Hi @DrYasminkottait – gosh I can only imagine how scary it feels, but just know that the risks are quite low. Nevertheless, I agree in being prudent because you never know.

If you’re unhappy with what the pediatricians are telling you, consider consulting with an infectious disease specialist. Their protocols might be different to what the pediatricians are recommending.

In the meantime, you can always support his general immunity. Making sure he’s sleeping well, eating nourishing whole foods, getting daily sun exposure (vitamin D), grounding, and hydrating well. Avoiding sugar and stressful situations (this includes picking up on your stress as well – children are incredibly attentive!). In addition, you can consider additional short-term use of vitamin C, zinc, vitamin D, and vitamin A. Cod liver oil for example has plenty of vitamin A and some vitamin D, along with omega-3.

Please keep us posted!

Hi @Vidu – muscle twitches that come and go in the hand are often linked to electrolyte or mineral imbalances. But there can be other reasons too like overuse of the muscles in the hand, stimulants or dehydration from too much caffeine intake, pre-workouts or not drinking enough water during the day for example. High stress or lack of sleep can also lead to muscle twitches if the nervous system is in a heightened state.

Do any of these possible factors resonate with you?

If you’re concerned and would like to get some testing done, here are some markers you can request:

-RBC magnesium

-Electrolyte panel (sodium and potassium)

-Vitamin D (low levels can affect neuromuscular health)

-Vitamin B12, folate (these affect nerves and muscle control)

-Full thyroid panel (TSH, Free T4, Free T3, revere T3, anti-TPO, anti-TG)

-Fasting glucose, fasting insulin and HbA1c – to rule out glucose/nerve issues

In the meantime, make sure you’re drinking enough water and consider increasing magnesium-rich foods (dark leafy greens, nuts, seeds) or a gentle magnesium glycinate supplement, as well as potassium-rich foods like coconut water. Also make sure you’re salting your food with sea or Himalayan salt (if no contraindications). You can find more solutions for magnesium here, and for potassium here from our Mineral Balance course.

That should hopefully resolve the twitches, but if not, keep us posted and we’ll help you get to the bottom of it.

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Hi @Dana – as a good starting point when someone requires a check-up, it’s a good idea to get a CBC with differentials, CMP (complete metabolic panel) and hs-CRP as the core markers. These are usually covered by insurance and can provide a lot of information as a starting point. You can find the list of these markers (CBC & CMP) on p. 5 in this handout.

Given the symptoms you shared, it would also be a good idea to add in some additional markers as well to be even more comprehensive:

-For blood sugar status (given the history with insulin resistance/weight loss resistance):

• Fasting insulin, fasting glucose, HbA1C, HOMA-IR or C-Peptide

-For thyroid function (given the low energy, metabolism, and desire for better hair growth)

• TSH, Free T4, Free T3, Reverse T3, Anti-TPO, Anti-TG

-For symptoms of low energy/metabolism/slow starter in the morning (adrenal status):

• Cortisol (AM only or 4-point saliva/urine test)
• DHEA-s

-For memory/cognition, energy, hair & mood:

• B12 and folate
• Iron panel (ferritin, iron, TIBC, % saturation)
• Homocysteine
• RBC magnesium
• Vitamin D
• RBC Zinc & copper

Please share your age. Given the PMS-like symptoms and sleep changes, you might want to check sex hormone status as well:

• Estradiol (E2)
• Progesterone (on day 19-21 of your cycle if it’s regular, and a 28-day cycle)
• LH & FSH
• Total and Free testosterone
• SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin to know what’s free and what’s not)

If you want to get these tests covered by insurance, you might need to see 2 different specialists; an OBGYN for sex hormones and an endocrinologist for thyroid/blood sugar/adrenal status. You can also request imaging for your thyroid from the endocrinologist given that you’re on medication.

Another option is to try and get whatever you can get done through insurance, and then pay out of pocket for the rest. B Better members get a discount on some panels with Valeo Health. You can find the details here. They offer convenient home phlebotomy service and their prices are competitive since they cut out the middle man and work directly with the lab.

Hope the above is clear. Let me know if you have any questions.

Hi @healthyliving99 – no, enameled cast iron (the pretty colored cookware) is not something that I would recommend because the majority of them test high for lead, arsenic and other heavy metals on the cooking surface based on testing done by Lead Safe Mama.

The best options are always plain (undecorated) stainless steel, plain undecorated cast iron and plain undecorated clear glass.

I personally have and use pure ceramic by Xtrema cookware, which is surface tested to not leach metals, but if a chip or crack appears, I immediately toss them out since the inner material has heavy metals that can leach when broken.

