Dr. DONNA ACREE

Like most babies growing up in the 70's, I was not breast fed and grew up drinking cow’s milk.  It was a major staple along with bread in our home.  At about 12 years old I began having stomach aches, bloating, and not feeling well especially in the evenings. My stomach would bloat so big I looked pregnant.  I visited three different Gastroenterologists and not one asked about my diet.

I left with one Doctor telling me it was stress, and another saying it was simply swallowing too much air.

It was not until my early 20’s that I made the connection between my diet and digestive health.

After reading about food allergies and sensitivities, I decided to eliminate cow dairy for one week and then re-introduce it on an empty stomach.  I was at a mall and was craving pizza and ordered a calzone, which is basically a baked, stuffed wheat pocket with tons of cheese.  Although I took a lactase enzyme prior to this gut shocking amount of diary, the effects were still clear.  Within a few minutes,  I started sweating and my energy dropped.  My bowels did not move for 3 days.  I went to an allergist and had the traditional skin prick test for allergies which confirmed a reaction to milk.  Thus began my lifelong journey into the study of Naturopathic Medicine.