Disclaimer: In compliance with medical privacy protection individual's gender, age or any other identifying description have been omitted. A child with recurrent sinus infections, post nasal drip, mild asthma symptoms and frequent cough/colds. Reliant on anti-histamines (zirtec & Aerius), frequent courses of of antibiotics and nasal steroid spray. Frequent use of Ibuprofen and paracetamol for fevers. Suffers from bloated belly, was born via C-section and formula milk fed from birth. Parents were concerned about the frequency of antibiotics and looking for a long term solution. We suspected leaky gut, this was confirmed on stool testing as well as inflammation and dysbiosis being present. Elevated IgG food antibodies to dairy including casein, gliadin, wheat. Candida IgG positive represented recent candida exposure. A temporary elimination of gluten and dairy for 30 days with supplements to repair the leaky gut, targeted probiotics to repopulate low populations of beneficial immune boosting bacteria and anti-candida treatments were prescribed. Repeat tests showed leaky gut healed. Symptoms & abdominal bloating improved by 80%, and not needed any anti-histamines, antibiotics or steroids since.
An individual with autoimmune Psoriatic arthritis diagnosed 10 years ago after an extreme stressful bereavement. After consulting with many world class rheumatologists around the world and multiple courses of steroids, methotrexate, latest monoclonal antibody drugs, HUMIRA injections this individual could barely walk from the car to the house due to the inflammation in their hands and ankles. Psoriasis to scalp, ears, nails and shins was red and inflamed. This patient was well educated around their autoimmunity and had researched protocols and undergone IV chelation therapy for high mercury, lead and arsenic before seeing us, but had plateaued. They had already tried autoimmune paleo diet but were still inflamed. We found high levels of oxalates from the change in diet, this was causing further inflammation, they were also over supplemented on herbs that they were unable to detoxify properly. Genetic tests revealed detoxification mutations and reduced antioxidant capacity. After stream lining supplements and addressing the oxalates, pain subsided steroids stopped and mobility improved. This person was able to go back to skiing for the first time in 10 years after only one month of treatment.
Disclaimer: In compliance with medical privacy protection individual's gender, age or any other identifying description have been omitted. A young professional suffered continuous red complexion with intermittent urticarial flares for more than 15 years, after waking up with it suddenly, with no obvious trigger at the time. The red patches started on feet, then moved to back, trunk and face. Flares worsen following alcohol consumption, nervousness and seemed to be triggered by central heating & passive smoking. Extreme flares usually last 72 hrs. Before seeing us, they had already tried an elimination protocol (wheat, peanut, eggplant, tomato) incorporating a low histamine food list. They had seen many dermatologists and tried multiple antihistamines including high dose fexofenadine. They were taking singulair (montelukast) and Ala-Hist antihistamine with no dietary restrictions at that time. There was no significant family history of this, they had been well as a child, delivered normally and breast fed. Skin prick tests were negative except for mild allergy to dust. Food IgG tests all negative. Tested positive for EBV (never had symptoms of mononucleosis but both brothers had it). Sensitive to wool jumpers and sheepskin but negative tests for cat/dog hair. They were overweight with extreme sugar cravings. Candida IgG was positive. Leaky gut negative. They followed an anti-candida food plan with anti-fungal supplements which lead to a reduction in symptoms but not complete resolution. Repeated bloods showed elevated gliadin antibodies, so a gluten free diet was initiated. Following anti-candida treatment, a prescription formula for allergy was formulated containing established herbs for allergy: slippery elm, marshmallow, gingko, nettle, quercetin, Aloe Vera, L glutamine. This formula seemed to increase the redness further. A new DNA test had been released which looks at detoxification pathways and ability to clear toxins, pharmaceuticals, herbs, foods etc. They agreed to do it and found several mutations in certain pathways especially in the pathways via which certain herbs, toxins, oestrogens are cleared as well as glutathione production. Based on this we were able to formulate a new formula which supported liver detoxification, support avoiding these mutated pathways rather than directly focusing on anti-allergy formula. This was a revolution. The underlying redness disappeared and they were even able tolerate smoky environments again. No further flares or antihistamines required. This was an example of a personalised medicine approach.
Disclaimer: In compliance with medical privacy protection individual's gender, age or any other identifying description have been omitted. Autoimmune Graves’s thyroid disease in 30 year old triathlete, diagnosed 4 years ago, treated by endocrinologist with Neomercazole medication, but ongoing severe thyroid related eye symptoms (ophthalmoplegia) and fatigue persisted. This individual wanted help with their autoimmunity (mainly to calm it done to lessen the eye problem) and also to improve their athletic performance (time/endurance). Functional work up showed heavy mercury burden, elevated antiviral antibodies to CMV and EBV, elevated candida, very high saliva cortisol with low IgA, & low intestinal IgA. Treatment started initially to improve gut profile and digestion, repopulation of beneficial bacteria and treat the candida. Nutrient deficiencies were attended to in particular, iron and vitamin D and adaptagens to calm the cortisol production, with natural anti-virals. Oral chelation to aid binding of mercury. Extreme exercise and training generates free radicals and oxidative stress, so we prescribed high potency antioxidants. Performance was enhanced measured by improved personal best times. Thyroid antibodies improved and TSH more stable. Neomercazole was weaned and then stopped. Eye corrected. Stress management techniques employed and no further flare in autoimmunity since 1 year.
