Florida Man Triumphs Over Psoriasis with Strict ‘Lion Diet’

A man from Florida, Stephen Lashbrook, has shared his remarkable journey of overcoming severe psoriasis, chronic pain, and depression by adopting a strict diet known as the ‘lion diet.’ Lashbrook, aged 50, has been grappling with these health issues for decades, starting with depression at the age of four and worsening through his teens with chronic pain and sleepless nights. At 20, he was diagnosed with psoriasis, a challenging skin condition characterized by an immune-mediated response.

The condition left him with skin 90% covered in flaky, itchy patches, as he described, “My body was just one big, giant, itchy, flaky scab.” Traditional medications like creams and steroids brought little relief, and the suggestion of costly injections further added to his hopelessness, leaving him feeling suicidal.

“It gave me a whole new lease on life,” Lashbrook stated about discovering the meat-based diet.

The turning point came when Lashbrook watched a TED Talk by Mikhaila Peterson, who had successfully used a meat-only elimination diet to address her own health issues. Inspired, Lashbrook initially removed sugar, grains, fruits, and vegetables from his diet. On January 1, 2024, he committed to the ‘lion diet,’ which centers around consuming ruminant meats such as beef, buffalo, lamb, and goat.

Remarkably, within a week, Lashbrook noted a cessation in suicidal thoughts and itching. By the month’s end, his skin condition improved, and his chronic pain diminished. He shared, “I haven’t had one suicidal thought. I haven’t had any depression. I haven’t had any pain. All my skin issues cleared up.” His daily intake includes grass-fed ground beef and steak, totaling around 1.5 to 2 pounds per meal, focusing on high-fat content.

Lashbrook points to his personal experience as evidence of the diet’s effectiveness. However, he emphasizes, “Everyone’s different. Not everybody needs to be on a lion diet. I’m a very specific case.” Dr. Michael Aziz, a New York City internist, advises caution, stating that while cutting sugar and ultra-processed foods may bring improvements, the carnivore diet is not a medical treatment for psoriasis or chronic conditions. He warns of potential health issues due to lack of fiber, which can lead to constipation, kidney stones, and heightened cardiovascular risks.

Despite these health concerns, the carnivore diet is gaining traction online, driven by individuals aiming to reduce processed food consumption. Among the adherents is Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who credits his carnivore diet, which includes meat and fermented foods, for his weight loss and mental clarity.

Like Lashbrook, Kennedy acknowledges that the diet’s success may vary from person to person, and medical experts caution about the unclear long-term effects. Lashbrook plans to share his transformative story at Carni-Con, a virtual convention on carnivore diets slated for September 18–20, featuring doctors and diet advocates.

“The stories are what’s most important,” Lashbrook remarked, highlighting the need for sharing experiences to inform others about potential healing through diet.