This month’s case study is 40 year old ‘Nicola’ who came to the Clinic for help with her skin

My skin had always been quite clear especially during my adolescent years when so many of my friends suffered with spots. However in the last 2 years I had started to develop spots which seemed to come before my period, but would then linger the rest of the month. Some of them were quite painful particularly around my chin and neck. I went to my doctor who recommended I take a course of antibiotics and some rather potent antibiotic cream to apply topically. I went away feeling disappointed with the advice and did not take the antibiotics because I knew they were not going to tackle the underlying cause.

 

I was chatting to a friend about this and she said that she thought it might be worth looking at my diet because our skin can be a reflection or what we are eating. I did think my diet was a little unhealthy but never really imagined there could be a connection with my skin. I looked on the internet for local nutritionists and I found the Dr Marilyn Glenville Clinic in Tunbridge Wells. I phoned up immediately and spoke to one of the nutritionists who explained that a lot of patients come to the clinic for help with their skin. This really reassured me so I booked an appointment. She said that zinc is very important for zinc and recommended I have a mineral analysis test beforehand to see if this was low. This involved taking a sample of hair and sending to a medical laboratory for assessment and they can tell whether you are low in zinc or any of the other important minerals.

 

A comprehensive questionnaire arrived by post the next day and I started to fill it in. As I filled in the two day diet diary I soon realised that my eating pattern was very erratic and there was a lot of sugar. I put this down to stress as I would pick on cakes and sweets to keep me going especially if I didn’t get a proper lunch break. I didn’t really think of it as being a big deal because I wasn’t overweight as some people are when they eat lots of cakes so I thought I was lucky!

 

During my initial consultation the nutritionist took a detailed history about my health and specifically about my skin. It was very thorough indeed and she asked whether there were any particular times that I would get the outbreaks of spots, where were they, were they painful and what was the healing-process like. I explained that I thought they were linked to my menstrual cycle but couldn’t be certain because they did seem to linger all month.  The nutritionisst had studied my diet before meeting me because there was a lot of red pen circling all the ‘bad’ foods – it was like being back at school! Her main observation was too much sugar and coffee, which I thought she was going to say and not enough fresh fruit and vegetables. I was also eating too many pre-packaged foods which was due to not always having time to cook from scratch.

 

The nutritionist explained that spots can flare up before a period and one theory is that the adrenal glands are producing too much of the male hormone testosterone in the lead up to the period. She said that because the adrenals play a part in premenstrual spots, it is important to be regulating blood sugar and controlling stress to ensure that the adrenal glands are functioning healthily. To keep blood sugar levels stable she advised that I should be eating every 3 hours and on wholesome protein rich snacks like almond ‘butter’ on oatcakes or a handful of unsalted nuts and seeds. She said that coffee had a particularly disruptive influence on our blood sugar and adrenal function. She also explained how important it is to support the liver when there are skin problems. The liver is our ‘waste disposal’ unit of the body, not only for toxins, but also for hormones and other waste products (which if build up in the body create more ill health). Apparently it can become ‘sluggish’ when we drink too much coffee or just from day to day pollution.

 

She talked about the importance of zinc for supporting healthy skin and I was actually deficient in this which was highlighted from the mineral analysis test. She explained that this important mineral can get used up rapidly when under stress. She recommended I concentrate on eating lots of nuts and seeds, particularly pumpkin seeds which are one of the richest sources of zinc and fish, plus take a supplement to really boost my levels. The mineral analysis also picked up low magnesium which again is used up when stressed and is important for the production of our female hormones.

 

The nutritionist asked me to go away and follow the programme for 8 weeks which would then give me two menstrual cycles to assess how I was progressing. Within the first two weeks I had so much more energy and felt more positive about my skin because it had been really getting me down. The usual ‘flare up’ that I was expecting around the middle of my cycle didn’t happen. I still had a few spots come up on my chin but, but nothing like usual. By the second month there was an even more noticeable change. With all the good food and nutritional supplements I was putting into my body, I felt so much ‘cleaner’ and this really did reflect in my skin. I had lots of lovely comments which also helped!

