Bernadette_Abraham
Forum Replies Created
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@yasminatassi I’m SO sorry to hear you’re going through this. I’m glad you’ve reached out for support though because there’s definitely lots that can be done to help take care of yourself both physically and emotionally as your body recalibrates.
1. Prioritize lots of rest and eating nutrient-dense foods like bone broth, liver (or desiccated liver capsules), leafy greens, berries, eggs, wild fish, etc.
2. Given the blood loss, consider consuming more iron-rich foods and taking Ferrum Phos cell salt plus vitamin C to help support iron absorption from animal sources of protein which provide an absorbable form of heme iron.
3. Consider continuing your prenatal vitamin for another month or so to keep B vitamin levels replenished, especially folate. Make sure your supplement is not using the synthetic folic acid, but a methylated form.
4. To help with your uterus and lymphatic flow, consider castor oil packs over the lower belly. These can be done at night and left on while sleeping for convenience.
5. Get support to help you process and release your emotions. Acupuncture, craniosacral therapy and somatic breathwork can all help. Journaling and talking to someone who understands your grief can also be incredibly healing. We’re here for you as well if you need the outlet to vent and cry.
In terms of root causes, below are markers to start investigating which can help with trying to conceive again.
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Full thyroid panel: TSH, Total T4, Total T3, Free T3, Free T4, Reverse T3, Anti-TPO, Anti-TG (even mild hypothyroidism can increase risk of miscarriage)
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Progesterone levels: Low progesterone is a common contributor to early pregnancy loss (should be tested between day 19-21 once you get a cycle again)
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Blood sugar panel: Fasting insulin, fasting glucose, HbA1C. Insulin resistance and PCOS can affect ovulation and implantation
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Important Nutrients: Vitamin D, RBC magnesium, RBC B12, RBC folate, RBC zinc
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Inflammation markers: hs-CRP or ANA if there are any autoimmune concerns
Additional functional tests to consider that may be helpful but not necessary:
- Gut health: GI Map w/ Zonulin stool test can help give a snapshot of overall gut and digestive health/inflammation including a marker that looks at estrogen metabolism. Do you have any gut or mood related symptoms?
- Hormones: DUTCH Plus (or simply DUTCH Adrenal test to look at cortisol the stress hormone) can help give a snapshot of your overall sex hormone status including cortisol pattern. If cortisol is high or low, this can impact progesterone because the body prioritizes survival over reproduction. Is stress something that might be at play for you?
And please read our guide on preparing for pregnancy which includes tips to reduce toxicity and stress, while optimizing nutrients to help you prepare again.
I hope this helps and gives you a sense of direction as you begin to heal, both physically and emotionally. Remember, you’re not alone – and your body is capable of incredible things.
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Hi @Sheena – I’m assuming you’re looking for someone in Dubai?
Unfortunately, I have yet to come across a more holistic dermatologist in Dubai. But functional medicine or naturopathy is the way to go since eczema is very often rooted in the gut and toxins (or lack of proper clearance of toxins) and needs a holistic approach. Have you seen our Symptom Dictionary handout on eczema as an initial starting point to help you dig deeper from a root cause perspective?
If you’d like to work 1-1 with a functional/naturopathic doctor, I can recommend Dr. Zain at Joint Space, Dr. Heather Eade at Novomed or Dr. Sean Penny at Bedaya Polyclinic.
If you’d like to learn more about eczema, checkout Dr. Greenberg’s course: https://rootcausedermatology.com/eczema/ (she unfortunately doesn’t do virtual consults -she’s in the US).
Finally, I can also recommend my colleague Dr. Julia Martin who specialized in eczema, and offers both private and group programs online: https://www.ex-zema.com/about
Please let me know if you have any other questions.
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@Inga-55 I’ve numbered them from 1 to 10:
1 – no, has pegs and fragrance
2 – not the best, but not bad either. I prefer to avoid maltodextrin if possible.
3 – no ingredients shown. In general, Life Extension brand is “so-so”. Not the best quality, but they tend to be more affordable.
4 & 5 – no issues with the magnesium. There are cleaner brands out there though with less additives
6 – shilajit – no ingredients shown. Please share.
7 – what seems to be soap looks clean
8 – melting body butter – no ingredients shown. Please share.
9 – the ingredients at the bottom aren’t visible. Can you please share it again.
10 – what seems to be some type of perfume is a no-go. Has pegs and fragrance.
