Why I'm attempting a plant based diet for the next 12 months
8 weeks ago I got the most blood drawn in one go, than I ever have before… Ten vials, and then another four for good measure… I also completed an incredibly detailed gut microbiome test.
My new specialist, is all about finding the root causes of chronic illnesses, and I’m fascinated by what she’s been able to find in two visits, that all my other doctors and specialists have missed for years… Not only has she diagnosed an autonomic nervous system disorder, she's also discovered many underlying issues that she thinks may have been the causes of, or triggers for, the multiple autoimmune and chronic illnesses that I've been diagnosed with in the last twelve months.
Among other things, she's found that my thyroid is low functioning, and I am borderline needing medication. Multiple hormones are also out of whack, or just not functioning, and so I’m starting hormone treatment, which she hopes will stabilise my thyroid, otherwise I will start medication for that too…
My gut is all out of sorts, and I am missing a lot of key microbiomes, and a few that I do have, aren’t functioning.
She also found signs of PCOS, and insulin resistance, as well as some signs that my kidneys are a bit angry.
But the biggest thing is she wants me to start a six, to twelve month vegan diet, as it turns out my body doesn’t break down animal protein, and I have a big build up in my body. This could finally explain a lot of my stubborn inflammation, joint pain, and other symptoms of chronic illness, which medication just can’t seem to get under control - no matter the dose.
I usually feel like it’s two steps forward, five steps back after getting test results, but I love that this new doctor is all about a holistic approach, and is as big on food and supplements as well as medication… She’s already made a massive difference to my life with a few medication changes and additional supplements, so I trust her completely, that a plant based diet will be a massive help in healing my very broken body…
And so, in spite of the state of overwhelm that I’m currently in, today it begins - plant based day 1.
JO xo