A Dubai based fitness trainer and an online fitness coach Georgia Heins shared her journey of trying out an all carnivore-diet for 8 weeks. She shared that she saw abs like never before but also "lost" her period. She said, "I also lost my period, developed PCOS and felt more lifeless than my house plants and they have been dead for months." Then came the acne, she shared.

The video was then shared by Dr Karan Rajan, who is a UK based NHS surgeon and a social media medical educator who pointed out how the role of fiber in enterohepatic circulation impacts its function in estrogen processing. He says, "If you are a woman thinking about going carnivore, there is one crucial thing you need to know first."

He explains that fiber affects a woman's reproductive health. Your body metabolizes and clears out excess estrogen. The doctor says, "it is not just about glorious dumps". If your body does not have enough fiber, your body will not have a proper clearance. He goes on to explain that when your liver dumps estrogen into your gut without fiber to bind to it and remove it, the same estrogen can be reabsorbed by your intestines. This can then lead to hormonal imbalances that "wreak havoc on everything from your cycle to your skin to even your metabolism, skin issues and hormonal acne". Thanks to excessive estrogen, mood swings, anxiety, and low energy is quite normal to experience. It also then leads to gut-brain dysfunction. He also reminds that the "whole no fiber thing can leave your entire fudge factory backed up".

Is Carnivore Diet Helpful?

If you ever google search "Carnivore Diet for PCOS", chances are that you would find a lot about it. If you are struggling with PCOS, the thought to change your diet, go for an extreme low-carb diet, like the carnivore diet, for easing PCOS symptoms too may have crossed your mind. But not always does it help.

The carnivore diet means eating meat and meat alone. It cuts out all other food groups, which means it is also cutting out the nutrition you get from plant-based diets, mainly fiber. However, an all-meat diet leads to consumption of high amounts of sodium, and processed meat can actually lead to high cholesterol, and you will more likely develop high blood pressure, and would be at risk of heart diseases.

Furthermore, when fiber is cut down, as it is the case in an all carnivore diet, women are prone to developing PCOS. As per a 2022 study published in journal Nutrients, titled Lower Fiber Consumption in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies, noted that the deficiency of dietary fiber, a crucial nutrient in daily diet is also associated with a wide range of metabolic and reproductive abnormalities.

Furthermore, lack of fiber in the diet of someone with PCOS can also throw off the blood sugar levels and can increase insulin resistance and other metabolic disturbances which are associated with this condition.

What Can You Eat Instead If You Have PCOS?

Go for a well balanced diet and include:

• Leafy greens
• Lean proteins
• Whole grains
• Nuts and seeds
• Berries
• Legumes
• Healthy fats

Multiple batches of synthetic paneer is making its way into Delhi-NCR kitchens, according to a recent investigation. It found that that some manufacturers were using slaked lime, commonly known as chuna, to whiten the non-dairy paneer.

An recent investigation by The Times of India found that synthetic paneer was being produced in Gondola village in Nuh's Punahana block and supplied to Delhi, Gurgaon and Faridabad.

Food safety officials reportedly found buckets of chuna during recent raids, which a food department source said was being used to artificially whiten the product.

The investigation also found that synthetic paneer can be made using ingredients like soya paste, milk solids, palm oil and other vegetable fats rather than milk. Haryana has since imposed a one-year prohibition on analogue or non-dairy paneer, while several other states have also taken similar action.

What Is Synthetic Paneer?

It is not automatically illegal subject to certain conditions. They include properly labelled and meets applicable food regulations.

The concern arises when it is sold as ordinary dairy paneer or produced without adequate food-safety controls. But the nutritional differences between the two foods can be significant.

Also read: Ahead Of Raksha Bandhan & Janmashtami, FSSAI Destroys 490 Kg Sweets, 275 Kg Paneer In UP Due To Poor Hygiene

Risks Of Consuming Paneer Laced With Chuna

Chuna generally refers to calcium hydroxide, or slaked lime. The chemical has legitimate uses in certain food-processing applications when the appropriate food-grade material is used correctly. However, calcium hydroxide is alkaline and can be irritating or corrosive at sufficient concentrations.

According to the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, exposure can cause irritation or burns involving the eyes, skin and respiratory tract, while ingestion can cause burning, abdominal pain, vomiting and other gastrointestinal injury.

HealthandMe spoke to Dr. Tushar Tayal, Associate Director, Internal Medicine, CK Birla Hospital, Gurgaon, about the risks of consuming synthetic paneer.

