[Bernadette_Abraham]

Hi @Vidu – I recently learned that only a few companies dominate the water filter industry, even though there are so many different brands and companies selling water filters. These large manufacturers often produce filters for multiple brands, which then rebrand and market them under their own names. In the U.S., for example, companies like 3M, Pentair, and Culligan are some of the major producers in this space. So while it seems like there are so many water filtration companies available, there are really only several companies supplying filters worldwide.

What’s important however and an easy way to narrow down your search is to make sure they are NSF certified. These products usually display the NSF mark on the product or packaging. Look for specific standards like NSF/ANSI 42 (for aesthetic effects like chlorine reduction), NSF/ANSI 53 (for health effects like lead and VOC removal), NSF/ANSI 58 (for reverse osmosis systems if that’s what you’re looking for), etc.

You can also search for NSF certified water filters using their database to double check or search for companies using NSF certified filters:

https://info.nsf.org/Certified/DWTU/?_gl=1*cy3wom*_gcl_au*MTcwNjcyNzU4NS4xNzI3MzM1NjEw*_ga*MTg1MTA1NzQ0MS4xNzI3MzM1NjEw*_ga_B3R74P2MZC*MTcyNzMzNTYxMC4xLjEuMTcyNzMzNTY4MC41OS4wLjA.*_ga_P2KS3C05YD*MTcyNzMzNTYxMC4xLjEuMTcyNzMzNTY4MC42MC4wLjA.

I would also ask the city for your water report. It’s public information. Feel free to share those results here. But based on that report, you can then narrow down the type of filter as well by asking the company for a list of contaminants that their filters remove.

I know in Ottawa, it’s high in chlorine & fluoride. So I make sure the filters remove those.

Hope that helps!

info.nsf.org

Listing Category Search Page | NSF International

Listing Category Search Page | NSF International

[Bernadette_Abraham]

Hi @biancachalfoun – I’ve tagged you in another thread which discusses a possible protocol when having to use a contrast agent.

[Bernadette_Abraham]

Hi @healthyliving99 – sorry to hear that your baby is struggling with constipation. Avoiding dairy and bananas is a great start.

There are a few other things to consider:

1. Please consult with a pediatric chiropractor for a gentle adjustment. Sometimes there can be nerve interference in the lower spine that can affect digestion. Make sure there is no physical misalignment. I highly recommend Dr. Benjamin Tinker at Heal Hub Rehabilitation Center in Dubai. He’s excellent. 04-546-6152

2. Consider a manual “I-L-U” massage after bath time to help with peristalsis (moving things along). You start on the right side of their belly by the right hip bone, and move upwards towards the ribs 5 times (making the letter I). Then you make an upside down “L” by going upward and across the top part of the colon towards the left 5 times. Then finally you complete the “U” by going up, across, and back down on the left side towards the left hip another 5 times. This helps with peristalsis to move things along. Bicycling their legs can also help.

3. Dietary changes. The solids you’re feeding baby are great, but most are high in soluble fiber. Soluble fiber such as chia seeds for example “slow” things down. Instead, choose insoluble forms of fiber to help baby “go”. Remember this saying: “Soluble = Slow and Insoluble = Go”.

->Rice bran, cooked lentils, avocado, cooked prunes/prune juice, green peas are some forms of fiber higher in the insoluble form that may help. You can consider adding more of these into his diet.

4. Probiotics. BioGaia is great and has a proven strain for relieving constipation. If you’re already giving the recommended dose of 5 drops, then consider adding in food-based probiotics such as small amounts (1 tsp every other day to start) of coconut kefir and sauerkraut juice for example. Tabchilli sell quality fermented foods if you don’t make them.

5. Increase magnesium. For an infant, you can add some Epsom salt in their bath water (1 Tbsp of Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) to baby’s bath tub). Soak 10–15 minutes, 3-4 x/week.

You can also consider homeopathic version of magnesium like Dr. Schussler’s Magnesium Phosphoricum which melts in water and is tasteless. This is available from Life Pharmacies in Dubai.

Hope these tips help move things along – please keep us posted!

[Bernadette_Abraham]

Hi @jschwartz1 – sorry to hear that you’ve been struggling. You didn’t mention any testing that’s been done since the tick bite, and that’s where I’d recommend focusing your attention on at the moment.

Was the tick ever sent for testing?

Do you live in a Lyme endemic area?

