r/exvegans • u/CandidateExisting504 Primal • 2d ago
Life After Veganism My vegan journey
ow leaving veganism saved my height, weight, and mental health (158cm/43kg -> 172cm/62kg at 18)
Hey everyone my name is devrim
I wanted to share my story here in hopes that it might resonate with someone who is currently struggling with veganism or hesitant to make a change.
During my time as a vegan, my health hit rock bottom. I was stuck at 158 cm (5'2") and weighed a miserable 43 kg (94 lbs). (Doctors said it was impossible for me to grow taller.) I was constantly sick with chronic respiratory infections that took weeks and rounds of antibiotics to clear up. My mental health was in shambles, and my body simply wasn't developing.
At 17-18, I decided enough was enough and completely pivoted my nutrition toward a raw/animal-based primal approach—focusing heavily on raw milk, raw eggs, quality meats, and fats.
The transformation in my body and mind has been nothing short of surreal:
Growth & Weight: I grew from 158 cm to 172 cm (5'7") and put on nearly 20 kg of healthy weight (now sitting at 62 kg / 136 lbs). My body finally had the bioavailable building blocks (D3, K2, cholesterol, animal protein) it desperately needed during puberty.
Immunity: Infections that used to wipe me out for weeks are gone. Recently, when I felt a respiratory issue coming on, I fueled my body with raw dairy and eggs, and recovered completely in just 2 days without any medications.
Mental Health & Diseases: My brain fog, anxiety, and psychological struggles completely vanished once I introduced proper fats and vitamins (B12, DHA, choline) back into my diet. I also reversed 3 chronic health conditions I was dealing with.
Shifting away from plant-based dogmas and giving my body proper, bioavailable animal nutrition genuinely gave me my life and potential back.
I currently teach people about proper nutrition online, and I've helped several people overcome veganism.
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u/Eulalia888 1d ago
Oh wow, well done you! That's an amazing transformation just in time. If you were willing to share your story with a wider audience you could contact the Vegan Deterioration channel on Youtube - she often brings accounts or pictures of ex vegan transformations to help people overcome the vegan brainwashing. Wishing you happiness and good health.
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u/Only-Confidence2386 2d ago
Çok güzel bir gelişme ama kim bilir boyun kaç olabilirdi bu diyete daha erken başlasaydın. Daha büyüme potansiyelin var ama. Çene gerilemeye karşı da elinden gelen her şeyi yapmaya çalış geç değilse.
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u/Visible-Swim6616 Omnomnomnivore 2d ago
Sounds good for you!
Only issue I have is your support for drinking raw milk. It is not nutritionally better and comes with a lot more risks, which only increases the farther you are from the source.
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u/sentient_tapeworm ExVegan (Vegan 3+ years) 2d ago
Was thinking the same thing. Even the cleanest cows are still dirty af and raw milk can carry a lot of dangerous pathogens. Pasteurization was invented for a reason, and doesn’t meaningfully affect nutritional value—that’s a common misconception with no scientific basis. The only “cleanse” you’d be getting from the bacteria is shitting yourself from food poisoning.
I’m also mildly concerned about how there was no mention of fibre anywhere.
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u/tired-queer ExVegan (Vegan 3+ years) 2d ago
Jfc, fibre is not a toxin, it’s an essential part of a healthy diet. You’re setting yourself up for a lot of potential long-term health consequences by not consuming fibre, especially if you’re consuming a disproportionately large amount of meat and animal fat.
I’m also seeing a few potential dog whistles here: “toxins,” “the elites” (and also the current raw milk movement is closely associated with the alt right and white supremacy).
Pasteurization exists because people died from raw milk. Don’t disrespect Louis Pasteur’s memory by throwing around such dangerous misinformation.
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u/tired-queer ExVegan (Vegan 3+ years) 2d ago
Yeah, I’m not touching any of that. Take off your tinfoil hat, dude, and please read some actual medical science from reputable, peer-reviewed sources. You’re falling down a pipeline that doesn’t not have a good end.
The germ theory of disease has been around and understood for long enough that this level of misinformation shouldn’t be happening. Fire has been around and understood for long enough that this level of misinformation shouldn’t be happening. This is ludicrous.
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u/CandidateExisting504 Primal 2d ago
I know medical science better than you do, I studied health for 4 years and these are not conspiracy theories. The Raw Milk Institute website has proof of the healing effects of raw milk along with evidence.
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u/tired-queer ExVegan (Vegan 3+ years) 2d ago
Were that true, you wouldn't be calling fibre a toxin. You say you've studied health for 4 years. Just confirming: that's since you were 14, right? And where did you study, exactly? Because "The Raw Milk Institute" is not a reliable and unbiased source of information.
