After a busy term, just catching up with some posts and really felt the need to respond to this one!
Firstly, I think forums are a fantastic way of becoming informed. There are bound to be conflicting views as we are all human, but I personally love hearing other people's viewpoints and information. It is then up to me whether I take it on board or not. And yes of course you have to be careful with some interactions between medicines and alternative therapies - that really is important.
Personally I wonder if the nation could save a huge health bill just by opening itself out to the possibilities of good nutrition preventing disease?
Again take it or leave it, but this is our positive experience of visiting a nutritionist over the last 6 months.........
I was very poorly in April with a bad stomach bug. It continued on and off for the next couple of months and I became very worried. I linked my periods of not feeling well to eating red meat and fatty foods, so felt it was something dietary and did not feel the need to visit the GP and go down the medical tests route. My instinct was correct. I visited an energetic medicine practitioner who tests the body for missing enzymes, vitamins, blockages in the body. Mine showed up the virus still present, increased gut flora, a depressed immune system, shortages of Vit B, shortages of digestive enzymes, zinc and amino acids - no doubt a stress reaction - brainb/gut is linked. Under supervision, I took these, cut out red meat, alcohol, dairy, gluten and wheat from my diet, lost 2 and a half stones in weight and enjoyed this full return to health and energy levels. My dentist was astounded in the change in me - I risked it and told her, not sure of a medic's reaction - "Fascinating, isn't it?" was her reply.
I still see the nutritionist, in winter my Vit D has gone down so I take a supplement for that. My iron levels are also a bit low so am taking Spa-tone with added Vit C - already I feel my energy levels increasing.
Hubby too visits this lady. His energy levels were very low following huge doses of anti-arrythmic medication and other medication for various conditions. His liver was over-burdened, he was put on some liver detox WITHOUT it affecting the strength of his medication. He has some worrying rise in PSA and the GP is threatening prostate biopsy if the levels do not reduce or stabilise. This is now being treated by avoiding red meat, taking Eskimo 3 fatty acids and improving the digestive system as infection can increase PSA (as well as avoiding cycling 2 days before a PSA test). It may or may not help but it is so fascinating to see what impact nutrition has on the body. Unfortunately the advice and the supplements cost money, but if you cut out all the ready meals and alcohol.............
Hubby is now well enough at 70 to go on 45 mile cycle training runs (yes, even with a heart condition....). Our friends and family continually comment on how well we both look and ask our secret............
So many may disagree but there is no way we will change our healthy diets now and revert to our old ways. There must be so many conditions that are nutrition-related and I personally just wonder how much money the NHS could save if it opened itself up to improving patients' knowledge of good nutrition?
Apologies for sounding like Gillian McKeith......