Have you tested for Lyme and co-infections since the tick bite?

Please read through our Tick Bite protocol to better understand what should be done after a tick bite, what symptoms to look for, and how to find a Lyme-literate doctor to manage your care appropriately. Unfortunately, the initial 2-day course of antibiotics is not enough, and may lead to antibiotic resistance.

Lyme & co-infection testing is definitely warranted, especially since it’s been 4 weeks since the initial bite and you’re still presenting with symptoms.

The courses of antibiotics can definitely lead to yeast overgrowth, and further weaken the immune system, making your body more prone to other infections.

Please see our “Antibiotic Support Protocol (Before, During & After)” for ways to support the gut microbiome in the meantime.

And for rapid relief with the brewing ear infection, my go-to is always Hydrosol Silver drops directly into the ear, or Biocidin Liquid drops (it’s a natural antimicrobial), or Mullein-Garlic Oil. You can find more details in our “Ear Infection Relief” protocol which you can find here.

Hopefully this gives you some direction and steps to take next. Finding a Lyme-literate doctor would be my strong suggestion. Please keep us posted…

[Bernadette_Abraham]

Hi @MS91 – sorry to hear that this business travel is taking a toll on you… hopefully you’ll be able to slow down a bit once you’re back and allow your adrenals to recover and immune system to take action!

As for loss of voice, there is a great homeopathic remedy that can hopefully help:

https://siddharemedies.com/shop/throat-voice/ – it’s available on Amazon as well but I’m not sure where you’re located.

If you can’t get that remedy quickly enough, here are some other things to try:

• Slippery elm lozenges (or tea) and raw honey – you can likely find Throat Coat tea by Traditional Medicinals in most supermarkets
• Biocidin throat spray (if it’s due to a microbe)
• Zinc lozenge (if viral cause is suspected)
• Avoid caffeine / alcohol (anything dehydrating). Stay well hydrated
• Oral NAC (600 mg/day) was seen to improve vocal fold inflammation in this study

Hope you can get your hands on some of the above, and hope it helps!

siddharemedies.com

throat & voice - Siddha Remedies

Enhance your vocal health with Siddha Throat & Voice this remedy improves resonance, reduces stress-related vocal issues and helps maintain clear communication

[Bernadette_Abraham]

@biancachalfoun tagging you on this thread regarding your question about a protocol for contrast procedure.

[Bernadette_Abraham]

Hi @Inga-55 – if you’re in the US, you have access to the Fullscript dispensary for ordering supplements. You can find the details on how to access that here if you don’t already have an account. B Better members also get a 20% discount across the full product catalog.

[Bernadette_Abraham]

@iryna_klevetenko yes, good idea to lessen the supplement protocol to only what he actually needs because yes, they all need to be processed by the liver as well.

Also, if you’re giving him daily green smoothies, be sure to switch up the greens. Spinach is very high in oxalates when consumed raw. Best to consume spinach cooked or less frequently raw.

As for kelp – what’s the dose? If you’re giving it to him daily, it’s best to reduce the frequency. It’s very rich in iodine and iodine excess can disrupt thyroid function, especially in those with autoimmunity. Also with any product that’s used frequently, check to see if the company has done any heavy metal testing.

[Bernadette_Abraham]

@iryna_klevetenko – I’m so happy to hear that he’s willing to go alcohol-free for a month! I can’t wait to hear about his experience and what positively shifts for him. It’s a powerful exercise, because people usually notice what a positive difference it makes for them, (especially when they reintroduce it and notice old symptoms coming back), so it becomes an empowered choice vs. a challenge.

From what you described about his diet, it sounds like he’s eating mostly whole foods prepared at home. This is already a great start. I would encourage him to watch the VPF Principle lesson which provides a framework to ensure you’re having balanced meals filled with proteins, fiber and healthy. This is the foundation to a healthy diet.

But given his need for additional liver and detoxification support, you can include more targeted food & supplement therapies for both liver health and liver detox.

-Please watch this lesson here from the Gut Health Masterclass. It shares supplement suggestions for supporting liver/gallbladder health.

In terms of therapeutic foods to support liver/gallbladder health, my go-to is dandelion root tea, beetroots & artichoke. For detox support, a variety of different cruciferous vegetables daily (1 cup). You can find more detox supportive foods in this handout.

