By Dr. Krystosik
See other articles in this Blue Zone Series
In last week’s article I introduced you to the science of epigenetics. I explained how your genes are not your destiny. You don’t have to sit around waiting and worrying to find out if you will end up with one or more of the diseases that run in your family. Remember it’s your environment that determines your health and well-being. The good news is you are in control over the way your genes are expressed.
Let me share a real-life story of one of my patients who had a family history of diabetes and heart disease. Yet, with lifestyle medicine she overcame inherited genetic weakness and now lives a drug-free, healthy life. But I want you to know, what I’m about to share with you is not just about my patient Lorain. It’s about you, or any one of your family or friends who are suffering with chronic disease.
At the age of forty, this bright, young, school, teacher was suffering with a long-list of conditions; diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, PMS, migraine headaches, low back pain, Irritable bowel syndrome, insomnia, depression, chronic fatigue. Lorain was taking nine medications, yet she felt miserable all the time.
During my initial consultation and examination, I created a timeline designating when each of her symptoms began and the medications and surgeries she was prescribed throughout her life. I asked her questions about any physical or emotional events in her life. I scrutinized her home life, her childhood illness, major stressors in her life, possible toxins she was exposed too, the foods she liked and disliked, the type of water she drinks, her exercise habits. Next, I ordered some functional medicine tests to measure the good and bad bacteria living in her intestine, thirty-two nutrients in her blood, a saliva hormone test, and markers that determine the strength of the immune system. From all of this information I prescribed Lorain a personalized diet and lifestyle. I provided her with a GPS system to get out of the maze of her symptoms and disease. Within three months Lorain was dramatically better. She no longer had migraine headaches, Irritable Bowel, insomnia, PMS, fatigue, high cholesterol or blood pressure. Lorain was able to get off all of her medications except her insulin. However, she was able to reduce the insulin from 60 units per day to 5 units per day. Lorain no longer lives in fear because of her genetic background.
Dr. Krystosik is a board-certified chiropractic physician with an undergraduate degree in clinical nutrition and is northeast Ohio’s leading expert in functional medicine. Dr. Krystosik is the author of 5 books on nutrition and natural medicine and is a nationally known speaker. For an appointment with Dr. Krystosik in Northfield, call 330-908-0094 or www.healthsourcechiro.com/macedonia/#gref