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@toujan creatine is one of the most studied supplements out there, and is generally considered safe – even for teenagers – as long as they are hydrating properly. That’s super important because creatine pulls water into the muscles.
The dose of 5g/day is also the standard maintenance dose and is safe – no need for a loading phase.
Just make sure it’s a pure product (like Creapure) without added junk or stimulants. Check ingredients.
Hope that helps!
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@Hasnaa – just one more thing I wanted to add to my message from yesterday.
When you go see Dr. Skorski, ask her about Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN). I called and checked with the compounding pharmacy RevitaLife in Dubai and they have this medication. It’s been showing some really promising results for people with autoimmune conditions like Crohn’s and rheumatoid arthritis.
What’s unique about LDN is that it doesn’t suppress the entire immune system like most traditional autoimmune meds do. Instead, it helps your body regulate its own immune response more intelligently.
Here’s how it works: LDN briefly blocks your opioid receptors, which signals your body to naturally increase endorphins. Those feel-good chemicals do more than just boost your mood – they actually help reduce inflammation and may help repair damaged tissue. It’s not a miracle cure, but it might be a game-changer for you in terms of rapid relief.
Might be worth bringing this up if you do go visit her!
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@Hasnaa I’m really sorry to hear that – but also relieved that you’ve likely identified the source of toxicity. I can’t tell you how many autoimmune or “mystery” health cases I’ve come across that had mold at the root!
Can I ask which company will be handling the remediation? This part is SO important and I can’t emphasize it enough. If mold is found but not properly removed, it can actually make things worse. The affected areas must be completely sealed off, and you should absolutely avoid being nearby while work is being done.
I highly recommend you contact Omar from Smart Solutions. He’s the only mold remediator I’ve found in the UAE who holds proper international certifications, and I refer all my clients to him. If you mention my name or B Better, he’ll also give you a discount. You can reach him at 055-107-7775. He’s usually very hard to reach (for obvious reasons), so if you can’t get through, send him a WhatsApp message. You can also try his technician Shahzad at 052-350-4209.
In terms of what else you can do… If you revisit my earlier message with the action steps for supporting your detox pathways, you’ll find there’s still more you can add to your already solid regimen (which, by the way, is a great start!).
One key area is sweating – it’s incredibly important for eliminating toxins, especially when dealing with mold. If you don’t have the energy to exercise daily, consider investing in a sauna, or visiting a gym or clinic that has one (many offer session packages).
You can also enhance the effect by taking a binder, like CellCore’s BioToxin Binder, about 30 minutes before your sauna session to help bind and carry toxins out of the body more effectively.
It’s also critical to support bile flow, since bile acts as a natural binder and is one of the primary ways toxins are eliminated.
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D-limonene (1000 mg, 1–2x/day, about ¾ through a meal) from a supplement – or from the inner white peel of one large orange per day – can help “decongest” the biliary tract.
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Bitter foods before meals, or a digestive bitters tincture about 10 minutes before eating, can further support bile flow. I personally like Quicksilver’s Bitters No. 9, which also supports overall digestion.
I also previously recommended Fascial Maneuvers to help with lymphatic flow. If you haven’t started yet, they’re a great way to gently stimulate movement, breath, and microcirculation while also supporting nervous system regulation.
And since we know mold is a key piece of the puzzle for you, I strongly suggest going through our course, “Intro to Mold & Mycotoxin Illness.” It’ll give you a clear understanding of what mold does in the body and how to detox from it (which you’re already beginning by opening up your elimination pathways).
Regarding the intense inflammation you’re experiencing: adding in curcumin, a potent natural anti-inflammatory, can bring relief over time. Give it at least a month to build up in the system. A good option is Thorne’s Meriva Curcumin (1000 mg, 1–2x/day), which many have found helpful in the short-term for calming things down.
Finally, if you’re beginning to experience hot flashes, this could be due to estrogen fluctuations as part of the aging process. I can recommend Dr. Liliana Skorski who is a functional gynecologist who has a more holistic approach to women’s health. In the meantime, please read through our Hot Flash Relief protocol for natural solutions.
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@Hasnaa If she decides to pause the twice-weekly fasting, it’s worth committing to at least a full month or two to allow the body time to recalibrate. True healing works with the body’s natural rhythms—it’s often slower, but far deeper than the rapid symptom relief we’re used to seeing in conventional medicine.
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@Hasnaa to answer your first question about inositol and berberine.