Dr. Tayal says, "Consumption of adulterated paneer may lead to gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort and diarrhoea, particularly if the product contains unsuitable or contaminated ingredients. Excessive or inappropriate exposure to substances such as slaked lime can also irritate the mouth, throat and digestive tract. The health impact, however, depends on the substance used, its concentration and the amount consumed, so it would be inappropriate to assume that every adulterated paneer product will cause the same level of harm."

Dietician & Certified Diabetes Educator Ms Archana Batra told HealthandMe that fake paneer could interfere with one's daily protein intake. She also flags other health concerns.

She says, "From a health perspective, the only concern is not that fake paneer has low nutritional value. The real concern is that adulterated paneer contains substances that are not approved for food use, if we consume it then it can cause gastrointestinal discomfort such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or diarrhoea. If we repeatedly get exposed to unknown chemical adulterants then it can place an unnecessary burden on the body. Adulterated paneer cannot replace the protein and other nutrients that are present in real paneer."

That does not mean that eating paneer whitened with chuna automatically causes chemical poisoning. The actual health risk would depend on the type and amount of calcium hydroxide used, its purity and how much remains in the food.

The bigger concern is therefore unknown composition and lack of food-safety control, particularly when consumers are led to believe they are buying nutritionally equivalent dairy paneer.

Also read: FSSAI Action Against Food Hygiene Lapses Intensifies; Regulator Slaps Notice To 2 Delhi Five-Star Hotels

How To Identify Fake Paneer?

Experts suggest that natural paneer, made from the milk curdling process, has a firm texture with a milky smell. While regular paneer turns brown upon heat, synthetic paneer crumbles and melts quickly. FSSAI mandates that products using non-dairy substitutes must mention terms like "analogue" or "imitation" on the packaging.

Dr. Tayal further recommends, "Consumers should therefore be cautious about paneer that has an unusually bright white appearance, abnormal texture, chemical smell or an unusually low price. Buying dairy products from reliable sources and checking packaging, labelling and freshness can reduce the risk. If someone develops persistent vomiting, severe abdominal pain, breathing difficulty or other unusual symptoms after consuming suspected adulterated food, medical attention should be sought promptly."

As per FSSAI, an iodine test can also help with identifying fake paneer. Take a pan and boil paneer in it. Add a few drops of iodine tincture to the boiled paneer. If it turns blue, it's artificial.

Another trick to identify fake is the toor dal test. Allow the boiled paneer to cool in water. Add some toor dal to the water and let it sit for 10 minutes. If the water turns light red, then it is fake paneer.

It’s 3 pm. Are you feeling the familiar feeling of slow down with heavy eyelids, fading concentration and a sudden urge for coffee? While you may blame a busy schedule, long screen time or poor sleep for the afternoon slump, your nutrition levels may also play a role in how well you sustain your energy, experts said.

With increasing work stress and responsibilities, your body requires a steady supply of nutrients for energy production, brain support and normal body functioning. However, afternoon tiredness is not always a sign of nutrient deficiency. Sleep quality, stress, physical activity, hydration and even the natural dip in alertness that occurs during the day can influence energy levels.

Yet, nutrition can affect how well you sustain your energy through the day.

Could Your Lunch Be Making You Tired?

Speaking to HealthandMe, Meenakshi Aggarwal, Clinical Dietician, MAIINS, Marengo Asia Hospitals, Gurugram, said that a lunch built largely around refined carbohydrates or sugary foods, with little protein or fibre, may leave you feeling hungry again sooner.

“Choosing whole grains, pulses, vegetables, curd, eggs or other protein-rich foods can make a meal more balanced and support steadier energy,” she said.

The Nutrients That Matter

Before reaching for another cup of coffee, look at your plate. Iron deserves special attention. It is essential for hemoglobin formation and oxygen transport, as well as normal cellular energy metabolism. Research has found that people with iron deficiency can experience fatigue even without anemia.

“Iron is needed to make hemoglobin, the protein that carries oxygen around the blood. Fatigue, weakness, poor concentration, and reduced stamina are all symptoms of low iron levels. Lentils, beans, leafy greens, eggs and meat are iron-rich foods,” Shabana Parveen, Head, Nutrition & Dietetics, Artemis Hospitals, told HealthandMe.

Other nutrients, including vitamin B12, folate and magnesium, also have important roles in normal blood formation, nervous-system function and energy metabolism.

Vitamin B12 helps make red blood cells and keeps nerves healthy. Tiredness, weakness and concentration problems may be related to inadequate intake or poor absorption. Common sources include dairy products, eggs, fish and meat.

Magnesium participates in hundreds of processes in the body, including energy production and muscle function. Nuts, seeds, whole grains, legumes and leafy vegetables can help supply it.

