“As a people, we have become obsessed with Health. There is something fundamentally, radically unhealthy about all this. We do not seem to be seeking more exuberance in living as much as staving off failure, putting off dying. We have lost all confidence in the human body.”

– Lewis Thomas, The Medusa and the Snail, 1979

This month’s case study is ‘Karen’ — who came to the Clinic because of fibroids and heavy bleeding

Karen’s Story:

I had been diagnosed with fibroids about 10 years ago which actually didn’t cause too many problems for me. However, about a year ago I started to experience extremely heavy periods which would last for 2 weeks.

For the first 2 days I was pretty much confined to the house because of such heavy blood loss. I had to change my sanitary towels every half an hour to cope with the bleeding. I also had to have two blood transfusions during this time. More recently I was bleeding continuously in between my periods which were very draining physically and emotionally. I was experiencing some pelvic cramps and a general ‘heavy’ feeling in my womb.

My gynaecologist just said that it was due to the fibroids and it would be easier to have a hysterectomy. However, at the age of 42 I knew that I really didn’t want to go down this route — not yet anyway until I had explored all other avenues.

I was given ‘The Nutritional Health Handbook’ by Dr Marilyn Glenville, by a friend, which gave me hope that there was help for my condition. The great thing about this book is how it explains all the different treatments available, e.g. medical protocols and the natural treatment. The case studies in the book were particularly inspiring which encouraged me to call the clinic and make an appointment.

I phoned the Dr Marilyn Glenville Clinic and booked my first appointment which was so motivating as I had finally made one step in the right direction in helping myself to better health. The receptionist explained that I would have to complete a comprehensive Nutrition Questionnaire prior to coming for my first consultation. This was really helpful as it made me think about my health and how I was feeling and also what I was eating.

I sent this back in so the practitioner had time to look through it before I came in. I also decided to perform a Mineral Deficiency Test to check my levels of essential minerals. This was a very simple, non invasive test which involved me taking a sample of my hair which was then sent to a laboratory for analysis. The results were back in time for my first appointment.

Dr Glenville’s practitioner took a very comprehensive medical history and explained to me all about fibroids and heavy bleeding and the links with female hormone imbalance and nutrient deficiencies. She told me that fibroids are stimulated by excess oestrogen, so my diet would be focusing on clearing oestrogen efficiently from my body and following a ‘hormone friendly’ diet. This involved avoiding meat because of the saturated fats that can cause inflammation and add to my heavy periods and ‘clots’.

Caffeine had to come out also which surprised me, but the practitioner explained that it increases blood flow so not great for my heavy bleeding. It was also recommended that I only drink bottled water because the oestrogens within the water supply could create more imbalance. I was shocked to learn just how exposed we are to these hormones and toxins through our diet and environment without really knowing.

The practitioner explained the importance of having a healthy liver and bowel when there is hormone dominance in the body because if they are sluggish due to too much caffeine, environmental toxins and poor diet, oestrogen may not be cleared from the body adequately. Good liver and bowel function is dependant on plenty of fibre (oats, flaxseeds, fresh fruit and vegetables) which I must admit my diet was lacking in. The herb Milk Thistle was also used for a short term liver support due to its ability to help with liver detoxification.

Because of my heavy bleeding, I was low in the mineral iron. Iron deficiency is a bit of a double-edged sword I learned because if you bleed heavily throughout your periods you are more likely to be iron deficient. However one of the symptoms of iron deficiency is also heavy periods. I was taking iron ferrous sulphate which the practitioner explained was a poorly absorbed form of iron and recommended an alternative to consider. Apart from the iron ferrous sulphate not being particularly well absorbed, it was also giving me black stools and was adding to my sluggish bowel. I also had to eat more iron-rich foods as it’s important not to rely on a supplement.

It was recommended that I eat more dark green leafy vegetables like watercress, tofu, dried apricots, millet, parsley and beans and pulses. Nettle tea was also recommended for its natural ability to absorb iron and other essential minerals.

