When Dervilla reached out for nutritional support, she knew it was time for a serious change. Diagnosed with prediabetes two years earlier and facing a family history of type 2 diabetes, she was determined to avoid that path.
Here is her journey...
Dervilla had a long-standing diagnosis of hypothyroidism and menopause had caused significant weight gain. Her BMI had crept up into the red zone, and the extra pounds were taking a toll on her digestion and her joints.
For over a decade, Dervilla had also battled chronic reflux and had been dependent on proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). Recently, her health took another worrying turn when she began choking on food, leading to the discovery of a hernia. Dervilla knew it was time to take action; she committed to transforming her health and embarked on a six-month journey with Holly.
Dervilla had been a shift worker in the healthcare sector for decades. Studies show that shift work can lead to an increased risk of cardio-metabolic disease, including type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia (cholesterol) and obesity.
Long days and rotating night shifts meant Dervilla struggled to establish a consistent routine. Meal planning and finding the energy to cook were challenging. Often, she relied on take-outs and carb-heavy packaged meals, leading to poor nutrition that exacerbated her health issues.
With her reflux and hernia massively impacting her day-to-day life, her energy was low. She needed more than 8 hours of sleep a night but still woke up feeling tired. This fatigue fueled cravings for the sweet stuff, especially during stressful times at work and during the twilight hours when the workload meant there wasn’t enough time to eat a meal.
Her goals were clear: lose weight, prevent the progression to type 2 diabetes, and reduce the severity of the reflux and choking episodes.
Following the initial consultation, Holly wrote to Dervilla’s GP to request blood tests to help identify the root causes of some of her symptoms. Given that long-term PPI use is associated with nutrient deficiencies, she was eager to check key levels, and the results revealed:
- Suboptimal B12 levels – B12 supports healthy blood and is a significant nutrient in brain and nervous system health as well as energy production.
- Suboptimal levels of folate – another B vitamin which also supports DNA and red blood cell production, optimal tissue growth and cellular function.
We also identified:
- High levels of inflammation
- High levels of LDL cholesterol
- A thyroid that was struggling despite medication
Unfortunately, her vitamin D level was not tested by the GP, so Dervilla opted to get this done privately. This was the right decision, as she discovered that her levels were deficient. This is unsurprising considering her shift patterns and lack of access to natural light even when working day shifts.
Not only is vitamin D vital for bone health, it is also fundamental to the functioning of the nervous system and immune system too. Fatigue is a key symptom of vitamin D deficiency.
With guidance and at a pace Dervilla was comfortable with, we made simple yet impactful changes:
- Embraced a “balanced plate” approach, prioritising protein at every meal
- Eliminated pre-night-shift take-outs
- Adopted mindful eating practices to manage her reflux.
- Removed reflux triggers
- Increased her movement with the help of her new puppy
- Optimised hydration
- Adapted her meals to fit her on-the-go lifestyle
- Added in key therapeutic supplements based on her blood test results.
Within the first month, Dervilla noticed significant improvements. Her energy levels increased, and she found herself waking up earlier, which meant she had time to enjoy a healthy breakfast as well as tackle some household chores before heading to work.
Unfortunately, due to external factors outside of her control, Dervilla’s stress levels soared while she was working with Holly. Dervilla’s glass is always half-full, but as a life-long comfort eater her go-to in the past would have been cake.
To her surprise Dervilla noticed her emotional attachment to food had been challenged as the programme helped her focus on her health and wellbeing. She found she was still able to make informed choices and was really happy to find that within the first 2 months, she had still lost 8lbs!
During the programme, there were moments when Dervilla felt she wasn’t putting in as much effort as she should. But life can be unpredictable, and it’s normal for things to go off track at times. With a solid blueprint to return to, Devilla learned that these deviations were just part of the journey and not something to be hard on herself about. Life happens.
Having a personal interest in the power of scientific data, Dervilla also embraced the chance to use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) to understand how different foods affected her blood sugar levels. This tool empowered her to make better food choices and keep her blood sugar in check.
“I enjoyed my two weeks wearing a glucose monitor, seeing how my glucose levels went up and down with different foods. It helped me understand why I was prediabetic and it’s given me a better mindset regarding choosing foods that don’t make my blood sugars spike outside the ideal range.” – Dervilla.
By the end of the support programme, Dervilla’s transformation was undeniable. She had:
- Lost an incredible 2 ½ stone;
- Reduced her bloating;
- With the support of her GP and under Holly’s guidance, she was able to successfully come off her PPI medication completely without any negative side effects;
- Although she’s awaiting formal confirmation from her GP, her CGM monitor indicated that she was no longer pre-diabetic.
Dervilla’s journey is a testament to the power of determination, support, and simple, sustainable changes that not only improved her physical health, but her mental wellbeing too.
Huge congratulations, Dervilla!
