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

Nutritious food has become up to 25% more expensive over the past five years, leaving nearly one-third of the global population unable to afford a healthy diet, according to a new report released by the United Nations.

The 2026 State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World, published by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), estimates that a healthy diet now costs an average of US$4.28 (S$5.52) in purchasing power parity (PPP) dollars per person per day.

"A healthy diet costs 25% more than it did five years ago. One-third of the global population can't afford it. The cost of a healthy diet shows where agrifood systems investments can have the greatest impact," Máximo Torero Cullen, the FAO's Chief Economist, wrote in a post on social media platform X.

What Are The Key Findings?

Also read: Want Healthier Lungs? Add More Kale And Spinach To Your Plate, Suggests Study

The full report, to be presented on July 21 at the organization's headquarters in Rome, found that the cost of a healthy diet is unevenly distributed across different food groups.

• Staple foods, including grains and legumes, account for 13% of the total cost.

• Animal-source foods make up nearly 30%, making them the largest cost component.

• Fruits and vegetables contribute about 16% of the overall cost.

"The challenge is not to produce enough calories; it is to make nutrient-rich foods more affordable," Torero said during a press conference, as quoted by AFP. The full report will be presented July 21 at the organization's headquarters in Rome.

He emphasized that strengthening local food production could significantly lower the cost of healthy diets.

Torero also highlighted two major uncertainties that could further drive up global food prices:

• A potential disruption in fertilizer supplies if the Strait of Hormuz faces prolonged closure amid tensions involving Iran

• The impact of a strong El Niño weather pattern, which is expected to peak toward the end of 2026.

Healthy Eating to Prevent Chronic Disease: One Size Doesn't Fit All

Read More: Cyclospora Parasite Spreads to More US States: Foods to Avoid Right Now

While eating a healthy diet is widely recommended to reduce the risk of chronic diseases, experts say there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Nutritional needs vary based on factors such as age, health status, activity level, and cultural preferences.

According to Harvard Health, the key principles of a healthy diet include:

• Eating plenty of plant foods: Vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, nuts, and seeds provide vitamins, minerals, fibre, and beneficial plant compounds known as phytochemicals

• Getting enough protein: Adequate protein intake, combined with regular physical activity, helps maintain muscle strength, overall health, and independence as people age

• Avoiding processed foods: Prioritize whole and minimally processed foods over ultra-processed products, which often contain excess sugar, unhealthy fats, sodium, and preservatives while offering fewer nutrients

• Limiting saturated fats, added sugars, and sodium: The US Dietary Guidelines recommend keeping saturated fat and added sugar intake to less than 10% of daily calories while reducing sodium intake.

• Focus on balance and variety: Eating a diverse range of nutrient-dense foods across all food groups helps meet nutritional needs without consuming excess calories.

Amid intensified inspections and market surveillance by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to crack down on counterfeit and substandard dairy products, a new survey has found that 6 in 10 urban Indian households are not fully confident about the purity and quality of the ghee or clarified butter they consume.

The survey, conducted by community social media platform LocalCircles, received over 91,000 responses from more than 18,000 urban consumers across 293 districts, revealing widespread concern over adulteration—particularly in loose and unbranded ghee.

Survey Findings

According to the survey:

• 60% of urban households said they are only partially confident or not confident about the purity and quality of ghee.
• Consumers expressed greater concern about loose or unbranded ghee, which is perceived to be at higher risk of adulteration.

The findings come amid a series of enforcement actions by FSSAI targeting fake and substandard dairy products across India.

Also read: India Gets Its First Plant-Based Vitamin D3: What You Need to Know

FSSAI Intensifies Action Against Adulterated Ghee

In December 2025, FSSAI directed all States and Union Territories to launch a nationwide enforcement drive against the adulteration and misbranding of milk and milk products, including ghee, paneer and khoya, under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

Since then, the regulator has significantly expanded inspections and surveillance. Recent enforcement actions include:

• June 2026: FSSAI busted a counterfeit ghee network operating across Delhi and Haryana, seizing over 6,500 litres of suspected adulterated ghee. Laboratory testing found samples mixed with vegetable oils and other non-dairy ingredients.
• July 2026: FSSAI seized more than 50,000 food and non-food products in Delhi over fraudulent relabelling and improper storage. Around the same time, Delhi Police dismantled a syndicate that allegedly altered manufacturing and expiry dates on packaged goods before supplying them to retail and e-commerce markets.
• November 2025: Authorities uncovered a major fake ghee racket in Bengaluru operating under the Nandini brand name, seizing over 8,000 litres of suspected adulterated ghee and machinery allegedly used to manufacture counterfeit products.

FSSAI has also issued notices to quick-commerce platforms over complaints of expired and spoiled food products being delivered to consumers.

Is Ghee Healthy?

Made by clarifying butter obtained from cow's milk, ghee is a staple in Indian kitchens and contains approximately 130 calories and 15 grams of fat per tablespoon. It is also a rich source of vitamins A, D, E and K, along with antioxidants.

