Bernadette_Abraham
Forum Replies Created
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Hi @Annie – we have a few places where you can search for things. There’s the main search bar in the main header that searches the entire website. The search results will then be categorized into their locations like blog posts, forums, forum replies, etc.
You can also search individual forum categories, handouts, guest expert calls, etc. So for example, if you recall having written or reading a post in this category, then you can search in the search bar directly above that specific forum category to scroll only this category.
I also recall your question and also couldn’t locate my reply. Unfortunately, the transfer over to the new platform did cause some loss of content which we are working hard to recover manually. It’s a very tedious and timely process, but we’re getting there.
In the meantime, here was my reply to your previous post:
I’m going to direct you to Dr. Jolene Brighten’s website. She wrote this excellent contraception guide about the different types of contraceptive options available with pros and cons discussed for each.
My preference of non-hormonal birth control is a combination of non-toxic condoms during the fertile window along with fertility tracking.
It’s a non-invasive combo and doesn’t have any negative health impacts.
If you’re curious about fertility tracking devices, take a look at Daisy and Lady-Comp. Both of these track your body’s basal temperature and synch with a tracking app. They have very high accuracy rates.
Here’s Daisy’s “how it works” video to explain it better.
Using the combination of condoms and fertility tracking is not for everyone, but definitely is empowering to know your body’s rhythms and have better control.
Hope this helps!
drbrighten.com
My definitive guide to contraception. Find out which birth control method is best for your body. Is your current contraceptive harmful to your health?
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@naslam1603 – was this a formal diagnosis? What I see is that DAO is low, which is contributing to higher histamine levels. DAO is produced in the brush border of the gut lining, therefore is highly influenced by microbiome balance and overall gut health. Since you already know that there is dysbiosis from the GI Map and borderline SIBO tests, it’s not surprising that histamine would be elevated since gut infections & inflammation can be major drivers of prostaglandins and histamine release.
This is corrected in the same way SIBO, dysbiosis and constipation are corrected, which I cover in the Gut Health Masterclass. It’s important to be optimizing and supporting the 3 main digestive players to ensure the downstream digestive function is also working well (i.e. stomach acid, bile flow, and digestive enzymes). Hope that makes sense?
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@naslam1603 – I would encourage you to search through Amrita Nutrition’s catalog to see what’s available near you since that’s often a limitation for you.
I have also recommended Quicksilver’s liposomal vitamin C before, but it may have the same effect as Seeking Health’s product. A capsule in that case might be a better option to provide some buffering and reduce the likelihood of irritation. Capsules are often gentler on the stomach and may help ensure better tolerance while still delivering the benefits of vitamin C supplementation.
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Hi @naslam1603 – was that a formal diagnosis that was given to you? Are you currently experiencing symptoms? If so, please list them out.
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Hi @Annie – unfortunately, microbiome testing is still in its infancy, meaning all tests currently have limitations. The ones I currently use for helpful insights on microbiome balance and overall gut/digestive health are Diagnostic Solutions GI Map or Genova’s GI Effects tests.
I 100% agree with the notion that the gut microbiome and mind are interconnected, and this is why I brought in Dr. Sabine Hazen, an incredible gastroenterologist pioneering this field, as one of our guest experts to talk about microbiome health. I’ve also donated to her research because I strongly believe that this is the future of medicine.
I believe I’ve already shared with you her recent study on how familial fecal transplant helped cure autism in a young man. They’re also conducting research on cures for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. I wouldn’t be surprised if this also helped those with schizophrenia.
If you haven’t already watched her session, you can watch it HERE. You may want to reach out to her to see if familial fecal transplant could possibly help your brother. They currently do these as part of clinical trials, but you never know if a spot opens up!
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@naslam1603 – I understand your hesitation with taking antibiotics given the borderline levels and history of gut dysfunction. This is when herbs can be considered as an alternative route. They can be just as effective minus the side effects of antibiotics, but they do take a little longer to rectify the situation (e.g. ~3 months of herbal antimicrobials vs. 1 to 2 weeks of antibiotics).
I share many different options of antimicrobials HERE from the Gut Health Masterclass course. With entrenched cases, I’ve also switched between a combination of them; for example, Biocidin for 30 to 60 days, then ADP & FC-Cidal for another 30-60 days. I have had great success with all of these products over the years so you can definitely discuss that with your practitioner if they are open to using botanicals.
With that said, it’s important to do things in the right order. I would first want to make sure that the 3 main digestive players are working well or well supported which are: stomach acid, digestive enzymes and bile flow! Once those are in place, then antimicrobials can be given with greater success.
