Today, people take nutrition for granted; they go for quick, easy, and convenient and if it doesn't fall under those three criteria then they don't eat it. Highways are lined with easy and convenient foods. Grocery stores are stocked with packaged food that requires five minutes to cook. Schools and campuses utilize vending machines for quick pick-me-ups in the afternoon. Convenience is great. Quick and easy are also great but at what expense? At what point do convenience and quick and easy meals tromp on the health and well-being of your body and your family's bodies?
I never gave nutrition a thought until the past few years. Throughout my childhood I had struggled with health issues but none that really cause major concerns. I was a typical kid when it came to food, the more unhealthy it was the more I enjoyed it. I consumed pizza rolls, hot pockets, and Little Debbie snacks throughout junior high and high school. Not until the summer before my senior year in high school did major concerns for my health begin to arise. It was a breaking point-a moment where I knew something wasn't right. I was in Chicago with friends and we had stopped to eat at a restaurant. I walked to the restroom-two turns and I was there. When I began to make my way back to the table from the restroom, I got lost, became confused, and a friend finally came and found me. I got lost in a restaurant. I only had to make two turns to make it to my destination and I was unable to do that. So began the journey on getting answers for what was happening in my body. My symptoms that I dealt with on a daily basis include the following: numbness and intense pain (level 7-8) of toes, legs, arms, and pinky fingers, confusion, forgetfulness (my own phone number), migraine headaches (levels 9-10), extreme weight loss and gain, increased and decreased appetite, inability to absorb proper nutrients, increased exhaustion, inability to sleep, and negative responses to foods.
Year 1:
1. Saw family doctor who ordered blood work and began testing for all major diseases
2. Thought to have beginning signs for diabetes and went on a diabetic diet
3. Symptoms persisted and saw every doctor in the Rockford area that specialized in neurology
4. Expanded search for neurological doctors in the Chicago area
5. Had 2 MRIs and an EKG as well as other brain and nervous system tests
No progress was made and symptoms intensified
Year 2:
1. Expanded search and traveled to Huntsville, Alabama and Johns Hopkins in Baltimore
2. Neurologists were baffled at nervous system being healthy but health concerns persisting
3. Gastroenterologist hypothesized a gluten allergy and possible Celiac Disease
4. Endoscopy and biopsy confirmed no Celiac Disease
5. Visited a doctor in the Chicago area that confirmed a gluten intolerance
Year 3:
1. Continued to eat a gluten free diet due to gluten intolerance
2. Symptoms still lingered but not as intense
3. Maintained regular doctor appointments and tests
Year 4:
1. Symptoms came back full force
2. Doctors began to investigate and experiment using depression medication to suppress migraines and pain
3. Symptoms increased and worsened
Year 5:
1. Unable to perform every day functions
2. Confined to my bed for most of the time because the pain from my migraines and body was too intense
3. Began cutting out more food groups while increasing others to try to find relief-no success
4. Underwent another MRI
5. Saw a new migraine specialist in Wisconsin
6. Placed on several medications that responded negatively to my system
7. Referred to a nutritionist, Karen Hurd
8. Diet constructed to rebuild adrenaline and endocrine system
My success with Karen Hurd was phenomenal! She completely focuses on nutrition, because what goes into the body will have an effect on the overall health of your body. The diet that I am currently on, and will be for most of my life is specifically designed for me with my body type and particular symptoms. I am not stating that this eating lifestyle is for everyone, nor do I encourage everyone to try it. Every person is different and with that comes different eating lifestyles. In July of 2012, Karen Hurd put me on a strict diet that consisted of consuming unprocessed meats low in fat, non-starchy vegetables, legumes, nuts, and water. That is all that I consume, and I have been symptom free since November of 2012. I eat 4 servings of meats and legumes, 3 servings of vegetables, 1/2 - 1 cup of nuts, and about a gallon of water per day. Not only am I dealing with an intolerance to gluten but also maintenance of my adrenal glands and endocrine system. Many of my health problems stem from my endocrine system and incorrect processing during puberty. The adrenaline issues stem from problems with the endocrine system as well as abuse through a high-stress level lifestyle and foods.
Nutrition works, not because I've read about it and studied it but because I have personally see my life transformed by it. To go from being stuck in bed all day to be able to get up and get back into school and on with what the Lord has for my life is truly remarkable. Why did I go into such great detail in regards to the hardships I have faced with my health? Because I know that there is someone else out there struggling too. I only desire to help those who are hurting. Do I have all the answers? Most definitely not. I just want to be able to take my experiences and current education in nutrition to better help those who so desperately want help and are not getting it from their doctors.
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