[bernadette]

 what was the result please? And when was post-prandial result taken? How long after eating/drinking sugary drink?

[bernadette]

it’s both which is why it’s a popular product.

It’s ideally taken 10-15 mins before a meal, but it can also be taken with food or even after food.

However, as I discussed on the call with you, at this stage it might not be appropriate since it will stimulate stomach acid production as well. This could be the “irritation” you were experiencing.

Instead, supporting digestion with targeted enzymes and liver/gallbladder support instead can offer relief by helping you breakdown your food better given that you’re still on acid blocker meds. Hence my suggestion for Digestion GB. But if the bile support doesn’t suit you in that formula, then I also suggested those 2 other enzyme brands.

[bernadette]

 having worked with these protozoa for quite a while, one important note is that they do have life cycles. This is part of what can make them difficult to eradicate, especially when ABx are only used once or twice. Antimicrobials work well when used in a 2- to 4-month timeframe but pulsed. I prefer to use them for 30 days and then 10 days on and 5 days off, scheduling the days “on” around the full moon which seems to create more parasitic activity.

The only thing to consider is while we don’t want the bugs & parasites high, we also don’t fully know their part in the ecosystem of the microbiome.

I try and rely on healing the gut as much as possible and supporting gut immunity so that it can control the level of “bugs” on its own. By knocking a majority of them out at first, and then assisting the body with pulsing the antimicrobials, you can get all the life cycles depleted to a level that is friendlier to the microbiome, without decimating it with antibiotics. As the gut is healing and beneficial bacteria growing, the environment becomes less conducive to allowing the pathogens to flourish.

I share some brands here in the Gut Health Masterclass if you haven’t yet watched it. Regardless of the brand you choose, I typically pair it with Para 1 (or another brand of mimosa pudica) and a binder to help mop-up die off.

Hope this helps give you some additional areas to explore and consider. Let me know if you have any other questions.

[bernadette]

 did they test fasting insulin by any chance or HOMA-IR? And post-prandial was taken how long after eating?

[bernadette]

Hi  – best way to know is to try it and see how your body tolerates it. As I said on the call, you need to start creating a new “Naveed diet”, by trusting your own body to tell you what it should and shouldn’t have. Following many different restrictive diets, although they are all temporarily helpful, are actually making your life revolve around food and very stressful. Trust your body, and allow it to guide you. Let us know if the chickpea pancakes taste good and work for you!

[bernadette]

Hi  – I will add it to the symptom dictionary! But can you please share more information about this symptom. Is this for you or someone you know? Was it sudden or is it chronic? When does it happen?  Do certain positions aggravate it? Any other symptoms? 

[bernadette]

there are many possible reasons for high blood pressure (being overweight is just one possible factor) so figuring out what is at play in your unique case will help you reverse it.

Have you seen the other possible root cause reasons for high blood pressure in the “Hypertension” handout in the Symptom Dictionary? Let’s analyze the list below:
•  Chronic stress (high cortisol) leading to loss of potassium

-> Does this resonate with you? Has it ever been measured? On a regular blood test, we can see the pattern of stress in the electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride, Co2). While magnesium is helpful, we need potassium to get magnesium into the cells. Here’s a list of potassium rich foods and supplements to consider.
• Sodium/potassium imbalance (especially potassium)

-> After reading the list of potassium-rich foods, and watching this video on the risk factors for low potassium, do you feel low potassium could be at play? Here’s how to test it.

->Also, do you consume enough salt or do you avoid it? Often, people with hypertension are told to avoid salt, which exacerbates the issue by creating an imbalance between the electrolytes.
• Nutrient insufficiencies: • Magnesium (ensures cellular absorption of potassium)
• Vitamin B6 & taurine (increases cellular absorption of magnesium & potassium)

-> you seem to have magnesium covered. Have you measured it? My preferred form for systemic use is magnesium glycinate.
-> have you ever measured B6 or have symptoms that could point to a need for B vitamins like elevated homocysteine, cognitive decline, depression, anxiety, insomnia, hypoglycemia, oxalate kidney stones?
• Obesity and/or lack of exercise

-> are you active? If not, would you consider starting a new walking routine every morning or evening? If you haven’t yet watched the “Movement” pillar in the Beginner’s Health Roadmap, please start there for some ideas on how to incorporate more “exercise” into your day to day routine.
• Insulin resistance/diabetes – ideal fasting insulin is 5 mIU/ml and HbA1c < 5.3% (causes mineral loss through increased urination & inflammation on lining of blood vessels) -> were these ever measured? If so, please share results. You can remove/crop out any identifying information for privacy if you prefer.
• Heavy metal toxicity (cadmium, arsenic, lead, etc)
• Excess DHT testosterone BPA from canned goods

-> any known exposures?

Hope this list helps you dig a little deeper. Please make time to watch all the videos I’ve shared above and let’s keep the conversation going.

[bernadette]

 thanks for sharing. I typically like to see B12 above 600pmol/L. And were fasting insulin and HbA1C also measured at the same time as the fasting glucose that you can share? It’s difficult to draw any conclusions from a fasting glucose alone.

