[bernadette]

Hi  – quick question to you first – do you have a type 3/4 bowel movement at least once daily? You can compare it to the Bristol stool chart here.

If so, I’m going to first provide you with some herbal rapid relief remedies to alleviate the bloating, and then discuss reasons why it might be present in the first place so that you can start to work on fixing it at the root.

For Rapid Relief:
• Peppermint, ginger, star anise, and fennel are all carminative herbs which help the GI tract release trapped gas and eliminate bloating/cramps by relaxing the muscle wall of the intestines. Gaia Herbs’ “Gas and Bloating” formula combines many of these into 1 formula. There are other brands as well. 

• Activated charcoal is also effective at absorbing excess gas in the gut (just make sure it’s taken away from all other supplements, medication, and food, ideally in between meals or before bed, as it will bind other substances as well). 

• A comprehensive digestive enzyme formula may further improve gas/bloating.  When there is inflammation in the GI tract or microbial imbalances, digestive secretions can be impaired. This is even worse when a person is chronically stressed. The result may be suboptimal digestive enzymes.  If food is slow to be digested or remains semi-digested, this presents a particularly rich and hearty food source for bacteria which will increase and extend their gas production overall.  Excellent basic, full spectrum digestive enzymes are  Enzymedica’s Digest or Digest Gold enzymes. A week-long trial of using a digestive enzyme at the beginning of every meal could help you see if this is helpful. Another option is to use digestive bitters like this one which helps stimulate all digestive secretions instead. Please watch this video for more info on digestive enzyme support.

Root Cause Reasons for Bloating:

As I mentioned above, bloating typically happens when there is a reduction in digestive secretions (stomach acid, pancreatic enzymes & bile) which can lead to gut microbiome imbalances and overgrowths, and can happen for various reasons.
• First, make sure that you’re in the right state of mind and not stressed when eating. Please watch this video which explains it better. 

• Eating hygiene is often overlooked, but equally powerful. Please watch this video. 

• And finally, not having enough stomach acid will often create a downward cascade of gut dysfunctions (including low bile). I encourage you to watch this video on the reasons for low stomach acid, and then this video on stomach acid support.

I’m going to leave it here for now as to not overwhelm you. Please make the time to watch the videos I’ve shared, and let me know if you have any other questions in the meantime.

[bernadette]

 you made my day! THIS is exactly why B Better was created. I’m glad you’re finally feeling like you have some direction. 

Look up Dr. Maureen MacDonald: https://holisticclinic.ca/team/maureen-macdonald/

And Dr. Carri: https://www.functionalmedicineontario.com/about-us/

Hopefully you resonate with one of them. Please keep us posted once you begin taking action on the steps above.

[bernadette]

 sounds like a good plan. Keep us posted!

[bernadette]

 Clearly Filtered is the brand. I bought it while in Canada a few summers ago.

[bernadette]

 – in general, if I’m in a rush, I’ll just remove the frozen veggies from their bag, put them in a metal strainer, and run them under warm/room temperature filtered water at my tap.

Another alternative is to put the frozen veggie bag in a deep plate or bowl and put them in the fridge to defrost overnight. The reason for the bowl is because it will defrost and cause a liquid mess without it.

And sometimes, I don’t bother defrosting my veggies if they’re going to be cooked anyway. For example, if I’m making shepherd’s pie, I don’t really defrost my frozen corn kernels. I just sprinkle it on frozen and put the whole dish in the oven. Or if I’m using leftover veggie pasta sauce that I had previously made and frozen for example, I’ll just throw it into my sauce pot and let it defrost while reheating it on the stove.

So there’s a few different options…

Hope that helps.

[bernadette]

Hi  – I think you’re asking about parchment paper. Yes, it’s the same as baking paper. If you’re going to use it for baking purposes in the over or where food will be touching it when heated, I recommend unbleached parchment paper. But for the purpose of using it to cover the metal cap for sole, any baking paper will do.

[bernadette]

Hi – thanks for sharing the labs.
• Suboptimal low WBC:

Were you sick when you drew these labs? I’m asking because your WBC (white blood cell) seem a little suppressed. You can see that it’s closer to the lower end of the clinical reference range. Ideally, I like to see it between 5 to 7. So in my mind, I’m asking – what is causing immune suppression? Was your body fighting something at the time? We already know that vitamin D is clinically low. How about vitamins A and zinc – 2 other immune nutrients? You can get these measured in blood (but in Ontario through OHIP it will be near impossible to get unless you pay out of pocket or see a naturopath). If you can, please measure vitamin A and RBC zinc. If testing isn’t possible, consider cod liver oil which is rich in vitamin A, and incorporating more zinc-rich foods.

• Lower sodium, higher potassium pattern:

As I discussed in my first reply about stress, your electrolytes are reflecting a pattern that could point to parasympathetic dominance. This is when the body has endured chronic stress for a while, and then switches over to a parasympathetic state as a protective mechanism.

