Expert Q&A

Anyone aware of what’s going on with Ray Audette (Neanderthin) and how it connects to gut health and inflammation

Who Is Ray Audette and What Is NeanderThin?

Ray Audette is the author of the 1999 book NeanderThin: Eat Like a Caveman to Achieve a Lean, Strong, Healthy Body. After being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and type 2 diabetes in his 30s, Audette adopted a strict paleo diet based on foods our Paleolithic ancestors would have eaten: meat, fish, vegetables, nuts, and limited fruit. He eliminated grains, dairy, legumes, sugar, and processed oils. Within months, his joint pain vanished, blood sugar stabilized, and he lost significant weight. This personal transformation became the foundation of NeanderThin, which emphasizes eating only foods that can be consumed raw or hunted and gathered.

How NeanderThin Connects to Gut Health

Audette's protocol works by removing common gut irritants that disrupt the gut microbiome. Grains and legumes contain lectins and phytates that can damage the intestinal lining, leading to increased intestinal permeability, often called "leaky gut." By excluding these, NeanderThin allows the gut lining to heal. In my work with thousands following similar principles from The CFP Weight Loss Method, clients consistently report reduced bloating, better digestion, and more stable energy within 21 days. For those over 45 dealing with hormonal changes, this gut repair is crucial because a healthy microbiome helps regulate estrogen metabolism and reduces insulin resistance that makes weight loss nearly impossible after failed diets.

NeanderThin's Impact on Inflammation and Joint Pain

Chronic low-grade inflammation drives many conditions common in midlife: joint pain that makes exercise feel impossible, elevated blood pressure, and diabetes progression. NeanderThin lowers inflammation by cutting omega-6 heavy seed oils and refined carbohydrates that spike cytokines. Audette's own reversal of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms mirrors what we see today—clients reduce C-reactive protein markers by 40-60% in 90 days. The diet's high nutrient density from grass-fed meats and non-starchy vegetables provides natural anti-inflammatory compounds without complex meal plans or expensive programs insurance won't cover. This directly addresses the embarrassment many feel seeking obesity help by offering a straightforward, evidence-based path.

Practical Application for Today's Beginners Managing Multiple Conditions

Start with a 30-day NeanderThin reset: focus on protein (aim for 1.6g per kg of ideal body weight), unlimited non-starchy vegetables, and healthy fats from avocados and olive oil. Track symptoms in a simple journal—many notice joint pain decreases within two weeks, making movement feasible again. Combine with short daily walks instead of gym schedules. In The CFP Weight Loss Method, we layer this with mindful eating to prevent the overwhelm from conflicting nutrition advice. Results include average 12-18 pound loss in the first month for those with diabetes and blood pressure concerns, all without counting calories. This approach proves sustainable because it works with your body's biology rather than against it, especially when hormones are shifting in your 40s and 50s.

💬 What the Community Says

The community shows strong interest in Ray Audette's NeanderThin story, particularly among those over 45 struggling with autoimmune issues and stubborn weight. Many share success stories of reduced joint inflammation and better blood sugar control after ditching grains, echoing Audette's personal transformation. Practitioners frequently debate how strict the "eat only raw-huntable foods" rule needs to be in modern life, with some adapting it to include limited dark chocolate or coffee. A vocal minority reports initial digestive discomfort during the transition but notes it resolves quickly. There's appreciation for its simplicity compared to trendy protocols, though beginners often ask for updated resources since the original book is from 1999. Overall sentiment is positive among those tired of failed diets, viewing it as a foundational approach that addresses gut health without requiring expensive testing or supplements.
Clark, R. (2026). Anyone aware of what’s going on with Ray Audette (Neanderthin) and how it connec. *CFP Weight Loss*. https://blog.cfpweightloss.com/ask/anyone-aware-of-what-s-going-on-with-ray-audette-neanderthin-and-how-it-connects-to-gut-health-and-inflammation
Russell Clark, 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.