Disclaimer: In compliance with medical privacy protection individual's gender, age or any other identifying description have been omitted. High achieving stressed out Cambridge university student, with severe intermittent hives, extreme itching over torso, swelling of face, lips, fingers, thighs. Poor response to high dose antihistamines Fexofenadine, Certirizine with Ranitidine H2 blocker added in. Recent admission to hospital for steroids to suppress the reaction. Birth history of C-section and antibiotics. Ongoing performance anxiety and mild depression, overweight and anxieties around food. Extreme sugar cravings. Non-smoker and minimal alcohol. Examining their current diet, it was clear that histamine was a problem. They had been eating shellfish, citrus fruits, tomatoes, chocolate, canned fish, ketchup, re-heated left-over foods, marmite, spices etc These foods contain high levels of histamine or are histamine releasing in nature. Due to their student budget, they did not want to do tests and preferred to do lifestyle modifications. We suspected a mutation in the diamine oxidase enzyme (DAO), leaky gut, increasing likelihood for food intolerances and microbiome dysbiosis +/- candida overgrowth. We prepared a temporary low histamine food programme to follow and within 12-24 hours the symptoms subsided. This is now part of their toolkit for when stress symptoms become bad they follow this lower histamine food list to limit the overload of histamine. Quercetin supplements with probiotics can be helpful, but caution with lactobacillus as this can release histamine as well as many fermented products such as mature cheeses, kimchi, kefir, kombucha.
A patient with autoimmune Hashimoto’s thyroid disease and Rheumatoid like arthritic symptoms had also been diagnosed with depression 20 years ago. This individual was treated with selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants. Over the years this individual switched between different SSRI medications and required gradual increase of dosages with no real benefit. This individual had no interest in engaging in life, nor the ability to feel positive emotions which was accompanied with mostly enhanced negative emotions. We decided to test this individual’s genetics for both neurotransmitter mutations as well as immune cytokines. Their genetic test revealed large number of over-active inflammatory cytokine SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) as well as SNPs in the dopamine neurotransmitter pathways. Our approach was to address this individuals’ dopamine pathway first, and a subsequent urine test confirmed low levels of dopamine metabolites. We began treatment with low dose dopamine precursors that would bypass this individual’s mutations. Our intervention was alongside their regular medications. This individual’s response was in an increase in focus, eye contact, ability to laugh at jokes, increased energy, motivation and ability to identify a negative or melancholic thought and was now able to move past those negative thoughts instantaneously. With this increase in motivation and drive we were able to begin addressing the areas of lifestyle changes needed to improve their chronic autoimmunity.
Disclaimer: In compliance with medical privacy protection individual's gender, age or any other identifying description have been omitted. An individual was complaining from a deteriorating shoulder injury that had been worsening over a year. The only option was to have a microsurgery which this individual was not willing to do. This individual had undergone both physiotherapy and osteopathy but did not feel that the treatments were helping. The individual's arm mobility became so limited that putting on clothes was becoming an issue. In our clinic these kind of sports related injuries are quite common as our company sponsors several athletes and our most successful course of action is to place the individual on an extreme anti-inflammatory diet. The diet is quite difficult to adhere to, but the duration of this treatment is relatively short (up to a month) with wonderful results. After 10 days on the food restriction treatment the patient described that he had not needed to take a single pain killer and the arm mobility was back to 90%. After 30 days there was a complete resolution of the injury.
Disclaimer: In compliance with medical privacy protection individual's gender, age or any other identifying description have been omitted. An Individual presented with recurrent urine infections linked to diabetes. This individual had complete control over food in fact this person was under weight and has never been overweight. The link with diabetes was clear due to the un-controlled blood sugar levels despite being on medication. We were asked to investigate possible contributors to this individual's suffering. Our plan was to control the infection by attempting to control the blood sugar levels which were possibly inducing the recurrent infections. Our investigation began by testing the individuals genetics, we were interested to understand if the immune system was a contributor as it is known that elevated immune inflammation markers such as IL-1 Beta and TNF-alpha amongst others would further dampen down insulin sensitivity. The genetic results did indicate mutations that predisposed this individual to higher levels of expression of inflammatory proteins such as the above mentioned. When then proceeded to test this individual for serum levels of the above mentioned inflammatory markers. The levels of some of the inflammatory proteins were indeed elevated in serum. Our response was to prescribe natural anti-inflammatories that have TNF-alpha and IL-1 Beta lowering properties. After one month of treatment the individual had a resolution of the recurring infections as well as a dramatic improvement in blood sugar values.
