Real life.
Real solutions.
A Selection of Case Studies
Adam, Age 50
APOE Gene Type 2/2
read Adam’s case study
Karen, Age 42
APOE Gene Type 2/3
read Karen’s case study
Tomas, Age 48
APOE Gene Type 3/3
read Tomas’ case study
Pete, Age 52
APOE Gene Type 2/4
read Pete’s case study
Mary, Age 69
APOE Gene Type 4/3
read Mary’s case study
Greg, Age 16
APOE Gene Type 4/4
read Greg’s case study
Case Studies
Adam, Age 50, APOE 2/2
BEFORE APOE PROGRAM
Health Concerns: High cholesterol. Very high triglycerides. High glucose. High insulin. High Blood Pressure. Family history of sudden heart attack below the age of fifty. Generally feeling unwell.
Diet: Low fat diet prescribed by doctor to improve cholesterol panel.
Medications: Statin medication. Four different medications to manage blood pressure.
Exercise: No exercise.
Mental/Emotional: Dealing with the stress about his health, fear of sudden death due to family history.
APOE TREATMENT PLAN
Comprehensive Vascular Screening for heart disease—included stress echo test, heart scan and carotid ultrasound—found multiple, previously unidentified, risk factors. Advanced Cholesterol Screening found additional abnormal cholesterol markers, not identified by the regular cholesterol screening panels.
Diet: The APOE 2/2 requires a much higher fat diet than had been prescribed. APOE Gene Diet recommendations included foods that reduced his triglycerides, glucose, insulin and inflammatory levels; as well as ensuring the correct protein, fat and carbohydrate balance for the APOE 2/2.
Supplements: Omega 3s, and turmeric and ginger supplement to help reduce inflammation. Multivitamin, Vitamin B3.
Medications: Very gradually reducing statin medication.
Exercise: Began exercise program suited to APOE 2/2 genotype, and current physical health.
Mental/Emotional: Began a very simple and short meditation practice, five to ten minutes of closing his eyes and simply noticing his breath.
Began journaling about his fear of sudden death, and how he can makes the changes needed to support his health.
PATIENT HEALTH CHANGES AND OUTCOME
Fatigue went away almost immediately. Very high cholesterol levels normalized significantly, very quickly.
Triglycerides, high glucose and insulin levels normalized. Normalized on two (not four) blood pressure medications. Feeling optimistic and positive.
Karen, Age 42, APOE 2/3
BEFORE APOE PROGRAM
Health Concerns: Severe anxiety levels. Two previous heart attacks. two stints in her coronary arteries, placed two years earlier. High cholesterol. high glucose and high insulin levels. Family history of heart disease, diabetes and cancer. Mildly elevated high blood pressure.
Diet: Very low fat diet prescribed to help with high cholesterol levels.
Treatment Plan: Statin medication and strict low fat diet.
APOE TREATMENT PLAN
Advanced cholesterol screening indicated as well as a high cholesterol level, Karen had a genetic cholesterol disorder—now to be treated with the APOE Gene Diet.
Diet: Remove all inflammatory foods, increase the fat content of diet to meet higher fat needs of the APOE 2/3. Diet now included correct balance of protein, fat and carbohydrate, as well as calorie allowance and recommended serving sizes for each meal.
Medications: Continue statin. Add Niaspan (treats Lp(a), small dense LDL Pattern B, and prevents them from penetrating the artery wall and causing heart disease.
Supplements: CoQ 10 (added because statins reduce the levels of CoQ 10 in muscles—including the heart muscle). Omega 3s, and turmeric and ginger preparation to help reduce inflammation. Vitamin D. Vitamin B3 – after glucose level normalized.
Exercise: Begin low-level aerobic exercise.
Mental/Emotional: Encouraged Karen to share her healing journey with other professional organizations. This strengthened her confidence and motivation to pursue her healing, while helping others.
PATIENT HEALTH CHANGES AND OUTCOME
Fatigue disappeared. Very high cholesterol levels normalized. High glucose and insulin levels normalized. Blood pressure normalized.
One evening the patient began to have chest pain, and went to the emergency room—they assumed this was a third heart attack. In the operating room, surgeon found the artery that was 50% blocked, and 70% blocked, was now 100% clear. The stints that were probably causing the chest pain were removed.
