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Tengrinews.kz – A doctor has explained the potential risks of a prolonged all-meat diet and the exclusion of vegetables, citing dailymail.co.uk.
In Britain, the meat-based diet, also known as the "carnivore diet," has gained significant popularity. This diet consists solely of meat, fish, eggs, and sometimes dairy products. The term has been searched over 220,000 times on Google in the UK.
However, senior clinical consultant at The Independent Pharmacy's Senior Clinical Advisor Dr Donald Grant, warned that such a diet could have serious drawbacks.
"Carnivore diets do not include plant-based foods, which could impact nutrient intake and lead to deficiencies. Plant foods are key for obtaining nutrients such as vitamins C, E, and K; without them, a person can quickly become deficient. A carnivore diet can also increase the risk of heart disease or major heart events, such as a stroke, due to animal-based products being high in saturated fat. The lack of fiber could also impact gut health, disrupting the microbiome. For this reason, I do not recommend carnivore diets," Dr. Grant stated.
Another popular diet that also limits plant-based food consumption is the ketogenic diet, or keto diet. It involves consuming foods with very low carbohydrate content and allows for some vegetables, mainly leafy greens, while strictly restricting sugar, processed foods, and starchy vegetables. This diet leads to a state of ketosis, where the body burns fat instead of carbohydrates for energy.
However, Dr. Grant warns that following such a diet for an extended period can be dangerous.
"Interestingly, people adjusting to this diet may also experience 'keto flu'—symptoms that occur as the body is getting used to the change in eating habits. Symptoms include headaches, nausea, and fatigue. Overall, while the keto diet does have some positives, I cannot recommend this diet as it’s restrictive, cutting out some important foods which could lead to nutrient deficiencies," noted Donald Grant.
Meanwhile, obesity continues to rise in the country. A comprehensive analysis published earlier this week predicts that by 2050, more than three-quarters of British adults will be overweight.
When it comes to diets, Dr. Grant is much more positive about intermittent fasting, which ranked as the third most popular diet in the Independent Pharmacy report. This approach involves prolonged fasting periods between meals.
Popular methods include the "16:8" plan, where a person fasts for 16 hours before eating within the next eight hours, and the "5:2" plan, which involves two days of strict calorie restriction (500–800 calories) and five days of regular eating.
"While fasting can be difficult to navigate in the beginning, I believe it is a great method for losing weight and gaining better control of health. It’s incredibly useful for weight loss as it reduces calorie intake. Furthermore, it can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes by helping people improve insulin resistance—helping control blood sugar levels," the doctor stated.
For those looking to start intermittent fasting, a healthcare provider should offer additional dietary guidance to ensure the approach is healthy and beneficial.
