I appreciate all of the breadth of input here.

A cousin of mine says his health improved a year or two ago, and he lost his excess weight. I think he's younger than 40. He attributes it to what he calls a carnivore diet. I don't know the details of his diet but I think he eats some plant food but not much. I suspect his health and weigh improved because he (probably) switched from crappy food to fresh whole foods. Eating mostly meat sounds crazy but it's working for him. Maybe it won't work out for him long-term, and maybe he'll realize he needs the fiber and vitamins and minerals in plant foods, but so far, it's an improvement for him. I'm not recommending whatever it is he's doing, just giving another perspective.