Health
‘The carnivore diet saved my life after decades of anorexia'
After suffering from a lifelong eating disorder that almost killed her, an Ohio woman says switching to a carnivore diet saved her life.
Valerie Smith, 54, struggled for decades with multiple physical and mental health conditions, including anorexia.
At one point, Smith, who is 5’9″, was down to 70 pounds and a BMI of 11. She was hospitalized and kept alive by feeding tubes several times, she told Fox News Digital.
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In 2017, after following a strict plant-based diet for most of her life, she slowly began transitioning to an animal-based ketogenic diet, which she credits for healing her mind and body.
At one point, Smith (pictured here), who is 5’9″, was down to 70 pounds and a BMI of 11. She says switching to a carnivore diet saved her life. (Valerie Smith)
Prior to switching to animal foods, Smith tried a myriad of other treatments for her anorexia and other disorders.
“I was actively in treatment for my entire life,” she said during an interview. “I was seen by hospitals and medical doctors. I had over a dozen psychiatrists. I was on a cocktail of different psychotic medications over the course of three or four decades.”
“I spent a lifetime under traditional treatment and never got better.”
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The hospitals recommended a plant-based diet “devoid of any animal protein,” Smith said. She stuck with their meal plans, but struggled to maintain a healthy weight and suffered digestive issues.
By the time Smith was 47, she was back down to 70 pounds, enduring fractures due to osteoporosis, and had undergone several surgeries for multiple organ prolapse. Her mental health was also at an all-time low.
“I was not going to survive another year,” she said. “I desperately needed to gain weight, but the mental illness was stopping me from gaining anything permanently.”
“I spent a lifetime under traditional treatment and never got better.”
“And I also knew that even if I weighed more, it was not going to help my brain, because I had experienced that many times in those decades.”
While doing research, Smith discovered some metabolic psychiatrists and learned about the benefits of the ketogenic diet.
“I learned that animal foods and animal fats are a priority in the brain,” she said.
Valerie Smith poses for photos after reaching a healthy weight on the ketogenic diet, following 35 years of not consuming any animal foods. (Valerie Smith)
“There are more than 100 neurotransmitters in our brain, and most of them rely on the amino acid profile that’s in complete animal proteins,” Smith went on. “Our brain is not going to function correctly if we don’t have the building blocks of animal products.”
After 35 years of not consuming any animal foods, she decided to experiment with adding them back into her diet.
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Smith started slowly, with just one bite of meat per day. Each week, she added another bite. It took her eight weeks to get up to eating 8 ounces of meat.
At the three-month mark, she began seeing improvements — not necessarily in her weight, but in her mental health.
“My depression and anxiety were lifting,” Smith said. “At that point, I had not gained any weight yet, so it was not weight gain that healed my brain — it was the ketogenic diet.”
As the months went on, Smith continued to look and feel healthier. After a year, she said, all anorexia symptoms were gone. (Fox News)
As the months went on, Smith continued to look and feel healthier. After a year, she said, all anorexia symptoms were gone.
“Even my body dysmorphia was gone — and I had no drive to starve whatsoever,” she said. “All the obsessive thoughts, the negative self-talk, the brain dysfunction — it was completely gone.”
“I was not fighting against myself anymore. It was effortless.”
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Today, Smith consumes between 2 and 3 pounds of meat each day — primarily red meat — as well as eggs. She also occasionally eats chicken, pork and wild-caught fish.
Since starting her animal foods diet, Smith has gained 50 pounds of muscle. In eight years, she said she has not experienced any of the health issues that have plagued her for decades.
“For me, this is about healing — and I feel that the ultimate healing for body and mind is with animal products in the diet.”
Doctor voices support
Dr. Georgia Ede, a Harvard-trained, board-certified psychiatrist specializing in nutritional and metabolic psychiatry, has often spoken about her support of the carnivore diet.
“In my clinical work, I have found well-formulated carnivore diets to be very helpful in stubborn cases of overeating disorders, such as binge-eating and food obsession,” she told Fox News Digital.
