bernadette
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@Annie Sye as a B Better member, you get access to Fullscript – a practitioner-grade supplement dispensary and 20% discount on their full range. You never know what you’re getting on Amazon. You can create your Fullscript account HERE.
You can then easily browse through the catalogue and filter your search using specific ingredient names, the forms you need it in, specific brands, etc, to find the best one for your needs. It’s really helpful in finding better quality supplements than what you usually find in health stores and 3rd party online stores.
Once you created the account, here are some links/options for l-theanine for example. There are many more as well:
By NOW (as a powder for example)
The general dosages for l-theanine range from 200-400mg per day.
For melatonin, the general dosage recommendations range from 0.5mg to 3mg. It’s always best to start low for a few days, and then increase dosage slowly over time to see what works best for the individual. For those with very high oxidative stress levels, doses as high as 20mg per day have been studied, and is safe (ex. in cancer patients).
Adding in magnesium glycinate into the mix can be helpful at calming the body as well. Again anywhere from 200-800mg (to bowel tolerance).
For hair testing, they need to get hair as close as possible to the root. And it must be the natural hair color – no dyes.
I think your strategy of helping him first sleep better is a good one. Please keep us posted on how he does with the melatonin and l-theanine.
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@Maryam Al well we don’t know if she has low vitamins, but it’s worth testing to see where the suppression of WBCs is coming from. Once you watch all of the video links I’ve shared, go back and reread my reply. You’ll understand it a lot better.
But yes, her fatigue could be from her body fighting a possible low-grade viral infection. When we get sick, aren’t we tried? It does that on purpose to help our immune system put all of its resources on fighting the invader. Makes sense?
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@Maryam Al I’m going to highlight the out of range markers and link a few videos from the Understanding Basic Blood Chemistry to help you better understand what might be at play:
Clinically low WBC: something is suppressing her white blood cell production. Please watch my explanation in THIS VIDEO starting at 1 min 38 sec if you want to skip the intro.
Clinically low Neutrophils: this is our first line of defense when we get sick; this usually goes up when there’s an active or chronic bacterial infection. When it goes down as lymphocytes increase, it’s usually a pattern of a viral infection. Could be acute or chronic and transient. Think of a virus that is dormant, but may at times reactivate. Please continue watching the same video above as I explain the different patterns of these white blood cell differentials.
Clinically high ferritin: please watch THIS VIDEO (start at 2 min:10 sec). This will explain why the body is not absorbing iron. The body is smart and trying to protect her body!
Clinically low vitamin D: does she get daily sun exposure? If so, ask why vitamin D may be low, keeping in mind that it’s a fat soluble “vitamin” that needs good liver/gallbladder function and bile flow for absorption, and needs a good amount of magnesium for active conversion. Please watch THIS VIDEO from the Mineral Balance course (start at 2 min 16 sec) to see if the low vitamin D is related to inflammation or not given the higher ferritin.
Knowing nothing else other than these results and the symptoms you’ve shared, it seems as though the pattern points to the possibility of a chronic reactivated viral infection, which in itself can be suppressing the immune system and possibly creating a secondary simmering microbial infection which is causing the sequestering of iron.
What do you do next? Support her immune system!
Knowing her immune system is struggling, I would want to measure and optimize her vitamin D, A, RBC zinc and RBC copper as a starting point. If RBC zinc and copper aren’t available, then I would measure these in serum and also request ceruloplasmin along with it.
I would also want to make sure she has the raw ingredients needed to make WBCs. So measuring B12 and B9 as well, although it’s much better to measure these in organic acid metabolites (urine test) versus serum. These are called methylmalonic acid (MMA) and formiminoglutamic acid (FIGLu).
This is also where a conversation about diet comes in. Do you think she’s getting in these nutrients in optimal amounts from food and sun?
Hope the above has helped you better understand the picture being presented, and with your mom instincts and knowing your daughter, can hopefully add more to this picture.
Let me know if you need clarification on anything.
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@Seyma Wilschefski would you mind sharing these studies that you’re referring to because I’m not aware of a direct relationship between molybdenum and iron absorption.
Iron absorption is influenced by several factors, including the presence of other minerals and nutrients like vitamin C for example, which enhances iron absorption. But molybdenum is not typically considered a major player in this process.
Excess molybdenum induces copper deficiency in ruminant animals, and copper is involved in iron metabolism. But that has no relevance to humans because it results from byproducts produced in the rumen. Maybe that’s what these papers are referring to? But again, this is in animal studies, not humans.
What dosage is the molybdenum in your products? The Institute of Medicine set the tolerable upper intake level (TUIL) for molybdenum which is 30mcg per day per kg bodyweight. So if someone weighs 70kg, the highest safest dose is 2100mcg per day for this individual.