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Hi @naslam1603 – yes, this is the correct forum.
There is in fact improvement in your latest GI Map results done in December 2024. Although it’s still being detected, H Pylori has improved by 56% since your Jan 2024 results. Working with a practitioner to wean off of acid suppressant is the best way to prevent a recurrence since H Pylori thrives in an alkaline environment.
This should be your primary focus, especially that inflammatory markers have also considerably improved; calprotectin reduced from 134 in Jan to 59 in December.
Your sIgA which represents gut immunity has also improved considerably, which should help keep a better microbial balance in the gut. From clinically low levels in Jan to 1154 in December (optimal).
What does need improvement however are digestive juices, which again tie back to being on acid suppressants. Having good strong stomach acid will also trigger enzyme release as well as bile. Having some elevation in steatocrit means there’s fat in the stool. We need good healthy liver function and bile flow to help emulsify our fats, and then have good output of digestive enzymes to break down our fats. This is why I will emphasize the need to wean off of acid suppressants with a practitioner as your best bet at gaining better gut & microbial health. If you haven’t tested liver function recently, it would be a good idea to get a liver panel done to see if there could also be some biliary congestion which may need a different approach such as D-limonene: ALT, AST, GGT, Alk Phos, Direct and Total Bilirubin, Protein, Albumin.
The diversity of your commensal species needs to be improved and diet can help here. Adding in more resistant starches/pre-biotics will help feed the good guys. Consider adding butter as well to help provide more butyrate from a food source which is currently low. And if you can tolerate small amounts of a low-histamine fermented food like coconut kefir for example, that would help bring on board more beneficial microbes to bring a better balance to your gut microbiome. Otherwise, a broad-spectrum probiotic may help as well.
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Hi @ivona_n – sorry to hear you’re not feeling well.
You didn’t mention the doses you were taking of each, but when I or a family member get sick, I always use my go-to immune supportive protocol which includes arabinogalactans and high doses of vitamin D, vitamin A, and zinc for up to a week. You can find more details about that protocol on p.8 of this medicine cabinet must-haves guide, including products I use on p. 3 & 4.
And if it’s viral/flu, there are other supportive remedies that can help including homeopathic support which are all listed in the virus/flu support protocol HERE.
Hope these help offer additional ways to support your body’s immune system, and wishing you a swift recovery.
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Hi @Annie – remineralizing teeth is all about the health & pH of your saliva. This is a subject that was discussed in detail by Dr. David & Agnes Roze HERE. If you fast forward to 57 minutes, you’ll get to that explanation and suggested tips. It’s super interesting.
They also share a summary of all the therapies on p.53 of the presentation which you can download below the video. Here’s their DIY pH balancing recipe and green tea mouthwash.
Hydroxyapatite is an ingredient that’s very helpful at mineralizing teeth, so you can consider switching toothpaste from regular ones to RiseWell toothpaste for example which includes hydroxyapatite. We also have a discount code BERN10 for 10% off.
If you have time to watch the whole session with Dr. David and Agnes Roze, please do. Dr. Agnes is a biological pediatric dentist and shares lots of helpful tips about child oral health.
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@naslam1603 for my sensitive clients with compromised digestion, I usually recommend the Biocidin LSF version (or liquid if cost is a concern) to help with absorption. The starting dose could be anywhere from 1 to 3 drops per day, and gradually increasing it to 5 drops, 3 x per day for 30 to 60 days.
And yes, that product contains many natural antimicrobials like garlic, oregano berberine, etc, which is effective, but again, may not be suitable if constipation is still present and the 3 main digestive players are not well supported.
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Hi @naslam1603 – weaning off famotidine can take time, especially if you’ve been on it for a while. If you couldn’t tolerate 150mg, I’ve had clients buy empty capsules and dump half the content into another capsule to reduce the dosage even further. It should also be taken mid-meal to avoid that burning sensation. Even a low dose or a tiny sprinkle will be better than none at all, so I would discuss that with your practitioner to resume the work you had started. This really should be priority as it will rectify so many of the downstream consequences you’re experiencing. How is constipation? If that’s still an issue, this should also be considered priority – even if it’s with natural rapid relief solutions in the meantime.
Yes, both sIgA & calprotectin will be positively impacted by essential fatty acids.
And yes, ghee is actually a better source of butyrate, especially if it’s from a grassfed cow. Source is always important.
That coconut milk kefir product looks great! Definitely consider introducing that into your diet in small quantities initially, starting with a teaspoon and gradually increasing to 1/4 cup+ daily if tolerated. This will provide beneficial probiotics that will continue to help with microbiome diversity and balance.
Nuts and seeds are not considered resistant starches. Please read this handout on Fiber, Prebiotics & Resistant Starch for a list of resistant starches and the differences between the different fibers and prebiotics.
Yes, it seems your liver markers seem suboptimally elevated. Unfortunately they left out direct bilirubin which would help us see if there’s possible congestion in the biliary tract that can be contributing to suboptimal fat digestion and some elevation in steatocrit.
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@Annie Mary Ruth has great products for kids which you can checkout here for vitamin C and here for vitamin E.
Glutathione is generally safe but should be avoided by those with G6PD deficiency, sulfur sensitivities, or active infections. Cancer patients and those taking certain medications should also talk to their doctor as it may interfere with certain treatments. And of course, there’s not much research done on pregnant women so caution is warranted there.
When it comes to breastfeeding, Seeking Health states that their liposomal glutathione is designed to accommodate various needs, including those of bariatric, breastfeeding, vegetarian, vegan individuals, and even children aged 4 and up. It’s often recommended to start with lower doses when trying a new supplement for the first time to assess individual tolerance.
When it comes to vitamin C dosage, taking too much can often result in having looser stools so keep an eye out for that to assess what works best for you.
Fermented foods are generally high in histamine, but the levels can vary significantly depending on the type of ferment and the amount consumed. For example, coconut kefir tends to have much lower histamine levels and may be better tolerated compared to sauerkraut, which is higher in histamine. If histamine intolerance stems from gut dysbiosis, then introducing beneficial microbes from fermented foods may actually help address the root cause. The key though is finding the right amount/dose that supports gut health without triggering histamine-related symptoms. Hope that makes sense.
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@Annie – none of those ingredients are harmful, even if ingested. I would recommend you search B Better’s Fullscript catalog to find supplements that fit your budget & requirements because there are many different brands to choose from.
For example, for “blue green algae” type in “spirulina” in the ingredient search bar of the catalogue and it will populate all the brands that offer spirulina. You can then filter by form (liquid, powder, capsule, etc) and other parameters to suit your needs to refine your search. For the purpose of the recipe, you’ll likely want to find them in “powder” form so that you don’t have to open up a bunch of capsules.
For spirulina, since it can be cultivated from uncontrolled freshwater environments, it’s best to look at brands that source it from controlled environments and/or do testing to ensure purity. Dr. Mercola’s spirulina for example is certified organic and also has the USP and GMP quality certifications. I’m not sure if they do 3rd party heavy metal testing though. Another company called Raw Living Spirulina does share their 3rd party testing directly on their site: https://www.rawlivingspirulina.com/laboratory-tests/
Regarding the controversy over hydroxyapatite in toothpaste involves the use of nano vs. non-nano particles. Nano-hydroxyapatite particles are smaller and can penetrate enamel more effectively for remineralization, but concerns exist about potential absorption into tissues or long-term health effects, especially since the EU takes a cautious approach to nano-materials in consumer products. Non-nano hydroxyapatite avoids these risks while still providing effective enamel repair.
Dr. Roze has developed a new toothpaste featuring the highest concentration of hydroxyapatite available on the market, utilizing non-nano hydroxyapatite for effective remineralization while minimizing potential safety concerns linked to nano-technology. But I’m not sure if he ships worldwide yet. I’ve reached out to ask him… will let you know when I hear back.
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@Annie you won’t find a barefoot shoe with a heel – that goes against the principle of healthy feet. 🙂
If you do need more support though as you transition to barefoot technology, you can checkout this article which also shares brand recommendations for various wide style shoes with extra cushion for men and women.
barefootuniverse.com
15 Best Wide Toe Box Shoes With Extra Cushion (Not Barefoot!) - Barefoot Universe
Discover the best wide toe box shoes with extra cushioning. Explore our curated list of comfortable, thick-soled footwear.
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@Annie – in terms of materials used, the Ninja Food 10 in 1 Pro Air Fryer seems to use stainless steel material on the inside so it checks that box. I personally haven’t tried it so can’t comment on effectiveness, but if you look at reviews, that might help you make a more informed decision about it.
And yes, if you’re looking for a pressure cooker, the Instant Pot is also made from stainless steel interior. And while lead was found in the heating element (food does not touch that part though), it was one of the appliances tested by Lead Safe Mama that was found to have the lowest levels. You can read more here.
