With permission, I am sharing part three of the story of one of my patients who experienced extreme frustration with the Western medical system when they were navigating somewhat ambiguous symptoms with no actual answers about a diagnosis, or more importantly, RELIEF!
If you haven’t yet, please read part one and part two before proceeding on:
“Exhaustion. That’s the word that best describes how I felt before coming to Colorado Natural Medicine and meeting Dr. Graves. I spent countless appointments with my Western doctor, searching for answers to my gut issues. I wasn’t getting better, and frankly, I was starting to feel dismissed.
“But something inside me wouldn’t let this go. I was really tired of knowing that I felt awful and not being able to pinpoint the cause. I call it gut instinct, literally! I suspected something wasn’t right with my gut health. Through my own research, I learned about leaky gut and its connection to various digestive issues. Cheese, bread, and wine – those were my prime suspects. Whenever I indulged in any of them, my stomach would go haywire. It also didn’t help that I often consumed them simultaneously. Diarrhea, bloating, gas – you name it. It felt like my gut microbiome was in complete chaos.
“Then came the moment of truth: the results of my food sensitivity test. Let me tell you: it’s a powerful thing to see the evidence laid out on paper.
“Dr. Graves explained the results in a way that made perfect sense. The test did not indicate a sensitivity to a wide range of foods. He pointed out that only whey showed significantly elevated levels of sensitivity compared to all the other foods. He explained that my gut health overall was in good shape, but dairy presented a challenge.
“Dr. Graves also clarified the key difference between food sensitivities and allergies for me. Unlike allergies, which trigger an immediate response (think hives or trouble breathing), food sensitivities cause a delayed immune reaction, often within 6-24 hours of consumption. It made sense why I didn’t experience the classic allergic reaction after eating dairy—it was a subtler, lagged response causing my digestive distress.
“Armed with this newfound knowledge, Dr. Graves recommended a personalized approach. He suggested going completely dairy-free for a month, essentially an elimination diet. The idea was to give my body a chance to heal from the ongoing low-grade inflammation caused by dairy sensitivity. The beauty of an elimination diet, Dr. Graves explained, is that it’s temporary. Once my symptoms subsided, we could slowly reintroduce dairy and monitor my body’s response to determine the level of tolerance.
“I was relieved I didn’t have to cut out all my favorites, even though eliminating dairy (and thus cheese) for a month seemed daunting. The good news was I felt like I had a partner as I took the next step towards wellness, and I did not have to go it alone. I felt a renewed sense of energy. More importantly, I felt empowered. I was no longer drowning in a sea of information to decipher but an active team member receiving guidance from an expert.”
Naturopathic medicine allows patients to explore their bodies’ natural rhythms and offers a wider spectrum of treatment options. It emphasizes holistic healing and considers the physical, emotional, and mental aspects of health. We understand that what is considered ‘normal’ by conventional standards isn’t always what is truly optimal for individual well-being. Our approach is tailored to meet the unique needs of each patient, ensuring a personalized treatment plan that helps restore genuine health and vitality.
Ready to join your own healthcare team? We are waiting to partner with you to uncover the root causes of your health challenges. Scheduling a consultation with Dr. Graves is the first step to restoring your health and well-being—mind, body, and spirit. I offer a complimentary call for new patients. Reach me at 303-688-6698 or schedule online.
Dr. Adam Graves, ND, LAc, is a licensed naturopathic doctor and acupuncturist in Castle Rock, Colorado. His practice, Colorado Natural Medicine & Acupuncture, is conveniently located in the south Denver metro area.
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