Jenny McCarthy, 53, has opened up about her ongoing journey with chronic illness, detailing her lifestyle choices that contribute to her ageless appearance and toned physique. The actress, model, and comedian revealed in recent statements that a severe infection stemming from a root canal and dental implant led to multiple surgeries and persistent health issues.
McCarthy described undergoing nine surgeries on her mouth due to an infection that progressed, causing growths on her eyes and dental problems. She stated that dentists had to remove bone from her jawbone to address a deep bone infection. This health crisis resulted in weight loss, as she found it difficult to consume enough calories due to the swelling and pain in her mouth. For a year, she was on antibiotics and limited to soft foods, only recently regaining the ability to chew more normally, though the issue recurred multiple times.
To manage her health, McCarthy shared a glimpse into her extensive daily vitamin and supplement regimen, which she carries with her in a duffle bag she calls her 'biohacker Birkin.' "Wherever I go, my vitamins are available to me," she explained, "My breakfast, my lunch and my dinner."
Beyond managing her chronic illness, McCarthy has also been candid about her fitness and diet. She previously disclosed undergoing cosmetic procedures including breast enhancements, Botox, and AirSculpt body contouring to address stubborn fat. "Stubborn fat can seem to come out of nowhere as we get a bit older," she commented in 2023 regarding the body contouring procedure, "I was no exception to this rule."
Her fitness routine includes three cardiovascular exercise sessions and three strength training sessions weekly, each lasting 45 minutes. Past activities she has mentioned include jogging, cycling, swimming, and yoga. In 2018, she described using a treadmill on a 15-degree incline while holding hand weights for her cardio workouts.
McCarthy also discussed a significant dietary shift, moving away from a vegan diet that she claims made her "very ill." She stated she experienced exhaustion and fatigue while vegan and later discovered she had gluten and dairy sensitivities. Following her functional medicine doctor's advice, she adopted a carnivore diet, which she described as "fucking incredible" for her health. A vegan diet consists of plant-based foods, while a carnivore diet primarily includes meat, poultry, eggs, and certain dairy products, excluding all other food types.