Alongside the iron, I was prescribed a good quality multi vitamin and mineral to give me a good base every day, together with essential fatty acids to promote hormone balance and vitamin C which helps iron absorption. Because I was low in magnesium which was picked up from the Mineral Analysis, I was prescribed additional magnesium for 12 weeks until I repeated the test. This extra magnesium really helped with the pelvic cramps I was experiencing because magnesium is a natural muscle relaxant. For more specific hormone balance, I was prescribed several herbs, including agnus castus and black cohosh which were working on regulating my cycle and helping to reduce the blood flow.

The practitioner gave me a really helpful menu planner to give me some more ideas and asked me to complete a diet and symptom diary until my next appointment in 6 weeks. Keeping such a detailed diary was really inspiring for me and made me focus on what I was putting into my body and how it was affecting my periods.

Within a month of following the recommendations my periods were considerably lighter, lasting only 9 days instead of 12 and the blood was flowing better without the clots I had been experiencing. The herbs had made an immediate difference to the amount of blood I was losing which was astounding. As a result of this, I also had more energy and less bloating and ‘pelvic congestion’ (heavy/bulky feeling in my womb which I had always experienced). For the first time in I don’t know how long, I could plan social events without having to worry about when my period was due!

Because I had been prescribed herbs, the practitioner recommended another consultation 6 weeks on to keep me monitored and then make changes to my programme as necessary. It was a nice feeling to think that I was being supported and observed rather than just being sent away feeling left alone to ‘get on with it’.

My Comments:

Karen’s story is a real inspiration for those who want to take control of their health and look at all the options available. Not only have her periods regulated and become lighter — she has got her life back and now doesn’t have to plan her life around her periods.

We have just seen how effective good nutrition can be in treating hormone imbalance, but it is best done under supervision from a qualified nutritionist, particularly when using supplements. For people who are combining the medical approach with complementary it is even more important to seek help because of possible drug — nutrient interactions.

Of course there are times when the medical approach is the only way, but the more you can do to support your body naturally the better. This is highlighted in my book ‘The Nutritional Health Handbook’ where it does go through the medical approach and complementary approach, giving you the choice and to ultimately be empowered to form your own opinion and take control.

If you are interested in having the Mineral Analysis test done please click here.

Your stomach feels so swollen you can barely button the trousers or skirt that fitted perfectly a few days ago. What’s going on? Bloating is caused by excess gas in the intestines. Bad eating habits, certain foods, or hormones can bring the feeling on — and it’s extremely common in women, especially in the run up to a period. To help you feel better fast, check out these smart ways to beat the bloat.

