A former binge drinker, Aaron Calder, has narrated the story of how he was nearly on his deathbed 8 years ago, as a result of alcoholism, and how he eventually turned his life around by taking up a vegan diet. Aaron has credited the Netflix documentary, 'Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead' that helped him make the life-changing decision of taking up the plant-based diet after being hospitalized in 2012 over a liver condition that caused him to vomit blood.

Aaron, who started binge drinking as a teenager and used alcohol to boost his confidence, landed in the ICU after his liver and kidneys apparently became so damaged that they couldn't filter his blood and several veins in his esophagus had burst open. My liver was so badly damaged that it couldn't cope with the blood flow. The blood was blocking up which caused seven veins in my throat to burst. The doctors told me I was very lucky to be alive and said if I drank again I would die. But I have not touched it since my hospital admission, Aaron stated.

Despite giving up alcohol in 2013, his liver inflammation score had still not gone down much 2 years later. But just a few months after switching to a vegan diet, Aaron saw miraculous improvements in his health and his score had dropped to 39, with his liver functioning normally yet again. Aaron began watching a Netflix documentary called 'Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead' chronicling the experiences of an overweight man who adopts a fruit and vegetable diet for 60 days to fix his health.

He further said, I was sceptical at first. As a vegetarian, I was sure that I needed eggs for protein and milk for calcium. But I decided to give the vegan diet a go and started to see massive improvements in my health. The results alone showed that my liver was functioning normally. My cholesterol and blood pressure were perfect too.

However, his doctor was averse to veganism as he apparently thought that a vegan diet lacked vital nutrients required for a healthy life. People think a vegan diet is strict, but I actually eat a lot of food and still enjoy vegan burgers, chips and chocolate cakes. But I swap the butter, white flour and sugar for avocado oil, wholemeal flour and maple syrup. The vegan diet has played a massive role in my recovery. It has given the body the chance to heal, Aaron mentioned.

After returning for further tests in March last year, Aaron, to his delight, found that the fat deposits in his liver had completely cleared. Aaron wrote, When I stopped drinking, my liver didn't improve much. It wasn't until I adopted the vegan diet that my results started to improve. I am now enjoying my work as a food blogger. I have swapped my alcohol addiction with a focus on making really good food.

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Tagliatelle Carbonara + Wholemeal Petit Pain. . Using @mr_organic whole wheat ?? tagliatelle instead of spaghetti. . This recipe is available on my website & YouTube channel. . Ready in around ten minutes. Made with onion, garlic, peas & Vacon rashers (Sainsburys). . Sauce is Elmlea double cream, English mustard, black pepper, smoked paprika & nutritional yeast. . I spent most of the day creating new pages for my website. I'm including a page about my recovery & the foods I recommend & avoid. . Hoping to go live tomorrow. . . . . . #veganbacon #organicvegan #mrorganic #veganpasta #vegancarbonara #veganmuscle #plantbasedmuscle #plantbasedrecipes #cirrhosis #liverdisease #eatyourveggies #newvegan #vegan #healthyfood #veganfood #wholefoods #plantbasedmuscle #plantbased #veganfoodspot #govegan #veganlife #veganforhealth #veganism #veganfitness #veganfoodshare #vegans #vegancommunity #veganfortheanimals #veganuary #alcoholicsanonymous #veganuary2020

A post shared by Aaron Calder ?? Vegan Blogger Ⓥ (@aaroncaldervegan) on Jan 28, 2020 at 12:30pm PST

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Chocolate Brownie Waffle for breakfast? Yes please! . Using @creativenature organic (no refined sugars) brownie mix with added soya milk, chia seeds & macadamia oil. . Get 10% Creative Nature products with my unique discount code: aaronc10. . Instead of making traditional brownies I put the mix in my waffle machine. Genius ??. . Topped with no added sugar soya yoghurt & loads of fresh & dried fruits. . Filter coffee with Oatly Barista. . Did you know coffee has amazing healing qualities for the liver? Full of antioxidants & compounds that have been shown to prevent cirrhosis. . If you have liver problems I highly recommend a good quality filter coffee. I have 4 cups a day. . . . . . #coffeelover #eattherainbow #cirrhosis #addiction #alcoholic #veganbrownies #foodphotography #veganbreakfast #healingfoods #cirrhosis #liverdisease #eatyourveggies #wholefoods #newvegan #healthyfood #veganfood #wholefoods #plantbasedmuscle #plantbased #veganfoodspot #govegan #veganlife #veganforhealth #veganism #veganfitness #veganfoodshare #vegans #vegancommunity #veganfortheanimals #veganuary #alcoholicsanonymous

A post shared by Aaron Calder ?? Vegan Blogger Ⓥ (@aaroncaldervegan) on Jan 28, 2020 at 1:58am PST

