From Bloating, Fatigue & Liver Issues to Feeling Balanced Again: A Real Client Case Study
TL;DR
8-month naturopathy journey addressing liver inflammation, gut symptoms, and energy crashes
Liver enzymes reduced from high to optimal
Bloating, migraines, and afternoon energy slumps improved
Client gained long-term tools like cycle tracking, nutrition tweaks, and better gut support
When "Pretty Good" Health Still Feels Off
This client came to me because, on paper, she was “healthy.”
She ate a whole food, high-protein diet. She exercised regularly. She managed her stress.
But despite all of that, she was still struggling with:
Daily bloating and excess gas
Constipation and loose stools that came and went
Afternoon energy crashes that hit like a wall after lunch
Migraines every couple of months with no clear triggers
Mood changes and irritability in the luteal phase (the week before her period)
And when we looked at her bloods? The clues started to make sense.
The Lab Results: What Her Bloods Told Us
Her liver enzymes had been elevated for years, a sign of chronic inflammation in the liver that can affect digestion, hormones, and energy.
AST: From 36 (2019) to 30 (Feb 2024). Ideal range? 13–22
ALT: From 52 (2019) to 42 (Feb 2024). Ideal range? 13–19
Her **iron stores were also slowly dropping…**not enough to trigger a red flag diagnosis, but enough to impact energy and mood:
Ferritin: From 23 (2021) to 17 (Feb 2024). Ideal for women? Over 30
This combination of low-grade liver inflammation and sluggish iron status can easily cause:
Gut issues
Hormonal changes (especially pre-period)
Fatigue
Mood shifts
Migraines
Our Root-Cause Naturopathy Approach
We didn’t just throw supplements at the symptoms. We mapped out a root-cause strategy, starting with the gut, liver, and lifestyle.
Nutrition Tweaks
Even though her diet was already “healthy,” we fine-tuned for her body:
Reduced saturated fats (to lighten the load on the gut and liver)
Swapped dairy for A2 or plant-based options, which immediately reduced bloating
Increased fibre to feed her microbiome and support better bowel habits
Lifestyle Changes
We layered in small but powerful shifts:
Cut out alcohol to help calm liver inflammation
Reduced blue light at night to support antioxidant production and energy
Started tracking her cycle to better understand patterns in mood, digestion, and migraines
Practitioner-Grade Supplement Support
We used a phased approach to avoid overloading the system:
Liver support: St Mary’s thistle, taurine, glycine, choline, NAC
Gut support: Glutamine and targeted probiotics
Micronutrient support: Zinc, chromium, selenium, manganese, magnesium
B Complex: To stabilise energy production
Iron (3 months in): We added a highly absorbable iron with specific probiotics to help absorption, because a sluggish liver can block iron utilisation
The Results: A Health Reset From the Inside Out
After 8 months together, here’s what shifted:
Liver markers moved into optimal range:
AST dropped from 30 to 21
ALT dropped from 42 to 23
Ferritin increased from 17 to 22 (still climbing - this is a longer journey when starting from depletion)
Digestive symptoms reduced: Less bloating, more regular and formed stools
Afternoon energy crashes eased up
No migraines reported since we started
Greater body awareness: She now knows how to navigate her luteal phase and cyclical shifts
Why Liver & Gut Health Matter For Women’s Wellness
Your liver is involved in so much more than just detoxification.
It plays a key role in:
Hormone clearance (like oestrogen)
Iron storage and recycling
Energy production
Gut motility and bile flow (which impacts bloating and bowel regularity)
If your liver is inflamed or overburdened, it can lead to issues that ripple out into the gut, hormones, mood, and immune system.
Ready to Decode Your Health?
If you’ve been told your bloods are “fine” but you still don’t feel fine, this is your sign to dig deeper.
My Decode Your Health session is an affordable, first-step appointment where we’ll:
Deep dive into your symptoms and health history
Review your blood test results (even if your doctor said they were normal)
Uncover the root causes keeping you stuck
Create a simple action plan to move forward
You’ll walk away with clarity, not confusion.
If you’re ready to stop guessing and start getting answers, get your Decode Your Health new client discount code here.
Let’s work together to optimise your health from the root cause and not just mask symptoms.
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Looking for more?
Explore more on my website here: https://www.oliviagracenaturopathy.com.au
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Disclaimer:
This blog is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace medical advice. Always consult your healthcare professional before starting new treatments or supplements.
This case study is based on one individual’s personal health journey and is shared for educational and informational purposes only. Outcomes may vary from person to person, and results are not guaranteed. Naturopathic care is highly individualised and what works for one person may not be appropriate for another.
Your health concerns deserve a personalised assessment and tailored plan that considers your unique needs, history, and goals.
