Expert Q&A

Anyone aware of what’s going on with Ray Audette (Neanderthin) for people with insulin resistance

Understanding Ray Audette's Neanderthin Approach

I've studied countless strategies for those battling insulin resistance, and Ray Audette's Neanderthin method stands out for its simplicity. Audette, who reversed his own rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes symptoms in the 1990s through a strict paleo diet, outlined his findings in the book NeanderThin. He advocated eating only foods that could be consumed raw or hunted and gathered—think meats, fish, eggs, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds—while completely eliminating grains, dairy, sugars, and processed foods.

This isn't another fad. For middle-aged adults like you dealing with hormonal changes, joint pain, and failed diets, Neanderthin targets the root: chronic high insulin levels from modern carbohydrate-heavy eating. Audette reported dropping from 240 to 175 pounds while normalizing his blood glucose without medication.

How Neanderthin Helps Insulin Resistance and Diabetes

Insulin resistance occurs when cells stop responding efficiently to insulin, forcing your pancreas to produce more. This cycle promotes fat storage, especially around the midsection, and worsens blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. Neanderthin's zero-grain, low-to-moderate carb framework reduces glycemic load dramatically—often under 50 grams of carbs daily initially.

Studies on paleo diets mirror Audette's results: one 2015 trial showed participants lowered fasting insulin by 31% in two weeks. By removing inflammatory grains and dairy, inflammation drops, joint pain eases, and energy returns, making movement possible even with arthritis or obesity. In my CFP Weight Loss Method, we adapt this by emphasizing protein-first meals (aim for 30g per meal) to further stabilize blood sugar and preserve muscle during fat loss.

Practical Implementation for Beginners with Busy Lives

Start simple—no complex meal plans needed. Breakfast: 3 eggs scrambled with spinach and avocado. Lunch: grilled chicken salad with olive oil. Dinner: wild-caught salmon and roasted vegetables. Snack on a handful of almonds or an apple if needed. Track blood glucose before and two hours after meals; many see numbers drop 20-40 points within 14 days.

Address your pain points directly: this requires no gym—short walks suffice once joint pain subsides. Insurance barriers disappear because it's food, not a program. For hormonal shifts in your 40s-50s, the high healthy-fat intake supports thyroid and cortisol balance. Expect 1-2 pounds weekly loss without calorie counting. Hydrate with 100+ oz water daily and add sea salt to combat initial fatigue.

Potential Challenges and Long-Term Success

Transitioning can cause temporary "carb flu"—headaches and low energy for 3-7 days as your body adapts to fat-burning. Combat this with bone broth and electrolytes. A vocal concern is nutrient density; Audette stressed organ meats weekly for B vitamins and iron, crucial if you're managing diabetes.

In the CFP Weight Loss framework, we layer behavioral strategies: eat until 80% full, sleep 7-9 hours, and manage stress to prevent cortisol-driven cravings. Thousands have reversed prediabetes this way. If you're embarrassed to start, remember this is evolutionary eating—not a diet. Consult your doctor before major changes, especially with blood pressure meds. Results speak: stable energy, reduced joint pain, and clothing sizes dropping without overwhelm.

