When it comes to weird diets, TikTok is pretty notorious for spreading the word about them – and the latest iteration, the carnivore diet, is no different. The carnivore diet tag on the video-sharing platform has over a billion views, with followers of the diet dedicating themselves to meals consisting of a lot of meat (both cooked and raw), eggs and lumps of butter. With some content creators reporting immense fat loss and improved general wellbeing, how healthy is the carnivore diet? The pros “The carnivore diet, also known as the all-meat diet or zero-carb diet, is a dietary approach that involves consuming only animal products and excludes all plant-based foods,” says Dr Simon Theobalds, GP at Pall Mall Medical. Comparable to the no-carb, protein-heavy keto diet, it has the potential to boost some much-needed macronutrients, vitamins and minerals in your diet. “Red meat is a rich source of complete protein, providing all the essential amino acids the body needs for various functions, including building and repairing tissues,” says Theobalds. It can also boost iron levels: “Red meat is one of the best dietary sources of heme iron, which is more easily absorbed by the body compared to non-heme iron found in plant-based foods,” he says. “Iron is essential for transporting oxygen in the blood and supporting energy metabolism. “Red meat is also an excellent source of vitamin B12, a nutrient mainly found in animal products. Vitamin B12 is essential for nerve function, DNA synthesis, and the formation of red blood cells.” And it’s a good source of zinc, a mineral Theobalds says plays a vital role in immune function, wound healing, and cellular growth and repair.The cons So far, so good. But, where does it start to be damaging? “Red meat, particularly fatty cuts, can be high in saturated fat and cholesterol,” says Theobalds. “Consuming large amounts of saturated fat and cholesterol has been associated with an increased risk of heart disease and stroke.” Similarly, processed meats, such as bacon, sausages, hot dogs, and deli meats, have been classified as Group 1 carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). “This means there is strong evidence linking processed meat consumption to an increased risk of cancer,” he adds. It could also mean when you get sick, it’s harder to get well again, as it may encourage antibiotic resistance. “In many countries, livestock may be treated with antibiotics to promote growth or prevent disease,” Theobalds notes. “The overuse of antibiotics in meat production can contribute to antibiotic resistance, making it harder to treat bacterial infections in humans.” Despite the nutrients you can get from animal products, this diet could still lead to certain deficiencies. “Meat lacks essential nutrients found in plant-based foods, such as dietary fibre, certain vitamins like vitamin C, and minerals such as potassium. Long-term consumption of only meat can lead to nutrient deficiencies and related health problems,” he adds. A varied diet will also promote a healthier gut. “Aiming to incorporate 30 different plants into your diet each week is a great goal to have in mind,” says Anna Tebbs, registered nutritionist and head chef at Green Chef. “Having a range of plants in your diet will ensure you are fuelling the different gut microbiomes in your body. A plant-based diet tends to be higher in prebiotics, which gives the good bacteria in your gut extra fuel, and has an anti-inflammatory effect.” Is it worth it? With so many people posting about and adopting this diet, is it worth the risks for the benefits it promises? “While consuming meat can provide important nutrients, relying solely on a diet of meat and excluding other food groups may pose several risks,” says Theobalds. “A balanced diet provides essential nutrients, supports overall health, and reduces the risk of nutritional deficiencies and associated health problems. Before making any significant dietary changes, especially one as restrictive as an all-meat diet, it’s essential to consult with a registered dietitian or healthcare professional. They can help assess your nutritional needs, provide personalised guidance, and help you develop a balanced and sustainable eating plan that aligns with your health goals. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live How to save money on your summer barbecue as prices soar Exercise and yoga can help improve lung function in adults with asthma – study 7 ways to ease back-to-school worries

