Expert Q&A

Anyone aware of what’s going on with Ray Audette (Neanderthin) specifically for women over 40

Who Is Ray Audette and What Is Neanderthin?

Ray Audette gained fame in the 1990s with his book NeanderThin, which promoted a paleolithic diet based on what our hunter-gatherer ancestors ate—primarily meat, fat, and limited plant foods. Audette himself reversed rheumatoid arthritis and lost significant weight by eating only lean meats, organ meats, and animal fats while eliminating grains, dairy, sugars, and most vegetables. His core principle was simple: consume only foods that could be eaten raw without processing or cooking beyond basic fire. For women over 40 struggling with hormonal changes, this approach targets insulin resistance and chronic inflammation that make traditional diets fail.

Adapting Neanderthin Principles for Women Over 40

In my work with midlife women, I’ve seen the standard Neanderthin plan needs tweaks for perimenopause and menopause. Hormonal shifts slow metabolism by up to 15% and increase visceral fat storage. Audette’s focus on zero-carb animal foods helps stabilize blood sugar and reduce the inflammatory load that exacerbates joint pain and diabetes. Start with 2-3 pounds of fatty red meat daily—think ribeye, ground beef 80/20, and liver once weekly for micronutrients. This provides satiety without complex meal plans, fitting busy schedules. Many women report 5-8 pounds lost in the first month as water retention drops and energy returns. Unlike failed low-fat diets of the past, this naturally lowers blood pressure and improves A1C levels within 8-12 weeks.

Addressing Joint Pain and Limited Mobility

Joint pain making exercise impossible is a top complaint. Neanderthin’s anti-inflammatory effect from eliminating nightshades, lectins, and omega-6 oils often reduces arthritis symptoms in 4-6 weeks, per Audette’s own experience and follower reports. Focus on gentle movement like walking after meals instead of gym torture. In my methodology, we pair this with targeted bone broth and collagen-rich cuts to support joint tissue without requiring hours at the gym. Insurance barriers become irrelevant since this uses affordable grocery staples—ground beef costs far less than processed diet foods.

Current Status of Ray Audette and Practical Tips

Ray Audette has maintained a low profile since the early 2000s, reportedly continuing his carnivore-style eating but without major new publications. Online forums suggest he remains in good health in his late 60s. For women over 40, success comes from consistency rather than perfection. Track fasting blood glucose to confirm you’re reversing insulin resistance. Expect initial adaptation fatigue for 10-14 days, then steady fat loss of 1-2 pounds weekly. Combine with 7-9 hours sleep and stress reduction to counter cortisol-driven belly fat. Thousands have used these principles to overcome embarrassment around obesity and regain confidence without counting calories or following contradictory nutrition advice.