💬 What the Community Says

The community shows strong interest in Ray Audette's Neanderthin for insulin resistance, particularly among those in their late 40s-50s who've cycled through every low-carb plan. Many report impressive blood sugar improvements within weeks—fasting glucose dropping from 140s to under 100—while enjoying the "eat what you can hunt or gather" simplicity. Practitioners frequently mention less joint pain on the anti-inflammatory paleo template, making daily movement realistic for the first time in years. However, debates rage over strictness: some love the freedom from tracking but struggle with social eating and giving up dairy entirely. A vocal minority finds the initial adaptation rough with fatigue and constipation, leading them to modify with limited sweet potatoes. Overall, lived experiences highlight sustainable weight loss around 15-25 pounds in three months when combined with walking, though a few note hormone panels improved only after adding organ meats. Success stories dominate forums, especially from those managing diabetes without meds, but beginners often seek tweaks for busy middle-income schedules.
Clark, R. (2026). Anyone aware of what’s going on with Ray Audette (Neanderthin) for people with i. *CFP Weight Loss*. https://blog.cfpweightloss.com/ask/anyone-aware-of-what-s-going-on-with-ray-audette-neanderthin-for-people-with-insulin-resistance
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
Depressive symptoms from non-stick air fryer for people with insulin resistance Astounded to see that 19 million people in the US are on levothyroxine. Why is hypothyroidism so prevalent? What is causing such crazy high levels of thyroid disease — what most people get wrong about this Has anyone stopped HRT and then restarted it — what most people get wrong about this How long did you carry a pad post-menopause for people with insulin resistance Eyelid myokymia/twitching caused by oral progesterone — what does the research actually say? 📖 Visceral Fat — The dangerous 'hidden' fat stored around internal organs that drives chronic disease and is specifically targeted by our… Does it just seem like normal teenage hormones or should I consider testing for pcos etc? Insomnia while taking oral minoxidril for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's Anyone stopped responding to Mounjaro and had better results with retatrutide and how it connects to gut health and inflammation How I feel when tempted to get fast food during finals week: how to talk to your doctor about this 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — Get Russell's complete protocol → Vomited at new dose, will it happen again next week — what does the research actually say? How I found out I had uterine cancer, what I wish I had known, and what everyone with PCOS should know about their period for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's When I smoke a little weed as a T1D and start feeling tingly: how to talk to your doctor about this 📖 Diabetes Reversal — The clinical goal of restoring normal blood sugar levels and insulin function, as seen in patients like John who no long… Anyone else with hashimoto's AND adhd in here on a low-carb or ketogenic diet When the clock starts over: what to track and how to measure progress Anyone use an auto injector for the compounded med and how it connects to gut health and inflammation Best recipe book — what do certified weight loss coaches recommend? How I finally stopped crashing after workouts — the training structure that actually works with Hashimoto's during the weight loss plateau phase 📖 Cellular Detox — The process of clearing out metabolic waste and reducing cellular stress to allow for more efficient energy production a… What are the biggest misconceptions you’ve seen about GLP-1s — what most people get wrong about this Has anyone used Willow — what do certified weight loss coaches recommend? 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — Get Russell's complete protocol → Is insulin resistance not taught in Med School and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels Can I get an upvote for the true enemy of diabetes for long-term maintenance (not just short-term) Vomited at new dose, will it happen again next week: how to talk to your doctor about this How to BOOST metabolism and BURN fat-- VERY EASY AND QUICK for people with insulin resistance 📖 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 the bloating really ever get better for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's Upped dosage + changing patch day: best practices and common mistakes to avoid What are the biggest misconceptions you’ve seen about GLP-1s if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide Zone 2 at 180 BPM… Lactate test shows max HR 207 — anyone else in this boat — what most people get wrong about this 📖 Gut Microbiome Repair — The restoration of healthy intestinal bacteria through the removal of lectins and grains, essential for long-term weight… How long did you carry a pad post-menopause: how to talk to your doctor about this Cheat / treat days or meals and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — Get Russell's complete protocol → Opened monjuaro pen is it safe to use — evidence-based answer for CFP patients Ive been taking 15mg of tirzepatide for a year and my weight has stalled out with no diet change. What can I do? What do you actually wish you could track on glp1s — evidence-based answer for CFP patients Why has no doctor explained this to me if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide 📖 Caloric Deficit Myth — The false belief that weight loss is purely 'math'; we focus on hormonal signaling rather than just counting calories to… Anyone had improvement in symptoms after already eating a clean plant based diet: best practices and common mistakes to avoid Is this normal? Feels like a waste — what does the research actually say? What a month of paleo has done for me — what do certified weight loss coaches recommend? 📖 One Box Protocol — A revolutionary approach where we stretch one 60 mg box of tirzepatide across three metabolic phases, prioritizing long-… Is estriol as effective as estradiol for clitoral atrophy — what do certified weight loss coaches recommend? When people ask how I can tell my sugar's low: best practices and common mistakes to avoid 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — Get Russell's complete protocol → Any women here that never had a flat stomach in their lives for long-term maintenance (not just short-term) What was your reaction when you missed your first (menopausal) period for long-term maintenance (not just short-term) How are we getting enough protein? Tips please specifically for women over 40 Are moodswings a major effect of PCOS or am I having some mental disorder? Is estriol as effective as estradiol for clitoral atrophy during the weight loss plateau phase 📖 Metabolic Efficiency — The state where your body processes fuel cleanly and maintains high energy levels without the need for constant snacking… Mounjaro diet plan, supplements and workout when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances How I feel when tempted to get fast food during finals week: what to track and how to measure progress Would doing this 2-3x a week help increase my Vo2 max if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide 📖 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — Our signature protocol using a single 60 mg box of medication cycled over 30 weeks to achieve lasting metabolic transfor… Opened monjuaro pen is it safe to use: what to track and how to measure progress 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — Get Russell's complete protocol → Anyone in Maintenance w/ 15mg on a low-carb or ketogenic diet Restarted Mounjaro — low doses not working second time round? Zone 2 running is absurdly slow (slower than walking) — am I doing this right if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide