Ohio Woman Credits Carnivore Diet with Transformative Recovery from Anorexia

After struggling for decades with a debilitating eating disorder, an Ohio woman claims that adopting a carnivore diet played a pivotal role in her recovery. Valerie Smith, a 54-year-old resident of Ohio, experienced severe physical and mental health challenges, including a long battle with anorexia.

At her lowest point, Smith weighed just 70 pounds, resulting in a dangerously low body mass index of 11. Hospitalizations and the use of feeding tubes became frequent as medical professionals fought to keep her alive.

In her journey towards wellness, Smith’s turning point came in 2017 when she began transitioning from a strict plant-based diet to an animal-based ketogenic approach. She asserts that this dietary change significantly contributed to the healing of her mind and body.

The Impact of Traditional Treatments

Before embracing animal products, Smith exhausted numerous treatments for her anorexia and associated disorders. She reflected on her experiences by stating, “I was actively in treatment for my entire life. I was seen by hospitals and medical doctors. I had over a dozen psychiatrists. I was on a cocktail of different psychotic medications over three to four decades.”

Despite undergoing extensive treatment, Smith’s condition did not improve. Instead, she found herself struggling to follow hospital-recommended plant-based meal plans that excluded animal protein. Although she adhered to these regimens, maintaining a healthy weight proved impossible, resulting in ongoing digestive problems.

Health Decline Before Dietary Change

By the time she reached 47, Smith’s health had declined sharply. She had returned to a weight of 70 pounds due to osteoporosis-related fractures and had undergone multiple surgeries related to organ prolapse. Describing her mental health as being at an all-time low, she explained, “I was not going to survive another year. I desperately needed to gain weight, but my mental illness made it impossible to do so permanently.”

During her search for solutions, Smith discovered metabolic psychiatry and the potential benefits of the ketogenic diet. She learned how crucial animal foods and fats are for brain health. “There are over 100 neurotransmitters in our brain, many of which depend on the amino acids found in complete animal proteins,” she noted. Without these essential building blocks, brain function can deteriorate.

Gradual Reintroduction of Animal Foods

After 35 years without consuming any animal products, Smith decided to reintroduce them into her diet cautiously. She started with just one bite of meat per day, incrementally increasing her intake each week until she was consuming 8 ounces by the eighth week.

Improvements became evident after about three months, even though her weight initially remained stable. Smith reported significant reductions in her anxiety and depression, stating, “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.”

Signs of Recovery

As time passed, Smith continued to experience enhanced mental and physical well-being. A year into her new diet, she reported that all symptoms of anorexia had disappeared. “Even my body dysmorphia was gone — I had no drive to starve whatsoever,” she emphasized, adding that all her obsessive thoughts and negative self-talk had vanished.

Today, Smith maintains a diet primarily composed of red meat, along with eggs, chicken, pork, and wild-caught fish. She consumes between 2 and 3 pounds of meat daily. Remarkably, she has gained 50 pounds of muscle and has not faced any health issues for the past eight years.

For Smith, this dietary path represents healing. She stressed, “I feel that the ultimate healing for body and mind is found in animal products in the diet.”

Professional Perspectives on the Carnivore Diet

Dr. Georgia Ede, a psychiatrist with a focus on nutritional and metabolic psychiatry, has praised the carnivore diet for its potential benefits in treating disordered eating. She noted, “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.” Patients have often reported relief from their cravings and a newfound sense of satiety.

Research indicates that carnivore diets might effectively address the severe malnourishment associated with anorexia. Dr. Ede elaborated, “Meat contains all the nutrients we need, in their most bioavailable forms, without the anti-nutrients and toxins found in many plant foods.” Still, she acknowledged that more medically supervised clinical trials are necessary to understand better the potential risks and benefits of such diets.

Critical Views from Health Professionals

Despite some endorsements, there remains a cautionary stance among health professionals regarding the carnivore diet as a treatment for eating disorders. Margot Rittenhouse, a licensed professional counselor, stresses the importance of evidence-based, widely accepted dietary practices. She informed, “While some research suggests that a ketogenic carnivore diet may help anorexia nervosa, there is currently insufficient evidence to support it as a viable treatment option.”

Similarly, Tanya Freirich, a registered dietitian, cautions against the restrictive nature of the carnivore diet. She noted, “Nuts, seeds, legumes, grains, fruits, and vegetables are vital for a balanced diet, providing essential nutrients. Eliminating these can create imbalanced diets that increase the risk of disordered eating.”

Seeking Professional Help

Experts universally agree that individuals experiencing disordered eating should not attempt self-treatment. They advocate for consulting a multidisciplinary team, including dietitians, therapists, psychiatrists, and doctors, to create a comprehensive treatment plan.

Rittenhouse emphasized, “These complex mental health issues cannot be effectively addressed by a singular approach. It requires collaboration across specialties to achieve lasting recovery.”

Final Thoughts on Diet and Mental Health

The story of Valerie Smith highlights the complexities of treating eating disorders and the potential role that dietary changes can play in recovery. While her journey has inspired many, understanding that each individual’s path to wellness is unique remains essential. For those grappling with similar challenges, seeking professional guidance and considering a holistic approach may be the best way forward.