Most supplements often contain as little as 150mcg and rarely contain more than 1mg, so supplements used according to labeled use should be overwhelmingly safe.
You can also read more about molybdenum and its impacts HERE.
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Thank you @Naveed Aslam. Same to you!
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@Misha unfortunately, I haven’t researched the risks and benefits for these vaccines in pregnancy, but I can direct you to a great website that discusses the risks mentioned in fine print on the inserts of common vaccines.
Here’s the one for DTAP.
As for RSV, I would reach out to Dr. Elana Roumell or Dr. Ari Calhoun who have put together a Vaccine Empowerment course together, and ask if they discuss vaccines in pregnancy specifically. And here’s the link to their course if you’re interested.
Hope that helps guide you in the right direction.
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@Misha Although no method guarantees complete prevention of urinary tract infections, you can significantly minimize your risk by adhering to the following precautions:
Stay well hydrated and ensure you’re electrolytes are balanced
Don’t ignore the urge to urinate. Urinate promptly and void completely. Not everyone will void completely the first time around, so when the urine stream stops, wait a moment, take a few breaths, and void again. You may be surprised at the amount of urine you void during the second go-around!
Always wipe from front to back after a bowel movement
Opt for comfy cotton undies and loose-fitting clothes down there. Comfy cotton and linen clothing much better than polyester and spandex.
Up-level your sexual hygiene as much as possible. If you know you are prone to UTIs, consider having both you and your partner shower with a gentle castile soap (and brushing your teeth if you think you may have saliva in the mix) before intercourse. Empty your bladder immediately after intercourse, and if you have the option, give yourself a quick splash with fresh water. This may not sound romantic, but it’s much sexier than being stuck with a UTI!
Take a probiotic that supports good vaginal health, such as Jarrow’s FemDophilus or Renew Life Women’s Vaginal probiotic.
And if you’re prone to UTI infections, the general recommendation is to take a preventative dose of cranberries and d-mannose regularly (until cause is addressed), not only when a twinge is felt.
In food form, cranberries can be added to a daily smoothie. Whole, unsweetened cranberries are preferable to cranberry juice, unless it is consumed truly unsweetened (most cranberry juice is highly sweetened).
And d-mannose can be used preventatively against UTIs (1000mg once per day), and research has concluded it to be safe in pregnancy which you can read about here. A higher dose (2-3 x per day) can be used at the first sign of a twinge. But of course always check with your practitioner.
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Hi @Misha – unfortunately, the functional ranges we use for normal adults cannot be used in pregnancy.
Almost every marker in basic labwork will change during pregnancy and I would need to do a whole new course just for pregnancy related labs.
But in general, based on the labs you’ve shared, you’re experiencing the positive changes that are SUPPOSED to happen in pregnancy. The reference ranges also change based on the trimester of pregnancy too.
So for example, the anemia markers RBC, hemoglobin, and hematocrit are supposed to decrease in pregnancy. So if someone compares their values to the optimal functional ranges, it will seem as though they are anemic, when they’re not! For example, an optimal hemoglobin range during pregnancy would be 11.1 to 13.2 g/dL, which is about an 8% drop from the non-pregnancy functional range. So the pattern you’ve described is actually normal and optimal for pregnancy.
Similarly, immune system markers will also change, and show a significant increase. Think about why!! Body wants to protect your baby! So a WBC of 7.95 is actually spot on for 1st trimester level. Neutrophils of 4.5 is considered high in non-pregnancy, but is actually optimal in 1st trimester pregnancy. In fact, neutrophils increase about 171% on average by the 3rd trimester. So nothing to worry about.
Hope this helps put your concerns at ease.
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@Rhondine sorrell just wanted to check in with you to see how you’re doing post-surgery… thinking about you!
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@Yasmin atassi
I like the Klaire Labs infant probiotic. I also like the one by Smidge. They aren’t available in Dubai however, so they’ll need time to get here. If you want one locally available, check Life pharmacy for Udo’s toddler probiotic.
For the rash, if you don’t have Active Skin Repair (my favorite), you can also check the pharmacy or online to see if they have chamomile cream or calamine lotion or even do an oatmeal bath which can really help soothe rashes, dryness and itch. Here’s a how-to.
In terms of multivitamins, please read this handout where we share our favorite brands depending on the circumstances.
Hope that helps.
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@Naveed Aslam I agree it’s not a pleasant test, and unfortunately, it’s routinely recommended during pregnancy to check for gestational diabetes. If drinking sugary water isn’t bad enough, it’s usually in the form of dextrose from GMO corn syrup with artificial color and preservative, adding insult to injury! Some nurses will allow pregnant women to drink their own concoction made of water and cane sugar as long as they get in 50g of glucose. But they need to ask.
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@Yasmin atassi did you share a probiotic supplement picture or link? It didn’t show up. A broad-spectrum probiotic can help modulate the immune system.
