Bernadette_Abraham
Forum Replies Created
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@Kkol there’s plenty that can be done for bloating that doesn’t require testing. Please encourage them to join B Better so we can guide them. One or all of the main digestive players are often involved; stomach acid, bile, and enzymes, along with possible dysbiosis.
We have this handout on root cause reasons for bloating. We have a Parasite Cleanse program that walks you through it step by step, as well as a SIBO/IBS Relief program with many actionable steps and tips to relieve and resolve bloating.
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@Kkol before using any grounding devices, it’s important to make sure the area where you’ll be using it is clear of dirty electricity. A simple EMF reader or a dirty electricity meter like the one by Greenwave can help.
I personally love and use the grounding bedsheet from Earthing. We have a discount code for B Better members as well which you can find here: https://bbettermembership.com/resource-library/lifestyle-wellbeing/earthing/
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Hi @Kkol – yes, I recommend Dr. Felice Gersh and Dr. Lindsey Berkson, both of which were guests in B Better. They both offer virtual consultations.
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Hi @Vidu – I recently learned that only a few companies dominate the water filter industry, even though there are so many different brands and companies selling water filters. These large manufacturers often produce filters for multiple brands, which then rebrand and market them under their own names. In the U.S., for example, companies like 3M, Pentair, and Culligan are some of the major producers in this space. So while it seems like there are so many water filtration companies available, there are really only several companies supplying filters worldwide.
What’s important however and an easy way to narrow down your search is to make sure they are NSF certified. These products usually display the NSF mark on the product or packaging. Look for specific standards like NSF/ANSI 42 (for aesthetic effects like chlorine reduction), NSF/ANSI 53 (for health effects like lead and VOC removal), NSF/ANSI 58 (for reverse osmosis systems if that’s what you’re looking for), etc.
You can also search for NSF certified water filters using their database to double check or search for companies using NSF certified filters:
I would also ask the city for your water report. It’s public information. Feel free to share those results here. But based on that report, you can then narrow down the type of filter as well by asking the company for a list of contaminants that their filters remove.
I know in Ottawa, it’s high in chlorine & fluoride. So I make sure the filters remove those.
Hope that helps!
info.nsf.org
Listing Category Search Page | NSF International
Listing Category Search Page | NSF International
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Hi @biancachalfoun – I’ve tagged you in another thread which discusses a possible protocol when having to use a contrast agent.
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Hi @healthyliving99 – sorry to hear that your baby is struggling with constipation. Avoiding dairy and bananas is a great start.
There are a few other things to consider:
1. Please consult with a pediatric chiropractor for a gentle adjustment. Sometimes there can be nerve interference in the lower spine that can affect digestion. Make sure there is no physical misalignment. I highly recommend Dr. Benjamin Tinker at Heal Hub Rehabilitation Center in Dubai. He’s excellent. 04-546-6152
2. Consider a manual “I-L-U” massage after bath time to help with peristalsis (moving things along). You start on the right side of their belly by the right hip bone, and move upwards towards the ribs 5 times (making the letter I). Then you make an upside down “L” by going upward and across the top part of the colon towards the left 5 times. Then finally you complete the “U” by going up, across, and back down on the left side towards the left hip another 5 times. This helps with peristalsis to move things along. Bicycling their legs can also help.
3. Dietary changes. The solids you’re feeding baby are great, but most are high in soluble fiber. Soluble fiber such as chia seeds for example “slow” things down. Instead, choose insoluble forms of fiber to help baby “go”. Remember this saying: “Soluble = Slow and Insoluble = Go”.
->Rice bran, cooked lentils, avocado, cooked prunes/prune juice, green peas are some forms of fiber higher in the insoluble form that may help. You can consider adding more of these into his diet.
4. Probiotics. BioGaia is great and has a proven strain for relieving constipation. If you’re already giving the recommended dose of 5 drops, then consider adding in food-based probiotics such as small amounts (1 tsp every other day to start) of coconut kefir and sauerkraut juice for example. Tabchilli sell quality fermented foods if you don’t make them.