Hi @R-S – nutrition can be very confusing because you can find valid pros and cons to absolutely everything. And that’s why context matters so much, and why prioritizing goals with the correct order matters more.

In your case, even though SIBO/IBS are a part of your overall symptom picture, what you need right now are soothing remedies for both the gut and nervous system in a form that you can tolerate and absorb.

Eventually, you’ll be able to lessen these therapies and focus on the fight – but not before you soothe and strengthen your body first. The order matters.

Hope that makes sense?

Hi @Vidu – if the bottle was kept in the fridge, you can probably still use it. But if it’s been out, then it’s best to throw it out unfortunately.

Have you gone through our Heartburn & Acid Reflux Resolution program to help you figure out/address the cause(s) and provide some rapid relief solutions?

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@DrYasminkottait –

You can find more information about viral support in this protocol. And this protocol shares immune support for kids with brand recommendations.

I like Cistus Incanus herb (brewed as a tea). During Covid, Dr. Klinghardt explained how this herb helps stop viral replication so it’s great for prevention and treatment of viruses.

@R-S the elemental diet like mBIOTA is an option because it’s clinically effective. Other options may not provide the same results.

If you’re starting to feel better though by spacing out your meals by 4-5 hours, then continue doing that. If you continue to improve, then move onto the next stage of supporting the 3 main digestive players, which is explained in our SIBO/IBS Resolution program. Once stomach acid, bile and enzymes are well supported, there’s usually a positive downstream effect. And then once those players are well supported and if there’s still a need, the next step to consider is “the fight” to kill off the overgrowth.

@R-S – remember that nutrition is nuanced, and depending on the goal that you want to achieve the same foods can be good or bad so don’t let that deter you from the initial primary goal of “calming the fire”.

Given that you’re starting to feel better with more time between meals, I believe you would benefit from an elemental diet to give your body the digestive rest it needs. That is also a part of gut healing, with the combined added benefit of addressing SIBO in as little as 2 weeks.

I searched my practitioner forum for other product options, and the company mBIOTA was mentioned to be a clinically tested, effective elemental diet for SIBO that is also more palatable than other brands out there. I also just got off the chat session with the company to learn more. They are available for order directly from their website therefore a prescription from a practitioner isn’t required. They do however still recommend that it be done under the guidance of a healthcare provider. They ship internationally so you could ask your homeopath to be under his supervision if you don’t have access to anyone else.

Please check them out – their results look promising and hopefully can be delivered to you.

Update: I just received a reply from them. Unfortunately, they don’t yet ship to Jordan, but they do ship to Dubai and other international locations. Perhaps someone can bring it to you from Dubai?

mbiota.com

mBIOTA Elemental

Developed in partnership with leading gastroenterologists and innovative food scientists, the mBIOTA Elemental Diet delivers essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, all with great taste.

@R-S as discussed on the live Q&A, please checkout this resource to find a practitioner who can guide you through the elemental diet: https://www.siboinfo.com/elemental-diet.html

And if you’d like to rewatch the session, it will be available in the library by tomorrow under “Learn”>”Member Call Replays” here.

siboinfo.com

The place for all things SIBO by Dr. Allison Siebecker

My mission is to share information and news about SIBO to empower people in their health. Dr. Allison Siebecker

@yasminatassi glad to hear that her stool is starting to firm up again. And I’m glad that you’ll try the dairy elimination. I hope it will also eliminate the stomach pains she’s still experiencing. Please do keep us posted.

I understand the concern over calcium when eliminating dairy, but the good news is that it’s possible to get in the necessary amount through a combination of food and/or supplements.

According to the NIH, the RDA requirement for calcium for a toddler between the age of 1-3 years is 700mg per day. You can find a list of foods and the amount of calcium they provide HERE to help you see if she’ll eat any of those foods, and whether or not you’ll need to supplement. Here’s a practical list of what a toddler might be willing to eat that is also higher in calcium:

Vegetables

• Broccoli (½ cup cooked ≈ 30 mg)

• Kale (½ cup cooked ≈ 50 mg)

• Bok choy / Chinese cabbage (½ cup cooked ≈ 80 mg)

• Okra (½ cup cooked ≈ 60 mg)

Legumes & Beans

• White beans (½ cup cooked ≈ 80 mg)

• Chickpeas (½ cup cooked ≈ 40 mg)

• Lentils (½ cup cooked ≈ 20 mg)

Nuts & Seeds (best given as butters or finely ground to avoid choking)

• Almond butter (1 Tbsp ≈ 60 mg)

• Tahini (sesame seed paste) (1 Tbsp ≈ 65 mg)

• Chia seeds (1 Tbsp ≈ 75 mg)

• Ground flaxseed (1 Tbsp ≈ 25 mg)

Fish (with edible bones)

• Canned salmon with bones (2 oz ≈ 200 mg)

• Sardines with bones (2 oz ≈ 325 mg)

Other Options

• Tofu (calcium-set) (½ cup ≈ 250–300 mg)

• Amaranth or quinoa (1 cup cooked ≈ 100–120 mg)

• Blackstrap molasses (1 Tbsp ≈ 170 mg; can be added to smoothies or oatmeal)

In general, it’s a good idea to take a break from any supplement after a few months of being on it. If her stool firms up and there’s no other symptoms present, the probiotic can be discontinued and replaced with fermented foods instead longer term.