Since starting her animal foods diet, Smith has gained 50 pounds of muscle. In eight years, she said she has not experienced any of the health issues that plagued her for decades. (Valerie Smith)
“Some patients have reported relief from ‘food noise’ and a welcome sense of satiety, often for the first time in years.”
Research has suggested that carnivore diets may be “exceptionally useful” in treating the severe malnourishment of anorexia, Ede said.
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“Meat contains all the nutrients we need, in their most bioavailable forms, and without the antinutrients and defensive toxins naturally found in plant foods,” she went on.
“Medically supervised clinical trials are needed to help us understand better the potential risks and benefits of carnivore diets in the management of anorexia.”
Research has suggested that carnivore diets may be “exceptionally useful” in treating the severe malnourishment of anorexia, one doctor said. (Valerie Smith)
Nick Norwitz, a Harvard medical student and researcher, recently completed a case study on three people who overcame eating disorders using the ketogenic diet.
He also recently released a video in which he debunked eight myths surrounding the carnivore diet. (See the video at the top of this article, and more videos at https://www.youtube.com/@nicknorwitzPhD.)
There is no “one size fits all” dietary solution, Norwitz said, adding that “context and nuance are essential.”
“However, I do feel the carnivore diet is misunderstood, and that red meat and animal-based foods often get unfairly scapegoated and thrown under the ‘big food bus,’” he told Fox News Digital.
Experts call for caution, more research
Margot Rittenhouse, a licensed professional clinical counselor with Alsana in California, said it is “absolutely critical” that any diets or modalities used to treat eating disorders are backed by “extensive and consistent research.”
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“While some research indicates that a ketogenic carnivore diet may be beneficial in treating anorexia nervosa, there is not a preponderance of evidentiary proof to indicate that this could currently be used as a viable treatment option,” she told Fox News Digital.
“There is little to no evidence to support that one can receive all the vitamins and nutrients required to sustain the body through a ketogenic diet,” which aims to eliminate most or all plant-based foods and carbohydrates, according to Rittenhouse.
Experts agree that those suffering from disordered eating should not attempt to treat the condition without professional help. (iStock)
Tanya Freirich, a registered dietitian nutritionist in Charlotte, North Carolina, who practices as The Lupus Dietitian, said she does not recommend the carnivore diet as a means of treating disordered eating.
“Nuts, seeds, legumes, grains, fruits and vegetables are an important part of a balanced diet and provide a multitude of important nutrients,” Freirich told Fox News Digital. “For optimal health, you also need the wide variety of vitamins and minerals found in other food groups, as well as fiber and carbohydrates.”
“Dieting in general, but especially with such a restrictive diet as the carnivore diet, is a factor that increases the risk of developing disordered eating,” she added.
Rittenhouse also cautioned against adopting any type of restrictive diet, which has been shown to create “harmful relationships to food.”
“Some patients have reported relief from ‘food noise’ and a welcome sense of satiety, often for the first time in years.” (iStock)
“Eating only animal proteins is not a complete diet by any means, as one would be consuming nearly exclusively saturated fats and protein,” she said in an interview with Fox News Digital.
Experts agree that those suffering from disordered eating should not attempt to treat the condition without professional help.
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Rittenhouse recommends seeking support from a multi-disciplinary team that includes an eating disorder-informed dietitian, therapist, psychiatrist and doctor.
“These mental illnesses are complex, bio-psychosocial disorders and cannot be treated by only one provider or discipline alone,” she said.
New flu strain emerging as a severe health threat
Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel joins ‘America’s Newsroom’ to warn of a new strain of the flu that is spiking hospitalizations across the country and newfound risks of medical marijuana’s link to psychosis.
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The New York State Department of Health reported a record surge in influenza activity, with 71,123 positive flu cases recorded statewide during the week ending December 20.
Health officials said the figure represents the highest number of flu cases ever reported in a single week since influenza became a reportable disease in New York in 2004.
State health data show the weekly total reflects a 38% increase from the previous reporting period, signaling a rapidly intensifying flu season.
There have been 189,312 reported positive flu cases so far this season, while influenza-related hospitalizations rose 63% in the most recent week.
