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Florida Man Credits Carnivore “Lion Diet” with Clearing Psoriasis and Ending Decades-Long Depression
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Lion Diet Claim: Psoriasis and Depression Alleviated
Stephen Lashbrook, a 50-year-old resident of Pensacola, says that adopting a strict meat-only regimen—referred to as the “lion diet”—eliminated severe psoriasis that once covered most of his body and halted chronic depression and pain. He reports that after eliminating sugar, grains, fruits, and vegetables, he began eating only grass-fed ground beef and steak, typically one meal a day consisting of 1.5–2 pounds of high-fat meat. Within a week, he says the itching stopped; within a month, his skin cleared and his pain subsided. Lashbrook notes he has not undergone follow-up blood work or consulted a physician since making the change, preferring to judge the diet by his own symptoms.
Background of Carnivore Diet Trend
The lion diet is a variation of the broader carnivore diet, which eliminates all plant foods. Lashbrook first encountered the approach through a TED Talk by Mikhaila Peterson, who promotes a meat-only elimination diet for her own health issues. The diet has gained attention among certain online communities and public figures, including Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who claims the regimen helped him lose weight and achieve mental clarity. Advocates often cite personal anecdotes as evidence of benefit, while critics point to a lack of scientific validation.
Medical Perspective
Dr. Michael Aziz, an internist and regenerative-medicine specialist in New York City, cautions that individual improvements do not establish the carnivore diet as a treatment for psoriasis or related conditions. He emphasizes that the diet’s exclusion of fiber can lead to constipation, kidney stones, and increased long-term risks of heart attack and stroke. Aziz also notes that many people feel better after cutting sugar and ultra-processed foods, but such short-term effects do not prove the diet’s safety or efficacy over time.
Data & Personal Regimen
- Daily intake: 1.5–2 pounds of grass-fed ground beef or steak, cooked in an air fryer.
- Reported weight change: Lashbrook did not disclose a specific figure, but Kennedy’s claim of losing 20 pounds in 20 days is mentioned as a parallel anecdote.
- Frequency of meals: typically one per day.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I was probably 90% covered in psoriasis,” — Stephen Lashbrook, of Pensacola
- “The stories are what's most important,” — Stephen Lashbrook, of Pensacola