Jenny McCarthy, 52, 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 such as Joe Rogan.
However, experts are raising concerns about the potential health risks of this trendy meal plan.
Kidney stones
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.
Raising bad cholesterol levels
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.
Digestive issues
Fiber is crucial for maintaining gut health.
Since meat has no fiber and the carnivore diet eliminates fruits, vegetables and grains — which are rich in fiber — the carnivore diet can disrupt the gut microbiome, leading to digestive issues like bloating, constipation and diarrhea.
A 2021 study of over 2,000 adults who followed the meal plan for over a year found — surprisingly — high levels of satisfaction among the participants with no adverse cardiovascular effects. However, they did report some digestive issues.
Nutritional deficiencies
By cutting out all fruits, vegetables and grains, people on this diet might miss out on essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, potassium and antioxidants.
Over time, these deficiencies can potentially lead to scurvy, weakened immune function and increased inflammation in the body.
Increased risk of colon cancer
While more research is needed, some studies show that a high intake of red and processed meat can increase the risk of cancer — especially colorectal cancer.
Horrifying side effects
Earlier this year, a Florida man made headlines after revealing the startling effects of his own carnivore diet.
He told doctors that for eight months, he ate entire sticks of butter, hamburger patties, and 6 to 9 pounds of cheese.
Though he said he lost weight and experienced improvements in his energy levels and cognitive functioning, he also had a bizarre side effect on his hands: excess yellow lipids oozing from his blood vessels.
Called xanthelasma, the condition is caused by high cholesterol levels or other fats in the blood.
The bottom line
There’s no one-size-fits-all diet — talk to your health care provider about what might be best for you.
“Some people work [and] heal better on a vegan diet and some people don’t,” McCarthy said on the podcast. “It’s what you believe and you have to follow your intuition and then also follow what your blood says or what your body says.”
