Jenny McCarthy almost died as a vegan but experts warn of serious health risk of her new diet
Jenny McCarthy, 52, recently revealed that she “became so ill from being a vegan” and “almost died” before going pretty hard in the other direction.Speaking on the “Heal Squad x Maria Menounos” podcast, the “Masked Singer” judge was frank about how her plant-based meal plan exacerbated her existing health conditions, including celiac disease, dairy intolerance and a soy allergy. “I was exhausted and fatigued.
I was a mess,” McCarthy said.On the advice of her “functional medicine doctor,” she decided to go on the carnivore diet — which exclusively consists of animal byproducts such as meat, poultry, eggs, seafood and fish.
While she described the meat-based plan as a “last resort diet,” she also said it’s been a total game changer for her.“It changed my energy and my digestion,” she said, noting that she now experiences regular digestion without the aid of laxatives.McCarthy is not the only disciple of the carnivore diet, which has been touted as a miracle worker by influencers and podcasters like Joe Rogan.However, experts are raising concerns about the potential health risks of this trendy meal plan.
According to doctors from the Indiana University School of Medicine, the high-protein nature of the carnivore diet could lead to an increased risk of kidney stones.When protein intake skyrockets, the body produces more uric acid, which can crystallize to form kidney stones.
Most pass naturally, although it can be a painful process.Larger kidney stones can block the urinary tract, leading to potentially fatal infections and sepsis.
Another major concern is cholesterol.A diet heavy in red meat and animal fats can raise LDL — “bad” — cholesterol levels, increasing the risk of heart disease.
Some studies suggest that long-term adherence to the carnivore diet could contribute to plaque buildup in the arteries, heightening the chances of a heart attack or stroke.Fiber is crucial for maintaining gut health.Since meat has no...