“My doctor is amazed. I am still following the APOE Gene Diet. I am off of my blood pressure medication now also. I am weaning off meds and using supplements only. I am amazing!”— Karen.
Tomas, Age 48, APOE 3/3
BEFORE APOE PROGRAM
Health Concerns: High cholesterol. Very mildly elevated glucose levels. Elevated insulin levels. High blood pressure. 35-40 pounds excess weight. Severe works stresses.
Diet: Standard American Diet—primarily meats, dairy—milk and cheeses, breads, some processed foods. One to two glasses of red wine with meals at night. Coffee in the morning.
Sometimes missed meals due to work schedule.
Doctor prescribed a low fat and low carbohydrate diet, due to his elevated blood sugar and the patient’s desire to reduce his weight by 35-40 pounds.
Tomas strictly adhered to the low fat and low carbohydrate diet. He lost 32 lbs in about 12 weeks.
At his next visit to his provider, he was tired but happy he had almost reached his weight goal. He was distressed to find his glucose and insulin levels had increased significantly. His cholesterol and trigyceride levels had doubled. Blood pressure had also increased.
Exercise: morning distance runner with coffee only, prior to exercise.
Medications: Tomas had not wanted to take any medication.
Mental/emotional: highly stressed executive of major technology company. Further stressed, frustrated, and irritable with these latest test results.
APOE TREATMENT PLAN
Gene testing showed Tomas was an APOE 3/3.
Diet: APOE 3/3s do not do well on a low fat, low carbohydrate diet. Fat and carbohydrate content was slowly increased, and all inflammatory foods removed. Tomas began eating an anti-inflammatory diet, with the correct nutritional balance of protein, fats and carbohydrates for his APOE 3/3 genotype.
He began eating regular meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner, and a healthy snack between meals. This was to help with his level of fatigue.
Supplements: Omega 3s to help reduce inflammation. Vitamin B complex. Vitamin D. Vitamin B 12. Multivitamin.
Medications: Started on blood pressure medication.
Exercise: Stopped exercise for fourteen days, until physical condition showed sign of improvement. Gradually returned to running, as health improved.
Mental/emotional: Began practicing a very simple but effective breathing exercise that teaches the body how to release stress, and move into a place that is calm, yet alert.
PATIENT HEALTH CHANGES AND OUTCOME
Labs began to normalize, and patient’s fatigue improved significantly. Cholesterol levels improved greatly. Glucose and HA1c significantly better. Elevated insulin levels decreased significantly. High blood pressure now normal with medication.
While work continues to be a high stress factor, Tomas now recognizes the importance of a more balanced life. He continues to practice the breathing exercises and a more moderate exercise program better suited to his 3/3 genotype. This includes stretching, strength exercises and aerobic exercise at the health club. His wife now joins him at the club, supporting him in staying on track with his balanced exercise program.
Pete, Age 52, APOE 2/4
BEFORE APOE PROGRAM
Pete woke up one morning feeling fatigued. He had pain in a slightly swollen foot, and a high fever.
His friend drove him to the emergency room. When the doctor touched his foot to examine it, his skin broke open and a large amount of pus came pouring onto the bed.
Blood work was done immediately, and he was found to be a severe diabetic with blood sugars over 300. He was taken to the operating room, and surgery was performed on his foot and leg.
The patient remained in the hospital for six days. He went home after deciding not to have his leg amputated, and not to go on renal dialysis. He and his wife had decided to continue some care from the allopathic system, as well as exploring an integrative medicine approach with nutrition as a major focus.
Pete, an engineer, lived with high levels of stress. He had a family history of heart disease and diabetes.
Diet: Commonly skipped breakfast, other than coffee and cream or milk.
Heavy intake of inflammatory foods–meats, dairy, and processed foods.
Often skipped meals.
Illnesses: No prior illness noted.
Medication: No medication.
APOE TREATMENT PLAN
Pete arrived for the initial consultation with a very swollen, gangrenous, ulcerated foot. We discussed his risk factors and his current health status and lab work was done immediately. Tests showed high blood pressure, high blood sugars and elevated insulin levels, high cholesterol, overwhelming fatigue, and severe anemia.
Diet: Immediately, removed all inflammatory foods—caffeine, dairy foods (cheese, milk sour cream etc), and all inflammatory meats and processed foods. Usually dietary changes are made gradually, but in this case the need was urgent, or he would be back in hospital.
