N of 1 for IBS is underway

We launched!

This is the first installment of the N of 1 research process that I am running and I am happy to say its officially launched. We have a research subject selected who I will announce below (anonymously).

First let me remind you of what is the N of 1 for IBS program. Earlier this year, I designed a trial that would involve caring for one IBS patient for an entire year with the most robust IBS assessment available and the most comprehensive treatment plan. This patient was randomly selected based on meeting certain criteria :

1. They were required to be 18 years or older

2. The had to live in Washington state; or in a state or country that does not have licensed Naturopathic Physicians such as Wyoming, Texas, Iowa , Oklahoma, Indiana, Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Missouri ,Arkansas, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, Virginia, New Jersey, New York due to my licensing requirements. 

3. They had to be diagnosed for IBS by a Gastroenterologist.

4. The agreed to anonymous interviews and recordings with voice dubbing and video dubbing

5. They were excluded if they were on any prescription medications. Exceptions were made for PPI's, H2 blockers, digestive aids.

6. Participants must be 18 years old or older

They agree to 1 visit a month for 12 months. Visit one was a records transfer, baseline questionnaires were completed, instructions were given for the IBS-smart test by Gemelli Biotech, Trio-smart Breath by Gemelli Biotech test for Sibo, Organix Organic Acid Test by Genova, and the GI effects stool test by Genova. Each of these tests were carefully selected . Gratefully , the testing was donated by these most generous companies.

Our subject who forever will be referred to as Naftali (more on that later) ; completed a questionnaire that identified and quantified there area of digestive imbalance of greatest need . Based on the category of greatest need the patient will be provided preparatory IBS related supportive supplements.

The questionnaire identifies the following concerns

1. Gastric digestive deficiencies

2. Gastric lining imbalances

3. Small intestinal and pancreatic enzyme deficiencies

4. Intestinal dysbiosis/Intestinal Lining disruption

5. Liver /Biliary/Gallbladder dysfunction

Naftali scored:

1. Moderate (10) need for gastric digestive deficiencies

2. Mild (3) for gastric lining imbalances

3. Moderate (10) for small intestinal enzyme and pancreatic enzyme deficiencies

4. Moderate (15) need for intestinal dysbiosis and intestinal lining disruption

5. Severe (16) need for liver /gallbladder dysfunction

A preparatory supplement program is being prescribed and provided for the patient that will support these areas of imbalances while awaiting level 2 data from the tests.

The preparatory treatment includes:

1. a supplement for intestinal lining support

2. An enzyme for liver detoxification and gall bladder dysfunction

3. Enzymes for disruption of biofilm to reduce dysbiosis.

4. Enzymes for pancreatic and small intestine digestive enzyme support

Naftali will start these supplements after completing all four tests and until we begin step 2.

To continue following this journey you will need to be come a paid prescriber. Please note that the cost of this study besides the tests will be coming out of my pocket; so a contribution to the study will help quite a bit. Thanks for considering. You will also have access other paid-only posts. Subscribe here for the options.

Oh, and why Naftali?!

First, it is a name that I love. It can be used for any gender. It means , struggle/fight and to overcome. This is what I see so much in the IBS world.

The name Naftali is also a play on N of 1….so it works. My hope is that with Naftali we will overcome IBS one patient at a time.

In future posts we will be reviewing the results of the labs, discussing monitoring of the first month, sharing interviews with Naftali and more.