You can find multivitamin options in this handout.

Hope this helps!

@R-S regarding your question about whether or not you should eat when you feel nauseous, let your body be the guide. Try both and see what you prefer.

Nausea however is often rooted in the liver/gallbladder, so eliminating anything high in fats (like olive oil, olives, coconut, etc) during these episodes could potentially help as well.

Again, be aware of what you try and take notes of what helps, and what doesn’t.

Are you still working with your homeopath to help deal with acute situations?

@R-S let me start off by saying that the symptoms you’re describing are very real physical experiences. Don’t doubt yourself. Many people with gut sensitivity and nervous system dysregulation feel exactly this way, and it can be overwhelming. You are NOT imagining it you’re not losing your mind.

With that said however, since these symptoms have been so persistent and you’re describing them as really intense, it’s probably a good idea to check in with a doctor to rule out anything that may require medical attention such as reflux, gastritis, hiatal hernia, or other upper GI issues. Even if nothing concerning is found, that alone can give you some reassurance and peace of mind that can help guide the next steps.

In the meantime, here are some other things to try that can hopefully help calm the flare that you’re in:

• I know you said your meals are quite bland and boring already, but you can simplify them even more. Try your chicken/veg combo without olive oil or herbs. Again, this can reduce potential irritants and variables.
• Instead of eating smaller and more frequent meals, stick to 3 main meals with at least 4-5 hours between them to allow more digest rest in between meals. Grazing/snacking is also one of the main root causes of SIBO/IBS, so you’ll be hitting 2 birds with 1 stone with this tip if it helps.
• In between meals, continue the soothing support if it’s helping like the slippery elm, fennel/ginger tea if you feel they are helping.
• Wait 15-20 minutes after eating before going for a walk. This might help reduce post-meal discomfort.

Your body is clearly in a heightened state right now, so please rule out anything requiring medical attention, and if that’s all clear, then continue with the “low and slow” approach, both with food and with nervous system work.

@yasminatassi kids go through different eating phases so it’s normal that your once super-eater becomes extremely picky as she gets older. I discuss these transitions briefly in my book UNJUNK.

I also discuss how some children develop sensitivities to the foods they crave most. And by eating them, it is a way of self-medicating that stress response in the body. Dairy for example releases casomorphins during digestion, which are opioid-like substances that produce the same “feel-good high” as opioid drugs (like heroin). If she’s developed a sensitivity to dairy, the immune system will create an inner “stress” response, and as a way to attenuate that stress, her body will crave those opioid-like substances found in both dairy and gluten.

I’m not saying that this is the case for your daughter, but it is definitely a possibility, especially if that’s all she wants to eat sometimes.

And given that dairy is often a culprit with loose stools, it might be worth trying an elimination challenge for at least 2 weeks to see if it helps, if the probiotics alone don’t help. You can look at replacing her beloved yogurt with coconut yogurt instead as a transitionary phase to see what shifts in her gut with the removal of dairy. The same with kefir; coconut kefir instead of cow milk.

I know it can be difficult with young ones, but you can tell her it’s an experiment and temporary to see if it helps her poop become solid again. You can show her pictures of the Bristol stool chart (Type 7 – liquid diarrhea) and explain what it should look like (Type 3-4). That might convince her to try if she resists the changes.

@R-S – if you’re tolerating ginger, you can also try some fennel too for additional anti-spasmodic support.

Artichoke is great for bile support, but won’t really help with spasms/cramps.

The goal of the “safe base” foods is to try and figure out what from that 3-day menu is causing a food sensitivity reaction. It’s fine to add in beef for variety if it’s something you’ve had in the past without issues. Same with dragon fruit and pumpkin seeds. If you’ve been having these in the past without issues, then you can keep eating them. But the idea is to keep the diet bland to minimize variables to help you isolate what might be the trigger when you add foods back in one at a time. Just keep monitoring with a food log.

Oh, and regarding the coconut milk. It’s unnecessary to have any other ingredient other than coconut milk. So please find another brand that offers pure coconut milk only – usually it’s only available in a can.