A Moment with Dr. Stillman
When we first met, she could climb one flight of stairs.
She coughed. She tripped and fell. She told me, “I’m annoyed with myself.”
She was not lazy. She walked every day. She had already changed her diet. She was doing what she had been told to do.
What She Was Living With
She is a 72-year-old grandmother who loves spending quality time with her family, particularly on the water. An autoimmune lung disease left her coughing constantly and huffing and puffing after just one flight of stairs.
Here are her exact symptoms:
A cough that would not quit
Trouble climbing stairs
Nausea and diarrhea from her lung medication
About an hour to fall asleep at night
Hot flashes she rated 10 out of 10
Unlike most of our patients, we were the first natural and integrative practice she had been to. She was just on conventional medications - so we got to work.
What Changed
Her allergy test showed an extreme reaction to saccharin. She cut this and other foods on her allergy testing, started a personalized supplement protocol, and started getting morning light consistently.
Between her January and March visits:
Before: One flight of stairs.
After: Two flights.
Before: A constant cough.
After: No cough, day or night.
Before: About an hour to fall asleep.
After: Under half an hour. Now she is asleep by 8:20 to 8:30 p.m. and sleeps through the night except for bathroom breaks.
Before: Hot flashes at 10 out of 10.
After: 1 out of 10.
Her wedding ring got looser. She was holding onto less fluid.
We’re still working on her afternoon energy and mental clarity, but these are major improvements in just a matter of months.
Things to Think About
Three major things we changed - adding more light, repleting minerals, and eliminating dietary triggers of her immune system (and therefore inflammation).
Most people get almost no real sunlight. Most people spend over 98% of their time indoors.
I tell patients to think of morning sunlight as the signal that turns your brain on. Bright light early in the day sets your body clock. That makes it easier for your brain to shut off at night.
Her plan was 20 to 60 minutes of bright morning light. Here is what this did for her sleep:
Before: About an hour to fall asleep
After: Asleep by 8:30 p.m. and sleeping through the night
We usually use melatonin and progesterone in older women to optimize sleep. In this case, we didn’t need either to make massive improvements.
Pluck the low-hanging fruit, whether or not you ever start hormonal replacement.
Most patients coming to us have mineral deficiencies that need to be addressed. Until they are, patients struggle. Our protocols gently replete the system so it can work the way its supposed to - from restful sleep to mental sharpness.
Hidden triggers in our daily diet can easily destroy our health. Her morning saccharin in her coffee was triggering her immune system and destroying her life.
Her improvement wasn’t the result of just one thing. It was a whole combination of things.
We’re delighted she’s feeling better and is back to being her usual, cheerful, energetic self.
Parting Words
“What is food for one man may be fierce poison to another.” - Lucretius
Some people can get away with their favorite sweetener.
Others cannot.
Stress, toxins, and processed food combine to deplete patients of minerals.
When we nourish, detoxify, and purify, patients flourish.
A little sunshine, the right minerals and vitamins, and exclusion of clear dietary triggers worked wonders in this case.
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As always, discuss any changes with your own licensed clinician. Read our full disclaimers, disclosures, and our position on health freedom here.
Until next time, be well,
Dr. Stillman
P.S. If you’re tired, foggy, and inflamed, and you’re ready for root-cause medical care, book an evaluation with a member of our team.
During the evaluation, we’ll:
Review your history and current symptoms
What you’ve tried, what’s worked, and what hasn’t
Get you clarity on where to go next, whether that’s becoming a member of our practice or a referral to a trusted partner of ours
For a limited time, we’re also including a copy of my new book, The End of Autoimmunity, so you can learn more about our process.
Book your evaluation today. If you’re tired, foggy, and inflamed, we’d love to help you reclaim your health.
Educational content only. Not medical advice. See full disclaimers.