[bernadette]

Hi Jen, I usually recommend my clients test every 3-4 months if they’ve been supplementing with zinc and/or copper. Maybe even sooner if it’s a really high dose (50mg zinc per day for example).

[bernadette]

Hi Claire – in some cases, early puberty is normal. In other cases, a child should see a doctor so I would recommend speaking to an endocrinologist first and foremost if you’re concerned.

From a functional perspective, I speak a lot on social media about endocrine disrupting chemicals. These are ever so present in our day to day lives, which are definitely impacting children’s hormones as well.

Going through the Beginner’s Health Roadmap and beginning to “detoxify” your environment at home is always recommended. You may have seen this post of mine on social media. You can also find more info in this handout on toxin avoidance in the Resources.

[bernadette]

Yes you’re correct, Dubai’s air quality has been in the red lately (and ranked the highest air pollution in the world!) according to https://www.iqair.com/. 

There are always exceptions and nuances depending on where you live. Use your best judgement. If the air quality is very poor and it’s very windy, it’s better to keep windows shut and run an indoor air filter instead.

But when it’s not windy and the air quality is better, it’s definitely worth improving the air quality inside our homes by opening windows, weather permitting.

Great question. I think I’ll add a clarification note inside the module and link IQ Air’s air quality index website as a reference.

[bernadette]

“Normal” to conventional doctors means absence of disease. So no, having bad periods that requires monthly medication is NOT normal. It’s typically a sign of estrogen dominance, which usually happens as a result of 1 or all 3 of these scenarios:
1.  Exposure to xenoestrogens – outside sources of estrogen from environmental chemicals like phthalates, glyphosate, triclosan, parabens, etc which have estrogenic effect in the body. You may have seen this post of mine on social media. You can also find more info in this handout on toxin avoidance in the Resources.
2. Lower progesterone to estrogen ratio. Are you peri-menopausal? Is there a PCOS dynamic that can lead to anovulation and therefore no progesterone production? Possible insulin resistance?
3. Lack of hormone clearance. Once we make and use hormones, we need to clear them from the body. Being on birth control depletes B vitamins which are needed for phase 1 detox. Are you constipated and not flushing toxins and spent hormones in stool? Is there gut microbial overgrowths perhaps causing a re-circulation of spent hormones? Is there liver-biliary tract congestion?

Do any of these resonate with you? You’ll also want to focus on the gut healing section in the Gut Health Masterclass because of your regular consumption of pain killers.

As rapid relief while trying to address your potential root cause(s), it’s been shown that high dose GLA (~1000mg per day in split dose with food) in the luteal phase of their cycle, helps counter the prostaglandins that cause the painful cramps. 1-2 Tbsp crushed flax seeds daily, and raspberry leaf tea can also help.

Some women also find that Vitex (chaste tree berry) helps. 1,000mg 1 or 2x per day in the 2nd half of the menstrual cycle (luteal phase) has shown to boost progesterone naturally by enhancing ovulation.

Hope this helps give you some direction with your practitioner.

[bernadette]

 correct – oxide is not recommended for oral supplementation. Just for the deodorant recipe since it’s for topical use and more cost effective. Magnesium oxide taken orally can cause diarrhea and is very poorly absorbed.

[bernadette]

Any type will work, but magnesium oxide is typically more cost effective. Let me know how it works out for you! Keep it mind it’s very white when you apply it on, and after some time, you’ll need to remix it because the oil will separate. I’m going to try adding in an emulsifier to help it stay blended but just haven’t gotten around to trying it.