Interview: Radical Healing through Diet

I interviewed Nicole Adams who suffered a lifetime of health problems but found radical healing through the carnivore diet.

Nicole Adams suffered a lifetime of severe health problems, and she’s finally found relief on the carnivore diet. She was kind enough to answer some questions for us.

Give us some background about yourself: What health problems have you struggled with? How did you try to solve those problems prior to carnivore?

Too many ailments to list–over 100+ symptoms and diagnoses over my lifetime. Some include asthma, cataplexy [muscle weakness], chronic dehydration, rashes/hives, exhaustion/fatigue, allergies, headaches/migraines, bloating/gas, nausea, malabsorption/malnutrition, nosebleeds, anxiety/depression, chronic yeast infections, fainting, frostbite, POTS, vertigo, nystagmus, gout, GERD, fibromyalgia, peripheral neuropathy, Raynaud's syndrome, tremors, and muscle tics.

I've had dozens of tests, a few surgeries, been in and out of the hospital, went the traditional route, the holistic route, and the religious route. I've been on numerous medications, both prescription and over-the-counter.

I tried all the diets – vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, Mediterranean, Bible, GAPS, candida-friendly, fodmap, SCD, AIP, gluten-free, dairy-free, oil-free, grain-free, and switched to all-natural topical products.

How did you hear about the carnivore diet? Did you think it sounded crazy at first?

I only heard about the carnivore diet after I was already eating just meat. I am unable to digest anything with fructose. I tripped over Dr. Ken Berry's book, “Lies My Doctor Told Me” when I googled “Can you eat just meat” wondering if I could survive this way.

I definitely didn't think it was crazy – at this point it made the most sense and I felt like I finally found the truth.

How long after you started carnivore did it take for you to start noticing symptoms disappearing?

Within two weeks. The change was so drastic that my husband jumped on board with Carnivore too.

How long did it take before you were in full remission?

With so many different symptoms and diseases, the range was anywhere from weeks to years. I've been eating this way for about 3 1⁄2 years now. Some things still haven't resolved but have definitely improved.

Besides healing your health problems, what other benefits have you noticed?

More free time. I don't spend all my time in the kitchen anymore. Though this sort of falls under health, the mental clarity is almost scary. Now I feel hyper-aware and sometimes have way too much energy.

What has been the most difficult part of going off of carbs? Social, mental, cravings?

Definitely cravings. I gave up cheese because it triggers sugar cravings. I start dreaming about cakes, pies, and cookies. My taste buds have changed so much, however, I don't think I could ever eat them again anyway.

How do friends and family respond to your eating choices?

I avoid anything that is centered around the SAD diet (like events or holidays centered around food). But I have found more and more people are trying to give up sugar so mostly they're curious.

What advice would you give to someone considering starting carnivore?

Do it. At the very least, you'll give your body a break from all the sugar. At the very best, you'll wonder why you didn't do it sooner. Try it. If you don't like it, you can always go back to eating whatever you want.

Most people never look back, though.

Do you think you'll eat this way for the rest of your life? Do you ever plan to reintroduce foods?

Yes, I'll probably eat this way for the rest of my life. I have tried a few times to reintroduce other foods and though my story is a bit different than most, I have been unable to without serious consequences. I truly believe I will die if I eat fructose again. And I really have zero desire to eat any other way now.

Thank you Nicole for taking the time to answer my questions.

Nicole tells her story in depth on this page on her website.