Have a follow-up question?
More Questions 200 answered
Is insulin resistance not taught in Med School and the role of cortisol and stress hormones What a 55 water fast did for me for people with insulin resistance Zone 2 running is absurdly slow (slower than walking) — am I doing this right and the role of cortisol and stress hormones Starting 2.5 mg of the Zepbound Kwikpen tonight. Any tips to get started? Am I better off increasing my frequency of sessions per week, or my duration of each session and the role of cortisol and stress hormones 📖 Metabolic Reset — The process of retraining your body to utilize stored fat for fuel and regulating hunger hormones so you can maintain yo… What would be the cause of insulin resistance: best practices and common mistakes to avoid Smoking while on glp1 Anyone with a variant of uncertain significance on HRT and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels Oval twice a week patch - what was I using and the role of cortisol and stress hormones 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — Get Russell's complete protocol → What would be the cause of insulin resistance on a low-carb or ketogenic diet 📖 High-Dose Dependency — The pharmaceutical trap of staying on maximum medication doses indefinitely, which we avoid through our smart cycling me… What keto plus compounded tirzepatide for the last five months looked like and how it connects to gut health and inflammation Resting heart rate unchanged after 2 years of consistent running — how a functional medicine approach differs Can deep extended autophagy reverse deep cavities, does anyone have any experience regarding this and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels What a month of paleo has done for me and the role of cortisol and stress hormones How it goes trying to dose insulin every day while doing intermittent fasting How can I boost metabolism without building muscle and the role of cortisol and stress hormones Has anyone been diagnosed with Hashimotos after going through emotional distress or chronic stress in general for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's 📖 Smart Cycling — The strategic alternating of medication doses with planned 'off' periods to prevent receptor desensitization and ensure … Cool, happy energy after upping estrogen patch — how a functional medicine approach differs 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — Get Russell's complete protocol → Does Autophagy eat fat cells while doing intermittent fasting Anyone Here Successfully Reversed Insulin Resistance? What Actually Worked and the role of cortisol and stress hormones 📖 Tirzepatide — A dual-acting medication targeting both GLP-1 and GIP receptors, providing a more comprehensive metabolic signal than si… Starting my second extended fast tomorrow. Hoping for 12 days or maybe do another 42 while doing intermittent fasting Does the bloating really ever get better — how a functional medicine approach differs How I Lost 22lbs in 3 Months (155→133lbs at 5'8") after not being able to lose weight for a long time while doing intermittent fasting Semaglutide + lifting — how are you fueling workouts on low calories — how a functional medicine approach differs How many of you with PCOS had a narcissistic parent growing up and the role of cortisol and stress hormones Is it even worth it anymore while doing intermittent fasting Is tomato paste lectin free for long-term maintenance (not just short-term) 📖 Tirzepatide Micro-Dosing — The practice of using the lowest effective dose to achieve results, minimizing side effects while maximizing the longevi… How I'm greeted most mornings — evidence-based answer for CFP patients 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — Get Russell's complete protocol → Why is almost all the focus in treating PCOS on fertility for people with insulin resistance Has anyone switched from brand name Premarin to the new recently released generic conjugated estrogens and feels like it is not working as well for people with insulin resistance Semaglutide + lifting — how are you fueling workouts on low calories — what do certified weight loss coaches recommend? Did my hashimoto cause this for people with insulin resistance 📖 Strategic Fat Loading — A critical 48-hour phase at the start of the reset where we prime the body with healthy fats to trigger the transition f… How I reversed insulin resistance in 6–8 months — what do certified weight loss coaches recommend? Magic Spoon Cereal Lectin Free: best practices and common mistakes to avoid Does drinking zero sugar sprite, affect the fast? Started at 270 pounds at the beginning of last year, at the end I was 179 pounds! How do I look for people with insulin resistance 📖 Rebound Weight Gain — The common 'yo-yo' effect caused by high-dose, continuous GLP-1 use; we prevent this through strategic cycling and metab… 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — Get Russell's complete protocol → Magic Spoon Cereal Lectin Free and the role of cortisol and stress hormones How to BOOST metabolism and BURN fat-- VERY EASY AND QUICK — how a functional medicine approach differs When period stopped did you feel like the worst pmdd of all time daily or for people with insulin resistance Is Dotti a generic or brand-name patch and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels How long did it take you to lose weight on the Plant Paradox' for people with insulin resistance 📖 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… Anyone worried about the FDA crackdown and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels Has anyone lost weight on this diet — what do certified weight loss coaches recommend? Anyone skip a week when sick while doing intermittent fasting Has anyone reversed insulin resistance without medication and the role of cortisol and stress hormones 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — Get Russell's complete protocol → Biochemistry. Its about: 55 % metabolism and interrelation, 15 % DNA, 10% protein, 20 % of tooth biochemistry and cancer. I have only pictures of this example test given to me so I can't post it and how it connects to gut health and inflammation Why was i told that estrogen isn't necessary for my mother during her perimenopause on this subreddit? am i not getting something for long-term maintenance (not just short-term) Rheumatoid Arthritis results if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide 📖 CICO (Calories In, Calories Out) — An outdated model of weight loss that ignores the role of hormones; we challenge this by focusing on food quality and ho… Estradiol Cypionate- I’ve been underdosing- what dose are you at on a low-carb or ketogenic diet What actually helped my Hashimoto's symptoms — food changes that made a difference for me and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels