I'm 60... It Took Me 30 Years To Learn This (Don't Make The Same Mistakes)

Berg's mistake was relying on vitamins while eating a poor vegan diet. He now stresses that the body needs animal protein for repair and fats for energy. Starting the day with fatty animal meat sets the metabolic tone, avoiding the blood sugar roller coaster from carbs. He contrasts this with his previous vegan approach, which left him unsatisfied and tired.

Berg tried numerous detox protocols, including colon cleanses with apple juice, the Master Cleanse with lemon juice and maple syrup, and herbal detoxes. He felt miserable, got sick for weeks, and developed digestive problems. The juice provided enough sugar to prevent the body from switching to fat burning, causing constant hunger. Herbal detoxes triggered immune reactions. He now believes the right eating plan—animal protein, vegetables, probiotics, and cheese—would have solved his issues without the risks.

Berg delayed healthy eating through college, living on carbs and coffee, then became vegan, which inflamed his gut. Eventually, he discovered the 'healthy version of the ketogenic diet' and turned his health around. He wishes he had known about it earlier, as it would have been a game-changer for his energy and cognition.

Berg initially dismissed intermittent fasting but after trying it, he lost 26 pounds and saw resolution of facial swelling. He explains that frequent eating and snacking keep insulin high, preventing the body from entering ketosis. The constant grazing leads to a cycle of blood sugar spikes and crashes, causing perceived hunger. By reducing meal frequency, the body can switch to fat burning and hunger normalizes.

Berg used to advocate large kale shakes and 10 cups of salad daily, believing high fiber was essential. He later found that too much raw kale, especially when blended with pineapple or blueberries for sweetness, caused bloating and inflammation in many people, including himself. The added sugar also undermined ketosis. He now recommends a moderate amount of greens and often substitutes fermented sauerkraut, which is easier to digest. He stresses that breakfast should be protein-based, not a sweet shake.

Berg suffered a kidney stone despite not eating high-oxalate foods, due to severe magnesium deficiency. He explains that magnesium competes with calcium, preventing stone formation. He also had muscle spasms, Charlie horses, insomnia, and fatigue—all linked to low magnesium. He notes that modern water supplies lack the magnesium our ancestors got from well water, making deficiency common. Supplementing magnesium can prevent stones, shrink existing ones, and resolve muscle and sleep issues.

Eric Berg recounts a period when he was taking over 100 vitamins a day, hoping to cure his chronic fatigue, insomnia, and arthritis. He was a vegan at the time, consuming insufficient animal protein and fats. Despite the massive supplement intake, his health did not improve because his diet lacked the necessary macronutrients. He now emphasizes that vitamins act as cofactors and only work when the foundational diet provides adequate protein for repair and fats for energy. Without that, supplements are essentially wasted.

Berg experienced a permanent tightness under his right rib cage and right shoulder pain. He sought help from multiple therapists and doctors, who could not identify the cause. Eventually, he realized the pain was referred from his gallbladder and bile ducts, which had become sludgy. He now teaches that right shoulder pain is nearly always a red flag for gallbladder/liver issues, urging people to consider referred pain rather than assuming a local musculoskeletal problem.

Berg was told about intermittent fasting long ago but dismissed it. After finally trying it, he lost 26 pounds (from 211 to 185 lbs), and the swelling around his eyes and his round face disappeared—signs of insulin-related fluid retention. He realized that frequent eating and snacking keep insulin elevated, preventing the body from switching to fat burning. He now recommends two meals a day for most people, and sometimes one meal a day, to allow insulin levels to drop and enable ketosis.

Berg used to consume large kale shakes daily, believing massive fiber intake was beneficial. However, he found that too much raw kale, especially when sweetened with pineapple or blueberries, caused bloating and gut inflammation in many people, including himself. The added fruit also increased carbohydrate intake, undermining ketosis and causing cravings. He now recommends a moderate amount of greens (about 5 cups of salad once a day) and often substitutes fermented sauerkraut, which is gentler on the gut. He advises against kale shakes for breakfast, favoring protein instead.

Berg developed a kidney stone even though he wasn't consuming large amounts of spinach or other high-oxalate foods. He realized he was severely deficient in magnesium, which normally prevents calcium from binding with oxalates to form stones. He also suffered from muscle cramps (Charlie horses), insomnia, and fatigue—all classic signs of magnesium deficiency. He points out that ancestral diets likely provided more magnesium through well water, whereas modern city water lacks it. Supplementing magnesium not only helps prevent stones but can also shrink existing ones and alleviate muscle and sleep issues.