Actor Heo Nam-joon's extreme carnivore diet raises health concerns

Actor Heo Nam-joon has garnered attention for his toned physique, particularly for a shirtless scene in the drama 'A Wonderful New World.' The secret behind his sculpted body, he revealed, is the 'carnivore diet,' a regimen that drastically cuts carbohydrate intake while emphasizing meat and other animal-based foods.

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When I'm filming, I barely eat carbohydrates.

Appearing on a YouTube channel hosted by broadcaster Ha Ji-young, Heo shared his strict dietary practices. "When I'm filming, I barely eat carbohydrates," he stated. He follows the carnivore diet, recommended by fellow actor Jang Seung-jo, which involves consuming "really just meat. No vegetables or anything else." Heo admitted that in several months, he has eaten carbohydrates only a handful of times, even giving up his morning banana because it contains carbohydrates.

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I really just eat meat. No vegetables or anything else.

His typical breakfast consists of broth simmered with organ meat, a drink mixed with olive oil and lemon, cabbage juice, ghee, and pink salt. Ha Ji-young remarked on his "stubbornly thorough" dedication, noting that such effort is necessary for demanding scenes like the shirtless one, implying it's not a diet for everyone.

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It's not something just anyone can do.

However, health experts express concerns about the long-term effects of such an extreme diet. While it can lead to rapid weight loss by depleting glycogen stores and reducing overall calorie intake due to increased satiety from protein, experts warn of significant downsides. Dr. Oh Sang-woo, a professor of family medicine, points out that while short-term weight reduction is possible, it's difficult to maintain, and the body may become more prone to gaining weight later. He also highlights the risk of muscle loss, as the brain requires glucose for energy, and insufficient intake can lead the body to break down muscle tissue. This can result in increased body fat percentage when weight is regained. Additionally, the lack of fiber from fruits and vegetables raises concerns about gut health and potential deficiencies in vitamins and minerals, while a high intake of animal products could increase the risk of hyperlipidemia and cardiovascular diseases.

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You can lose weight quickly in a few months, but it's hard to maintain it long-term.