Man credits extreme 'lion' diet with saving him from psoriasis and depression

Stephen Lashbrook, 50, says he has spent decades fighting severe psoriasis, chronic pain, and depression. He credits an extreme version of the "lion diet" with saving his life. Lashbrook lives in Pensacola, Florida. He told Fox News Digital that his struggles started early. Depression hit him at just four years old. By his teens, he was dealing with constant pain and sleeplessness. In his early 20s, doctors diagnosed him with psoriasis. This is an immune-mediated skin disease.

"I was probably 90% covered in psoriasis," Lashbrook said. "My body was just one big, giant, itchy, flaky scab."

Topical creams and steroids did not work for him. Doctors pushed expensive, long-term injections to fight his inflammation. These treatments left Lashbrook feeling hopeless and suicidal. Then he found a TED Talk by Mikhaila Peterson. She is an influencer and the daughter of Jordan Peterson. Peterson used a meat-only elimination diet to fix her own health problems.

"It gave me a whole new lease on life," he said.

He started by cutting sugar, grains, fruits, and vegetables from his plate. On January 1, 2024, Lashbrook went all in with the "lion diet." This is a strict carnivore variant focused entirely on ruminant meat like cows, buffalo, lamb, and goat. Within a week, the itching stopped and the suicidal thoughts vanished. One month later, his skin cleared up and his pain faded away.

"I haven't had one suicidal thought," Lashbrook said. "I haven't had any depression. I haven't had any pain." All my skin issues cleared up.

His current menu is simple: grass-fed ground beef and steak. He usually eats just one meal a day. That portion often hits 1½ to 2 pounds of high-fat meat cooked in an air fryer. "I feel like I'm reverse aging," he said.

These claims come from personal experience alone. Lashbrook has not had follow-up blood work or seen a doctor since switching diets. He prefers to judge the approach by how he feels every day. "Everyone's different," he added. "Not everybody needs to be on a lion diet. ... I'm a very specific case."

Dr. Michael Aziz, an internist and regenerative medicine specialist based in New York City, offered a different take. He noted that while some people feel better after cutting sugar and ultra-processed foods, this does not prove the carnivore diet cures psoriasis or other chronic conditions. "Many people judge this diet by their success, by their weight loss, but they don't look long-term at their lifespan, how it can be affected by those diets," Aziz told Fox News Digital. He warned that if people do not hear about these potential healings, they might miss out on trying them. Yet he also stressed the risks. One major issue is the lack of fiber in meat-heavy plans. "They can lead to problems like constipation. They can lead to kidney stones. They can lead to increased risks for heart attack and stroke," Aziz said.

Meat-focused eating has gained traction online and in mainstream media lately. People are eager to ditch ultra-processed foods. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. follows a carnivore diet centered on meat and fermented foods. He claims it helped him lose weight and gain mental clarity. Like Lashbrook, Kennedy admits his experience might not fit everyone. Medical experts caution that the long-term effects of this diet remain unclear.

Lashbrook plans to share his story at Carni-Con this week. This virtual convention focuses on carnivore diets. The event runs from September.

The latest lifestyle quiz invites readers to test their knowledge on topics ranging from ages 18 to 20 and brings together doctors, creators, and other diet advocates for a vital conversation. People need to hear that these healings are actually possible, or they simply will not know the truth. As Lashbrook stated clearly, "The stories are what's most important," because without personal accounts of recovery, hope fades fast. Ignoring these narratives leaves communities in the dark about medical breakthroughs and dietary successes that could change lives. We must spread the word before another chance slips away.