In terms of liver detoxification support (which is different to liver health support), anything with a combination of B vitamins and amino acids (proteins) will support Phase 1 & 2 detox. One of my favorite products for that is by Integrative Therapeutics Detoxification Factors – but they’ve been out of stock for a while. And you can find more information about how to support overall detoxification & elimination of toxins through all the different pathways in the body in this lesson here from the Mold & Mycotoxin course. These will help reduce overall toxic burden in the body.

If his constipation returns, it’s very important that this be addressed as a priority because it’s one of the primary routes of toxin excretion in the body. Magnesium citrate is a helpful rapid relief tool. We have a Constipation Relief program he can follow as well.

Unless there is suspicion of histamine intolerance, consuming a variety of fermented foods is preferred over probiotic supplements. They offer more variety and quantity of beneficial strains of microbes than a probiotic can offer. We have several recipes under the “Beverages & Fermented Foods” category if you want to try making some at home.

Instead of turmeric supplements, I always prefer curcumin – the beneficial compound found in turmeric. Large doses of turmeric over time can potentially contribute to kidney stone formation but only in certain individuals and at high doses due to its high oxalate content. This study showed 2 grams/day of turmeric powder (about 1 tsp) significantly increased urinary oxalate excretion.

What type of smoothies do you make him? Keep in mind that spinach is also high in oxalates when eaten raw.

What is the reason you’re giving him berberine? Blood sugar? If that’s the case, keep in mind that it’s also antimicrobial and can affect the gut microbiome if on it long term. Berberine should only be used short term.

If he’s supplementing with Vitamin D3 regularly (what’s the dose?), it’s best to get tested after a few months to check levels and adjust dose or stop if needed. The aim is to be between 50-70ng/ml.

Omega-3 is a good choice, especially in cases with higher inflammation in the body.

Can you explain the reasoning for the other supplements? It’s not that there’s anything bad about them, but supplements should always be taken with a specific purpose and goal in mind. Once that’s achieved, the supplement should be stopped.

[Bernadette_Abraham]

@iryna_klevetenko glad to hear that he’s no longer constipated!

How open is he to eliminating alcohol from his lifestyle? If it’s too drastic, would he be open to reducing it by at least half?

I know many people drink socially or because they enjoy the taste, or they use it to calm down after a stressful day. Whatever the reason however, it’s not helping his case. In fact, I’d say it’s likely a big contributor.

Alcohol puts extra strain on the liver, which is already struggling in his case (with fatty liver, high ferritin, and borderline cholesterol). Even moderate drinking can increase liver fat, raise inflammation, and worsen nutrient absorption, all of which can contribute to the very issues he’s dealing with, including polyp formation and gut inflammation. It also impacts the gut microbiome and can increase “leaky gut”. So drastically reducing or even better, removing it completely can make a big difference in giving his body a chance to recover.

You can suggest that he tries a 2-month alcohol-free challenge and then retests to see his before and after results. That might encourage him to quit. 🙂

And if it would help, I can work on putting together an “alcohol swaps” handout to help “keep the ritual, but change the habit”. Let me know if that would help.

[Bernadette_Abraham]

Hi @iryna_klevetenko – thanks for sharing the labs and additional info. As you know, the more context we have the better we can guide and support you, so I have some questions which you can reply to one by one.

1. Besides constipation, is he experiencing any bloating, gas, reflux, fatigue?

2. You mentioned several supplements to help him sleep. Is sleep an issue for him?

3. How often does he have bowel movements? And what type are they (using the Bristol Stool score)?

4. You mentioned that he fasts. What are his typical meals after 12:30 PM?

5. Does he consume gluten, dairy, or processed foods? How much organic food is consumed vs. conventional food?

6. Any alcohol intake? If so, how much and how often?

7. Does he take any medication (even over-the-counter like antacids)?

8. What’s his stress level like, and does he have any movement or exercise built into his day?

Now from a “root cause” perspective, here’s what seems to be at play:

-The stomach inflammation (atrophic gastritis) means the stomach lining has thinned and may no longer be producing enough acid. This will impact digestion and absorption of key nutrients like B12, iron, and zinc. Have any of these been measured? If not, they should along with folate/B9. Low stomach acid can lead to constipation, poor nutrient absorption, and microbial overgrowths/imbalances further down in the intestines (as seen in the skewing of his neutrophils and lymphocyte in his CBC), which can promote even more inflammation in the intestines and colon (which can promote polyps – these are usually due to toxins).

