Total Wellness Case History

More Case Studies Weight Loss, High Cholesterol & Triglycerides, Osteoarthritis   Weight Loss, Allergies, Sinus and Yeast Infections   Interstitial Cystitis & Perimenopause   Infertility, Miscarriage, Insomnia, & Poor Hair Growth   Irritable Bowel, Candida, Poor Diet   Gastric Reflux, Weight-loss, Constipation, Psoriasis, Asthma   ADHD, Digestive Health, Sensory Integration Issues & Food Sensitivities   Poorly Functioning Immune System, Chronic Strep Throat   Allergies, Asthma, Behavior Problems, Sensory Issues, Chronic Stomach Ache

Gastric Reflux, Weight-loss,
Constipation, Psoriasis, Asthma

Background

When Cheryl came to see me she was highly stressed with poor health and weight-gain that had escalated over the last five years since menopause. Her doctor recommended that she see a nutritionist for weight loss and management of her gastric reflux problem. Reflux usually occurs when hydrochloric acid, which is used by the stomach for digestion, backs up into the esophagus. It can be caused by eating too many spicy or fatty foods, and consuming a diet high in alcohol, coffee, citrus fruits, chocolate, milk, and tomato based foods.

The major symptoms of gastric reflux are burning and rawness in the digestive tract, coughing and mucus in the throat. Some people get severe pains in their chest that makes them feel as though they are having a heart attack.

Cheryl was on medication for high blood pressure, asthma, and reflux.  She had low energy and poor sleep quality. At 55, she was 5’6” and her weight was 185.  She walked daily when the weather was good and took a multi-vitamin, vitamins C & E, calcium and glucosomine.

For breakfast Cheryl typically ate an English muffin, toast or cereal.  Lunch consisted of a sandwich or yogurt. For dinner it was usually meat and potatoes, or a healthy choice meal. After dinner Cheryl usually got sweet cravings and chose ice cream or a frozen fruit pop. Throughout the day she drank coffee, tea, water, milk, Gatorade and cranberry juice. In terms of stress, Cheryl had a good marriage but recently lost both of her parents. She was also worried about two of her children who had health issues.

Treatment

Diet

I recommended that Cheryl eliminate the foods mentioned above that aggravate reflux and eat small balanced meals and two snacks all with protein to keep her blood sugar stabilized and energy up. Eating small balanced meals and not eating past seven PM is very important to prevent heartburn and reflux. I asked Cheryl to increase her fiber level to 25-35 grams per day by choosing high fiber breads and cereals and eating plenty of fruits, vegetables and legumes. I also suggested she add ground flax seeds to her cereal, salads, and yogurt since they are high in fiber and help with inflammation. This would help with both constipation and reflux and fill her up to promote healthy weight-loss.
 

Exercise & Stress Management

For exercise I recommended that Cheryl walk three-five times per week for at least 30 minutes and start adding strength and conditioning exercises. Since she couldn’t rely on the weather always being good, Cheryl picked out a video tape that had a combination of aerobic and strength and conditioning exercises for women over 50. This would help not only with weight loss and osteoporosis prevention, but also with managing stress better. In addition, I showed Cheryl some deep breathing exercises to help her calm down when she was feeling very stressed or anxious.
 

Supplements

The nutritional supplements Cheryl needed were: acidophilus, aloe and a gastric repair product to help with her digestive symptoms, and a fish oil supplement to help with inflammation and psoriasis.

Results

On her follow-up visit, Cheryl reported more energy in general, improved psoriasis and no more heartburn. The constipation was also resolved and she was now drinking at least 64 ounces of water a day. Her walking had increased to four times a week and she was doing strength and conditioning exercises three times a week. In addition, the asthma improved and Cheryl no longer was coughing although she was still on maintenance doses of her medication.  In about five months Cheryl reduced her weight to 165 lbs. with her goal of 150 lbs. now in sight.

Summary

I think Cheryl had underlying food sensitivities to milk and milk products that were not only aggravating her reflux but her psoriasis and asthma as well When she switched to soy milk and stopped consuming ice cream and yogurt a lot of her problems resolved. In addition, drinking more water, increasing her exercise, and adding enough fiber to alleviate constipation helped detoxify Cheryl’s system. This also probably contributed to better skin quality, improved energy, and Cheryl’s ability to handle stress more effectively.

Cheryl’s Makeover: Before

Cheryl’s Makeover: After Total Wellness Program