A female in her fifties came to see one of our naturopathic doctors complaining of a history of severe bloating and gas. Recently, she was also experiencing constipation. The patient’s diet was high in simple carbohydrates and lacking in protein and vegetables. She experienced mood swings, excessive fatigue in the evenings and gradual weight gain. Comprehensive gastrointestinal testing was recommended to check for the presence of parasites or abnormal bacteria in the digestive tract, which could be the cause of the patient’s symptoms.
Test results indicated a lower than normal level of lactobacillus, a helpful bacteria, in the gut flora. In addition, harmful bacteria were present in abnormally high levels. This discovery pinpointed a key source of the patient’s poor digestive function that was causing her symptoms.
The patient was put on a cleansing diet plan rich in vegetables, whole grains and quality proteins. A naturopathic supplementation regime was developed for the patient to achieve three key outcomes: support detoxification, eliminate harmful organisms in the digestive system, and promote the growth of helpful bacteria.
A series of in office treatments facilitated detoxification and restoring a good balance of healthy bacteria the in the digestive tract. Working with one of our naturopathic doctors the patient established a sustainable routine of exercise, eating healthy and actively managing negative influences on her lifestyle.
The patient’s digestive symptoms have resolved and her mood is now stable. She reports an overall feeling of increased health and energy and continues to participate in naturopathic managed lifestyle improvement at the clinic.