His APOE Gene Diet included strictly anti-inflammatory foods, with wild fish, plant proteins, good anti-inflammatory fats, fresh vegetables and low glycemic fruits.
Meals and snacks to be eaten at regular intervals. Increase water intake at regular intervals during the day.
Supplements: Omega 3s. Multivitamin. Vitamin D. Vitamin B6. B12 and Folate. Turmeric and ginger supplement to help reduce inflammation.
Medications: Prescribed antibiotics, and medication for high blood pressure and elevated insulin levels.
Exercise: Swimming was his choice of exercise, when his food wound was closed.
PATIENT HEALTH CHANGES AND OUTCOME
Even the nursing staff in the wound clinic was surprised to see how quickly the wound was healing. Within five weeks the patient’s condition had improved significantly.
The gangrene on his toes had healed, his foot size was almost normal, his foot ulcer had healed completely, kidney function improved significantly, cholesterol dropped, blood pressure dropped, insulin dropped, HA1C dropped. His energy levels had improved significantly.
It was clear there was no need to amputate his foot, nor to have renal dialysis.
He is still on some medication, but continues making significant strides in his health. He now belongs to a gym with a salt-water pool. He is learning to live a much less stressful, more balanced life with his work and family.
Mary, Age 69, APOE 4/3
BEFORE APOE PROGRAM
Health Concerns: Alzheimer’s Disease—severe memory loss. High cholesterol. Abnormal glucose. High HA1c. Elevated insulin levels. High blood pressure. Severe anxiety. Vitamin D Deficiency. Severe Vitamin B12 deficiency. Insomnia.
Diet: Standard American inflammatory Diet—primarily “junk foods,” processed foods such as hot dogs, soda and cookies. No regular meal times. Skipping meals.
Medication: Standard medication management. Multiple medications, with office visits to review medications and refills.
APOE TREATMENT PLAN
Diet: Gradually remove all inflammatory foods. Begin anti-inflammatory diet, with correct calorie intake and nutritional balance of protein, fats and carbohydrates for APOE 4/3 genotype.
Exercise: Physical Therapy to help with balance and strength.
Supplements: Omega 3s to help reduce inflammation. Vitamin D. Vitamin B 12. Multivitamin. Turmeric and ginger supplement specifically for Alzheimer’s disease. Sleeping supplement-very effective formula, no side effects.
Medications: Removal of certain medications with suspected side effects. Added new medications with fewer side effects.
Mental/emotional: Excellent response to physical therapy. Added country western dancing to help with social isolation and increase physical activity.
PATIENT HEALTH CHANGES AND OUTCOME
Anxiety reduced immediately. Alzheimer’s Disease and memory loss—was able to recognize her family, care giver and nurse practitioner. She knew the name of the president. She was able to read a book and had many questions about the book. She was able to draw a clock, and show the time. She began asking questions about her memory coming back. Very high cholesterol, improved greatly. Glucose and HA1c significantly better. High blood pressure normalized. Elevated insulin levels decreased significantly. Vitamin D and B12 normal. Insomnia relieved.
Greg, Age 16, APOE 4/4
BEFORE APOE PROGRAM
Greg was a talented football player, and made the high school football team. Small for his age, he was asked to gain weight in order to improve his performance. He was told to drink high protein milk shakes, take muscle supplements, and increase his meat and animal protein intake. Within months he was very sick. He was diagnosed with an immune system illness, and unable to attend school.
APOE TREATMENT PLAN
Anti-inflammatory diet with customized APOE 4/4 Gene Diet with correct fat, protein and carbohydrate balance.
PATIENT HEALTH CHANGES AND OUTCOME
Within three to four weeks Greg’s health improved so much, he was able to return to school.
Note: Teens who play contact sports are at risk for concussion, and subsequently, in time, neurological disease—this is especially so for APOE 4/4s. Research shows that the cognitive status of professional athletes with repeated exposure to head trauma may be influenced not only by age, and cumulative exposure to contact, but also by genotype.
The correct APOE Gene Diet can be a protective factor, reducing their risk of neurological disease.
Note: People with an APOE 4/4 have a greater than 90% chance of developing Alzheimer’s and heart disease IF they don’t engage in a “gene-supportive” lifestyle. As our case studies show, this can be greatly alleviated—even avoided—with the correct diet.