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Jenny McCarthy Advocates Carnivore Diet After Alleged Vegan Diet Health Scare
Actress and author Jenny McCarthy, known for her past endorsement of Robert Kennedy Jr., has recently disclosed a personal health experience that led her to transition from a vegan diet to the increasingly popular carnivore diet. McCarthy, 52, claims that embracing veganism resulted in significant health issues, prompting her dietary shift to a meat-centric eating plan.
McCarthy’s Vegan Diet Experience
Speaking on the “Heal Squad” podcast with Maria Menounos, McCarthy detailed her adverse reaction to veganism. “I experimented with veganism, and it almost killed me,” she recounted. “I became extremely unwell. I suffered from exhaustion and fatigue. I was a complete mess.” Her comments have reignited discussions around the health impacts of both vegan and carnivore diets.
Understanding Vegan and Carnivore Diets
Vegan Diet Basics
A vegan diet is characterized by its focus on plant-based foods. This includes a wide array of vegetables, grains, nuts, and fruits. Vegans abstain from all animal products, such as meat, eggs, dairy, and honey, choosing instead to derive their nutrition solely from plant sources.
Carnivore Diet Basics
Conversely, the carnivore diet is a restrictive eating plan that centers exclusively on animal products. Adherents consume meat, poultry, eggs, seafood, fish, and certain dairy items, while eliminating all plant-derived foods and other food categories. This diet contrasts sharply with veganism’s plant-based approach.
Potential Benefits and Drawbacks: Veganism
Vegan diets are often lauded for their health advantages. Due to their typically lower calorie density, high fiber content, and emphasis on whole, unprocessed foods, vegan diets can promote satiety and contribute to reduced overall calorie intake, potentially leading to weight management and obesity prevention.
Furthermore, plant-based diets are generally rich in fiber and antioxidants and low in saturated fat and cholesterol. This nutritional profile is associated with a reduced risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers, including colon, breast, and prostate cancer.
McCarthy’s Rationale for Switching to Carnivore
McCarthy, who reports a soy allergy – a common ingredient in vegan cuisine – suggested that her carbohydrate-rich vegan diet left her feeling severely unwell. This negative experience motivated her to explore the carnivore diet, which prioritizes meat consumption.
While scientific validation is limited regarding the carnivore diet’s long-term health benefits, proponents assert that it has alleviated conditions like depression, anxiety, arthritis, obesity, and diabetes. These claims are largely anecdotal, lacking robust controlled studies.
McCarthy’s Carnivore Diet Journey
Recounting her decision, McCarthy mentioned, “I tried a low histamine diet, I tried every single one of them. Ultimately, my functional medicine doctor recommended last year, ‘It’s time for you to go completely carnivore.'”
Initially hesitant, she stated, “I was somewhat resistant. I am from Chicago, so I can manage it, but it felt very heavy and low vibrational for me. I tended to eat salmon and lighter fare.”
Describing it as a last resort, McCarthy added, “But I thought I should give it a try; it was like my final dietary option. It has been remarkably positive for me, personally, I must emphasize.”
Plant-Based Diet Considerations and Concerns
The vegan diet gained visibility in part due to growing concerns about obesity as a widespread health issue in countries like the United States. Predictions indicate a significant rise in obesity rates among adults and children by 2050.
However, recent research in 2024 has highlighted potential downsides of some plant-based diets. Studies suggest that certain plant-based foods can be high in sodium, potentially increasing blood pressure. They may also contain saturated fat, a factor in obesity, and lack sufficient bone-strengthening calcium.
Sodium, Fat, and Calcium in Plant-Based Foods
An analysis of over 700 plant-based products in supermarkets, including vegan alternatives and staples, revealed concerning nutritional profiles. For instance, a small serving of tofu was found to contain a substantial amount of sodium, nearly a full day’s recommended intake.
Additionally, popular coconut milk varieties exhibited high saturated fat content, exceeding that of other milk alternatives. Furthermore, a significant majority of vegan cheeses examined were not fortified with calcium, a crucial nutrient for bone health.
Researchers concluded, “We found that several products are so high in salt or saturated fat that labeling them as ‘healthy’ becomes questionable.”
Ultra-Processed Plant-Based Foods and Health Risks
Experts have also linked the consumption of ultra-processed plant-based foods, such as vegan burgers, sausages, cakes, and chips, to a potentially increased risk of cardiovascular events. Analysis of dietary data from a large UK study involving over 118,000 participants suggested a correlation between these foods and a higher risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Ultra-processed foods, generally high in fat, salt, and sugar, have been long recognized for their potential to contribute to heart health issues.
Dr. Eszter Vamos, a study co-author from Imperial College London, noted, “Fresh plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes are known for their significant health and environmental benefits.”
She cautioned, “While ultra-processed foods are often marketed as healthy choices, this extensive study indicates that plant-based ultra-processed foods may not offer the same protective health effects and might be associated with adverse health outcomes.”
Benefits of Balanced Vegetarian Diets
Conversely, a balanced vegetarian diet, rich in minimally processed plant foods, can offer considerable health advantages. Research in Lancet Regional Health – Europe indicated that vegetarians with lower consumption of ultra-processed foods experienced a notable decrease in deaths from heart disease and a reduction in overall cardiovascular disease risk.
Carnivore Diet Concerns and Expert Warnings
As the carnivore diet gains traction, health professionals have voiced concerns regarding its potential impact on heart and kidney health. High protein intake, particularly from red meat and certain fish, can elevate uric acid production, potentially leading to kidney stone formation.
High-protein diets can also increase calcium excretion, which, when combined with oxalates, may also contribute to kidney stone development.
Dr. Shireen Kassam, founder of Plant-Based Health Professionals, further cautioned that animal-based diets are deficient in fiber and high in saturated fat and dietary cholesterol. This nutritional profile may increase the risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and dementia.
Excluding plant foods can also result in deficiencies in essential micronutrients like magnesium, potassium, and vitamin C, which are vital for overall well-being.
Dr. Kassam concluded, “The carnivore diet is nutritionally imbalanced, unsustainable, and potentially detrimental in the long term.”
She added, “While short-term benefits might arise from eliminating processed foods, healthier and more sustainable strategies exist to achieve health goals without sacrificing essential nutrients.”
Conflicting Study on Carnivore Diet Effects
In contrast, a 2021 study reported that adults following a carnivore diet, despite its recognized nutrient limitations, experienced few negative effects and reported perceived health benefits alongside high satisfaction levels. This finding highlights the ongoing debate and varied individual experiences with the carnivore diet.