 

My hair seemed to be more glossy and my nails were growing quickly! Although I hadn’t really thought my hair and nails were in poor condition, they obviously were! When I went back to see the nutritionist for my follow up consultation I took with me my daily diet and symptom diaries I had been keeping to keep a note of my food intake and how my skin was. I found this really helpful because it made me think about what I was putting in my mouth, rather than just grabbing the first thing I could get my hands on! She did say that our hair and nails are also a reflection of what is going on inside our bodies and similar nutrients are supportive.

 

When I first thought about changing my diet and having to cut out sugar and caffeine it seemed like the hardest thing in the world. However, 6 months into it and I would never go back. I do have a couple of coffees a week – my weekend treat but I really don’t miss them especially because I feel inside much healthier and on the outside it really shows! It just goes to show how all the skin creams and antibiotics you can take won’t have such a long term benefit because they simply mask the symptoms. I wish I had realised this sooner.

 

Marilyn’s Comment

 

We see a lot of women at the clinic who suffer with hormone related spots like Nicola. Hormone imbalance is becoming more common due to our lifestyle with more stress, and the environment with our increased exposure to ‘external’ hormones (from our meat and dairy products) and environmental pollutants.

 

As Nicola realises, it is so much more effective to address the underlying imbalance rather than just taking medication or using creams that heal the spots because they usually come back the next month. Listen to your body – your external health is a mirror of what is happening internally.

 

If you would like to find out more about our clinics and the tests mentioned, then please see the resources page.

 

 

This month’s case study is 30 year old ‘Nadine’ who came to the Clinic having had 3 miscarriages.

I had just had my third miscarriage when I heard about the Dr Marilyn Glenville Clinic. All three miscarriages were around 10 weeks and happened within 18 months of one another. This was very traumatic for my husband and me. I had been referred to a clinic in London who said it was all ‘unexplained’ and to go away and keep trying. This made me feel very nervous because of the anxiety of potentially losing another pregnancy. I had searched on the internet and the Dr Marilyn Glenville Clinic came up and I decided to contact them.

 

I phoned and spoke to a helpful receptionist who reassured me that they could probably help and offered me a first appointment with one of Dr Glenville’s nutritionists. I was sent a comprehensive questionnaire to complete and return to the clinic before my first appointment. It gave me an opportunity to detail my miscarriages and tell the nutritionist about any other symptoms I had been experiencing. It was recommended that I perform a mineral deficiency test before my first appointment. This was a simple hair sample which was sent to a lab to be analysed for minerals.

 

During my initial consultation the nutritionist went through my medical history in great detail and explained that miscarriage in fact is very common and although some of them are unexplained, very often early stage miscarriages – i.e. before 12 weeks are due to low levels of the hormone progesterone. The quality of the egg and the sperm is also a determining factor.

 

She explained that progesterone is needed to ‘hold’ onto a pregnancy and if levels are too low then a miscarriage may occur. She explained that often women are told that the blood tests are normal and they are in the sense that they fall within a range commonly seen, but it’s not actually sufficient to maintain or hold on to a pregnancy.  My doctor had never explained this to me – in fact I don’t even recall being given my progesterone results. All tests as far as I had been told were ‘normal’. She advised that I have a blood test during my next cycle to determine the level of progesterone and to get a more accurate picture have this measured in conjunction with ultrasound scans. The nutritionist recommended something called a monitored cycle where I would have three scans at different stages of my menstrual cycle together with a blood test to check everything was OK and to specifically look at my progesterone level.

 

The nutritionist explained that progesterone needed to be at least 50 nmol/l in order to maintain a pregnancy before the placenta develops. She said that in order to make progesterone we need good amounts of essential fats that are found in foods such as nuts, seeds, cold pressed salad oils and oily fish. The key ‘ingredients’ are zinc, vitamin B6 and omega 3 fats. Interestingly zinc was very low on my hair mineral analysis.

 

The other reason progesterone levels can be disrupted is due to stress. The body makes progesterone first and from this it can synthesise oestrogen and another hormone called cortisol which is released in times of stress.  I knew this definitely had an impact because I was very stressed in my job and even more so because of the miscarriages – it was becoming a vicious cycle.