1. Drink up: Boosting your water intake can work wonders. Water flushes waste out of your system and helps get things moving if you’re constipated — a frequent cause of bloating, especially in pregnant women and new mums. And don’t forget to eat lots of fruits and veggies, because they’re about 80 to 90 percent water. Oranges and watermelon are two great options.
2. Think Zen: Be mindful of your eating habits. Chew slowly and don’t bite off more than you can chew. Gulping fast food and drinking on the run causes you to swallow too much air, which can cause bloating. Listen to your body’s timeless wisdom and choose healthful, nourishing foods you enjoy for meals and snacks; then savour every bite. Digestion begins in the mouth. If you chew slowly, it helps your digestive system operate more effectively, allowing your body to get the proper nutrients and energy it needs from the food you eat. Avoid drinking with food so that your digestive system can work at its optimum.
3. Eat more fibre: Fibre prevents constipation by adding bulk, which helps everything move through the intestines more quickly. Women need at least 25 grams of fibre daily, yet most of us get barely half that amount. To fix the fibre shortage, start your morning with a whole grain cereal like porridge sprinkled with ground linseeds (flaxseeds) or muesli. Throughout the day, snack on other high-fibre foods like strawberries, blueberries, dried apricots, and dried plums. But be careful that you don’t add too much fibre too fast, or you’ll feel even more bloated than before. Your body needs time to get used to processing the increased bulk.
4. Peppermint and papaya supplements are two refreshing bloat-busters: Soothing peppermint relaxes the muscles that allow the body to rid itself of painful digestive gas, and the menthol in this aromatic herb aids digestion by stimulating the flow of natural digestive juices and bile, making it a safe and natural de-bloater. The luscious, exotic tropical fruit papaya contains papain, a digestive enzyme that encourages proper digestion and absorption of foods.
5. Cut back on gassy foods: Beans and cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage contain sugars that are difficult for some people to digest. But you don’t have to give them up entirely. Instead, eat just a small portion of these foods at a time. Once your body adjusts to them, you can gradually increase the serving size over the course of a few weeks.
6. Live yogurt: Lactobacillus acidophilus is one of the friendly bacteria that live in the intestines. When eaten it travels to the intestines and crowds out the harmful bacteria that may be causing symptoms of painful gas and bloating. One source of these bacteria is yoghurts that contain live, active culture. It’s important to look for yogurts that specifically say they contain live culture, as many types of yogurts are heat-treated to kill the bacteria before being sold. Avoid fruit yogurts as they can contain up to 8 teaspoons of sugar and buy organic where possible. For people who either can’t tolerate dairy or who choose not to eat dairy, use a good probiotic containing these friendly bacteria. The one I use in the clinic is called BioKult.
7. Go Bananas: Bloating can be relieved by vitamin B6 which is a natural diuretic. Healthy foods that are rich in vitamin B6 include bananas, alfalfa, lentils, oily fish, soya, raw nuts and seeds, especially walnuts, green leafy vegetables, rye, oats and brown rice. Other natural diuretics include asparagus, celery, watermelon, and parsley (the parsley will help freshen your breath as well!). These diuretic “super foods” will help to flush excess water out of your system.
8. Shake the salt habit: Hold the salt or at least cut down, especially the week before your period. Too much salt makes your body retain fluids. And that’s pretty much a sure fire way to bring on the bloat. Instead of shaking on the salt or consuming high-sodium commercially prepared foods, experiment with flavourful spices and herbs such as cumin, garlic, cayenne, and lemon and lime zest.
9. You also need to eat more often: If you leave your stomach empty for long periods of time the secretion of digestive enzymes slows down. On the other hand, if you eat too much this can overload your stomach which can cause gas and bloating so remember to eat regular meals and snacks every two to three hours.
10. Get moving: Even a quick ten-minute walk can relieve bloating. Exercise helps gas pass through the digestive tract more quickly, so you feel better faster.
11. Do dairy wisely: If milk, yogurt, and other dairy products give you gas then take a break from them. You might find that you can digest yogurt but struggle with milk, as milk contains more lactose.
12. Don’t bite off more than you can chew: One big cause of bloating is swallowing too much air when you eat. For example, you might gulp air if you snack on the run and eat too quickly, talk while eating, drink from a straw, or down a lot of soft fizzy drinks or sparkling water. Force yourself to take more time for meals, skip carbonated drinks, and eat smaller amounts of food at each sitting. One of the easiest ways to reduce the amount of air you swallow: Chew with your mouth closed.
13. Aromatherapy oils can be helpful for bloating: Add juniper, fennel or chamomile to a warm bath and soak for 20 minutes. Alternatively before you go to bed drink a tablespoon of olive oil and lemon juice and lie down on your right hand side and massage your stomach. And if you feel constipated, another cause of bloating, take two tablespoons of olive oil in the morning on an empty stomach. Olive oil can help reduce constipation and bloating because it is very well tolerated by the stomach due to its high oleic acid content. Another good tip for constipation is to soak a tablespoon of whole linseeds (flaxseeds) over night and swallow in the morning.
14. You might also want to settle down with the odd cup of fennel tea: Just brew a tablespoon or so of fennel in a tea strainer and drink several cups a day. Fennel tastes like liquorice and has anti-gas as well as anti-spasmodic properties, making it especially helpful for bloating.
15. Monitor your medication: Numerous over-the-counter and pre-scription drugs, such as antidepressants, antihistamines, iron pills, and calcium supplements with calcium carbonate, can cause constipation and bloating, especially when you first start to take them. Talk to your doctor if you think that a medication may be giving you side effects.