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New York reported the highest weekly total of cases ever recorded since influenza became reportable in 2004. (iStock)
“We are seeing the highest number of flu cases ever recorded in a single week in New York state,” Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said in a press release.
There have been 189,312 reported flu cases so far this season, with influenza-related hospitalizations increasing 63% in the most recent week. (iStock)
Earlier this month, the department declared influenza prevalent statewide, a designation that requires unvaccinated health care workers to wear masks in patient care settings.
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Health officials continue to emphasize that vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent severe illness and hospitalization from influenza.
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New Yorkers who have not yet received a seasonal flu shot are still encouraged to do so, with experts saying vaccination can offer protection even later in the season.
Health officials continue to urge New Yorkers to take preventive steps, including vaccination and staying home when sick, to limit further spread. (iStock)
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To help limit further spread, the department advises individuals experiencing flu-like symptoms — including fever, cough, sore throat, or body aches — to stay home. State health officials also recommend frequent handwashing, using hand sanitizer, and avoiding close contact with sick individuals.
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For those who become ill, officials say antiviral medications are available and are most effective when started within 48 hours of symptom onset.
Health officials also added that people at higher risk for complications should contact a health care provider promptly for evaluation and possible treatment.
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The department noted that flu activity typically peaks in January, meaning case counts could continue to climb in the weeks ahead.
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If the stress of the holidays wreaked havoc on your gut, you’re not alone — 76% of Americans experience gastrointestinal distress during the holiday season, according to a recent national survey from Oshi Health and YouGov.
Digestive problems can be triggered not only by holiday overeating, but also by stress. Financial worries, disrupted routines, fatigue and interpersonal dynamics rank as some of the top causes.
“I see an uptick in psychiatry-related GI issues during the holiday season,” Dr. Claire Brandon, a gastrointestinal psychiatrist based in New York City, told Fox News Digital. “When you are undergoing stress, your body produces more corticotropin-releasing hormones, which sets off a cascade of the inflammatory system.”
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Stress hormones can act directly on the gut, leading to more digestive distress and pushing the body out of “rest-and-digest mode,” Brandon said.
“Stress activates the sympathetic — fight, flight, freeze — nervous system, which slows digestion,” added Dr. David Clarke, an Oregon-based gastroenterologist and president of the Association for the Treatment of Neuroplastic Symptoms. “That can lead to bloating, cramps, nausea and sometimes abdominal pain.”
Stress often plays a bigger role in digestive issues than overeating alone, experts say. (iStock)
The good news, doctors say, is that a few simple, realistic steps can help reset the digestive system after the holidays.
No. 1: Reset your sleep
Sleep plays a major role in gut health. Research shows that insufficient or disrupted sleep can change the composition and function of the gut microbiome, potentially affecting metabolic and immune factors that influence overall health.
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“When I travel and get derailed, my main focus is to reset my sleep,” Brandon said. She recommends reestablishing wind-down routines like deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation.
No. 2: Eat balanced, fiber-rich meals
Fiber helps keep digestion moving and supports healthy gut bacteria, which can aid post-holiday recovery, experts say.
“The usual principles for supporting digestion apply here,” said Clarke. “Consuming a balanced diet emphasizing fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes; avoiding highly processed foods; and moderating alcohol will keep your gut microbiome happy.”
Digestive symptoms like bloating and discomfort often spike during the holidays due to stress, travel and disrupted routines. (iStock)
No. 3: Stay hydrated
Staying hydrated will also aid digestion, Clarke said, noting that light-colored urine is a good indicator of hydration.
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Traveling can be particularly tough on the gut, experts say, especially during flights where low cabin humidity causes the body to pull water from the bowels, leading to constipation.
Drinking water before, during, and after flights — and limiting alcohol and caffeine — can help counteract dehydration-related digestive slowdowns. Experts also recommend sipping water consistently throughout the day.
No. 4: Resume regular movement
Both doctors agreed that exercise supports digestion and stress regulation, which are both key to gut recovery.
