What Is the Lion Diet, and Is It Safe?

Extreme and restrictive diets have long been touted as a “cure cure” for many health problems. It’s trending. According to the Mayo Clinic, there isn’t a lot of rigorous science behind claims to “detox” the body or improve overall health.

The latest diet trend on TikTok is called the Lion Diet, which involves eating only ruminant meat (cow, sheep, buffalo, elk), salt, and water for 30+ days.

This diet was created by blogger and podcaster (note: not a doctor or nutritionist) Mihaira Peterson. He has been eating this way since his December 2017. According to the Lion His Diet website, Peterson said a meat-based menu helped cure juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. arthritis, chronic disease, depression, SSRI withdrawal.

“The neurological symptoms from SSRI withdrawal took 2.5 years to heal, but they are gone,” she wrote. I hope that I will be able to eat plants even if I am not sick or have autoimmune symptoms…don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t cure yourself.”

@mikhailapeterson

Drop any questions about Lion’s diet below

♬ Original Sound – Mihaira Fuller

Sarah Bullard, registered dietitian and owner of UNstuck Nutrition, says the Lion Diet is “a rigorous elimination diet with the ultimate goal of reducing inflammation and eliminating food allergens. It’s about getting rid of allergens in a short period of time, usually over four to six weeks, reintroducing potential allergens one by one and assessing whether it was a trigger.”

Elimination diets were never meant to last a lifetime, only for about a month, says Bullard. Adhering to this diet for a long period of time puts you at risk of deficiency of almost all vitamins and minerals.

Of course, diet is a core component of a healthy lifestyle. For many people, certain dietary plans can significantly improve chronic conditions. For example, the Cleveland Clinic says elimination diets may help people with allergies, food sensitivities, and food intolerances, but recommends this only under the guidance of a medical professional. People with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may benefit from a low FODMAP diet that reduces intake of certain types of indigestible carbohydrates. The foundation says, “No diet can cure arthritis.” translation? Eating only meat, salt and water will not cure chronic diseases.

“The lion elimination diet is not the ideal balance of nutrients for children or most adults. It can interfere with a child’s growth and development,” says Bullard. of Functional Medicine) is effective in resolving food allergies and intolerances.

Takeaway message? If you’re interested in trying out a new meal plan to help with a particular condition, or simply adopting new healthy eating habits, TikTok is your best bet for safe and reliable information. “There are other elimination diets that are less extreme and that have similar results without the risk of severe deficiency. The standard elimination diet has a definite time frame, and a range of foods to eat during the diet.” Research backs up this diet and its effectiveness: it’s the gold standard for determining food allergies and intolerances,” says Bullard. Talk to a trusted doctor or nutritionist before starting an elimination diet.

It’s easy to fall into the trap of wanting to “cure” or “heal” yourself. Especially when Peterson includes her own story and anecdotal accounts of depression, irritable bowel syndrome, eczema, and chronic pain that magically resolves on the Lion Diet. A crippled and chronically ill body is not broken.