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Total Wellness Case History
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| More Case Studies |
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Weight Loss, High Cholesterol & Triglycerides,
Osteoarthritis |
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Weight Loss, Allergies, Sinus and Yeast
Infections |
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Interstitial Cystitis & Perimenopause |
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Infertility, Miscarriage, Insomnia, & Poor Hair
Growth |
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Irritable Bowel, Candida, Poor Diet |
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Gastric Reflux, Weight-loss, Constipation,
Psoriasis, Asthma |
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ADHD, Digestive Health, Sensory Integration
Issues & Food Sensitivities |
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Poorly Functioning Immune System, Chronic Strep
Throat |
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Allergies, Asthma, Behavior Problems, Sensory
Issues, Chronic Stomach Ache |
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Infertility, Miscarriage, Insomnia
& Poor Hair Growth
Background
Lisa came to see me after she had four failed attempts at artificial insemination and two
attempts at in vitro fertilization that resulted in pregnancy and miscarriage. She was 43 years old,
tall and thin. In addition to wanting to achieve a full term pregnancy, Lisa was having sleep
problems and was therefore always tired.
Her diet lacked sufficient protein, especially for breakfast, as well as fruits, vegetables and
essential fatty acids. She had sweets cravings after lunch and dinner and usually ate ice cream and
chocolate during the day to “feel better.”
Treatment
I recommended Lisa improve her energy by eating three balanced meals and two snacks with protein
in each. This would help with her sugar cravings by keeping her blood sugar stable. I also suggested
she add foods high in essential fatty acids to her diet such as flax meal or oil and wild salmon to
help stabilize hormone levels.
The supplements I recommended were a natural multi-vitamin and mineral complex, B Complex to help
with stress, energy and sugar cravings, GLA for hormone balance, vitamins C and E, which have been
found to be protective against miscarriage, and calcium and magnesium, calming nutrients to help
with sleep and stress.
Hormone saliva and mineral/toxic metal tests were ordered to get a better understanding of why
Lisa couldn’t sleep and wasn’t able to sustain a pregnancy.
Lisa’s mineral/toxic metal test revealed small levels of mercury and aluminum and poor adrenal
and thyroid function, indicated by low sodium and potassium levels. Adrenal insufficiency is a
common cause of poor hair growth. Lisa also had a high calcium to magnesium ratio which was causing
an insulin imbalance resulting in an inability to properly metabolize sugar and carbohydrates as
well as sugar cravings. In addition, Lisa’s chromium and manganese levels were low which was also
indicative of problems regulating blood sugar.
According to her hormone test, Lisa had a normal ovulation cycle, indicated by an adequate
estradiol peak followed by a rise of progesterone in the peak range. Her testosterone and estradiol
levels were also in the normal range during the whole month. She had elevated progesterone in the
early part of her cycle, which can be due to adrenal dysfunction or heavy metals (consistent with
other test), and a luteal phase defect. This means inadequate amounts of progesterone available mid
cycle to sustain a pregnancy. This can be due to adrenal insufficiency* and free-radical damage*. As
a result of the tests, I recommended Lisa add an adrenal complex to her program and a product to
help regulate blood sugar. I also suggested extra vitamin C, and added selenium, garlic and
glutathione* to help remove the toxic metals from her system.
Results
Over the next several months Lisa followed the dietary recommendations and reduced her sugar
intake except for an occasional cookie. She no longer had sweet cravings, was sleeping better, with
improved energy and nicer quality skin and hair. Her periods were also better with less cramping and
clotting. Lisa’s doctors were pleased that her FSH levels dropped, and she would be a candidate to
do another IVF cycle.
Although drug therapy was always difficult in the past, this time Lisa reported fewer mood swings
and less fatigue while taking her hormone stimulating drugs. She got pregnant and delivered a health
baby boy with little trouble.
| Problem: Infertility, miscarriage, insomnia, poor hair
growth |
Lisa had conceived several times, but her pregnancies always ended in miscarriage. She was
stressed, had trouble sleeping and noticed that her hair was easily falling out. |
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Diet: |
Lisa consumed an average diet that lacked sufficient protein and essential fatty acids. She
often craved sweets and ate chocolate and ice cream to boost energy in the afternoon. |
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Supplements: |
Prenatal vitamin. |
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Exercise: |
Lisa walked three-four times a week. |
Stress Mgt. &
Self-Care: |
Lisa had a high degree of stress from the frequent miscarriages. She also had a fair amount of
stress from her work and family. She was not currently doing anything proactive to relieve her
stress. |
| Problem: Infertility, miscarriage, hair loss, insomnia |
After several tests we found Lisa to have certain hormone and mineral imbalances that were
contributing to her symptoms. She also had some toxic metals. After changing her diet and
supplement program and learning to relax more, Lisa got pregnant and was able to sustain the
pregnancy. She was also sleeping better, had more energy and improved hair growth. |
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Diet: |
Recommended a balanced plan with three meals and two snacks. Adding more protein and healthy
fats and reducing carbohydrates worked well for Lisa. It gave her a boost in energy and reduced
her cravings for sweets. Ice cream and chocolate became occasional treats and were no longer
needed to boost her energy in the afternoon. |
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Supplements: |
Lisa started on a better health program with a good multi vitamin, vitamins E,C, EPA/DHA, GLA,
and B- complex. Once we got Lisa’s test results, we added several supplements to help reduce the
toxic metals in her system and improve her hormone balance. |
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Exercise: |
Lisa continued walking and added some light weight training. This improved her energy and stress
level.
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Stress Mgt. &
Self-Care: |
I recommended that Lisa join a support group for women who have had multiple miscarriages. This
seemed to help her cope better. I also taught her some meditation and relaxation exercises and
how to visualize her health improved. |
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