This month’s case study: ‘Lesley’ – who was fed up with feeling lethargic, bloated and generally not well …

Lesley’s Story:

“My gynaecologist suggested that I went to one of the Dr Marilyn Glenville Clinics as I was getting irregular periods, with blood pouring out in clots but I did not want to go on the Pill. I was also generally not feeling well and thoroughly fed up with all the different symptoms I was getting.

“All of my symptoms seemed to be unconnected and it was such a long list that I just did not know what to do. I was 42 and having irregular cycles, offensive smelling urine, dry skin and hair loss, low self esteem and confidence, anxiety, massive bloating, flatulence, water retention, no energy and a slow metabolism. Not only was I struggling to lose any weight but was sweating two to three nights before my period started and waking up at night because of it which then affected my energy the next day and round and round I went in a circle.

“My doctor had previously run blood tests and they were all fine, which normally one would think is re-assuring. But to be told that nothing was wrong and still feeling awful is not very helpful. The blood tests showed that my thyroid function was absolutely fine, so I could not blame my slow metabolism on that. My iron levels which could have affected my energy and hair loss were also tested and these were normal. My doctor also re-assured me that I was not menopausal which I thought might be the case as I was getting night sweats and my glucose level was checked to rule out diabetes.

“I was asked to complete a questionnaire before coming to the consultation and this was very enlightening as it made me aware of how much I was eating and drinking of certain things. When you have a little bit of something but you have it everyday it really adds up by the end of the week.

“I also mentioned at the consultation which I had not put on the questionnaire that I get fungal infections on my toes, an irritable scalp with lumps of skin and also that I was finding it increasingly difficult to tolerate alcohol.

“Dr Glenville’s practitioner at the clinic suggested I did a stool test to check digestion, absorption, levels of good bacteria, the presence of yeasts and bacterial infections and to rule out any parasites.

“When the test results came back they showed that although my digestion and absorption were fine and I had no parasites, I had low levels of beneficial bacteria like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium and high levels of a yeast (candida) in the gut.

“I was actually relieved to find out that something was wrong as it now meant that I could make some changes.

“I was asked to follow an anti-candida diet, which involved eliminating foods containing yeast, sugar, fermented foods, etc. and to take a course of supplements to re-colonise the gut with good bacteria and to eliminate the yeast.

“The results were amazing, within three months I had more energy and was awake quickly in the morning. A symptom I had not mentioned at the consultation was a terrible tiredness in my eyes which had miraculously gone. I had less water retention, my breasts weren’t sore leading up to my period, the night sweats had gone and the muzziness in my head (like brain fog) had lifted completely, I could actually think and concentrate. I had a lost a stone and my periods since the first consultation were regular with normal blood flow, not heavy and no clots. The fungal infection on my toes had gone and my scalp was fine.

“The most amazing thing for me was to think that one problem in the body can cause such unconnected symptoms and that by treating that problem I feel like a new woman.”

My comments:

This is a very clear example of the importance of tracking down the cause of the problem by using a simple test, rather than just treating the symptoms.

In the gut, there are some five hundred different species of microflora and as many as nine times more bacteria than there are cells in your body and there is a delicate balance of bacteria and yeasts. The yeast candida is present in the intestinal tract and in normal healthy circumstances does not cause any problems. But if it grows out of control then it can give symptoms such as food cravings (especially for sugar and bread), fatigue, a bloated stomach with excess flatulence, hormonal problems, depression and anxiety, skin problems, a ‘spaced out’ feeling or ‘brain fog’ and becoming tipsy on a very small amount of alcohol. Factors which can cause a yeast overgrowth are antibiotics, HRT, the Pill, stress, high sugar and a refined carbohydrate diet.

In the intestines, candida can become ‘mycelial’, in that it forms root-like growths that can penetrate the intestine walls, and cause the gut to ‘leak’. Small pieces of undigested food then escape into the bloodstream. This condition is known as ‘leaky gut syndrome’ and results in food allergies.

The gut is very important and we tend to only think of it in terms of digestion but it does a lot more than that. It acts as an efficient barrier to invading organisms – up to 70% of your immune system is in your gut. So it is really important to have good levels of beneficial bacteria.

The test that was suggested for Lesley is called a Digestive Stool Analysis and Parasite test.

People who bruise easily could try eating more pineapple. It’s rich in an enzyme called bromelain which is used to lessen swelling after an injury.

Only a ripe pineapple can produce bromelain so look for one with a fresh tropical smell. But don’t eat more than half a day as too much can cause stomach upsets. (Bromelain is also available in supplement form).

Many people don’t have the reading and maths skills to correctly interpret the nutrition labels on food packages, a new study finds.

The researchers involved in the study believe people need to be better educated about how to read food labels, but labels also need to be redesigned to deliver the information in a way that is easier to understand, the researchers said. The report was published in the October issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.