Case Studies

Case studies found here can give you an in depth look at the way I perform my consultations and seek to find the cause of a health concern based on real case presentations. You can see the reasons behind suggested diagnostic tests and how they assist in creating a treatment plan and achieving a good outcome.

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Case 1 – Detoxification

A whole body approach to a persistent skin condition

Case Presentation

# Male 67 years old presented to the clinic with a stubborn irritating inflammatory skin condition on the chest area for 2 years.
# Patient was frustrated at having spent $10,000 for dermatologists and specialists who had prescribed steroidal anti-inflammatory creams which worsened the condition when he stopped applying the creams. His feelings were “I have nothing to lose so will give you a go for 3 weeks”
# Extensive clinical observation and case taking discovered he had indigestion, bloating and low energy.
# Iridology examination revealed the manifestation of under acid stomach (hypoacidity)
# Liver area showed signs of a struggle in his livers ability to properly breakdown metabolic and toxin waste. I suggested the patient get a referral from his GP to perform a liver function test. Test results indicated elevated GGT levels which suggested a hepatotoxic condition. Observations from iridology examination were confirmed by pathology test.

Treatment Strategy and Rationale

I initially recommended a Specialized Live Detox Program with special emphasis on correcting Liver and Kidney ability to breakdown and clear the toxins effectively.
The specialized Liver Detox program also offered multifaceted benefits including restoring gut integrity, Improving the secretion of digestive enzymes and creating an environment within the digestive tract conducive to healthy gut ecology.

Clinical Outcome

By week 3 the patient’s skin condition had improved 60% and reduced the need for steroidal anti-inflammatory cream to once a week.
By week 6 the skin condition had resolved completely.
Patient’s energy levels had improved along with the digestive complaints.
In patient’s words “I am very satisfied that you treated me from inside out”

This case demonstrates 2 Important Facts:

1: As Naturopath it is important that we always treat the whole person not just the symptoms only.
2: There is wide spread benefit in strategic detoxification in reducing toxic load, promoting healthy intestinal microbiota, facilitating optimal digestive function and detoxification via the liver and kidney.

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Case 2 – Weight Loss

A whole body systems approach

Case Presentation

# Female 29 years old presented to the clinic complaining of low energy, poor concentration and severely overweight.
# Patient described herself as having unhealthy eating habits, craving junk food and started her day with a redbull.
# Working in the hospitality industry made it difficult for her to have a healthy routine especially with regards to her diet.
# Cigarette smoking was being used as stress relief.
# Suffered from a lack of confidence that caused further fatigue and low motivation. # Patient also complained of gastrointestinal tract (GIT) bloating and reflux. She mentioned “I wanted to lose weight and have more energy so I can be comfortable being me.”

Treatment Strategy and Rationale

I initially recommended a 4 weeks natural weight loss treatment plan with the emphasis on increasing her energy levels.
During the second consultation, 4 weeks later, she had lost 6.2kg of fat mass and her energy levels had improved remarkably. However, she felt she had hit a plateau in her progress.
I then recommended an individually designed liver detox program to address her weight loss plateau, providing a special emphasis on eliminating the toxins that were released from the broken down fat cells due to weight loss.
The detox strategy also targeted on correcting suspected gut dysbiosis and intestinal integrity that was thought to be contributing to the patients complaints of mental fatigue, bloating and cramping.
The specialized liver detox program offers multifaceted benefits including restoring gut integrity, supporting toxin clearance, and creating an environment within the digestive tract conducive to healthy gut ecology.

Clinical Outcome

By week 4 the patient reported losing 6.2kg of fat mass and improvement in her energy levels.
Following the specialized liver detox program she reported a total weight loss of 14kg of fat mass along with significant improvement of her cramping, bloating along with improvement in her mental energy.
She is currently on an integrated weight loss program, on average losing 1kg per week and has so far lost a total of 25kg of fat mass which she should continue to lose steadily and consistently.

This case demonstrates 2 Important Facts:

1: The widespread benefits of strategic detoxification along with weight loss treatments which extend beyond simply reducing toxic load and excess adiposity.
2: By promoting healthy intestinal microbiota, facilitating optimal digestive function and detoxification via the liver, helped to reduce the patient’s inflammatory status which then helps reduce the adverse effects her diet and lifestyle habits had imposed upon her mental clarity, mood and motivation.

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Case 3 – Anxiety and Stress

Looking at how the body affects the mind

Case Presentation

# Female aged 34 years, married with 2 toddlers.
# Easily stressed, anxious and overwhelmed.
# Mentally fatigued.
# Complained that “I am feeling more stressed and nervous than I have in the past. Not dealing and coping well with stress, and overthinking a lot of the time.”
# Iridology examination showed the presence of nerve rings indicating stress and heightened sensitivity at the emotional level, and vulnerability to outside stressors and increased susceptibility to anxiety. Test also indicated the presence of colored lesions in the bowel area (small and large intestine) which indicated inflamed and underactive bowels.
# Mood and stress questionanaire based on the Depression and Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS) showed the patient had high scores for low emotional resilience and high anxiety levels.
# Pathology tests and basal body temperature test showed Thyroid leaning towards underactivity.

Treatment strategy and rationale

I indicated there were four outcomes we were going to try achieve including:

• To feel more stable and less emotional
• To have more mental energy
• Improve gut health
• Work towards focusing weight loss

I recommended a proprietry blend of herbal forumla specifically designed to address disordered neurological and hormonal patterns in patients adversely affected by stress and to build up emotional resilience.
Also recommended was a therapeutic magnesium supplement specifically formulated with herbs and nutrients to support female hormones and reproductive health.
Probiotics were advised targeting the specific symptoms of bloating, cramps, constipation and diarrhea which also modulate gut immunity.
The patient was advised to reduce coffee intake from 5 per day to 1 per day, and an alkalizing diet was prescribed.

Clinical Outcome

By week 3 the patient advised an improvement in emotional stability. The patient noted they were less teary, her physical and mental energy had improved, she felt more relaxed and less emotional.
Bio-impedance analysis showed:
Total body fat percentage: 32.8%
Total Body weight: 75.2kg
Metabolic age: 42

By week 6 the patient advised they were not feeling overwhelmed anymore, her mood was very stable and was not over thinking.
Specific weight loss ketogenic diet was prescribed along with a herbal and nutritional formula to improve liver’s ability to detox effectively.

By week 9 the patient responded feeling much less emotional again, more relaxed, never teary, and felt in control of external stresses. The patient’s mental energy was improved.
Bio-impedance analysis showed:
Total body fat: 28.7%
Total body weight: 71kg
Metabolic age: 32

At this point the patient expressed “I feel like I have more control of my life.”

This case demonstrates 3 Important Facts:

1: A multifactorial approach to the holistic treatment of anxiety, low emotional and mental resilience to stress can be achieved by:

• Specifically targeting the nervous system with nutritional support
• Prescribing a specific class of herbs known as “adaptogens” to promote physical and mental health during stress for improved performance
• Using herbal and nutritional treatment for correcting any neurotransmitter imbalances that can profoundly affect the the person’s mood and th ability to cope with stress

2: Addressing Gut Microbiome health has a direct effect on mood swings, anxiety and low mood due to what’s referred to as the ‘gut-brain axis’
3: The above holistic approach helps the patient achieve higher mental and emotional resilience within herself for external stressors, it also reduced the hormone (Cortisol) levels in the body, which in turn helps reduce weight.

Contact us to see how Good Life Naturopathy can help you