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Double Dirty Dogs for dinner. . Meatless Farm sausages (Sainsburys) in a warm wholegrain baguette. . One filled with coleslaw & topped with mayo. . The other with cheese (Violife), fried onion, ketchup & English mustard. . Today was another day filled with support & kind words from everyone who read my article. It's made me feel more determined to get my story out there to help show the warning signs of alcohol dependency & getting help before you get too far down the wrong road. I've been asked for so much advice over the last couple of days I'm going to do a video giving advice on recovery & staying sober. . Also posts that talk about why I eat certain things & the benefits they have on your health. . . . . . #veganhotdogs #veganhotdog #vegansausage #plantbasedrecipes #cirrhosis #liverdisease #eatyourveggies #wholefoods #newvegan #vegan #healthyfood #veganfood #wholefoods #plantbasedmuscle #plantbased #veganfoodspot #govegan #veganlife #veganforhealth #veganism #veganfitness #veganfoodshare #vegans #vegancommunity #veganfortheanimals #veganuary #alcoholicsanonymous #survival

A post shared by Aaron Calder ?? Vegan Blogger Ⓥ (@aaroncaldervegan) on Jan 27, 2020 at 12:04pm PST

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Meringue / Pavlova Recipe. . After many unsuccessful attempts I've finally managed to make the perfect meringue. . Full recipe on my website (link in my bio). . Please subscribe to my YouTube channel. Over 135 videos. . Filled with whipped Elmlea double cream, fruit & nuts. . Have a wonderful Monday. . . . . . #meringue #aquafaba #pavlova #veganmeringue #eggfree #veganpavlova #veganrecipes #plantbasedrecipes #vegandessert #gayBrighton #eatyourveggies #wholefoods #newvegan #vegan #healthyfood #veganfood #wholefoods #plantbasedfitness #plantbased #veganfoodspot #govegan #veganlife #veganforhealth #veganism #veganfitness #veganfoodshare #vegans #vegancommunity #veganfortheanimals #veganuary

A post shared by Aaron Calder ?? Vegan Blogger Ⓥ (@aaroncaldervegan) on Jan 27, 2020 at 2:24am PST

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Wow what an afternoon! I had a lovely lunch at the local pub & came home to see my followers shooting up. I had no idea why until @plantbasednews posted about @metronewspaper sharing my story. . Already I've had lots of messages of support. Although a bit overwhelming I know this is part of my journey & I want to help others. It also hit home that every day is still part of my recovery & just how far I've come. . After lunch I wasn't that hungry so for dinner I had toasted sourdough. One topped with mashed avocado ??, raw garlic, black pepper, pomegranate seeds, coriander & balsamic glaze. . The other with homemade houmous, green chilli, basil, black sesame seeds & sriracha mayo. . This is such a basic meal but has many of the foods that have amazing health benefits. . I've got a feeling it's going to be a busy week ahead. . . . . #alcoholic #alcoholism #avocadoontoast #superfoods #pomegranate #rawvegan #cleaneating #eattherainbow #healingfoods #gayBrighton #eatyourveggies #wholefoods #newvegan #vegan #healthyfood #veganfood #wholefoods #plantbasedfitness #plantbased #veganfoodspot #govegan #veganlife #veganforhealth #veganism #veganfitness #veganfoodshare #vegans #vegancommunity #veganfortheanimals #veganuary

A post shared by Aaron Calder ?? Vegan Blogger Ⓥ (@aaroncaldervegan) on Jan 26, 2020 at 12:54pm PST

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Good morning! . Breakfast is mostly from good old @aldiuk this morning. Every time I shop there I'm surprised with the vegan options. . I try & avoid regind sugar in my diet & this new low sugar apple ?? & blueberry granola is perfect. Sweetened with maple syrup. I added some extra dried fruit & had it with unsweetened soya milk (59p). . Sugar puts extra strain on your liver & kidneys. . Loads of fresh fruits (most on offer). BTW they're lychees on the plate in case you were wondering. . Decaf coffee with Oatly Barista. . Today I'll be sharing my meringue video. . Enjoy your Sunday. . . . . . #lowsugar #sugarfreediet #granola #veganaldi #driedfruit #plantbasedbreakfast #veganbreakfast #eatclean #rawvegan #cleaneating #eattherainbow #eatyourveggies #wholefoods #newvegan #vegancooking #vegan #healthyfood #veganfood #wholefoods #plantbasedfitness #plantbased #veganfoodspot #govegan #veganlife #veganforhealth #veganism #veganfitness #veganfoodshare #vegans #vegancommunity #veganfortheanimals

A post shared by Aaron Calder ?? Vegan Blogger Ⓥ (@aaroncaldervegan) on Jan 26, 2020 at 2:14am PST