However, because ghee is high in saturated fat, excessive consumption may raise LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels in some individuals and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Read More: Michigan Health Officials May Have Traced The Possible Source Behind Massive Cyclospora Outbreak

Who Should Limit or Avoid Ghee?

Health experts advise people with certain medical conditions to consume ghee cautiously or avoid it altogether.

These include people with:

• Heart disease
• High cholesterol
• Obesity
• Chronic kidney disease
• Certain digestive disorders
• Liver conditions such as jaundice

Doctors generally recommend limiting intake to no more than two teaspoons a day, unless advised otherwise by a healthcare professional.

Health Risks of Adulterated Food

Food adulteration involves the deliberate addition of inferior or harmful substances to food products, compromising their quality and safety.

According to a 2024 study published in SAGE Open Medicine, consuming adulterated food may increase the risk of:

• Cancer
• Liver disease
• Kidney disease
• Cardiac failure
• Lathyrism
• Nervous system disorders
• Allergic reactions

The study notes that children, pregnant women and older adults are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of adulterated food.

India has approved its first plant-based Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) ingredient, a move that could expand options for food fortification and dietary supplements while addressing the country's widespread Vitamin D deficiency.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has cleared VITADEE Green, developed by Fermenta Biotech,for use in health supplements, nutraceuticals and food products.

The company stated that the ingredient is produced using an India-patented process and offers a sustainable, scalable and vegetarian-friendly source of Vitamin D3.

Plant-Based Vitamin D3: Why The Approval Matters

The approval allows Indian manufacturers to incorporate the ingredient into fortified foods, beverages and dietary supplements.

It is particularly significant for vegetarians and vegans, who have traditionally had limited access to Vitamin D3 because most supplements are derived from lanolin, a by-product of sheep's wool.

The approval also supports India's broader efforts to improve nutrition through food fortification, an area where experts say Vitamin D remains a major gap.

Studies suggest a large proportion of Indians have inadequate Vitamin D levels despite abundant sunlight, largely due to urban lifestyles, limited outdoor exposure and reduced sun exposure.

"Vitamin D deficiency remains a widespread public health concern in India, and the demand for sustainable nutrition continues to grow rapidly. The FSSAI approval allows us to bring VITADEE Green directly to Indian food fortification and nutraceutical manufacturers, helping bridge the nutrition gap for the country's large population," said Prashant Nagre, Managing Director, Fermenta Biotech.

For India's large vegetarian population, the approval also brings a domestically manufactured, regulatory-approved plant-source Vitamin D3 to the market.

What Is Vitamin D3?

Vitamin D3, often called the "sunshine vitamin," is produced by the body when the skin is exposed to sunlight.

It helps the body absorb calcium, maintain healthy bones and teeth, and lowers the risk of fractures. In children, severe deficiency can lead to rickets, while in adults it increases the risk of osteoporosis, muscle weakness and falls.

Beyond bone health, Vitamin D3 also supports immune function. Research suggests low Vitamin D levels may be associated with increased susceptibility to infections and higher levels of inflammation.

India Faces Widespread Vitamin D Deficiency

Despite abundant sunshine, Vitamin D deficiency is common across India. Experts attribute this to long hours spent indoors, limited outdoor activity, sunscreen use, ageing and diets naturally low in Vitamin D.

Low Vitamin D levels can lead to weak bones, muscle weakness and an increased risk of fractures. In children, severe deficiency can cause rickets, while inadequate levels have also been linked to poorer immune function.

"Vitamin D deficiency remains a widespread public health concern in India, and the demand for sustainable nutrition continues to grow rapidly," said Prashant Nagre, Managing Director of Fermenta Biotech.

Is Plant-based Vitamin D3 Better?

Doctors say no—not in terms of effectiveness.

Dr. Murtaza S. Bagwala, Head of Emergency Medical Services at Saifee Hospital, Mumbai, told HealthandMe that current evidence shows plant-based Vitamin D3 raises Vitamin D levels just as effectively as conventional supplements.

"Based on current science, plant-based Vitamin D3 is comparable to conventional Vitamin D3 supplements. For most people, it is a good alternative if they prefer a plant-based product," he said.

Dr. Sudhir Kumar, Neurologist at Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad, explained that plant-derived Vitamin D3—typically sourced from lichen, algae or newer fermentation technologies—offers an animal-free option without compromising efficacy.

"It is good news for consumers who prefer vegan products, but both forms are equally effective. There is no medical reason for people to switch if they are already taking conventional Vitamin D3," he said in a post on X.

Who Should Take Vitamin D3 Supplements?

The experts said the key question is whether supplementation is needed, not whether the source is plant- or animal-derived.

"The source matters mainly for ethical, dietary or personal preference—not for efficacy," Dr. Sudhir said.

Dr. Bagwala cautioned against taking high-dose Vitamin D without medical advice, as excessive intake can raise calcium levels and increase the risk of kidney stones and other complications.

Doctors recommend that supplementation should be based on:

• Blood test results

• Age

• Existing medical conditions

• Medical advice