Caragh Keane, the second daughter of former Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane, thought her life was over after being diagnosed with lupus, the same chronic disease as singer Selena Gomez.
Four years ago, Caragh suffered severe joint pain, blisters and hair loss, forcing her to give up her "dream teaching job". Things got worse when she was told she might need chemotherapy to ease her symptoms. Caragh said: "Life was over. There was no way out. I wouldn't be here without my parents."
The 29-year-old told PA Real Life: "When I was diagnosed, I mourned the person I was and the person I wanted to be. The fatigue was unbearable, but you have to carry on. I was basically bedridden for a month and a half. I had fatigue and memory loss for about six months. Because your immune system is basically attacking itself, you feel like you only have yourself to blame."
The former Manchester United star's daughter has since taken it upon herself to research the link between gut health and inflammation. After switching to a healthy, unprocessed diet, Caragh's lupus symptoms dramatically disappeared.
She has since founded a wellness company, selling organic foods to help others with lupus, gut issues and other autoimmune conditions. “Looking back, it’s clear that it led me on this journey and I’m grateful for the food moments,” Caragh added. “With the overarching goal of inclusion and knowing you’re not alone, I hope I can help others. Everyone is on their own journey, but we’re all in this together.”
Roy Keane's daughter shares her diet: "I started eating whole foods, focusing on meat, fish and healthy fats, vegetables and fruit, gut-healing foods like bone broth and fermented foods, and supplements. I started to notice my hair growing back and all the blisters on my face started to fade. My joint pain subsided after a few months and then I remember thinking, 'There are so many people out there suffering who don't know the healing properties of food.'" Caragh Keane is one of five children of former midfielder Roy Keane and his wife Theresa Doyle.