Actor Adam Thomas Reveals How 'Eating Nothing But Meat and Eggs' is Easing his Arthritis Pain – But These Are the Risks
Diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at 34 years old, Adam Thomas has shared that the last two years have been an uphill battle – especially when preparing to take part in Strictly Come Dancing. Thomas, now 36, later admitted that he was struggling with pain every day while taking part in the dance show.
Now, in an Instagram post, he has shared that a large part of managing symptoms has come down to his choice in diet.
Thomas shares, 'So many questions asking about my carnivore diet and if it’s working. The answer is YES! For someone who has been battling arthritis now for over 2 and a half years, having tried loads of different medication, this is the best I’ve ever felt.'
The Waterloo Road actor continued to add that at the end of January he was living pain free after he 'hadn’t touched a carb, no sugar, no meds. Nothing but meat and eggs.'
'But I’ll be honest with you, I fell off a few days ago and thought f**k it!' admitted Thomas, sharing that he went off the restrictive diet and saw a recurrence in pain symptoms.
Is the Carnivore Diet Safe?
It is important to note that aside from being incredibly restrictive and difficult to adhere to long-term, the carnivore diet includes a large amount of red meat which causes a higher risk of colorectal cancer and heart disease, and the purported benefits are largely anecdotal, like Thomas' experience. Evidence supporting the carnivore diet as a treatment for autoimmune diseases is limited.
In fact, a recent meta analysis published in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition found that for every 50-gram increase of red meat consumption, there was a corresponding 9% increase in ischemic heart disease. This rise was even worse for processed meat, at an 18% increase. To put that in context, one steak a day at 100 grams could increase your risk by 18%. Now, times that by three like many carnivore diets advocate for, and you're increasing the risk even further.
Thomas also noted that he had seen a reduction in his weight of nearly two stone in just over six weeks. This isn't surprising, with diets such as the carnivore and keto diet causing a dramatic drop on the scales due to mostly the loss of water retention and glycogen stored in the muscles. The restrictive nature of the diet can also cause weight loss due to the reduced calorie consumption.
The MH Verdict
Ethically, this is not a diet we can promote the benefits of here at Men's Health. If you are interested in reducing inflammation, achieving weight loss and modifying your diet, it is best to contact a registered dietician. They may suggest an elimination diet and to keep a nutrition diary to keep track of the relationship between what you eat and the symptoms you experience. They will also ensure you get tailored support for your needs with a more sustainable and healthy approach that you can stick to long term, without the risks.
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