If you’d like to pursue testing to see your adrenal/cortisol status, I recommend the DUTCH Adrenal test. Here’s a sample report. Cost is $309 USD plus shipping (not cheap!). If you work with a naturopath, they might be able to run a salivary cortisol test for less.

If cortisol is low, thyroid function, immunity, digestion, cognitive function – EVERYTHING will become sluggish in the body. I already shared the effect of cortisol on thyroid function, but here’s the video again if you haven’t yet watched it. So focusing on adrenal health would be my suggestion from a root cause approach. Here’s a handout with some suggestions on reducing stress.
• Suboptimal high RBC (red blood cell) – can point to dehydration. Are you drinking enough water? Adding in some ‘sole’ will help with hydration, and adrenal support.

• Suboptimal low B12 and ferritin (iron storage) – do you consume animal products? These are naturally higher in iron and B12. Are you getting in enough protein with each meal? I like to see B12 higher than 600 and ferritin between 50-70ng/ml for menstruating women. If you have low cortisol, you will have low thyroid function and low stomach acid secretion (and all digestive juice production), therefore your ability to absorb nutrients will be compromised. You likely need more stomach acid but in the absence of testing and not knowing if there’s H Pylori overgrowth, digestive bitters can help stimulate all digestive secretions and relieve bloating. I already recommended 2 brands in my previous reply. It should help as rapid relief.

• Suboptimal low creatinine – do you exercise? Strength training and any kind of resistance to your muscles is recommended. Let me know if you need help with finding videos online or good fitness apps. There are plenty and you can do it from the comfort of your home – no need for a gym membership.

• TSH – this is a brain hormone, and does not tell us anything about thyroid health and function. Again, here is a full thyroid panel that you can ask a naturopath to run. But again, in the absence of testing, you can still look at incorporating more of these foods for thyroid health, which will help with metabolic health and weight loss.

In my opinion, based on what you’ve shared and the labs so far, I feel cortisol is the major player in your case and adrenal health should be your primary focus.  In January I plan on filming a course just on adrenal health to compliment the Thyroid course. In the meantime, please read the handout I provided above.

Digestive bitters and incorporating more thyroid friendly foods, protein with each meal, hydrating well (add sole), and adding in some strength training 2-3 x per week to start will help you move forward.

Hope this helps give you a better direction and some action steps to take.  Let me know if you have any questions.

[bernadette]

 
1.  Yes, continue the same diet until after the cleanse. If it’s been at least 4 months of elimination and gut healing, you can try to re-introduce foods again.
2. If nausea is persistent, reduce amount of fats you’re consuming. Otherwise, no need.
3. Cabbage juice is an amazing food therapy option for both gut healing, and yes, it has anti-parasitic properties too. If you don’t have autoimmune thyroid, go for it! If it causes gas/bloating, lightly steam the cabbage before juicing.
4. Artichoke extract can help with bile synthesis and greater gallbladder emptying, but for more “decongesting” action, taurine and lecithin can be a good replacement for d-limonene.
5. No issues using GI detox or Ultra binder – just be sure it’s away from food and supplements. I haven’t found a replacement for Para 1 by CellCore except with their sister company Microbe Formulas. It’s basically just mimosa pudica seed. Fullscript has one but it’s a combo formula and lower dosage of mimosa pudica. 

Hope this helps.

[bernadette]

Hi  – you’ll find that information with links to zinc product recommendations in this video here in the zinc section of the Mineral Balance course. I also share when and how to take it. Empty stomach is best but for many people it causes nausea, so taken with food and away from phytate-rich foods (grains, beans, nuts, etc) is usually the recommendation.

[bernadette]

 this patented strain of Lactobacillus reuteri DSM17648 seems to have quite a bit of favorable research with high quality evidence that it can eradicate/reduce an H Pylori overgrowth:
• Treatment with omeprazole + Protectis eradicated H. pylori in 60% of subjects after 30 days compared to none in the placebo + omeprazole group (P<0.0001) [Saggioro et al, 2005]

• In H. pylori-positive adults, administration of Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 (4 x 10^8 CFU/day) for 4 weeks significantly decreased urea breath test (P<0.05) demonstrating suppression of H. pylori urease activity and H. pylori density. [Imase et al, 2007]

• H. pylori-infected adults received either Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 (10^8 CFU/day; n=20) or placebo (n=20) for 28 days, followed by a 10-day sequential PPI/antibiotic regimen. No significant differences were observed between groups with respect to H. pylori eradication rates after completion of the the regimen (P=0.8). [Francavilla et al, 2008]

• In H. pylori-positive adults (n=40), concurrent Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 three times daily for 14 days, with second line antibiotic therapy (esomeoprazole 20mg, levofloxacin 500mg and amoxicillin 1g, all twice daily for 7 days), significantly increased H. pylori eradication rates (P<0.05) and reduced the incidence of nausea and diarrhoea. [Ainora et al, ]

[bernadette]

Motility Activator can be taken with meals.

