A Florida man, Stephen Lashbrook, aged 50, has claimed that an extreme diet has been pivotal in turning around his decades-long battle with psoriasis, pain, and depression. Lashbrook, from Pensacola, recounted his struggles over the years to Fox News Digital.
Lashbrook said his depression began as early as four years old. In his teenage years, chronic pain and sleeplessness compounded his troubles. By his early 20s, he received a psoriasis diagnosis, a skin disease influenced by the immune system. “I was probably 90% covered in psoriasis,” he revealed, describing it as one expansive, itchy, flaky scab.
“Creams, steroids, and other medications didn’t help me. Doctors suggested long-term, costly injections that left me feeling hopeless and suicidal,” Lashbrook mentioned.
His mindset began shifting after encountering a TED Talk by Mikhaila Peterson, who detailed using a meat-only diet to address her health problems. Inspired, Lashbrook removed sugar, grains, fruits, and vegetables from his meals. Starting January 1, 2024, he fully embraced the “lion diet,” focusing solely on meat from ruminant animals like cows and lambs.
Within a week, Lashbrook claimed the itching and suicidal thoughts vanished. After one month, his skin cleared, and his pain reduced significantly. “I haven’t had one suicidal thought. I haven’t had any depression. I haven’t had any pain,” he noted. His diet now mainly consists of grass-fed ground beef and steak, usually one meal per day cooked in an air fryer.
Lashbrook said, “I feel like I’m reverse aging,” adding that he evaluates the diet’s impact based on his feelings, not through medical follow-ups.
Dr. Michael Aziz, a New York internist, commented that while reducing sugar and ultra-processed foods can improve some people’s well-being, this doesn’t make the carnivore diet a universal remedy for conditions like psoriasis. “These diets often lack fiber, leading to potential issues like constipation and kidney stones. There’s also an increased risk for heart attacks and strokes,” Dr. Aziz explained.
Interest has grown around meat-centric and protein-heavy diets as people look to eliminate ultra-processed foods. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has also followed a carnivore diet, claiming benefits like weight loss and improved mental clarity.
Cautioned by medical experts, both Lashbrook and Kennedy acknowledge that the diet may not fit everyone, and its long-term effects are still uncertain. Lashbrook plans to share his experience at Carni-Con, a virtual event focused on carnivore diets featuring speakers such as doctors and diet advocates.
“The stories are what matter. If people don’t hear that these healings are possible, they’re not going to know,” concluded Lashbrook.