For soothing the throat, anything anti-inflammatory, or mucilaginous can be be helpful. For example:
-chamomile, ginger tea
-marshmallow root tea
-slippery elm lozenges (example Thayers brand). It’s a small chewable tablet, so it can be crushed if there’s a choking concern.
-gargling with silver hydrosol spray and swallowing (I also keep this in my medicine cabinet at all times)
With doctor approval, consider:
-honey (go slow if you’ve never introduced it before)
-propolis spray (it’s also antiviral so bonus). I always keep on hand as part of my medicine cabinet but in the fridge.
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@Yasmin atassi it’s a viral ailment, so you’re spot on about boosting her own immunity. If you’re still breastfeeding, continue doing so as your immunity will help hers.
Otherwise, you can take a look at this protocol HERE to see what I give my kids for immune support. Zinc in particular is well studied in its ability to inhibit viral replication.
In addition, natural anti-viral support like elderberry syrup or echinacea tincture are usually safe for infants older than 6 months.
You can also consider homeopathic support (Oscillococcinum) if it’s still in the early stages, which I share in the anti-viral protocol HERE.
If you’d like to consult with a good homeopath who does virtual consults, you can also reach out to Dr. Manjari who was also one of our guest experts in B Better HERE.
As for pain relief, chamomile tea or chamomile cream can help soothe any discomfort caused by the blisters. I personally love Active Skin Repair spray for topical use. It can be used several times per day or as needed to alleviate itch and discomfort. You can find my discount code for it and links to all my medicine cabinet must-haves HERE.
In this guide, I also explain my rationale about fevers (p.9). As long as the fever is below 40.5°C/105°F and my kids are alert, playing, eating, and living normally, I don’t suppress a fever with medication which I find delays recovery. If it is needed, then glutathione is a good idea until your child is feeling well again. Dr. Elana Roumell shares her recommended dosages in her talk about vaccines HERE (last 3 slides).
Hope this helps. Wishing your daughter a speedy recovery! Please let us know how she’s doing and if you need anything else.
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@Annie Sye there are many herbs and compounds that can help calm the body before sleep but many of them potentiate the action of those neurotransmitters which you can find listed on the last page of our Adaptogens: Adrenal Rescue handout HERE.
I did some further research on herbs/compounds that could be helpful in those with schizophrenia-like symptoms and as usual, went down a rabbit hole. So allow me to share some interesting research that I came across which you can discuss with your husband:
FOR SLEEP:
First about Xanax use. According to this study, the use of benzodiazepine (especially without antipsychotic meds) is associated with increased mortality risk. It also cautions physicians from prescribing benzodiazepines to schizophrenic patients. It is addictive, and given the high risks, your concerns are spot on.
L-theanine may be a calming compound to consider to help him relax, which has been researched in schizophrenia as a positive adjunct to antipsychotic drug use HERE. It’s naturally found in green tea (hence why green tea isn’t as stimulating despite having caffeine). L-theanine is available as a supplement.
Another sleep aid that has some positive research in those with schizophrenia is melatonin! You can read THIS study (mice) and THIS one (humans) which shows a pro-neurogenic effect. Melatonin is mostly known as our “sleep” hormone, but it’s also a major antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties. High doses are successfully being used in those undergoing cancer treatments as well. So something to consider and discuss with his physician.
FOR COGNITION:
You initially asked about something to help with cognitive function. I came across a few interesting studies of things you can consider as well:
Huperzine A is something I usually recommend to my mold afflicted clients, so it was interesting to see it studied in those with schizophrenia HERE. In fact, I’ve had a client once tell me that she feels her brain suddenly “wakes up” upon taking it.
Berberine is another anti-inflammatory compound (which is also antimicrobial) that was studied to have positive effects on cognition HERE. I did come across many studies looking at the Gut-Brain axis, so given berberine’s antimicrobial nature, I’m sure there’s more than one mechanism of action at play in its positive effects on the brain. Berberine can safely be taken for up to a year without negatively affecting the gut microbiome as well. My only worry is that with any antimicrobial, if the body’s elimination pathways aren’t fully open, they might experience a Herx reaction. So it’s a matter of doing things in the right order. For example, if there’s constipation, address that first before doing any kind of cleanse or “killing”.
As discussed previously, removing gluten (and dairy if possible) is an easy way to help reduce inflammation. THIS systematic review discusses several studies which all show improvement by removing gluten from their diets. Definitely worth trying it!!
Finally, THIS STUDY discusses the relationship between inflammation and schizophrenia from various causes such as infections/parasites, toxins/mold, elevated blood sugar, etc. Therefore, anything that can help reduce inflammation should be part of his protocol, including an anti-inflammatory diet that excludes dairy, gluten, and grains for starters. Dr. Amen’s wife, Tana Amen has a great cookbook HERE if your mom needs recipe inspiration. I believe her book is available on Amazon as well.