Yoga and breathing control, in combination with aerobic training, can help improve lung function in adults with asthma, a new study suggests. The findings highlight the importance of integrating appropriate exercise training into asthma management plans, researchers say. The study indicates how specific types of exercise training can be effective in enhancing lung function for adults with the condition. Lead author Shuangtao Xing, an associate professor at the School of Physical Education at Henan Normal University in China, said: “Breathing training combined with aerobic training, and yoga training, appear to be particularly advantageous – offering potential avenues for effective treatment approaches. These findings should provide valuable insight for healthcare professionals prescribing exercise training for the management of adult asthma patients Shuangtao Xing, Henan Normal University “Larger, well-designed randomised controlled trials are now needed to more accurately estimate the benefits of exercise training for individuals with asthma. “These findings should provide valuable insight for healthcare professionals prescribing exercise training for the management of adult asthma patients. “However, it is essential to consider individual factors, such as family history, duration of the condition, and environmental influences, when designing exercise rehabilitation programmes. “Tailoring interventions to individual physical and mental health conditions, with careful consideration of exercise intensity, frequency and duration, is important for optimising treatment outcomes.” Asthma is a chronic lung condition that affects around 339 million people worldwide, causing symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and chest tightness. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) states that in the UK, more than eight million people, or approximately 12% of the population, have been diagnosed with asthma. However, some may have grown out of the condition, and around 5.4 million people are receiving asthma treatment. In the past, exercise was considered a potential risk factor for people with the condition, as it was believed to trigger or worsen acute asthma attacks. However, recent studies have revealed that exercise training can actually enhance lung function and exercise capacity in adult patients. To address challenges posed by variations in the specific exercises featured in research, researchers compared results from multiple treatments across 28 studies, including 2,155 patients. They examined the effects of breathing training, aerobic training – which increases the rate at which oxygen inhaled is passed on from the lungs and heart to the bloodstream – relaxation training, yoga training, and breathing combined with aerobic training, on lung function. All five types of exercise demonstrated greater effectiveness in improving lung function, the study found. Specifically, the researchers found that breathing training, aerobic training, relaxation training, yoga training, and breathing combined with aerobic training, led to improvements in the amount of air that a person could force out of their lungs in one second (FEV1), and the levels of air flowing out of the lungs (PEF). Aerobic training, breathing training, yoga training and breathing combined with aerobic training, improved the level of the amount of air that could be forcibly exhaled from the lungs after the deepest breath possible was taken (FVC). Breathing training, aerobic training and yoga training improved the FEV1/FVC ratio, the study published in the Annals of Medicine journal found. The researchers highlight that the majority of patients in the study were under 60 years of age, so exercise interventions may yield different responses in older people. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live 7 ways to ease back-to-school worries What is the best type of facial for your age range? King Charles reshuffles military roles with new duties for William and Kate

School should be the best years of children’s lives – but, as the new term approaches, evidence suggests it’s actually the most worrying time for many kids. The children’s helpline Childline delivered 7,772 counselling sessions about school/education worries last year, with a big increase in calls in the run-up to the start of the new school year. “School is a huge part of a child’s life, so it’s important they feel happy and secure there,” says Childline director Shaun Friel. “We know some children can feel anxious and apprehensive about going back to school, particularly after spending a lot of time away from the classroom due to the summer break. “In fact, our Childline counsellors see a spike in the number of counselling sessions they deliver to children about school worries following the summer holiday season.” Friel says some children feel worried about making friends, getting lost, or the workload at a new school, while others may have concerns about returning to their current school due to friendship issues, fears about upcoming exams, or the recurrence of bullying. “However a child feels about returning to school, we want to remind them that these worries are normal and they aren’t alone,” he stresses. “If any child is feeling apprehensive about going back to school, our trained counsellors are here 24/7 over the phone and online.” As well as counselling, Friel says there are many things both parents and children can do to ease back-to-school anxieties. They include… 1. Writing feelings down Parents can get their child to write down everything they’re looking forward to at school, and everything they’re worried about. “Encourage them to show you the list so you can chat through their concerns, help them cope with their worries and also look at the positives,” suggests Friel. 2. Listening to their concerns If your child has concerns about going back to school, take time to listen to what they’re saying before you jump in to give advice or your opinion, Friel advises: “You could try repeating back what they’ve shared to check you’ve understood their feelings correctly – this will help them to feel really heard.” 3. Discussing practical solutions Once your child has shared any concerns or anxieties about going back to school, you could try talking through some practical solutions, suggest Friel. So, for example, if they’re worried about the amount of homework they’ll have, you could discuss how to break this down each evening and what they could do if they start to feel overwhelmed, like talking to their teacher or you. “You could start by asking them what they think might help them feel better about the situations that worry them,” says Friel. “This can encourage them to learn to think for themselves and feel in more control of the situation.” 4. Reminding them to take their time Remind your child it can take time to adjust to being back at school, and it’s okay if it doesn’t feel comfortable at first, says Friel. “Being back at school will mean a totally different routine, and it’s important to remember that this can take some getting used to,” he stresses. 5. Doing things they enjoy When kids are back at school, making time every day to do something they enjoy can really help to ease anxiety, says Friel. “Whether it’s time in their evening with friends, reading a book or hanging out with their siblings, it’s important to take time out,” he advises. 6. Talking to a trusted adult It’s important children are aware they can and should talk to a safe adult – perhaps a parent, carer, teacher, sibling over the age of 18 or a Childline counsellor – about anything. “No matter what the reason, if a young person is struggling ahead of going back to school, it’s vital they’re encouraged to talk to a safe adult about it,” stresses Friel. “Sharing their feelings with someone they trust will help them feel less alone with their worries, and that adult will be able to support them with this moving forward.” 7. Distracting themselves If children or young people make an effort to keep busy doing something they enjoy, such as playing football or listening to music, this could distract them from their worries, at least for a little while, says Friel. Staying connected with friends and family, whether that be online or in person, or doing some physical activity like going for a walk or taking part in a sport, can also be a good distraction technique. Young people can contact Childline, which is run by the NSPCC and supported by the People’s Postcode Lottery, on 0800 1111 or via 1-2-1 chat on Childline.org.uk Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live What is the best type of facial for your age range? King Charles reshuffles military roles with new duties for William and Kate Government urged to remove VAT from period pants

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