Carnivore diet before + after

More than 1.5 billion people have clicked on social media posts about the carnivore diet-and it's left a lot of folks wondering: Is this another passing fad or can eating like a lion really make our health and metabolism roar? Paula Kish, 54, once had the same question. At the time, her debilitating migraines weren't responding to any treatment. So when she heard a doctor on YouTube say going carnivore might work when modern medicine fails, she put it to the test. "I never looked back," shares the Michigan grandmother, now pain-free and down five sizes. Read on for more from Paula and other inspiring carnivore dieters. Plus, a top doc explains how the meaty strategy works and how to tell if it might transform your body.

- ALLISON NEMETZ

So what exactly is the carnivore diet? It’s the opposite of a vegan diet, calling for no plant foods at all.

Carnivore staples are meat, fish, eggs and some dairy. Carnivores may choose to consume coffee, spices and stevia, but generally no veggies, fruit, grains, nuts or olive oil.

Let’s talk about whether that’s safe or not. “When I first tried carnivore, my metabolic health improved so much that I did research to see if was okay to skip veggies long-term,” shares Ken Berry, M.D., author of Lies My Doctor Told Me. “I learned that for millennia, cultures have thrived eating carnivore-style.” Dr. Berry has been mostly carnivore and maintaining great health and a 65-pound weight loss for years. Also worth noting: When Harvard experts surveyed thousands of carnivores, the responses were impressive: About 93% lost weight, 97% resolved GI trouble, 96% improved mental wellbeing, 93% lowered blood pressure and the list of benefits goes on and on.

Now, if you’re on a diet that includes plants and you’re happy and fit, there’s no need to change a thing. “But if traditional diets aren’t working or you want next-level results, consider carnivore,” Dr. Berry says. Just get an okay from your doctor first.

The basics of carnivore

The carnivore diet is a plant-free version of the keto diet, and to a degree, both approaches work the same way. That’s because both reduce carb intake to a point at which we no longer make enough blood sugar to be our primary fuel. “Your body will begin turning fat from food and from fat cells into an alternate fuel called ketones,” Dr. Berry explains. Studies show ketone production causes flab on the belly, hips and thighs to melt up to 7.5 times faster than it otherwise would. And that’s just for starters.

What sets carnivore apart