My personal story and what it means to you.

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Written by Susan Brady

I suffered from GI symptoms for years. I had ongoing stomach pain, heartburn, bloating, and excessive gas that left me feeling miserable, and my stomach distended day after day.

When I sought medical treatment, I was first diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome and prescribed a medication that left me feeling flat while doing nothing for my symptoms.

I was then convinced that my gallbladder was to blame and had my gallbladder removed.

After my surgery, I was told that the pathology report indicated that my gallbladder actually looked fine…no disease, no stones, no inflammation.

Not only did I have a totally healthy gallbladder yanked from my body, but I also had no answers and no relief!

Luckily my “gut instinct” (pun intended!) led me to my own exploration. Through my integrative medicine education and trial and error, I uncovered the real reason for my symptoms….low stomach acid, poor digestion, stress, and an unhealthy microbiome.

Healing my digestive tract didn’t take long once I was finally pointed in the right direction.

I do experience digestive distress from time to time because living without a gallbladder does negatively impact digestion. (Although the gallbladder may not be essential for life, contrary to medical belief, it is an essential organ for optimal digestion.)

Luckily, I have learned strategies to keep my digestive tract functioning smoothly through diet, lifestyle, and targeted supplementation.

I now also run a GI Map on myself every two years to ensure my digestive tract is functioning optimally and my gut microbiome is balanced.

I have never shared this story before because, as an integrative practitioner, I am embarrassed to admit that I opted to have my gallbladder removed. I feared that my colleagues would judge me for not knowing better.

20 years ago, I didn’t know better…but now I do!

Back then when I was trying to solve my own GI distress, I had to guess what was wrong with my system. Luckily now I can test!

Being able to combine my personal experience, my understanding of gut dysfunction, and the GI Map test, I have been able to help many people suffering from many of the same (and even worse!) symptoms I had:

“I was suffering and struggling with a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis over a year ago. Many of the prescription drugs recommended had horrific side effects and were not effective in decreasing cramps and pain. I consulted Susan Brady initially for joint pain, but, after testing, she immediately started me on several supplements to improve gut health. After a couple of months, my UC symptoms vastly decreased and I am no longer on any prescription drugs. Thank you, Susan!” ~LR

“Working with Susan totally changed my life! Before, I had lots of digestive issues, and my gut was on fire. Susan fixed all those issues and got me eating a very good healthy diet. I used to be hungry all the time. And now I just eat good food and feel satisfied. *I have more energy, I’m sleeping better because of it**.” ~JP*

In integrative medicine/functional medicine/holistic medicine our goal is to find the root cause of someone’s disease…whether it is mild discomfort from gas and bloating, feeling like your gut is on fire, or an inflammatory issue such as ulcerative colitis.

Is it dysbiosis (an imbalance of gut bacteria), a deficiency in digestive enzymes, intestinal inflammation, leaky gut?

You can guess…or you can test and know for sure!

When you start to understand what’s going on deep down inside, you can begin to heal.

Figuring this all out on your own can be a long hard process (like it was for me.) I want to help you skip all of the guesswork and get the answers you’re looking for and my Gut Health Package is the perfect solution!

Click here to learn more about the Gut Health Package.

Osteoporosis Nutrition

After being diagnosed with osteoporosis, I began sifting through all the information available on nutrition and osteoporosis, but it was confusing and time consuming. Even though I thought my diet was good, Susan gave me advice on how to make it even better! I benefited very much from Susan’s nutritional advice and guidance for safe and effective exercises. My recent bone scan showed improvements in both my hip and my spine, so I am encouraged that all the changes that I have made are working! ~ M.R.

Alkaline Based Diet

While providing rehabilitation after my two hip surgeries, Susan also educated me in the importance of proper nutrition for strengthening my bones and improving my bone density. She encouraged me to eat an alkaline-based diet and to eliminate the junk food I was so fond of. Not only did I heal quickly, but also the doctors were amazed by the rapid bone growth as noted on my x-rays. I continue to include chia and pumpkin seeds in my diet, as well as other foods that are alkaline based. I honestly have Susan to thank for this complete transformation in my diet which has allowed me to go back to wearing heels which I thought I would never be able to do again. Nutrition matters — I am a perfect example of good bones from good food! ~R.G.

Proper Exercise and Nutrition

“Susan Brady is very knowledgeable about osteoporosis. In 2016, I was diagnosed with osteoporosis in my lower back. Through proper exercise and nutrition, Susan was able to guide me towards a regimen that would in turn almost reverse my symptoms. Because of her method, I have been able to curb my bone loss, gain strength, and improve my overall health. I feel that I am on the road to a happier, healthier lifestyle thanks to Susan.”~ B.L.

Goodbye Osteoporosis!

Guess who no longer has osteoporosis in her spine?? DEXA says now -2.4 osteopenia where was -3.2 before. HUGE improvement. No medication, just exercise and nutrition. I still have a ways to go with my hips and femoral neck, but this is really great news for me! ~D.S.

Surgery Rehabilitation

While providing rehabilitation after my two hip surgeries, Susan also educated me in the importance of proper nutrition for strengthening my bones and improving my bone density. She encouraged me to eat an alkaline-based diet and to eliminate the junk food I was so fond of. Not only did I heal quickly, but also the doctors were amazed by the rapid bone growth as noted on my x-rays. I continue to include chia and pumpkin seeds in my diet, as well as other foods that are alkaline based. I honestly have Susan to thank for this complete transformation in my diet which has allowed me to go back to wearing heels which I thought I would never be able to do again. Nutrition matters. I am a perfect example of good bones from good food!” ~R.G.

Prescription Holiday

Initially, I went to Susan Brady because my family doctor told me to take a holiday from the prescription bone density medicine that I had been taking it for many years. I avoid dairy since I am lactose intolerant and sensitive to dairy protein. I was confident that Susan could recommend a superior quality calcium, balanced with other supplements that would help provide the nutrients I needed for bone health. In addition to recommendations for supplements, she has evaluated my diet and my exercise regimen, making suggestions as needed. With guidance from Susan I have been able to maintain bone health without additional bone density medicine for several years now. ~K.N.

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Check out the weighted vests on their website: Weighted Vests.

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