-> So supporting stomach acid, digestion & motility is a priority! Not pooping daily creates a lot of toxins in the body! If he can tolerate digestive bitters and enzymes more consistently, this can provide some digestive support in the meantime. If they bother him, he needs more gut healing support first. Also, coffee on an empty stomach with MCT oil is probably not a good idea as it can irritate the stomach further. Consider eliminating coffee altogether and switching to green tea, or as a minimum, having coffee after the first meal.

-The fatty liver diagnosis, high ferritin, high uric acid, and borderline cholesterol all point toward the liver struggling to keep up. This is where we need to start asking why? Diet? Fasting habits? Toxin overload? Alcohol? Sleep apnea? – please share your thoughts with us about what you think could be contributing to his liver struggling. Here’s a Fatty Liver handout with root causes.

I’ll wait to hear from you on all of my questions above.

[Bernadette_Abraham]

@MS91 how are you feeling? Did any of the remedies hopefully work for you?

[Bernadette_Abraham]

Hi @healthyliving99 – if you want to avoid gelatin capsules, there is liquid and vegan options. Do you have a preference?

The brands I often recommend are from Nordic Labs and Biotics Research. They are tested for purity and both have liquid versions.

And yes, many omega-3s are rancid by the time they reach the consumer. You can learn more about how to find reputable products in this lesson from the Fatty Acid Balance course.

[Bernadette_Abraham]

Hi @DXB – thank you so much for the update. I can only imagine how intense and emotional the past few days have been for you and your family.

I’m relieved your uncle is finally receiving proper medical care and is being closely monitored. When there’s an emergency, I’m grateful for the advancements in modern medicine. And this is exactly where conventional medicine shines – handling acute, life-threatening emergencies.

I’m glad they acted quickly once they received the report, especially to address the fluid buildup and support his heart. And with the pneumonia now being treated in the respiratory unit, he’s clearly in the right place.

Please take comfort knowing he’s surrounded by professionals who manage these kinds of cases every day. Once he stabilizes, there may be opportunities to support his recovery more holistically, but for now, medical intervention is absolutely the priority and trust that he’ll get better.

Sending you strength, and wishing your uncle steady healing. We’re here whenever you need us. 🤗

[Bernadette_Abraham]

Hi @DXB — I’m glad that your uncle agreed to move forward with the tomography despite how reluctant he was initially. What is his current sentiment about additional investigations after receiving this report?

Below is a summary of the findings to hopefully give you a direction of what to consider next given the complexity of his case with the many systems being affected, which no doubt can feel overwhelming and scary.

1. Pleural and pericardial effusions (fluid around lungs and heart): these can absolutely be linked to a past viral infection like Covid, especially if it hit him hard. That said, fluid build-up can also be a result of heart failure, kidney issues, or malignancy, so these should not be ignored or simply blamed on Covid especially that it’s been a few months ago and he’s still retaining fluid. This definitely requires further attention as a priority.

2. Collapsed area in the lung (atelectasis) and air cysts: these are also not unusual after a respiratory illness, especially in older adults or those with underlying health conditions, but the cysts should be monitored over time.

3. Liver enlargement (hepatomegaly) + abdominal wall edema: these together again can point to either congestion from heart strain, liver dysfunction, or low albumin/protein levels, which matches with his earlier labs showing low albumin. So again, something like an echo would be warranted for the heart.

4. Gallstones and colon changes (diverticula, thickening): these are more localized issues that may be causing some of his digestive symptoms if any. The colon thickening may be inflammation (colitis), but it’s hard to say without further tests. Not necessarily a priority to surgery clearance.

5. Adrenal hyperplasia: this is something that needs to be looked at with hormone levels. On its own, it doesn’t say much, but it could explain energy/fatigue issues if it’s functional.

So what to do next?

Before any surgery, he’ll need to get pre-op clearance to make sure his heart, lungs and liver can handle the stress of an operation.

Given the fluid around his heart, an echo is definitely warranted, along with a repeat blood panel to check liver/kidney function, inflammatory markers and albumin since these were flagged in his previous results. What did his doctor recommend as the next step based on these findings?

I know additional testing is probably not what your uncle wants to hear, but from a medical standpoint, these other findings can’t be ignored and the doctor surely won’t operate without full clearance, so it’s justified.

With that said, I just want to honor you for the support and attention you’ve been giving your uncle. We’re here for you as well. Please do share any updates or questions as they come.