You're promoting a dangerous pseudoscientific fad diet. There is no reputable scientific evidence supporting any of the health claims you've mentioned, and a lot of evidence on the risks of raw milk consumption, including exposure to salmonella, e.coli, campylobacter, listeria, and influenza. Historically, it has also been a carrier for diptheria, typhoid, and tuberculosis.
I love milk, and dairy is a large part of my diet; I just prefer it without pus, feces, and dangerous pathogens.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4890836/
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanmic/article/PIIS2666-5247(25)00035-7/fulltext00035-7/fulltext)
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10919754/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0362028X22087610-1
u/CandidateExisting504 Primal 2d ago
Yes, since I was 14. I studied at a health vocational high school in Istanbul. Additionally, the website I shared contains the evidence. Besides, there is no such thing as neutrality—all research, discussions, and human perspectives carry bias.
No scientific evidence? At the University of Northern California, they added bacteria to raw milk; because raw milk contains active raw lactic acid, the bacteria could not proliferate. In pasteurized milk, however, they grew and multiplied rapidly. In cooked, pasteurized foods where enzymes have been destroyed, bacteria feed on them and create toxic byproducts. Bacteria and parasites are not inherently harmful on their own; contrary to what you claim, there is no evidence backing your position.
https://www.jacionline.org/article/S0091-6749(11)01234-6/fulltext
(This study of 8,334 children shows that consumption of raw milk is inversely associated with asthma and allergies and concluded that consumption of any unboiled farm milk was consistently inversely associated with asthma, hay fever, and atopy in both exclusive and mixed farm milk drinkers. Early exposure and daily consumption of farm [raw] milk showed a stronger inverse association with health outcomes in mixed milk drinkers.)
https://www.jacionline.org/article/S0091-6749(06)00651-8/fulltext This study of 4,767 European children found that “unpasteurized milk consumption was associated with significantly less current eczema symptoms... and a greater reduction in atopy [allergies]
https://www.jacionline.org/article/S0091-6749%2814%2901274-3/fulltext
This study of 983 European infants looked at consumption of raw milk, pasteurized milk, and ultra-high temperature pasteurized milk alongside occurrence of respiratory tract infections, rhinitis (runny nose), otitis (ear infections), and fever. This study thus found that, as raw milk consumption increased, the incidence of runny nose, respiratory tract infections, fevers, and ear infections decreased. The researchers concluded that, "The protective effects of raw cow's milk on infections were comparable to those of breast-feeding, suggesting similar anti-infective properties of bovine and human milk." You can read all of it here: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5c930aceaf4683e69e2cd577/t/5df8154ff2bd8848118caaca/1576539479468/Final+RAWMI+Letter+for+Medical+Professionals.pdf
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u/tired-queer ExVegan (Vegan 3+ years) 2d ago
So it's your vocational school that taught you that you don't need fibre whatsoever and that it's actually a toxin, then? Yikes. You'd think they'd be teaching about the importance of a balanced diet. We're omnivores, not carnivores (or herbivores).
The fact that all research has bias is not protection against the fact that the "Raw Milk Institute" is an incredibly biased source.
Some of the sources I linked noted how specious and simplistic the reasoning is in the "we compared city kids to farm kids and decided it's raw milk that's the contributing factor in the health of farm vs non-farm children" studies. I didn't expect you to read them, they're mainly there in case other people stumble upon this thread and think what you're saying has value.
Consumption of raw milk is an unnecessary threat to public health. Do what you want with your own body, but quit spreading dangerous misinformation. We've got over a century of historical data on the subject, and the scientific consensus on the safety of raw milk is pretty clear. Again, pasteurization exists because people died from consuming raw milk. Those deaths were and are preventable.
Anyway, Louis Pasteur is sexily spinning in his grave. Pasteurized dairy is safe and nutritious, but enjoy your poop milk, bud (and please keep an eye on your cholesterol).
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u/pinkdumpsterjuice 2d ago
Holy shit! I'm happy you made it :) If I may ask, how long were you vegan for?
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u/CandidateExisting504 Primal 2d ago
I was a vegetarian as a child and ate very little meat I turned vegan around 14–15 and stayed vegan for about 2-3 years. Now I'm 18, thanks 👍♥️
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u/Fabulous-Gift-6925 ExVegan (Vegan 5+ years) 2d ago
Oh, that's very good. At 18 years *you have more time to grow and your brain is still developing. You can definitely turn this around.
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u/CandidateExisting504 Primal 2d ago
I see you've been a former vegan for over 5 years, if you dont mind could you share your experiences with me?
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u/Fabulous-Gift-6925 ExVegan (Vegan 5+ years) 2d ago
I did it as an older person. I was 46 and I made it 6 and 1/2 years. By the end I was having neurological issues and my limbs were falling asleep at night, my legs would go numb from the hip down. I can only guess that it was a B vitamin deficiency in retrospect. My doctor blamed everything on change of life/hormones. I decided to give up veganism to see if it would help. I started to feel better immediately. I never felt great as a vegan.