Inositol is a sugar alcohol shown specifically to help reverse insulin resistance, restore normal ovulation and support fertility (secondary to PCOS due to lack of progesterone). Using a short-term supplemental intervention can bring relief faster while addressing root cause bio-chemically. The recommended dosage for PCOS support is typically 2500-3000mg, 1x/day.
Berberine can also be effective if insulin resistance is high (HbA1c 5.6%+). It’s also antimicrobial so it’s best used only for a few months at a time until insulin resistance drops. The typical dosage is 400-500mg, 2-3 x / day prior to meals with greatest carb intake.
Vitex (chaste tree berry) is also helpful at restoring ovulation & progesterone naturally when taken in high doses (500-1000mg) during luteal phase (days 14-28 of menstrual cycle). And the combo of inositol and vitex together can be very effective at restoring ovulation.
Regarding your 2nd question about fasting. I’m glad you’re sharing this very important piece of information! Can you describe the type of fasting that she’s doing twice per week? This can be the stressor we’re trying to determine in her case!! Although fasting has many benefits, it can also be very stressful on the body. I’ve seen this in a few client cases, where we had to eliminate fasting for a while until the adrenal axis (nervous system) was better regulated again. Also keep in mind, that if little food is consumed twice per week, her overall caloric and nutrient intake could also be compromised. I actually discuss a case of a woman who does intermittent fasting in the Interpreting Basic Blood Chemistry course, and how that was contributing to her issues HERE if you’d like to listen to it.
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@Sheena I know – I too have looked in the past and still keep waiting for an integrative dermatologist to show up on the scene in Dubai. I’ll be sure to let you know if I do find one.
In the meantime, checkout Genesis Healthcare Center. They have a dermatology clinic and offer mole mapping.
And working with a functional medicine practitioner or naturopathic doctor works too. I’ve personally helped a few clients (and kids) eliminate eczema. It’s very much gut and detox related. Stress can absolutely be a trigger, but as you said, it absolutely impacts the gut as well.
You might also want to listen to Dr. G’s session in B Better. We’ll be uploading the recording hopefully today. It touches on the emotional components to disease and cancer. He’s seen eczema disappear when the nervous system is better regulated. If it resonates with you, you can find his emotional release courses here.
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@Tatjana If you think of the North to South digestive process, digestion actually begins in the brain! So if we’re not in a parasympathetic state, digestion is already compromised. This is step #1. You’ll learn more about that in this lesson from the Gut Health Masterclass which you’ve started watching.
If that’s not an issue for you and eating hygiene is in place, then next step in the N to S chain is stomach acid. This will trigger enzymes and bile. So if stomach acid is not robust, then enzymes and bile, and the rest of digestion will be compromised too.
So if you want to skip ahead, you can watch this lesson to learn about the common root causes of low stomach acid. The most common ones are H Pylori overgrowth, hypothyroid function, and zinc deficiency – all of which can be measured. I prefer the stool test by Diagnostic Solutions (members get access to ordering functional tests). As for thyroid testing, if your lab panel doesn’t offer it, you can always pay out of pocket and order your own tests through Valeo Health. B Better members also get a discount.
And if you want to test your current stomach acid level with an easy, at-home baking soda challenge, watch this video and fast forward to 3mins for the instructions. Repeat it for a few days, and report back with your score.
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@Tatjana – if you’re seeing undigested food in your stool, then we always have to go up North to see what might be the cause. Digestion is a North to South process as I summarize in this video here from the Gut Health Masterclass.
Is it poor eating hygiene? Is it a need for more stomach acid? More digestive enzymes? Better bile flow? All of the above? If any of these 3 major digestive players are compromised, then you’ll get downstream consequences in the small and large intestine so the question to be always asking is “Why”. Why do I need more stomach acid? Why am I not producing enough digestive enzymes? Why is bile not flowing properly?
If you have the time to watch a few lessons from the Gut Health Masterclass, you’ll start to make better sense of how it all works and how easily it can dysfunction. I’d recommend the 2 modules called “Nuts & Bolts of How Digestion Works” and “How Digestion Dysfunctions” if you have the time.
I’d also recommend you take our Gut Health Quiz if you haven’t already. Let us know your score as that can help us figure out which of the digestive players show up as a priority, and what you can start to look at in terms of root cause reasons why they might be sluggish.