[bernadette]

 first off – well done mama! It feels great when our efforts teaching our kids (and everyone around them) pays off!! 

You are going to love my book UNJUNK. This is the problem all parents face trying to raise a healthy eater. There are moments she will make you proud with her choices, and I can guarantee she will also indulge at other times. That’s part of the learning process that she needs to go through to believe in your message, internalize it, and then make it her own. You have to be ready for these “failures” just as much as the “wins” which become powerful learning opportunities, and hopefully means better choices in the future.

I do also share several books to read in my chapter called “Dealing With the Resistance to Change”. Here’s the list:
• The Omnivore’s Dilemma: Young Readers Edition by Michael Pollan
• Fat Head Kids: Stuff About Diet and Health I Wish I Knew When I Was Your Age by Tom and Chareva Naughton
• Why Does My Body Make Bubbles?: Learning about the Digestive System with the Garbage Gang by Thomas Kingsley Troupe and Derek Toye
• Food Rules: A Doctor’s Guide to Healthy Eating by Catherine Shanahan MD
• Sweet Deception: Why Splenda, Nutrasweet, and the FDA may be Hazardous to Your Health by Joseph Mercola and Kendra Degen Pearsall
• The Dorito Effect: The Surprising New Truth About Food and Flavor by Mark Schatzker
• It Starts With Food: Discover the Whole30 and Change Your Life in Unexpected Ways by Melissa and Dallas Hartwig
• Paleo Girl: Take a Leap. Empower Yourself. Be Awesome! by Leslie Klenke
• Practical Paleo: A Customized Approach to Health and a Whole-Foods Lifestyle by Diane Sanfilippo, Robb Wolf, et al.

Hope this helps.

[bernadette]

have you seen an osteopath who can look at both muscles and your skeletal alignment? Might be a good idea if you suspect a structural issue.

[bernadette]

would you mind sharing the results with reference ranges for blood sugar and B12 pls. Functional interpretation differs greatly from conventional ranges looking to diagnose disease.

[bernadette]

 other things to consider:
• Have they measured RBC magnesium, potassium, sodium by any chance? 
• Do you have an MCV value you can share on a blood test? Anything above 89 can indicate a possible need for B12/B9 which can lead to neuropathy as well. Of course, there may be other reasons, but these nutrients are usually the most obvious ones that can contribute to spasms and neuropathy.
• Were your blood sugar levels checked? Fasting glucose, fasting insulin, HbA1C? Higher blood sugar can lead to oxidative stress that can injure nerves/tissues and lead to neuropathy.
• Mercury toxicity can have neurological effects as well. Any amalgam fillings? Or regular intake of tuna? 

Regarding the MRI – will it be with or without contrast?

[bernadette]

 are your referring to Omar? If so, he’s a mold remediator, not an inspector. Unfortunately, nobody here does a thorough enough inspection. Looking into AC units/ducts and using a humidity reader is not enough. Attached is a document by Brian Karr to help you see what to ask when looking for a qualified mold inspector:[10 Questions to Find a Mold Inspector.jpg]Since an ERMI test was not done of your home, this is where I would start to be honest to rule out this option. We need to confirm that your environment is safe.

Another common but overlooked cause can be toxins or infections in the mouth. Do you have amalgam fillings, root canals, extractions done in the past? Was a 3D cone beam scan ever done to rule out hidden infections?

EBV is also not usually a cause but rather a symptom of a weakened immune system, that allows it to reactivate. The question to be asking is what is compromising your immune system.

Given that there is an autoimmune dynamic, please watch this video on Autoimmune Disease Facts and then this one on Autoimmune Thyroid Recommendations. You’ll see the recommendation for cat’s claw and lemon balm for strong viral surges to keep it at bay while looking for the root cause(s).

Another client of mine who had EBV reactivations was caused by a genetic condition called hemochromatosis. High iron can be toxic.

And once again, the emotional component/traumas. If your body is sensing it is in fight or flight mode, this can allow viruses to surge.

What is interesting to me is that you mentioned that your worst days are in the follicular phase of your cycle (period until ovulation). I’m assuming your pituitary was checked before?

[bernadette]

 take your time to review what I’ve shared and let me know if you have any questions. I know it’s a lot to assimilate, but focus your attention on gut health, thyroid health, and removing anything that is taxing her immune system. I wouldn’t worry about her hormones – the timing of the test makes the results irrelevant.

[bernadette]

Hi  – I’m assuming constipation is at play for someone and you’re looking for solutions correct?

If you haven’t already seen the videos in the Gut Health Masterclass yet, I would recommend you watch:
• the common causes of constipation 

and
• rapid relief for constipation

To answer your question about psyllium husk, yes you can mix it with flaxseeds and add it to your smoothie. Metabolic Maintenance has a good one that is available in the B Better supplement dispensary.

BUT – if constipation is at play, I would not recommend doing that since both of those are high in SOLUBLE fiber which SLOW down transit time.