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.

This month’s case study is ‘Brenda’ – who came to the Clinic because of severe eczema…

Brenda’s Story:

I had been suffering with eczema for the last five years going back and forth to my doctor who could only recommend strong hydrocortisone creams. I had to use the cream because at times my eczema was so itchy I scratched my skin until it bled, but knew deep down that it wasn’t addressing the underlying cause. I knew there must be more to it and had some understanding that stress made it flare up and certain foods, but somehow needed the support of a qualified practitioner who could guide me.

Aside from the eczema I suffered terribly with sinus problems and took antibiotics at least once a year, which again I knew wasn’t great, but when you are in pain and ‘desperate’ you are looking for a quick solution and unfortunately that’s all my GP could recommend.

I decided that I had to look into my health more carefully and ask questions as to why I had eczema and sinus problems and what the root cause was. Surely this was common sense — how can you go on just treating symptoms without treating the cause? At this point I called the Dr Marilyn Glenville Clinic to book an appointment with one of Dr Glenville’s practitioners.

Before the consultation I was asked to complete a comprehensive Nutrition Questionnaire which gave the practitioner all my medical history, current symptoms and a food diary. When I phoned to book the appointment the receptionist was very helpful and explained that it was in my interest to fill the diet diary in accurately so the practitioner could give me the best possible advice!

Prior to the first consultation I also performed a Mineral Deficiency Test to check my levels of all the essential minerals. This involved taking a sample of my hair which was then sent to a laboratory for analysis. The results were back in time for my first consultation at the clinic which was very useful.

Dr Glenville’s practitioner went through the Nutrition Questionnaire in detail with me and explained exactly what eczema is — the causes, factors that can aggravate it and what can be done naturally to address it.

She explained that food allergy plays a major role in eczema and inflammation of the digestive tract is also implicated in this condition. I was asked to avoid dairy for 5 weeks — until my next appointment as this is the main food allergy linked to eczema, plus it aggravates mucous production causing sinus problems. Although there are other foods that can aggravate eczema, Dr Glenville’s practitioner wanted to start me slowly with the dietary changes and make modifications over the forthcoming weeks and months if appropriate. She explained that this way it is easier to identify which food is the culprit.

Dr Glenville’s practitioner also explained that people with eczema can’t utilise/metabolise the essential fats found in nuts and seeds down into the hormone-like substances in the body that help switch off the inflammation. To take account of this she recommended that I take a good quality, high strength pure marine fish oil to give me the omega 3 essential fats to help calm down the inflammation.

She concluded by explaining that I needed to reduce stress on my immune system by identifying and eliminating food allergies and reducing other allergic factors to the skin, i.e. skincare products. This was such valuable information and I went away from my first consultation so motivated and pleased that finally someone had explained in such detail what eczema was all about, rather than giving me such ‘blanket’ treatment.

The practitioner gave me a diet diary to take away with me to complete for 5 weeks before coming back for a follow up consultation. She also asked me to make a note of my symptoms on a day by day basis so we could assess what impact the diet was having on my skin. This was a very interesting exercise as it made me focus on what I was actually putting into my body and how it was affecting me.

Within a week of cutting dairy out it was quite astonishing as my eczema had improved tremendously and I was no longer scratching and for the first time in 5 years I had not had to use the hydrocortisone cream. The practitioner had also recommended I apply Aloe Vera gel to my skin which really helped to calm down the inflammation and soften my skin. I had to make sure the Aloe Vera was totally natural with no parabens or sodium benzoate (these are potentially toxic preservatives that are put into most cosmetics and toiletries). My sinuses were also clearer and generally felt less congested.

Alongside making dietary changes, I was also prescribed a good quality multi vitamin and mineral supplement, fish oil and zinc which showed as a deficiency from my Mineral Deficiency Test. The practitioner explained how important zinc is in healing the skin and helping with the metabolism of essential fats to help with the inflammation.

My Comments

Brenda’s story is a great example of how important it is to actually listen to your body and respond to what you are putting inside it. These days, with rushed and hectic lifestyles, it is all too easy to want a ‘quick fix’ – i.e. painkillers for persistent headaches and toxic creams for eczema and psoriasis. This case really shows how beneficial it is to address the root cause of a symptom rather than just treating it.

Cutting out major food groups like Brenda has done can be very beneficial as we have just learned, but it is best done under supervision because it is important to make sure you are still getting the right nutrients.

So, whether you have eczema, persistent headaches or digestive problems — listen and learn from these symptoms. Don’t just take a painkiller or anti-spasmodic medication, look at what you are eating and your lifestyle.

Follow these links if you are interested in having the Mineral Deficiency Test or a Food Allergy test.