5. Increase magnesium. For an infant, you can add some Epsom salt in their bath water (1 Tbsp of Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) to baby’s bath tub). Soak 10–15 minutes, 3-4 x/week.
You can also consider homeopathic version of magnesium like Dr. Schussler’s Magnesium Phosphoricum which melts in water and is tasteless. This is available from Life Pharmacies in Dubai.
Hope these tips help move things along – please keep us posted!
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@Kkol Dr. Gersh is more systematic with an online portal for forms, etc, but has a longer waitlist. Dr. Berkson works through email and document attachments but is more available. Dr. Gersh is an integrative Medical Doctor (MD)/gynecologist, while Dr. Berkson is a doctor of chiropractic (DC)/certified nutritionist. Both are hormone experts.
Hope that helps you make a decision.
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@Kkol yes correct – especially if there are power outlets near your bed.
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@biancachalfoun tagging you on this thread regarding your question about a protocol for contrast procedure.
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@iryna_klevetenko yes, good idea to lessen the supplement protocol to only what he actually needs because yes, they all need to be processed by the liver as well.
Also, if you’re giving him daily green smoothies, be sure to switch up the greens. Spinach is very high in oxalates when consumed raw. Best to consume spinach cooked or less frequently raw.
As for kelp – what’s the dose? If you’re giving it to him daily, it’s best to reduce the frequency. It’s very rich in iodine and iodine excess can disrupt thyroid function, especially in those with autoimmunity. Also with any product that’s used frequently, check to see if the company has done any heavy metal testing.
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@iryna_klevetenko – I’m so happy to hear that he’s willing to go alcohol-free for a month! I can’t wait to hear about his experience and what positively shifts for him. It’s a powerful exercise, because people usually notice what a positive difference it makes for them, (especially when they reintroduce it and notice old symptoms coming back), so it becomes an empowered choice vs. a challenge.
From what you described about his diet, it sounds like he’s eating mostly whole foods prepared at home. This is already a great start. I would encourage him to watch the VPF Principle lesson which provides a framework to ensure you’re having balanced meals filled with proteins, fiber and healthy. This is the foundation to a healthy diet.
But given his need for additional liver and detoxification support, you can include more targeted food & supplement therapies for both liver health and liver detox.
-Please watch this lesson here from the Gut Health Masterclass. It shares supplement suggestions for supporting liver/gallbladder health.
In terms of therapeutic foods to support liver/gallbladder health, my go-to is dandelion root tea, beetroots & artichoke. For detox support, a variety of different cruciferous vegetables daily (1 cup). You can find more detox supportive foods in this handout.
In terms of liver detoxification support (which is different to liver health support), anything with a combination of B vitamins and amino acids (proteins) will support Phase 1 & 2 detox. One of my favorite products for that is by Integrative Therapeutics Detoxification Factors – but they’ve been out of stock for a while. And you can find more information about how to support overall detoxification & elimination of toxins through all the different pathways in the body in this lesson here from the Mold & Mycotoxin course. These will help reduce overall toxic burden in the body.
If his constipation returns, it’s very important that this be addressed as a priority because it’s one of the primary routes of toxin excretion in the body. Magnesium citrate is a helpful rapid relief tool. We have a Constipation Relief program he can follow as well.
Unless there is suspicion of histamine intolerance, consuming a variety of fermented foods is preferred over probiotic supplements. They offer more variety and quantity of beneficial strains of microbes than a probiotic can offer. We have several recipes under the “Beverages & Fermented Foods” category if you want to try making some at home.
Instead of turmeric supplements, I always prefer curcumin – the beneficial compound found in turmeric. Large doses of turmeric over time can potentially contribute to kidney stone formation but only in certain individuals and at high doses due to its high oxalate content. This study showed 2 grams/day of turmeric powder (about 1 tsp) significantly increased urinary oxalate excretion.
What type of smoothies do you make him? Keep in mind that spinach is also high in oxalates when eaten raw.
