Tiredness, Candida & Nutritional Therapy

A case study using nutritional therapy from Melanie Flower:

Jessica is a woman in her late 30s, who ran her own business. When I first saw Jessica she had been suffering from extreme tiredness, so much so that she was nearly falling asleep whilst walking down the street. She was also concerned about an unusual pattern of weight gain around her face and middle, and she was having bad reactions to alcohol and cigarette smoke.

Thorough questioning about her medical history and her symptoms and body functions revealed that she most likely was suffering from a Candida infection. The main focus of the treatment was to eliminate the Candida that was growing in her intestines, whilst at the same time improving her energy.

Because her lack of energy was so severe, all stimulants and sugars were eliminated from her diet, and she ate a diet rich in whole foods and easy to digest proteins. Wheat and dairy products were eliminated from her diet to help normalise conditions in her digestive system (these foods can cause digestive difficulties and during a therapeutic programme are best avoided). Animal produce was kept low to increase detoxification. I suggested she take a high quality probiotic supplement to re-populate her bowel flora, along with a multi-mineral supplement to help her cells produce energy more efficiently.

I saw Jessica for about 8 months in total, and during that time I saw her get her life back on track. Her energy levels were the first to improve, closely followed by improved digestive symptoms. By the time her treatment was over, she was able to digest wheat and dairy products with no problems, whereas previously these foods had caused constipation, bloating and a runny nose.

She is now able to manage her own diet easily, and sticks mainly to healthy, wholefoods but due to the work we did together she is able to tolerate any kind of food on an occasional basis. Like so many nutritional therapy patients, she now no longer craves sweet foods or processed meals, and is enjoying a healthy diet.

Melanie Flower, nutritional therapist, Pinner and Northwood, Middlesex, UK | Melanie's web site | Find a nutritional therapist.