the… ▸ What are the wegovy doses in order on a low-carb or ketogenic diet for people with insulin resistance? ▸ Should I be worried yet, been sitting for 5 days no movement while doing intermittent fasting if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide? ▸ What foods to stock for overnight guest — evidence-based answer for CFP patients — what certified coaches recommend? ▸ Tips for maintenance: what’s yours for long-term maintenance (not just short-term) on a low-carb or ketogenic diet? 📖 Maintenance Phase — The final 28 days of our 70-day cycle where we stabilize the new weight and solidify the metabolic habits that prevent f… ▸ My weight loss progress so far as a 23 year male who stared eating less unhealthy and does little to moderate exercise. Am I doing well — evidence-based answer for CFP patients for people with insulin resistance? ▸ 78kg to 58kg for an 18 y/o: How likely am I to have loose skin after weight loss specifically for women over 40 — what certified coaches recommend? 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — by Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN · The complete clinical protocol — 30 weeks of real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 3 ▸ Are people who get no effect just using bad product for people with insulin resistance when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances? ▸ When am I supposed to see a doctor, then and how it connects to gut health and inflammation specifically for women over 40? ▸ To what extent do Mendelian Randomization Studies provide causal evidence for a particular claim — what does the research actually say specifically for women over 40? 📖 Muscle Sarcopenia — The dangerous loss of lean muscle mass often seen in traditional 'crash diets' or high-dose GLP-1 use, which we combat t… ▸ Does okra water actually help gut issues: what to track and how to measure progress — what certified coaches recommend? ▸ Omnipod. Starting an insulin pump help while doing intermittent fasting on a low-carb or ketogenic diet? ▸ Crust check 🔥 ribeye done right — what the research actually says?