What is the reason you’re giving him berberine? Blood sugar? If that’s the case, keep in mind that it’s also antimicrobial and can affect the gut microbiome if on it long term. Berberine should only be used short term.
If he’s supplementing with Vitamin D3 regularly (what’s the dose?), it’s best to get tested after a few months to check levels and adjust dose or stop if needed. The aim is to be between 50-70ng/ml.
Omega-3 is a good choice, especially in cases with higher inflammation in the body.
Can you explain the reasoning for the other supplements? It’s not that there’s anything bad about them, but supplements should always be taken with a specific purpose and goal in mind. Once that’s achieved, the supplement should be stopped.
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@iryna_klevetenko glad to hear that he’s no longer constipated!
How open is he to eliminating alcohol from his lifestyle? If it’s too drastic, would he be open to reducing it by at least half?
I know many people drink socially or because they enjoy the taste, or they use it to calm down after a stressful day. Whatever the reason however, it’s not helping his case. In fact, I’d say it’s likely a big contributor.
Alcohol puts extra strain on the liver, which is already struggling in his case (with fatty liver, high ferritin, and borderline cholesterol). Even moderate drinking can increase liver fat, raise inflammation, and worsen nutrient absorption, all of which can contribute to the very issues he’s dealing with, including polyp formation and gut inflammation. It also impacts the gut microbiome and can increase “leaky gut”. So drastically reducing or even better, removing it completely can make a big difference in giving his body a chance to recover.
You can suggest that he tries a 2-month alcohol-free challenge and then retests to see his before and after results. That might encourage him to quit.
And if it would help, I can work on putting together an “alcohol swaps” handout to help “keep the ritual, but change the habit”. Let me know if that would help.
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Hi @iryna_klevetenko – thanks for sharing the labs and additional info. As you know, the more context we have the better we can guide and support you, so I have some questions which you can reply to one by one.
1. Besides constipation, is he experiencing any bloating, gas, reflux, fatigue?
2. You mentioned several supplements to help him sleep. Is sleep an issue for him?
3. How often does he have bowel movements? And what type are they (using the Bristol Stool score)?
4. You mentioned that he fasts. What are his typical meals after 12:30 PM?
5. Does he consume gluten, dairy, or processed foods? How much organic food is consumed vs. conventional food?
6. Any alcohol intake? If so, how much and how often?
7. Does he take any medication (even over-the-counter like antacids)?
8. What’s his stress level like, and does he have any movement or exercise built into his day?
Now from a “root cause” perspective, here’s what seems to be at play:
-The stomach inflammation (atrophic gastritis) means the stomach lining has thinned and may no longer be producing enough acid. This will impact digestion and absorption of key nutrients like B12, iron, and zinc. Have any of these been measured? If not, they should along with folate/B9. Low stomach acid can lead to constipation, poor nutrient absorption, and microbial overgrowths/imbalances further down in the intestines (as seen in the skewing of his neutrophils and lymphocyte in his CBC), which can promote even more inflammation in the intestines and colon (which can promote polyps – these are usually due to toxins).
-> So supporting stomach acid, digestion & motility is a priority! Not pooping daily creates a lot of toxins in the body! If he can tolerate digestive bitters and enzymes more consistently, this can provide some digestive support in the meantime. If they bother him, he needs more gut healing support first. Also, coffee on an empty stomach with MCT oil is probably not a good idea as it can irritate the stomach further. Consider eliminating coffee altogether and switching to green tea, or as a minimum, having coffee after the first meal.
-The fatty liver diagnosis, high ferritin, high uric acid, and borderline cholesterol all point toward the liver struggling to keep up. This is where we need to start asking why? Diet? Fasting habits? Toxin overload? Alcohol? Sleep apnea? – please share your thoughts with us about what you think could be contributing to his liver struggling. Here’s a Fatty Liver handout with root causes.
I’ll wait to hear from you on all of my questions above.
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@MS91 how are you feeling? Did any of the remedies hopefully work for you?