💬 What the Community Says

The community shows strong interest in Ray Audette’s NeanderThin approach for women over 40, particularly those managing menopause symptoms and joint issues. Many praise the simplicity—no complicated recipes—and report reduced inflammation and better blood sugar control after switching to mostly meat and fat. Success stories often mention losing 20-40 pounds after years of diet failures, with easier diabetes and blood pressure management. However, a vocal minority struggles with the restrictive nature, citing boredom, social challenges, or initial digestive adjustments. Some question long-term sustainability for women due to nutrient gaps, while others adapt by adding limited low-toxin plants. Overall sentiment leans positive among those tired of conflicting advice, though beginners express hesitation about fully committing without medical guidance. Discussions frequently reference Audette’s original book and compare it to modern carnivore variations.
Clark, R. (2026). Anyone aware of what’s going on with Ray Audette (Neanderthin) specifically for . *CFP Weight Loss*. https://blog.cfpweightloss.com/ask/anyone-aware-of-what-s-going-on-with-ray-audette-neanderthin-specifically-for-women-over-40
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
Why has no doctor explained this to me for people with insulin resistance Do I need a dose change and the role of cortisol and stress hormones Opened monjuaro pen is it safe to use — how a functional medicine approach differs Can I get an upvote for the true enemy of diabetes while doing intermittent fasting 📖 Refined Carbohydrates — Processed sugars and flours that strip the body of nutrients while driving the hormonal chaos responsible for the modern… Retatrutide - possible unknown neuroendocrine (CNS) risks? What about oxalates — how a functional medicine approach differs Has anyone switched from wegovy to mounjaro while doing intermittent fasting Rheumatoid Arthritis results if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide How to induce whole body autophagy without fasting for along time and how do I know if autophagy is induced im my body specifically for women over 40 📖 Phase 2: Aggressive Loss — A 40-day window of focused fat loss supported by low-dose medication and a specific lectin-free, low-carb nutritional fr… What has autophagy cured/made better in you and the role of cortisol and stress hormones 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — Get Russell's complete protocol → WHO: don’t touch your face it’ll spread coronavirus. *Diabetics who lick their finger after a finger prick while doing intermittent fasting Flexibility in the meal plan while doing intermittent fasting 📖 Diabetes Reversal — The clinical goal of restoring normal blood sugar levels and insulin function, as seen in patients like John who no long… Newb question: focusing on perceived exertion or heart rate — how a functional medicine approach differs Zone 2 at 180 BPM… Lactate test shows max HR 207 — anyone else in this boat and the role of cortisol and stress hormones Can I get an upvote for the true enemy of diabetes: how to talk to your doctor about this Insulin resistance caused my weight gain despite eating low calorie diet, anyone else and the role of cortisol and stress hormones Has anyone used Willow while doing intermittent fasting What’s the smallest habit that helped your insulin resistance the most for long-term maintenance (not just short-term) 📖 Insulin Resistance — A condition where your cells stop responding to insulin, locking fat in storage; our protocol is designed to unlock thes… How do you gauge progress from zone 2 while doing intermittent fasting Did my hashimoto cause this for people with insulin resistance 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — Get Russell's complete protocol → Oval twice a week patch - what was I using and the role of cortisol and stress hormones Why is almost all the focus in treating PCOS on fertility for people with insulin resistance Difference between a 3 day and 5 day water fast for autophagy — what most people get wrong about this E Patch to Injections how long did you leave your patch on and how it connects to gut health and inflammation Anyone in Maintenance w/ 15mg and the role of cortisol and stress hormones 📖 Bio-Individuality — The understanding that every patient’s metabolic journey is unique, requiring a personalized approach to dosing and diet… How long did it take you to lose weight on the Plant Paradox' for people with insulin resistance Did anyone else feel like Trintellix completely blunted their GLP-1 (Mounjaro/Wegovy) effect — how a functional medicine approach differs When the clock starts over for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's What would be the cause of insulin resistance on a low-carb or ketogenic diet Anyone with a variant of uncertain significance on HRT and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels 📖 Tirzepatide Micro-Dosing — The practice of using the lowest effective dose to achieve results, minimizing side effects while maximizing the longevi… 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — Get Russell's complete protocol → How much fruit, chocolate, or dairy is too much: what to track and how to measure progress Has anyone with multiple sclerosis seen improvement while on PP and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels What is your best way to shift focus when starting and changing your HRT while doing intermittent fasting What are everyone’s symptoms with insulin resistance while doing intermittent fasting Anyone have experience switching from compound injection to pill and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels When feeling down, remember that PCOS is what helped our ancestors survive and the role of cortisol and stress hormones 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 while doing intermittent fasting 📖 Hormonal Chaos — The internal state of imbalance caused by modern grains and refined carbs that overrides willpower and forces the body t… Eyelid myokymia/twitching caused by oral progesterone while doing intermittent fasting Can deep extended autophagy reverse deep cavities, does anyone have any experience regarding this on a low-carb or ketogenic diet Here's the things I wish I'd known back then... what are yours and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — Get Russell's complete protocol → What is the Role of Metabolism in Immune System — how a functional medicine approach differs Does Autophagy eat fat cells while doing intermittent fasting I'hv just stumbled upon autophagy and felt some hope for my situation. Is it really good for loose skin ? What can I do — what most people get wrong about this Safest type of fiber while doing intermittent fasting 📖 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… What keto plus compounded tirzepatide for the last five months looked like and how it connects to gut health and inflammation Are Seed Oils Inflammatory if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide Fitter or kidding myself when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances Can anyone share a good shopping list — how a functional medicine approach differs Smoking while on glp1 📖 Visceral Fat — The dangerous 'hidden' fat stored around internal organs that drives chronic disease and is specifically targeted by our… 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — Get Russell's complete protocol → Two week pause, ok to return to current dose and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels