Jan le Roux (39), who has been suffering from severe lymphatic edema for almost nine years, had just about given up hope that he would ever get his previously active life back when it so happened that one of South Africa's best-known naturopaths, Dr Charl du Randt, came to Knysna to play golf.
Du Randt agreed to meet Le Roux on Thursday, June 20. Le Roux was desperate for any help as he was just about to be transported to Cape Town to be admitted there to a state hospital which might ultimately have resulted in him having experimental surgery.
"I was really afraid that it was going to be a downward spiral and that, once people started cutting me I might loose my legs altogether in the end," admits Le Roux, who refuses to sink into depression after he has recently once again been booked off from work for twenty days, because he had a septic wound on his leg which necessitated a three-day hospital stay on a drip.
"I am determined to stay positive and not sit around moping, but to keep active as much as I can," he said in a previous interview when there was still no sign of any help for his condition.
"Lympthatic edema is an accumulation of excess liquid material in the lymph vessels of which the root cause in my opinion is most probably decreased enzyme activity," Du Randt explained to Le Roux, who listened intently. He thought it was unlikely that Le Roux had been bitten by a tropical mosquito or spider as some believed.
"I'm sure Jan has had symptoms for years which he just didn't recognise - if he had been bitten by some insect that would simply have been like the last straw for his immune system."
Du Randt and his wife, Malinda, of Metabole Natural Healing Clinic near Vanwyksdorp, consulted with Le Roux on his diet and lifestyle. Their recommendation was that he should immediately make changes to his poor diet before adding supplements that may also assist him in detoxifying and supporting his return journey to health. The Du Randts recommended that he increases the intake of enzyme rich (raw) food, as well as decrease allergens like grains. He was also advised to decrease starch which improves alkalinity, which in turn improves enzyme processes. They also recommended Le Roux increases his daily water intake while decreasing diuretics like caffeine.
"Changing how I eat is drastic, yes, but if you are desperate enough you will do anything to get better," says Le Roux, who was able to put on a pair of 'tekkies' a mere seven days after beginning to adjust his eating habits. Previously he had no choice but to walk around in size 4XL 'Crocs' which he had to cut open for his extremely swollen feet and ankles to fit in. (His normal shoe size before the edema was 11.5. As his condition deteriorated, he eventually wore a size 15 shoe, but eventually even that didn't fit anymore.)
"I don't have words to express how it feels to be able to put a pair of normal shoes on again," Le Roux shakes his head with a wide grin, hiding deep-felt emotions. "Everywhere I went people's heads were always turning and you just have to laugh it off and live with it, but now my pants go over it and everyone remarks that I look so much better!"
Le Roux has begun to cut out all bread and other starches. He eats raw oats and nuts for breakfast, raw vegetables and fruit and drinks up to three liters of water per day. He was stunned when there were noticeable results within the first few days, especially one of his legs began to shrink and the skin improved.
"Look at this," he smiles, "my pants couldn't even pull up to my knee like this and my legs are not stiff and hard but much more soft and moveable. It's incredible! I can hardly believe it! I'm just saying thank you the whole time."
Du Randt believes that the reason Le Roux is showing such drastic results before even starting the supplements he needs, is because "he had been on an atrocious food plan most of his life. This was a drastic change."
Le Roux, who is determined to keep up his progress, has a job as a security guard but would be intensely grateful if someone would be able to assist him in purchasing the supplements he still needs to get: Herbal Fribreblend, high doses of Vitamin C, Omega 3 salmon oil and an ointment (R300). He also would very much like to be able to get glyco-nutrients which cost R1 500 for a month's supply.
"We are very pleased with Jan's rapid and encouraging results. I fully believe in his ability to recover completely," said Du Randt with confidence. Jan le Roux can be contacted on lerouxjan798@gmail.com or 079 691 6594 or 044 382 1485.
Their first meeting. Dr Charl du Randt (right) and his wife, Malinda with Jan le Roux on June 20, before he changed his diet.
ARTICLE: ANOESCHKA VON MECK, KNYSNA-PLETT HERALD JOURNALIST