 

I went away from my first consultation feeling amazing – I thought someone was finally listening to me and trying to find a solution rather than just dismissing me and treating me as another statistic. The nutritionist organised a referral for me to have my first ultrasound scan. This was the first of three scans. At the end of the monitored cycle, together with my blood test, it was quite clear I had a luteal phase defect, which basically meant that my progesterone levels were too low for my body to maintain a pregnancy. With the ultrasound scan I could physically see the problem area and the progesterone secreting ‘body’ called the corpus luteum was not sustained and therefore my hormone levels were quite erratic.

 

I was advised to go away for three months and implement the dietary changes and take the nutritional supplements. The nutritionist explained that my body had been under a lot of strain physically, emotionally and nutritionally having had three miscarriages within a short space of time. Waiting three months would help nurture my womb and progesterone levels and help to produce higher quality egg and sperm (for my husband).

 

I was feeling very well generally and enjoying the new way of eating. I had never eaten so many fresh vegetables and oily fish and I was really enjoying it! My skin, although I didn’t think was lack-lustre obviously was, because after three months on the programme I was glowing and I had so many positive comments.

 

I went back to see the nutritionist after three months and she was very pleased with the progress I had made with my diet and gave me the ‘go ahead’ to start trying again. She said that as soon as I had a positive pregnancy test to phone so she could arrange an early pregnancy scan. I explained that I had had a similar scan at 7 weeks but the nutritionist told me that 7 weeks is often too late (5 weeks is the earliest a heart beat can be detected) and also most pregnancy scans are only looking at the heart beat of the foetus and not assessing progesterone levels.

 

I couldn’t believe that I had never been told this before and all my test results had come back normal. This was incredibly frustrating, yet I felt so confident because I had finally found a clinic that would take me seriously and give me the support I needed. 

 

My period was late so I tested and it came back positive. Once again I was so excited, but at the same time naturally anxious because of what I had been through. I phoned the nutritionist and she immediately wrote a referral letter for me to go and have an early pregnancy. This really put my mind at ease.  During my scan I was talked through exactly what was seen. The heart beat was strong which was excellent, but as suspected my progesterone was low. It was advised, that alongside my progesterone supportive diet and supplements that I take a course of progesterone pessaries which support progesterone levels until the placenta is formed at 12 weeks. These were prescribed by a gynaecologist who worked alongside the Dr Marilyn Glenville Clinic.

 

I gave birth to my beautiful baby daughter, Charlotte, weighing 8lb 2oz. It was such a wonderful moment because there was a time I thought I would never get to that stage. I wish I had known about Dr Marilyn Glenville from the very beginning of my fertility journey but like most people – I just thought it would never happen to me. My advice to any woman who has miscarried is don’t just sit back and wait for another to happen – be as proactive as you possibly can.

 

Marilyn’s Comment

 

Unfortunately miscarriage happens in 25 per cent of all pregnancies which is extremely traumatising for both the woman and her partner. The sad fact is that they are not usually ‘taken seriously’ unless there have been three recurrent miscarriages. This is why it is so important to get your body into the best possible balance to nurture the quality of your eggs and address any hormonal imbalance.

 

Nadine’s story is so inspiring and she is just one of many women we help who have gone through the pain of miscarriage.  

 

If you would like to find out more about our clinics (in London and Kent) and the tests mentioned, then please see the resources page.

 

This month’s case study is 27 year old ‘Melanie’ who came to the Clinic with amenorrhoea (absence of periods)

I had taken the contraceptive pill during my early twenties to regulate my periods which worked, but when I stopped taking it, my periods did not return. Three years on I still hadn’t had a period and I went back to my doctor because I was worried about the longer term effects on not having periods. I had read that I might experience difficulties conceiving and the risk of developing osteoporosis may be increased. I went to my doctor to discuss this and he dismissed these concerns and just recommended I go back on the Pill to bring a cycle back. I knew this was only going to give me a ‘false’ period and it would only mask any underlying hormone imbalance so I decided against it. I asked to be referred for further investigation. I had an ultrasound scan which showed I had polycystic ovaries, but it was all very vague and I had no real explanation as to what it meant. I had also stated to gain weight around my middle which I found distressing.

 

I was talking to a work colleague who had mentioned that she had been to see a nutritionist at The Dr Marilyn Glenville Clinic for natural support to help her irregular periods and she had made changes to her diet and taken vitamins and minerals and herbal remedies. Within six months her cycle had regulated without having to take the Pill as recommended by her doctor.