I usually recommend 2 options when a liquid product is in a base of alcohol: 

1 – dissipate the alcohol by leaving the entire bottle open for 48 hours
2- if you need to take it sooner, you may put your tincture dose in hot water, let it sit for 15 minutes, and then take it.

Alternatively, here are brands of digestive bitters which are alcohol-free:
• Dr. Mercola Organic Digestive Bitters
• Vitanica Bitters Tonic

[bernadette]

if your daughter is having recurring episodes of ulcers/canker sores, food sensitivities if often the root cause which can reflect an inflammatory response in the mouth. Gluten is a common culprit, but it could be other foods as well (e.g. citrus, which is further aggravated by the strong acidity of its juices).

An elimination diet with structured reintroduction could be an option to help you determine the culprit.
Other potential causes include:
• SLS in toothpaste. More on this here.
• Nutrient deficiencies. • Most commonly B vitamins (e.g. B2/riboflavin, B3/niacin, B12, and/or B9/folate) as these nutrients support the protective mucosal layer of the mouth.
• Zinc – zinc lozenges are a great way to get direct, topical application
• H. Pylori, which can cause ulcers not only in the stomach and duodenum but also in the mouth.

Also eliminate any alcohol-based or other harsh mouthwash, which can disrupt the microbiome in the mouth. Oral probiotic lozenges may help support the oral microbiome, as may lactobacillus acidophilus.
Note too that canker sores are different from other mouth sores such as cold sores, angular cheilitis, or burning mouth syndrome.
To help an existing ulcer to heal, consider the following in addition to Daniel’s suggestions above (Manuka honey, chamomile tea, baking soda rinses, eliminating spicy/acidic foods to help with healing):
• Zinc lozenges
• DGL lozenges
• Licorice extract applied topically
• There are also some homeopathic remedies for canker sores such as this, this, and this.
• Ozonated oil, which can be purchased from most holistic dentists shows a reduction in pain and faster healing.

To learn more about canker sores and potential home remedies, check out this article.

[bernadette]

there’s a great book called “The Body Keeps the Score” which discusses how early life emotional trauma if left unresolved, will affect us as adults. And so, regardless of the stories that we tell ourselves and others about our stress levels, our body truly knows and senses it.

Adaptogens can help us become more resilient to the effects of stress and may be something you want to consider in the meantime. Here is a handout explaining how adaptogenic herbs work; some provide a boosting effect, others provide a more calming effect.

This Instagram post also explains visually the difference between the herbs along with some supplement brand examples of each. And if you swipe to the last image in the carousel, I also explain the different signs of stress, to help you determine if you need more of a boosting effect or a calming effect. It’s also ok to combine them or take them at different times of the day depending on what you need.

Doing less, delegating more, saying no more often, asking for help, etc, is ultimately what is going to help your adrenals the most. In essence, help your body feel safe daily, and not like it’s running for dear life! I know it’s easier said than done as a full-time working mom of 3, but sometimes we just need that reminder that we’re taking on too much, and taking a day off to prioritize what is truly important and letting go of what isn’t serving us, can feel very freeing.

Good quality sleep, nourishing your adrenals with vitamin C rich foods, and adding 1 tsp of ‘sole’ (saturated salt water) in your water bottle are other ways to help support the adrenals.

Hope this helps, and let me know if you have any other questions.

[bernadette]

 thank you for the thorough update. I’m glad to see gut health is still improving.

Your suspicion about parasites contributing to the alternating bowel movements is probably spot on, especially that you’re seeing visible worms in your stool. And feel free to share whatever you’d like – I have a whole folder of parasite poop pics from clients! FYI – random rashes that appear and disappear is often a sign of parasites and other overgrowths like candida/yeast.

Given the nausea and greasy stools, I would suspect some biliary  tract congestion. A 1-month course of D-limonene (1,000mg/day) could help if there’s no allergies to citrus. I usually tell my clients to take it 3/4 way through their meal and keep it in the freezer to delay the release of citrus oils. I like this brand since it’s 1,000mg in 1 capsule so easier to take, but it’s pricier than this brand which only offers 250mg per capsule but it’s better priced.

After 2 weeks of biliary tract support, it would make sense to do a parasite cleanse at that stage. If you’ve never done one before, then as explained in the video, 2 kits of Renew Life ParaSmart combined with Para 1 and Biotoxin Binder from Cellcore would be a good place to start.

Looking forward to hearing your continued progress. Do let me know if have any questions.

[bernadette]

 since you are very sensitive at this stage, and have many food restrictions, the elemental diet (medical food powder) is another option designed for those struggling from SIBO. It can offer relief while gut healing/supporting digestion, and gut immunity. Click on the link I shared above to learn more about it.