When Fatigue Needs More Than A Diet Fix

The experts noted that fatigue alone does not prove a deficiency. Dehydration, irregular meals, too much caffeine, lack of sleep, stress, thyroid problems, anemia and other health conditions can also play a part, Parveen said.

Instead of reaching for another sugary snack or coffee, it is better to focus on balanced meals containing protein, whole grains, vegetables, fruits and healthy fats.

If tiredness is common, severe or persistent despite a healthy lifestyle, speak to a healthcare professional to identify the underlying cause.

A balanced lunch, adequate fluids and sufficient sleep may be more useful than simply pushing through the slump.

Why Nutrition Matters Beyond Energy

The importance of nutrition, however, goes beyond managing an afternoon energy slump.

Dr Sabine Kapasi, Global Health Strategist and a UN Advisor, told HealthandMe that preventive healthcare has traditionally centered on screening, exercise and early diagnosis.

Nutrition often receives less attention, despite being one of the strongest modifiable factors influencing long-term health.

“Nutrition matters because it affects several metabolic pathways at the same time. Weight, blood pressure, blood glucose and cholesterol are closely linked to diet and are major risk factors for cardiovascular disease, diabetes and other NCDs.”

Ever wondered why a food you have eaten comfortably for years suddenly starts causing bloating, abdominal discomfort or bowel changes? The food may not have changed — your gut may have.

Food intolerance can develop in adulthood as the gut microbiome, digestive enzymes, intestinal lining and gut-brain interactions change with age, illness, medications, diet, stress and other factors.

What Changes Inside The Gut?

“The intestine is a dynamic ecosystem. Its microbiome, immune system, intestinal lining and digestive enzymes are constantly changing and adapting to factors such as age, infections, antibiotics, medications, diet, stress and hormonal changes,” Dr. Amit Maydeo, Chairman, Institute of Gastrosciences, Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, told HealthandMe.

Dr. Geeta Malkan-Billa, Director of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Dr. L. H. Hiranandani Hospital, highlighted several changes that can affect food tolerance:

• Digestive enzymes: Lactase levels decline after childhood. For some, lactose intolerance can appear in their 20s–40s. Diamine oxidase, which helps break down histamine, can also decrease.
• Gut microbiome: Antibiotics, infections, illness and major diet changes can alter gut bacteria, changing how foods are fermented and potentially causing more gas or bloating.
• Past infections: Gastroenteritis can affect the gut lining, digestive enzymes and gut nerves for months, making certain foods harder to tolerate.
• Gut lining: NSAIDs, tobacco, heavy alcohol use and chronic stress can increase intestinal permeability and trigger low-grade immune activity.
• Gut movement: Ageing, surgery, diabetes, thyroid problems and GLP-1 medications can alter how quickly food moves through the gut, affecting fermentation and potentially contributing to bacterial overgrowth.

Why Does A Familiar Food Suddenly Cause Problems?

Dr Amit said that changes in gut bacteria can alter how carbohydrates and fibers are fermented, while a more sensitive gut lining can make previously tolerated foods feel uncomfortable.

A previous gut infection can also leave the gut more sensitive. After gastroenteritis, some people develop post-infectious IBS, which can make certain foods trigger symptoms.

Stress can further amplify these sensations through the gut-brain axis. As the nervous system becomes more sensitive, normal amounts of gas or intestinal distension may feel uncomfortable, Dr. Amit said.

It May Not Be Food Intolerance

Not every reaction to food is an intolerance. Some conditions can look similar but are actually different:

• Celiac disease: An autoimmune condition that can develop at any age, rather than simply an inability to digest gluten or wheat.
• Food allergy: True IgE-mediated food allergies can also develop during adulthood.

So, a new reaction to a familiar food should not automatically be labelled as food intolerance.

What Should You Do?

Before cutting gluten from your diet, get celiac serology testing, as going gluten-free beforehand can affect the results.

A two-week food and symptom diary can also help identify patterns. Note:

• What you ate
• How much you ate
• When symptoms appeared

The key is to remember that the food itself may not have suddenly become “bad” for you. Your gut’s ability to process and tolerate it may have changed.

Sometimes, however, a new food allergy or another gastrointestinal disorder may need to be ruled out.

When Should You See A Doctor?

Certain symptoms should not simply be blamed on food intolerance. See a doctor if you experience:

• Unexplained weight loss
• Blood in the stool
• Anaemia
• Symptoms that wake you at night
• Swelling
• Difficulty breathing

These symptoms need medical evaluation rather than simply eliminating foods from your diet.