 

I phoned the Dr Marilyn Glenville Clinic and spoke to one of the nutritionists to make sure that they could help with my condition. She explained that hormone imbalance is one of the main areas they deal with and recommended I book a consultation. Having spoken to her it really excited me to think I was being proactive by trying to help myself naturally rather than just taking the easy option by going on the Pill.

 

Before the first appointment I was sent a comprehensive questionnaire which allowed me to write down my main areas of concern and where I needed help and my current diet. My diet in fact was generally very good because I had been to see a naturopath about a year ago. However, I knew there was always room for improvement!

 

During my initial consultation the nutritionist went through my questionnaire thoroughly with me. She had already looked through it and made notes which made me confident that she knew why I was coming. After going through my menstrual history and finding out that I had been diagnosed with polycystic ovaries the nutritionist explained that sometimes women, especially younger women under 30 are diagnosed with this condition when in fact a young woman should appear to have lots of cysts (follicles) on the ovaries and as we get older the follicles become less as egg production declines. She gave me the option of getting a second opinion which I agreed to so she referred me to have another ultrasound scan. The scanning equipment was amazing – 3D colour and it confirmed what the nutritionist said – I didn’t have polycystic ovaries – but simply healthy active ovaries! She also explained that a blood test was needed in conjunction with the scan to check my hormones and this came back normal. I was relieved, yet frustrated because I wanted to know why my periods had stopped.

 

The nutritionist explained that periods can take a while to come back having been on the Pill long term, but fundamentally nothing was wrong with me. She recommended I use herbs to try and reinstate a period. I said that I had used Agnus Castus but it didn’t work. She recommended an herbal formula which she explained was often more effective than using single herbs because they have a more nurturing effect on the whole menstrual cycle. She also explained that the herbs she was going to recommend  were more potent and better quality than the herbs you could freely by over the counter. She did warn me that the herbs may taste bitter, but I was so desperate to get my periods back I didn’t care!!

 

I went away and followed the programme. Because my diet was already quite good, it was the supplements and herbs that seemed to make more of a difference. The only area that the nutritionist commented on in regards to my diet was the long periods I was leaving in between eating. I should be eating every three hours in order to keep my blood sugar levels stable and also have a positive effect on my hormone balance. I was going 5 or 6 hours most of the time, partly due to my busy job and lifestyle but also because I thought I would lose weight by eating less and not having any snacks. She suggested always eating some protein with my snacks so an apple and some nuts for example or oatcakes and nut butter.

 

Within 8 weeks I had a period which was absolutely amazing! I hadn’t had a period in 3 years so to get one was almost like a miracle! I phoned the clinic just to let the nutritionist know what had happened and she told me to continue with everything until my next appointment.

 

I couldn’t believe it, by my second appointment I had already had two periods 28 days apart. The nutritionist explained that the herbs work primarily on my pituitary gland which essentially controls how my hormones work and they have a long lasting effect.

 

I’m now 12 months on and I’ve had regular 28 day menstrual cycles and no longer taking the herbs. I feel so much more in control and so pleased to have a period back without having to take the Pill. Not only has my cycle returned, I have lost weight from around my tummy which has really helped my confidence. It seems strange because I am eating so much more and the weight is steadily coming off. I’m a lot more aware of eating protein and making a conscious effort to eat every 3 hours.

 

I wish I had visited the Dr Marilyn Glenville Clinic sooner, but I suppose time goes so quickly it is easy to lose track of time!

 

 

Marilyn’s Comments

 

Melanie’s story is remarkable and so inspiring to see just how powerful nutrition can be. We often see similar cases in our clinic where young girls are experiencing menstrual problems –whether that is no periods at all or perhaps they have become irregular. The conventional medical approach is to address this is with the contraceptive pill, as Melanie was offered, but this only covers up any potential underlying hormone imbalance so as soon as the Pill is stopped, the hormonal problems often kick back in.

 

With a lack of periods for such a long time as Melanie experienced, it is certainly very important to have this investigated by a doctor, however, once you have a diagnosis, there are many options available if you feel that taking the Pill isn’t right for you.

 

If you would like to find out more about our clinics in London and Tunbridge Wells, Kent then please call 0870 5329244.