The Forgotten Fats Fueling the Carnivore Movement

For decades, we were told to fear fat. Saturated fats, in particular, was villainized as the culprit behind heart disease, obesity, and just about every chronic ailment of modern life.

But now, a quiet revolution is unfolding. One rooted not in processed powders or synthetic pills—but in ancestral wisdom. And at the heart of this movement?

The Forgotten Fats Fueling the Carnivore Movement – Collagen, Tallow, and Marrow

The forgotten fats: Collagen, tallow and marrow.

These animal-based fats, once revered for their healing properties, are making a powerful comeback—especially among those following carnivore and animal-based diets.

And it’s no wonder. These fats do far more than simply provide energy. They nourish the body at the deepest level—supporting hormone balance, satiety, brain health, joint integrity, skin regeneration, and gut repair.

In today’s article, we’ll explore why these sacred fats are reclaiming their rightful place at the table—and how they can support you in your journey toward radiant health.

Why Your Body Thrives on Saturated Fat

Saturated fat isn’t just safe—it’s essential. Especially for women.

Your hormones, brain, and cell membranes are built from cholesterol and saturated fat. In fact, over 60% of the human brain is made of fat, with saturated fatty acids playing a key structural role in nerve insulation and cellular communication. ⁽¹⁾

Saturated fats:

• Support estrogen and progesterone production ⁽²⁾
• Stabilize blood sugar by slowing glucose absorption ⁽³⁾
• Promote the release of CCK (cholecystokinin)—your satiety hormone
• Increase calcium absorption and bone density ⁽⁴⁾
• Protect the liver and heart from oxidative stress ⁽⁵⁾

And unlike polyunsaturated seed oils, saturated fats are highly stable, making them ideal for high-heat cooking. Which brings us to the darling of carnivore kitchens: tallow!

Stearic Acid: The Mitochondrial Metabolism Booster

One of the standout fatty acids in grass-fed tallow and suet is stearic acid, a long-chain saturated fat that’s gaining attention for its powerful metabolic effects.

A 2021 study published in Nature Metabolism revealed that stearic acid activates mitochondrial fusion—a cellular process that helps maintain healthy energy production and metabolic efficiency. ⁽⁶⁾

Here’s why that matters:

• Mitochondria are your body’s energy factories. When they’re healthy and functioning well, you have more energy, better metabolic flexibility, and greater resilience.
• Mitochondrial fusion allows damaged mitochondria to merge, share resources, and repair themselves. This promotes better cellular respiration (how your body converts food into energy).
• Stearic acid also promotes fat oxidation—the body’s ability to burn stored fat for fuel—making it a natural ally for those seeking improved body composition, insulin sensitivity, and metabolic health.

Unlike inflammatory seed oils (rich in omega-6 linoleic acid), stearic acid is stable, anti-inflammatory, and metabolically beneficial—especially for those on ketogenic or carnivore diets, where fat is the primary fuel source.

And here’s the best part: grass-fed tallow and suet are naturally rich in stearic acid, delivering these benefits without the need for supplements or synthetics.

Tallow & Suet: The Original Superfats

Before Crisco and canola, we cooked with tallow.

Grass-fed tallow offers:

• A stable fat source for frying, baking, and sautéing
• Zero sugar, zero carbs, and a clean-burning energy source
• Nutritional support for hormones, skin elasticity, and cell repair

For those on a carnivore or ketogenic protocol, tallow and suet (the raw fat around the kidneys) are powerful tools to:

• Increase caloric density without carbs
• Deeply nourish the body after years of restriction
• Replace seed oils with ancestral fats the body recognizes

Use tallow to roast vegetables (if included), pan-sear steak, or whip into a carnivore “fat bomb” with egg yolks and vanilla for a creamy, sugar-free indulgence.

Collagen: The Structural Glue That Holds You Together

While muscle meat provides essential amino acids like methionine and leucine, it lacks the glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline found abundantly in collagen-rich cuts.

These amino acids are the starting materials your body uses to:

• Rebuild joints, ligaments, and tendons
• Heal the gut lining and seal tight junctions
• Support glowing skin, strong nails, and shiny hair
• Promote deep sleep and detoxification via glycine (7)

This balance of amino acids—muscle meat + collagen—is critical. When eaten together, they reflect the natural composition of a whole animal, and prevent the depletion of glycine that can occur with high-protein diets.

And where do we find nature’s richest sources of collagen?

Marrow Bones, Oxtail, and Skin-On Cuts: Your Secret to Deep Repair

In traditional cultures, bone broth wasn’t just soup—it was medicine.

Marrow bones, knuckle bones, feet, and tails were simmered gently for hours to extract collagen, gelatin, minerals, and marrow fats. Today, bone broth remains one of the most powerful tools for healing:

• Joint health: Studies show collagen peptides improve mobility and reduce joint pain ⁽⁸⁾
• Leaky gut repair: Glycine and proline help rebuild the gut lining ⁽⁹⁾
• Skin elasticity: Collagen supports dermal regeneration and hydration ⁽¹⁰⁾
• Immune resilience: Bone marrow supports white blood cell formation and immunity ⁽¹¹⁾

For those following a carnivore diet—or simply seeking to reduce inflammation, heal the gut, and rejuvenate their skin—collagen-rich cuts like oxtail, skin-on chicken thighs, and marrow bones are indispensable.

The Comeback of Sacred Fat

In an age of synthetic supplements and engineered oils, returning to ancestral fats may be the most radical act of nourishment you can choose.

Because collagen, tallow, and marrow aren’t just ingredients. They’re biological wisdom—deep, primal nutrients that your body knows exactly how to use.

Whether you’re rebuilding your hormones, repairing your gut, or restoring your glow… the answers aren’t in another powder. They’re already in your bones.

Big thanks to Kelley Herring for her riveting and educational article on Forgotten Fats—exploring the benefits of tallow, suet, and collagen. For this piece and more trusted insights, visit our US Wellness Meats Discover Blog today!

References

1. Crawford, M. A., et al. (2009). “The role of dietary fats in the development of the human brain.” American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 85(6), 1457S–1464S.
2. Dietschy, J. M., et al. (1993). “Regulation of cholesterol homeostasis in the brain.” Current Opinion in Lipidology, 4(1), 17–25.
3. Boers, H. M., et al. (2017). “The role of dietary fats in insulin resistance.” Nutrition & Metabolism, 14(1), 1–11.
4. Griel, A. E., et al. (2007). “Dietary saturated fat increases the density of bone mineral in women.” Nutrition Journal, 6(1), 11.
5. DiNicolantonio, J. J., et al. (2015). “Saturated fat and heart disease: the real story.” BMJ Open Heart, 2(1), e000196.
6. Makowski, L., et al. (2021). “Stearic acid activates mitochondrial fusion and fat oxidation.” Nature Metabolism, 3, 1260–1272.
7. Inagawa, K., et al. (2006). “Glycine ingestion improves subjective sleep quality.” Sleep and Biological Rhythms, 4(1), 75–77.
8. Clark, K. L., et al. (2008). “24-week study on the use of collagen hydrolysate as a dietary supplement in athletes with joint pain.” Current Medical Research and Opinion, 24(5), 1485–1496.
9. Bischoff, S. C., et al. (2014). “Intestinal permeability—a new target for disease prevention and therapy.” BMC Gastroenterology, 14(1), 189.
10. Proksch, E., et al. (2014). “Oral intake of collagen peptides reduces skin wrinkles.” Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 27(3), 113–119.
11. Sugimura, M., et al. (2009). “Hematopoietic supportive activity of bone marrow fat.” Blood, 114(20), 4131–4140.