Hi! My name is Jim and I recently started the Specific Carbohydrate Diet. I am also taking medication. I believe the diet is helping me a great deal. I gain weight every day. However, my gastroenterologist doesn't believe in the diet, he believes in medication and surgery. My current doctor [Dr. Hoffman] wrote the forward to the Elaine Gottschall book "Breaking the Vicious Cycle." He said I was one of the top worst patients he saw in 1996.
During the six months before the diet I experienced a lot of stress and ate poorly. Since I started the diet (the day before Christmas Eve) I have gained one pound a day! I am 5'11 and weighed 158 pounds but after the flare up my weight dropped to 125. My doctor said he cannot believe how quickly I am recovering. I am also very surprised considering my health at the time.
He said he soon expects to see me drug free. He treats me holistically while my gastroenterologist just gives me medication. I can't wait to get off the medication, because I now believe you are what you eat. I am very grateful to Elaine and my doctor (Dr. Hoffman). They are heaven sent. So far this year has been great!
44 year old male diagnosed with Barrett's esophagus came to Dr. Hoffman's Practice for nutritional support. The patient was on Nexium at the dose of 40mg, twice daily, yet still experienced GERD (heartburn) symptoms. At the first nutritional visit, the patient started standard GERD dietary protocols while we awaited the results of his extensive testing. At the follow up visit only 3 weeks later, the patient reported a major reduction in GERD since following the diet. He was astonished that many of the "healthy" foods he was consuming were actually causing his GERD. Food sensitivities were identified, deficiencies were discovered, and treatment for environmental sensitivities began in allergy lab. Targeted supplementation to address GERD and supplementation to address identified nutritional deficiencies was implemented, with a focus on DIM (diindolemethane), folate, and Intestinal Repair Complex. The patient followed up every 4 to 6 weeks, constantly noting and increase in energy and overall wellbeing, with a decrease in GERD symptoms. He remained on his medication throughout therapy. After 3 months under our care, the patient followed up with his gastroenterologist for an endoscopy. His doctor noted that his esophagus looked healthier, and believed the patient was headed for remission of Barrett's esophagus.
38 year old male with chronic sinusitis who just finished yet another round of antibiotics, came in the office for nutritional support. An extensive work up was ordered, including food sensitivities, nutritional deficiencies, hormone status, candida sensitivity, and immunoglobin levels. The patient was referred to an immunologist due to the fact that the patient's immunoglobulin count (an immune marker) was low. .We began treatment of food sensitivities, DHEA repletion, blood sugar control, and select nutrient therapy based on his symptoms and blood tests. The immunologist carefully monitored the patient while he was undergoing nutritional therapy. Intravenous therapy for immune support was initiated, and the patient noticed his infections abate for the first time without antibiotics. After 3 months of nutritional therapy ,including receiving one IV a week and neutralizing his sensitivity to mold via sublingual drops, the patient was free of his sinusitis symptoms. Weekly IVs were discontinued at that time. After 6 months, the patient remained free of sinusitis. The patient followed up 1 year later, remained free of sinusitis, and continued his supplement and dietary protocols.
65 year old women complaining of joint pain that affected her fingers, knees, and hips, came to Dr. Hoffman's Practice for nutritional intervention. She was not on any medication for her pain, but doctors wanted to put her on a mild antihypertensive due to her recently increasing blood pressure, noted to be 141/87 at her first visit. Thorough testing was ordered, with a focus on food sensitivities and nutritional status, including red blood cell essential fatty acid analysis. A dietary protocol, along with targeted supplementation was implemented. After three weeks of eliminating food sensitivities, and sticking with the nutritional program we designed, the patient returned for follow up and claimed to be completely free of joint pain. The patient's blood pressure dropped to 104/72 at a reading in the office (she averages 120/70 with her home monitor).
42 year old male came to Dr. Hoffman's Practice to address fatigue, GERD, panic disorder and poor sleep. A full medical and nutritional work up was completed. The results of the tests revealed very low testosterone, several food allergies, imbalanced stress neurotransmitters and insulin resistance. The patient's glucose tolerance test was remarkable. His peak blood sugar was 233 (93 points out of the normal range) and his low was 58 (a few points below normal), yet his insulin was 43 points over normal! He had no idea that he had a problem with blood sugar control, since he never had a 5-hour glucose tolerance test before. A nutritional plan was implemented, and testosterone therapy was initiated. Due to the patient's schedule, he did not return for follow up until 8 weeks later. At follow up the patient reported a complete elimination of GERD, an increase in energy, and a dramatic reduction in panic episodes.. We recorded a 10-pound weight loss, a 49-point drop in cholesterol, a 50-point drop in triglycerides, The patient stated that he "felt like a new person!"
11 year old girl's parents heard Dr. Hoffman on his syndicated radio program "Health Talk" discussing inflammatory bowel disease, and the many nutritional approaches that can complement conventional therapy, and brought her into Dr. Hoffman's Practice for an "Intelligent Medicine" approach to her Crohn's disease. The patient was on Asacol and Prednisone, and was experiencing side-effects from the medication (excess body hair, moon face, hyperactivity). A full medical and nutritional work up was performed, and and a nutritional program was implemented. She had slight reduction in her symptoms after 3 weeks. Her bowel movements reduced to six daily, down from nearly twenty. The patient was advised to remain on the program, and follow up every month. The most dramatic change occurred at her six month appointment. Still keeping her regular appointments with her gastroenterologist, the patient, for the first time since her diagnosis, was off all medication, and reported a complete elimination of symptoms associated with Crohn's disease. The patient still followed up every 6 weeks, and remained symptom free. Her next GI follow up gave her great news to celebrate. She was officially deemed in remission! To this day the patient remains on the protocols we outlined for her, and remains in remission.
28 year old female diagnosed with Crohn's disease, had intravenous antibiotics and steroids and was on 6MP. The patient suffered such severe anal fissures that she received botox injections rectally to ameliorate the pain. She had approximately 22 bowel movements daily. The patient came to Dr. Hoffman's Practice to receive nutritional support. The patient was tested for food sensitivities, hormone status, nutrient deficiencies and candida sensitivity. All identified food allergens were eliminated from her diet and she was placed on a diet that specifically addresses inflammatory bowel disease along with the elimination of intestinal health antagonists. Targeted supplementation was carefully introduced based on her lab results and symptomatology. In six weeks, her bowel movements decreased to five daily and her energy improved. After three months on the program, her bowel movements decreased to three daily, and while she remained on medication, her follow up colonoscopy reported "non-specific inflammation". The patient was feeling the best she ever had in her life. This status was maintained for six months. Sadly, even with this improvement, she fell off the diet, increased her intake of sugar, and relapsed, requiring aggressive medical treatment. COMMENT: There are nutritional interventions that can help difficult medical conditions, but the patient has to be committed. Addressing inflammatory bowel disease is a life long commitment; reverting to old dietary habits may erase all progress.
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