Karan Johar’s Transformation Sparks Warning: OMAD Can Harm Hormones and Muscle
A nutritionist explains Karan Johar’s OMAD diet, praising results but warning about extreme fasting risks for others.
Nutritionist Priyanka T has broken down the extreme diet behind Karan Johar’s dramatic 2025 weight-loss transformation, confirming that the 53-year-old filmmaker followed the controversial OMAD (One Meal A Day) protocol for seven months to achieve his visibly leaner physique. In an Instagram reel that has since gone viral, Priyanka explained that OMAD forces the body into a 23-hour fasting window, allowing only water, black coffee, or plain tea, and compels it to burn stored fat for fuel instead of relying on frequent glucose spikes from multiple meals.
“Karan Johar went from this to this in just seven months,” she captioned before-and-after images of the director, adding that while the results are undeniable, OMAD is “an extreme method” and not suitable for most people. She warned that prolonged 23-hour fasts can trigger muscle loss, hormonal imbalances (especially thyroid and cortisol disruption in women), nutrient deficiencies, and a slowed metabolism if not executed with medical supervision.
Priyanka pointed out that celebrities like Johar typically have round-the-clock access to nutritionists, chefs who prepare macro-perfect single meals, regular blood monitoring, and recovery tools most ordinary people lack. “Karan Johar has definitely benefited from this. But you are not Karan Johar,” she emphasised, echoing a sentiment that quickly became a trending hashtag.
Health experts have long flagged OMAD as unsustainable and potentially risky: studies link very prolonged fasting windows to gallstone formation, electrolyte imbalance, and rebound weight gain once normal eating resumes. The Indian Dietetic Association recommends intermittent fasting windows of 12–16 hours (such as 16:8) for most adults instead of the aggressive 23:1 ratio.
For those inspired by Johar’s transformation, Priyanka advocated a balanced approach: three moderately portion-controlled, nutrient-dense meals daily combined with strength training and adequate sleep, calling it “far more sustainable for long-term fat loss and muscle retention.
Karan himself had earlier dismissed speculation about weight-loss drugs, telling a chat show in October 2025 that his secret was “discipline, consistency, and one solid meal a day”—a regimen he reportedly still follows, though with professional oversight.
Also Read: The One Salt You Should Switch To Immediately for Better Digestion and Minerals
