Kerri WaldronA warning has been issued over a fresh diet craze sweeping social media that could leave you with scurvy, say experts.
The carnivore diet, which champions eating only butter, eggs and meat, has clocked up a staggering 95 million video mentions on TikTok, with some being led to believe that it can cure anything from spots to PCOS, while others reckon it’s the answer to shedding the pounds.
Jane Clarke, a nurse at Confidence Club has shared insight about how the fad diet could wreak havoc on your kidneys, immune system and digestive health. She said: “Meat, eggs, and butter all contain a whole heap of essential vitamins, that much is true. However, what these meatfluencers are leaving out are all the things your body needs that this restrictive diet doesn’t contain.”
She also emphasised why our diets need to be balanced, stating: “There is a reason that for years health professionals have been telling patients to follow a balanced diet, and that’s because this is the only way you are going to get the right mix of vitamins and nutrients to keep you healthy.
“When you restrict yourself to just animal products, you are missing out on a whole bunch of vital nutrients from plant foods and other non-animal sources.”
Putting away large amounts of protein and fats could put undue pressure on the heart and kidneys, risking long-term harm including kidney damage and potentially leading to heart attacks. Additionally, ditching crucial vitamin C sources may weaken your immune system, poking holes in your armour against colds and viruses, reports the Express.
Vitamin C is a vital nutrient for both collagen synthesis and immune function. A diet devoid of vitamin C can result in scurvy, which can cause fatigue and even tooth loss. A diet deficient in fibre can lead to a fibre deficiency, typically marked by severe constipation. Over time, this can heighten your risk of colorectal cancers, besides being extremely uncomfortable.
The connection between a diet rich in red meat and bowel cancer has been established for quite some time. This risk can be exacerbated when red meat is prepared using cooking methods such as frying, grilling and barbecuing.
Source: bing.com
