From Eye Floaters to Freedom: A Taiwanese Transformation
Leo, a 25-year-old from Taiwan, had been living in constant fear. Every morning when he opened his eyes, he was greeted by the same unwelcome sight: numerous floating spots disrupting his vision. These eye floaters appeared suddenly at the end of 2021, and with them came crushing anxiety.
“When you are having retinal detachment, if you don’t get surgery as soon as possible, you will go blind,” Leo explains. “So all the time, I just live in a state of fear. I could go blind at any time. I always need to be very careful.”
Medical professionals offered little help. Western doctors told him the condition was irreversible and that he simply needed regular check-ups to monitor for retinal detachment. Chinese medicine practitioners prescribed herbs and acupuncture, but these treatments provided no relief.
The Dietary Discovery
Desperate for solutions, Leo spent months searching for answers online. His breakthrough came unexpectedly when he stumbled upon videos discussing nutrition and eye health. Initially skeptical about diet’s role in eye health, he gradually became more interested in the connection.
“I started to think that maybe diet has something to do with eye health,” Leo says. “Maybe if you eat less carbs and you eat less seed oils, it’s going to be good for your eye health.”
This research led him to the carnivore diet. Though he had heard of it before and dismissed it as “stupid,” his perspective shifted as he learned more. With nothing to lose, Leo decided to try it in April 2022.
Prior to this dietary change, Leo was already somewhat health-conscious, focusing on protein-rich foods like chicken breast and protein shakes while avoiding fats. Still, he consumed many artificial additives and regularly succumbed to junk food cravings.
Unexpected Mental Clarity
The carnivore diet brought changes Leo hadn’t anticipated. Though he started without specific expectations, he soon noticed dramatic improvements in his mental well-being.
“I feel more calm. I feel more well,” he shares. While his eye floaters haven’t completely disappeared, their numbers have decreased, and most importantly, they no longer dominate his thoughts or trigger anxiety.
His mental health transformation extended beyond eye-related concerns. Before carnivore, Leo struggled with persistent loneliness and neediness in relationships.
“In the past, I always had this loneliness problem. I would always feel like I want a partner. You feel very needy. You feel very lonely,” he explains. “I didn’t really have motivation to do things because I had this need that I couldn’t get.”
Dating and Social Confidence
Remarkably, the carnivore diet transformed Leo’s social interactions, particularly with potential romantic partners. The freedom from anxiety and improved mood made dating more natural.
“After I went carnivore, I just started to feel more well in general,” Leo explains. “Everything became more natural. I would start to do the things that those people would teach you when it comes to how to get girls. But I’m not trying to do that. It’s just like me.”
When it comes to discussing his diet with dates, Leo takes a tactful approach, simply explaining that he doesn’t eat junk food rather than immediately revealing his carnivore lifestyle. This strategy has served him well, with many viewing his dietary discipline as a sign he “works on himself.”
Physical Improvements Beyond the Eyes
The benefits of Leo’s dietary change extended to other aspects of his physical health as well. His skin, which previously had raised spots and occasional acne, became “completely smooth.” Dental health improved too, with wisdom teeth that had been partially impacted emerging fully and chronic tooth pain disappearing.
Today, Leo’s diet consists primarily of meat and eggs (95% of his intake), with occasional additions of milk, sweet potatoes, kimchi, and olive oil potato chips. For January 2025, he plans to return to a strict carnivore regimen of “meat, eggs, butter, and salt.”
Advocating Against the Grain
In Taiwan, where plant-based diets are culturally respected and meat consumption often discouraged, Leo stands out. “I feel like I’m just a lonely soldier that’s fighting,” he says about promoting carnivore principles in his community.
Though he faces criticism, Leo remains committed to challenging nutritional paradigms in Taiwan. He believes many societal problems relate to diet, from chronic health issues to interpersonal conflicts.
“Even just among families, some people are grumpy. They don’t treat others well. That can also be fixed by diet and just everyone will be happier,” he reflects.
For Leo, the proof is in his own experience: “I’m so happy.” From eye floaters to improved relationships to better skin, the carnivore diet has transformed his life in ways he never expected.