This month’s case study: ‘Belinda’ – who had been diagnosed with osteoporosis …

Belinda’s Story:

“I decided to have a bone density scan to check for osteoporosis. I was keen to have this because I have a family history of osteoporosis and I myself have always been a low weight and experienced digestive problems like diarrhoea and bloating which I knew were risk factors.

“The bone density scan measured my ‘T Score’ which is the measurement of what my bone density is now compared to the average bone density found at an age where bone mass is at its peak (around the age of 30). A T score of —2.5 is indicative of osteoporosis and my score was —2.9.

“My consultant explained the risks associated with this high score and recommended I try a drug called Fosamax, which belongs to a group of drugs called bisphosphonates. I was told that Fosamax dramatically slows down the rate of bone loss.

“My consultant explained that this drug has to be taken with a full glass of water on an empty stomach at least 30 minutes before breakfast. I would then need to stand or sit upright for a further 30 minutes and not lie down until after eating breakfast. Just the thought of this was enough to put me off! To add to this, I had read that these types of drugs could have extreme side effects including oesophageal reactions, diarrhoea and abdominal pain, which I didn’t want to risk because of my existing digestive problems.

“At this point I decided to do some research into osteoporosis and found Dr Marilyn Glenville’s book, ‘Osteoporosis — the Silent Epidemic‘. The book gave me so much more information about the condition and I wanted to learn more and do all I could to help myself. I decided to contact the Dr Marilyn Glenville Clinic and book an appointment with one of her practitioners.

“In my first consultation they took a full medical and symptom history which enabled the practitioner to put together a tailored plan for me which encompassed dietary changes and nutritional supplements. She also recommended that I perform an Osteoporosis Bone Turnover Test which told me exactly how rapidly I was losing bone density, something that the conventional scan cannot measure. This test was a simple urine test and it was recommended that I perform one at the start of my programme and then again in three months to assess the effectiveness of the programme. My first test showed that my level of bone loss was outside the normal range, indicating that I was losing bone density too quickly.

“In spite of this, I still didn’t want to take the Fosamax and decided to implement the dietary recommendations and take the recommended supplements. Dr Glenville’s practitioner did stress that nutrition alone may not always be effective and that I should not rule out the possibility of taking a drug.

“With this knowledge I decided I wanted to put all my effort into changing my diet and taking the vitamins and minerals for the next 12 months before repeating the bone density scan with my consultant.

“Dr Glenville’s practitioner recommended I follow an 80% alkaline forming diet because too many acidic foods from meat and dairy could actually worsen my osteoporosis. I was shocked at having to avoid dairy products because my consultant was adamant that I drink a pint of milk every day to get my calcium levels up.

“Instinctively I knew this didn’t agree with me because of my digestive problems so I was happy to go without! She went through all the calcium-rich non-dairy foods like sardines, tinned salmon, dark green leafy vegetables, sesame seeds and dried apricots which I worked into my diet quite happily.

“Within three months I was already feeling the benefits of changing my diet in regards to my digestion and energy levels. I was no longer having diarrhoea or feeling bloated which was a real bonus. I repeated the bone turnover test at this point and was pleased to see that my rate of bone loss was going in the right direction — slowing down!

“A year on and my T score has reduced to —2.5 which is a significant improvement without medical intervention. I still have osteoporosis — but just on the cusp now, so my goal is to keep up the good work and get my T Score under —2.5. My consultant was pleased with the result and happy for me to continue without drug therapy until my next scan.

“Not only have I made a difference to my bone density, I also feel so well in myself; I no longer experience bouts of diarrhoea or bloating and I also have so much more energy.”

My Comments:

This is an excellent example of how important nutritional therapy can be for improving bone density. However, it is important to understand that the bigger the T Score the higher the increased risk of fracture, which is why drug therapy should not always be ruled out. And if you do have to take drugs, all the dietary recommendations and exercise should still be put into place because these can make the drug treatment more effective.

It also shows how important screening for osteoporosis is because most of the time there are no symptoms. If Belinda hadn’t taken the initiative to be screened, she would not have known she had osteoporosis and therefore not been actively supporting her bones.

In order for you to prevent or reduce the risk of osteoporosis, it is very important for you to discover the condition your bones are in now, and any potential future risk. Belinda talked about having an Osteoporosis Bone Turnover Test, which has been developed for this purpose. This urine test assesses your bone turnover by measuring biochemical markers present in the urine that are excreted as bone breaks down. This test shows a dynamic picture of bone turnover.

Studies have shown this urine test to be just as accurate as bone scanning in showing those at risk. With this test you are in control, you take the urine sample yourself and there is no exposure to potentially harmful X rays as there is with the bone scanning method.

There are effective, natural methods of preventing osteoporosis and helping with low bone density. Only when the current state of your bone health is known, can you be properly advised as to which treatment is appropriate and necessary for you. This test gives you that information.