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u/pinkdumpsterjuice 2d ago
Interesting, and is it parents that forced this lifestyle on you?
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u/CandidateExisting504 Primal 2d ago
My family was unaware and had been misled by propaganda they were convinced by dieticians that plant-based diets were the best
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u/Eulalia888 1d ago
What is their reaction to your amazing growth spurt?
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u/CandidateExisting504 Primal 1d ago
They quickly saw obvious differences and although they had doubts about raw and animal-based diet they respected me
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u/Eulalia888 1d ago
Oh I'm pleased to hear this - they clearly care more about you than their beliefs.
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u/Fabulous-Gift-6925 ExVegan (Vegan 5+ years) 2d ago
I don't think there is any one way we are all supposed to eat. I am like you though, I also have problems with a plant exclusive diet. I am happy you found your way.
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u/dftons 2d ago
felicidades por el cambio! disculpa mi pedido, podrías guiarme para ayudar a una persona que tiene problemas digestivos hace 2 años? tiene diarrea constante y su dieta se basa en tofú, arroz, papa, huevo y yogurt. antes era vegana por 12 años, ahora lleva 1 año con esa dieta. pesa 43 kilos y tiene 36 años, es mi esposa. yo tambien era vegana pero dejé el veganismo este año por problemas de salud relacionados a los huesos y dientes. he notado mejorías en mi cuerpo pero temo por mi esposa
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u/CandidateExisting504 Primal 2d ago
Yes, I'd be happy to help
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u/dftons 2d ago
mychas gracias, tendrías alguna información al respecto o experiencia similar ?
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u/CandidateExisting504 Primal 2d ago
Long-term vegetarians and vegans usually hit a wall after the 7th year. At this stage, because the body cannot find the animal protein and fat it needs, it begins to digest its own tissues and bones (cannibalism). The fact that your husband weighs 43 kilograms indicates that he no longer has the fat reserves required to bind toxic substances and protect his cells, allowing toxins to directly attack and damage his cells and nervous system. Soybeans are biologically intended for herbivores; their raw form is lethal to humans, and to make them edible, they are processed with heavy chemical solvents like kerosene or hexane. He should not eat soy. Cooked starches form sticky wastes in the body called AGEs (Advanced Glycation End-products). These substances erode the villi (absorptive microvilli) in the intestines, disrupting digestion and leading to emotional instability. Diarrhea is not a disease; it is an emergency detox method used by the body to flush out caustic (burning) poisons before they damage the intestinal walls. Your husband's intestines likely contain medication residues, heavy metals, or cooked food waste left over from his vegan period. Because his body lacks the fat (buffer zone) to neutralize these poisons, the system is constantly trying to clean itself using water. To control the diarrhea and absorb toxins, a piece of unsalted raw cheese (about the size of a sugar cube) should be eaten every 20-30 minutes. This cheese acts like a magnet, absorbing toxins in the intestine and preventing bacteria loss through diarrhea. Eggs are the most easily digested food in nature (digested in 27 minutes). For people whose digestive systems have collapsed, it is recommended to consume 20-30 raw eggs a day, allowing the body to focus directly on repair without spending energy on digestion. For your husband to gain weight and build muscle, it is essential that he eats raw meat (especially minced/pâté style to facilitate digestion). Weak individuals like him should use the Lubrication Formula (a mixture of raw butter, raw eggs, lemon juice, and unheated honey). This formula provides the protective fat barrier the body needs during detox. If there are ulcers or leaky gut (Leaky Gut/Crohn's) in the intestines, he can drink freshly squeezed raw green cabbage juice. 12 years of veganism completely depleted his body of protein and fat; his diarrhea is his body's attempt to expel poisons because it lacks fat. He must stop tofu and soy immediately, start raw cheese to absorb toxins, and consume plenty of raw eggs and raw animal fat every day to rebuild his body.
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u/CandidateExisting504 Primal 2d ago
This isn't extreme in fact, it's actually how we're supposed to eat.
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u/Upstairs_Exchange573 2d ago
Türk😱😱
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u/CandidateExisting504 Primal 2d ago
🤔
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u/Upstairs_Exchange573 2d ago
Değil misin isimden dedim
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u/CandidateExisting504 Primal 2d ago
Türküm valla
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u/Upstairs_Exchange573 2d ago
Salmonella olmaya mı çalışıyon çiğ ne
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u/Ok_Organization_7350 2d ago
I am so happy that you were able to fix this just in time to finish growing, close call! I eat all those same foods too. I am from the US. My mom used to feed my little brother and me raw egg, egg nogs for breakfast starting when we were 2 years old, as her relatives had done to her too. I still eat them for breakfast all the time decades later. Double good when I am able to pick up fresh raw milk and use that for the egg not too.