Common But Not Normal: A Nutritional Therapist's Perspective
In my clinical practice, the term "normal" often comes up in conversations, especially with health symptoms which have been slowly lingering for years. These become a part of the routine that many people don't see them as a problem anymore. However, while common, most of these issues are far from normal for a healthy body.
While I was in university, grappling with terrible stomach issues, I discovered some giant, mysterious spots on my legs. I thought it was weird, but they became so commonplace that they became 'normal' before long. It turns out that these spots were Erythema Nodosum, an inflammatory skin condition which was a direct indicator that I had Crohn's disease. Had I mentioned this to my GP (or if they had asked) rather than focussing only on my stomach issues, I might've got to a diagnosis sooner rather than living with undiagnosed Crohn's disease for months.
One client of mine was struggling with adult acne. Despite investing in expensive treatments and serums, the symptoms persisted. When I worked through her detailed health history and diary, I realised her bowel movements were very infrequent; we are talking sometimes only once or twice a week! As this was commonplace in her family, it had become normalised, leading her to overlook it as a contributing factor to her adult acne. We spent time together, adjusting her diet and approach to eating, slowly getting to regular daily bowel movements and a clear complexion.
Another client came to me with knee pain, which had flared up in the past months. During our consultation, I also discovered he had persistent brain fog, which, although annoyed him, he thought of as 'normal'. His diet was excellent, with many whole foods and regular cycle rides, perfect on paper. His breakfast most days was poached eggs and avocado on toast. I asked him to lose the toast and try one month of gluten-free. Now, he was initially reluctant, as he has no typical reactions to gluten; he can eat a whole pizza without any digestive complaints. Sure enough, after two weeks, not only had the knee pain reduced massively, but the brain fog was also gone.
These are just a few examples of issues I see brushed off as a 'normal' part of life, but they can signify deeper imbalances that need addressing. Paying attention to these common complaints can often lead us to the root cause of our primary concerns and signal underlying imbalances that deserve attention.
Going to the toilet only with the help of laxatives (or coffee!)
Going to the toilet multiple times a day
Brain fog
Mid-afternoon slumps
Hormonal Mood Swings
Period Pain
Trouble getting to sleep
Unexplained weight gain
Unexplained joint pain
If any of this resonates and you're ready to explore how these "normal" issues you've been living with, I offer a FREE, no-obligation 30-minute consultation with me. Let's see what we can do together to restore balance for optimal health.