Introduction:
I had the pleasure of working with Betsy, a 70-year-old woman who embarked on a remarkable journey of healing after being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in July 2020. At The UltraWellness Center, we offer the option of working exclusively with a functional nutritionist which is what Betsy wanted to do. Her story is a testament to the transformative power of functional nutrition in managing chronic conditions like ulcerative colitis.
Background:
Before her diagnosis, Betsy led an active lifestyle, traveling frequently and prioritizing her health through eating an overall healthy diet. However, her health took a downturn when she developed severe gastritis during her travels. After experiencing severe abdominal pain and blood in her stool, she met with a gastroenterologist and was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. This is an autoimmune inflammatory bowel disease that results in ulcers in the large intestine and rectum. She began working with a functional medicine physician who ordered the GI Map stool test which revealed alarming markers: Very high calprotectin (a protein found in stools that indicate intestinal inflammation) soaring over 3000, occult blood exceeding 200, significant gut dysbiosis (imbalance of the gut bacteria), and Akkermansia muciniphila below detectable limits. Akkermansia is a beneficial bacterium linked to weight loss, improved insulin sensitivity, and reduced inflammation.
Diagnostic Journey:
Understanding the root causes of Betsy’s condition was pivotal. Functional medicine emphasizes a holistic approach, so I ordered additional testing that delved deep into her genetics with a 3×4 DNA test and Cyrex food sensitivity panels. We also discussed lifestyle factors including stress, sleep, environment, and physical activity. Through this lens, it became evident that her diagnosis extended beyond the symptoms to include an intricate web of gut dysbiosis, genetic predisposition to inflammation, stress, food sensitivities, and immune dysfunction driving her condition.
Tailored Intervention:
Given the multiple factors at play, I guided Betsy through a comprehensive nutrition and lifestyle plan tailored to address her underlying imbalances. Central to her journey was an autoimmune paleo diet. This removes food most likely to trigger gut inflammation and intestinal permeability including grains, dairy, legumes, eggs, and nightshade vegetables. I designed this with Betsy’s preferences in mind and provided several resources and recipes to help her put this into practice.
Supplementation played a crucial role in Betsy’s healing journey as well. Supplements including curcumin and specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) provided targeted relief to resolve inflammation while fish oil and vitamin D fortified her immune resilience. These interventions worked synergistically to restore microbial balance and fortify intestinal integrity.
Additionally, I recommended the “Gut Shake,” a powerhouse blend of gut-nourishing ingredients including probiotics, prebiotics, polyphenols, glutamine, and collagen.
Outcome and Maintenance:
After three months of dedicated adherence to her personalized protocol, Betsy experienced a remarkable turnaround. Repeat tests revealed normalized calprotectin levels and the absence of blood in her stool, signaling remission of her ulcerative colitis. Encouraged by her progress, she cautiously reintroduced foods one at a time and found that her main triggers were dairy, specific grains like gluten and oats, and alcohol. Remarkably, she did not require potent pharmaceuticals to manage her disease.
However, like all of us, Betsy is human, and her journey was not without its challenges. A period of stress and lapse in dietary vigilance led to a flare-up of symptoms when she tried eating gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. Yet, armed with the knowledge and tools gleaned from her initial success, she swiftly reverted to her original plan and implemented stress-reduction techniques we discussed. From here, she regained control over her health and went back into remission.
Conclusion:
By addressing the underlying imbalances through a holistic, personalized approach, Betsy achieved profound healing and sustained wellness. Her story serves as inspiration for all those navigating similar health challenges, illuminating a path toward renewed vitality and resilience.