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No Chicken Kiev with Warm Potato Salad. . I've heard good things about @marksandspencer kiev so I thought I'd give them a try. They're very impressive & lots of garlic. I think this would fool a meat eater if you didn't tell them it's vegan. Definitely recommending these to friends & family. . Boiled salad potatoes with organic green chilli mayo (@plamilfoods) & cracked black pepper. . Tomorrow I'll be sharing my perfect meringue recipe. I've tried several times but they never came out right. This recipe is spot on! . . . . . #vegankiev #marksandspencerfood #veganchicken #veganmayo #veganrecipes #plantbasedrecipes #veganblogger #veganyoutuber #gayBrighton #eatyourveggies #wholefoods #newvegan #vegancooking #vegancook #vegan #healthyfood #veganfood #wholefoods #plantbasedfitness #plantbased #veganfoodspot #govegan #veganlife #veganforhealth #veganism #veganfitness #veganfoodshare #vegans #vegancommunity #veganfortheanimals #veganuary

A post shared by Aaron Calder ?? Vegan Blogger Ⓥ (@aaroncaldervegan) on Jan 25, 2020 at 12:00pm PST

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Pizza Recipe ??. . This gorgeous rustic pizza base is easy to make & so much better than ready made bases. . Top with your favourite veggies & cheese ??. . Full recipe on my website www.aaroncaldervegan.com link in my bio ??. . Please subscribe to my YouTube channel. Over 130 videos. . Have a great weekend! . . . . #pizzabase #rusticpizza #veganpizza #vegancheese #veganrecipes #plantbasedrecipes #plantbasedpizza #veganblogger #veganyoutuber #gayBrighton #eatyourveggies #wholefoods #newvegan #vegancooking #vegancook #vegan #healthyfood #veganfood #wholefoods #plantbasedfitness #plantbased #veganfoodspot #govegan #veganlife #veganforhealth #veganism #veganfitness #veganfoodshare #vegans #vegancommunity #veganfortheanimals

A post shared by Aaron Calder ?? Vegan Blogger Ⓥ (@aaroncaldervegan) on Jan 25, 2020 at 12:26am PST

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Rainbow ?? Vegetable Pie with Slow Roasted Vegetables & Cheese Sauce. . I like to make my food from scratch as much as possible but with so many new vegan products I want to try them too. . Pie from @marksandspencer was really good. The pie crust was perfect & absolutely crammed with veg (harrisa roasted & chickpea puree). . Roasted red & green pepper, onion, sprouts, carrot, sweet potato & tomato. . Homemade cheese sauce. Elmlea, double Gloucester (Asda), black pepper, smoked paprika & nutritional yeast. . Since my story was in The Argus a few people have approached me about national coverage of my story. I'm so excited about this & getting my message out there. Keep your fingers crossed ??. I will know more next week. . . . . . #veganpie #eatyourveggies #wholefoods #wfpbd #savetheplanet #newvegan #vegancooking #vegancook #vegan #healthyfood #vegandinner #goplantbased #veganfood #wholefoods #liverdisease #cirrhosis #addiction #mentalhealth #plantbasedfitness #plantbased #veganfoodspot #govegan #veganlife #veganforhealth #veganism #veganfitness #veganfoodshare #vegans #vegancommunity #veganfortheanimals #beatdepression

A post shared by Aaron Calder ?? Vegan Blogger Ⓥ (@aaroncaldervegan) on Jan 24, 2020 at 12:29pm PST

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Double Burger Night. . When you eat healthy food you can eat more of it. Since going vegan not only did I lose over 2 stone (12kg) I eat more now than I used to. . Firstly thank you for the lovely comments today regarding my previous post. Everyone has been so positive apart from the comments on The Argus website. It's funny how the word vegan can upset people. Instead of comments of support there were people saying I need meat to be healthy, I'm trying to force my vegan agenda, my diet had nothing to do with the positive changes in my health & I'm misleading people with false claims. . I know 100% my diet has played a major role in improving my health. . Back to my burgers. Using @veggiescateringcampaign organic burger mix. Kindly given to me when I did my cooking demo at Animal Aid's festival. Easy to make & very tasty. . When I went vegetarian 30 years ago you couldn't buy ready made burgers in the supermarket. You had to buy a dry mix only available from a health stores. This mix reminds me of those times. How different it is now. . . . . . . #veganburger #veganburgers #plantbasedburger #wholefoods #wfpbd #savetheplanet #newvegan #vegancooking #vegancook #organicvegan #healthyfood #vegandinner #goplantbased #veganfood #wholefoods #liverdisease #cirrhosis #addiction #mentalhealth #plantbasedfitness #plantbased #veganfoodspot #govegan #veganlife #veganforhealth #veganism #veganfitness #veganfoodshare #vegansofinsta

A post shared by Aaron Calder ?? Vegan Blogger Ⓥ (@aaroncaldervegan) on Jan 23, 2020 at 12:50pm PST