I also saw several studies on the potential benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids (high in EPA and DHA), as well as optimal vitamin D levels. All foundational health pillars I share about here in B Better. In fact, when I was learning about mold illness, my mentor Dr. Jill Crista always repeats the phrase “the solution to pollution is dilution”. Since mold is lipophilic, drowning the effects out with omega-3 fatty acid supplementation is key. Usually anywhere from 3-5g per day for several months!
And a final note about blood testing. If he’s ok with needles but just doesn’t want to leave the house, have you considered looking for a mobile phlebotomist to come to the house under the guise of “just a general check-up”? If you and your mom also get blood drawn (can check your vitamin D for example), would he be more open to it?
Hope the above helps you make more informed choices for your brother.
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@Annie Sye
If you don’t want to get the brain scan done at this point, then yes, getting the MycoTox, OAT, HTMA/heavy metal tests would provide insights about current toxicity levels and his detoxification ability as a baseline measure. It will not tell us where the source is coming from unfortunately, but can give us clues to help remove potential sources.
We already know mold is present, so if the urine MycoTox test comes back negative but it shows probable on the OAT, that tells us his elimination pathways are blocked and he can’t excrete mycotoxins in urine. But if HTMA metals are high for instance, we can look at diet, lifestyle and environmental sources to try and figure out where he’s being exposed and remove those potential sources. These tests do provide more information that just this, but I wanted to highlight that they do not help identify the sources.
Some people prefer to skip testing altogether and spend their money on taking action. If you already know mold is at play, the results won’t change the course of action, which is to avoid the exposure, support digestion, mitochondrial and antioxidant function and open up his elimination pathways to help his body get rid of toxins (regardless of what they are!). And we have resources to help with that inside the Mold & Mycotoxin Illness course.
But some people have the budget to test, want a baseline measure for re-evaluations, and confirmation they’re on the right track. There’s no right or wrong choice.
If your brother doesn’t mind needles, getting some basic blood chemistry can be helpful too.
Here’s a suggested list (if also getting the OAT) if he’s never had any done:
CBC with differentials
CMP (liver, kidney & electrolytes)
hs-CRP
Iron panel
Blood sugar panel (fasting glucose, fasting insulin, HbA1c)
Full thyroid panel
Vitamin D
You can find the expanded list of these panels including thyroid as requested, on the last page HERE. For autoimmunity, you can also request the ANA marker – which is just a general marker that indicates whether there is some autoimmune activation going on. You can learn more about that marker HERE.
Your husband may be able to request these markers as a physician, or you can pay out of pocket through a 3rd party lab. Check THIS VIDEO for resources in the US from our Understanding Basic Blood Chemistry course. And here’s a video on best practices to prep for a successful blood draw. As a general rule of thumb and to help remove variables, testing in a 12-hour fasting state, first thing in the morning is generally recommended. Only water is allowed. Don’t be rushed or stressed when going for blood draw as it will impact some values.
I’m happy to hear that your parents will be moving out of the house while renovations are underway. Avoidance is THE most critical step in detoxification. Very happy about that! Please see if you notice signs of improvement after your brother is out of that environment for some time.
Regarding mold inspector/remediators, please watch THIS VIDEO from the Mold & Mycotoxin Illness course for resources on where to find a qualified professional. You can also watch THIS VIDEO for a recommendation on mold consultants who work virtually if none are available locally.
Regarding sleep support, there are so many possible root cause reasons (watch this) that can affect sleep that I created an entire step-by-step Sleep Optimization Program HERE. We always want to start by addressing the basics first like sleep hygiene (read this handout for a short overview). And when those don’t seem to help, I share some rapid relief solutions depending on the circumstances. But the goal of the program is to help identify the root cause and address them, so that sleep support is no longer needed.
In your brother’s case, I would assume (best educated guess) there’s an issue with neurotransmitter balance, so if he’s not on antidepressant/SSRI/SNRI medications, something like 5-HTP, GABA, taurine, and melatonin (separate or a combo of all) might be helpful. I discuss these in more detail inside the program, along with brand recommendations and direct links.
Regarding the Chic-fil-a spicy grilled sandwich, how is your brother’s diet in general? Does he eat a lot of fast food? Or does he eat mostly home cooked food? If you can share a little bit more about his diet, we can provide better guidance. In fact, can you please create a new post about his diet? We can then start a new thread discussing diet and nutrition specifically.
I know I’m throwing a lot of info at you, but please make the time to go through all of these resources I’m sharing. Understanding the why will really help you get others on board if there’s any resistance, and 2) be able to help your brother with more confidence.
I’m deeply touched and impressed by your proactive approach to your brother’s care. We’re here to support you for as long as you need us! ❤️