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“Going on walks can be enough to help with this, but if you have space to do more, including some gentle stretching, that can be a huge help,” Brandon advised.
No. 5: Reduce stress gradually
Stress management plays a critical role in gut health, and experts say that small, consistent habits can help ease gastrointestinal symptoms.
Brandon recommends calming the nervous system with breathing or grounding exercises and slowing down at meals.
Light movement can help support digestion and regulate stress, experts say. (iStock)
“If you’re constantly running on fumes, on a layover in the airport, eating high sugar and doing things off your routine, expect a few disruptions with your gut,” she said. “Reframe it as something that you can reset when you get home.”
No. 6: Skip cleanses and detoxes
Clarke says that detoxes and cleanses are not necessary and can actually be harmful. Instead, he recommends sticking to the basics — including hydration, balanced meals, regular sleep and movement.
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Doctors say the gut is designed to recover on its own in response to consistently healthy practices rather than extreme resets.
Experts recommend returning to balanced, fiber-rich meals instead of intense cleanses. (iStock)
While short-lived symptoms can improve within hours and are usually temporary, experts say lingering or worsening issues shouldn’t be ignored.
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“If you are back home and struggling to feel your usual baseline while back on your routine, it’s probably worth checking in with your physician,” Brandon advised.
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Regular exercise may do more than strengthen the heart. It could also reprogram the nerves that control how the heart beats, new research has found.
The discovery could eventually help doctors better treat common conditions such as irregular heart rhythms, chest pain, angina and stress-related “broken-heart” syndrome, according to scientists at the University of Bristol in the U.K.
The study, which looked at lab rats trained over 10 weeks, found that moderate exercise does not affect the heart’s nerve control system evenly. Instead, it produces distinct and opposing changes on the left and right sides of the body. a split researchers say has gone largely unnoticed until now.
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“The discovery points to a previously hidden left–right pattern in the body’s ‘autopilot’ system that helps run the heart,” Dr. Augusto Coppi, the study’s lead author and a senior lecturer in veterinary anatomy at the University of Bristol, said in a statement.
Regular exercise may “rewire” the nerves that control the heart, the new study found. (iStock)
“This could help explain why some treatments work better on one side than the other and, in the future, help doctors target therapies more precisely and effectively,” Coppi added.
After 10 weeks of aerobic exercise, the researchers examined the animals’ heart control nerves and found left–right differences that did not appear in inactive rats, according to the research published in the journal Autonomic Neuroscience in September.
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On the right side, the nerve hub that sends “go faster” signals to the heart developed many more nerve cells, suggesting increased wiring. On the left side, however, the number of nerve cells did not rise as much. Instead, the existing cells grew significantly larger, indicating a different kind of adaptation.
The findings could help explain why some heart treatments work better on one side than the other. (iStock)
The findings show that exercise reshapes the heart’s nerve control system in a side-specific way rather than affecting both sides equally, the researchers said. Understanding that process could help doctors better target treatments, especially for patients who cannot exercise or whose symptoms persist despite lifestyle changes.
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Researchers compared the nerve clusters, known as the stellate ganglia, to a “dimmer switch” that fine-tunes how strongly the heart is stimulated. That fine-tuning is important because overstimulation of these nerves is linked to chest pain and dangerous heart rhythm problems.
Scientists caution more studies are needed to determine whether the same effects occur in humans. (iStock)
The findings are early stage and based on animal research, however. So, they do not prove the same effects in people. More studies are needed before they could affect patient care.
Researchers say future studies will explore whether similar left–right nerve changes occur in people and whether they could help explain why some heart treatments work better on one side than the other, potentially paving the way for more precise, personalized care for angina and heart rhythm disorders.
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The study was conducted in collaboration with researchers from University College London, the University of São Paulo and the Federal University of São Paulo in Brazil.
Researchers discovered distinct left-right changes in heart-control nerves after 10 weeks of aerobic exercise. (iStock)
The findings add to growing evidence that regular, moderate exercise benefits the heart in ways scientists are beginning to understand better.
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Fox News Digital has reached out to the study authors for comment.
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