If you’re sure that you’re getting in enough calories, then not being able to gain weight can in fact be due to malabsorption in the small intestine, which is often the case with SIBO, but also hyperthyroid function. Have you ever had a full thyroid panel done? (TSH, T4, T3, Free T4, Free T3, reverse T3, anti-TPO, ant-TG)
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@Tatjana the d-limonene seems to have decent ingredients, and the dosage is high so definitely don’t take it together with PC from the start. And never take it after food or on an empty stomach. Kept in the freezer, and taken 3/4 way through a meal is usually how I recommend my clients to take it.
Given your strong reaction – this usually indicates a strong need to “decongest” the biliary tract. Allow it to dissipate today before introducing it again. Brewing fresh ginger tea can help with the nausea.
For my very sensitive clients, Swanson brand offers d-limonene in 250mg capsules (so 1/4 the quantity) which can help with a gradual introduction instead of a higher dosage taken every other day or every 2 days if not well tolerated initially.
Phosphatidylcholine (PC) is usually well tolerated by all. It’s a key component of bile that helps keep it fluid and less sticky, preventing bile sludge and buildup. It supports the breakdown and flow of fats, allowing bile to move more freely through the liver and gallbladder. PC also protects the bile ducts and liver cells from damage by reducing bile acid toxicity and inflammation. Together with D-limonene, it can really help with proper bile flow which is essential to prevent SIBO recurrence.
Milk thistle is a wonderful herb for overall liver health and NAC is needed in the detoxification process. However, anytime there is suspected bile flow congestion, we never want to push detoxification. The order matters. First “unplug” the drain so to speak, and then you can open the faucet to let it flow…
Then, once the “drain” is open, you can safely introduce phase 1 and phase 2 support like NAC, milk thistle, and glutathione.Hang in there… healing is never linear and requires listening to the body and course correcting as needed. Here for you…
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Hi @Tatjana – what was the brand and dosage of d-limonene? 1000mg? And what was the brand and dosage PC?
I always recommend that my clients take their d-limonene 3/4 way through their meal (never on an empty stomach), and keep it in the freezer to delay the release of citrus oil. This helps prevent lemon-y burps.
If there’s a lot of biliary tract congestion to break up, this can definitely lead to nausea, so I always tell my clients to listen to their body and adjust the dosage and timing accordingly. The body guides the process always! For example, if breakfast is not a very big meal, then they have it with lunch or dinner instead.
Also, if it’s 250mg capsules vs. 1000mg capsules, then decrease the dose. If it’s not possible to reduce the dose, then I usually tell them to take it every other day or every 2 days until they are symptom-free again. And then they resume to gradually increase frequency and dosage until they can comfortably reach 1000mg, 1 to 2 x per day as needed.
And as a general rule of thumb, anytime adding in new supplements, always go slow and slow and introduce 1 new supplement at a time for at least 3 days before adding in anything new. This allows the body time to adjust and to also help isolate what is/isn’t working to be able to course correct when needed. Adding in PC together with D-limonene may have been too much too soon.
As for the membership upgrade, the amount should get automatically pro-rated if you’ve already paid for a month. And if you decide to go with monthly, you can cancel anytime before your next billing cycle – there’s no contract or commitment that locks you in beyond the month if that’s what you choose.
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Hope it helps him too @Inga-55 !
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I did a quick search to find self-pay clinics in Mississauga, ON. I would call them to see if you need a referral, or if you can can schedule an appt directly and self-pay.
1. Pediatric Urgent Care – Mississauga
Children’s Clinic
3885 Duke of York Blvd, Unit C107, Mississauga, ON L5B 4P2
Website: pediatricurgentcare.ca
Offers pediatric echocardiograms for newborns to 17 years old. Call to confirm availability.
2. Ontario Heart Center – Etobicoke
100 Humber College Blvd, Suite 207, Etobicoke, ON M9V 5G4
Website: ontarioheartcenter.ca
Offers pediatric echo and accepts self-pay patients.
3. Indus Heart Care Centre – Toronto
229 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M5B 1N9
Website: indusheart.com
Private cardiology clinic with pediatric echocardiogram services.
4. Toronto Centre for Medical Imaging – Downtown Toronto
150 York Street, Suite 910, Toronto, ON M5H 3S5
Website: tcfmi.com
Low wait times. Call to confirm if they accommodate pediatric patients.
5. Ontario Diagnostic Centres – Mississauga
3950 Grand Park Drive, Mississauga, ON L5B 2C4
Website: ontdc.com
Offers echocardiograms. Call to ask about self-pay and pediatric options.
6. Trillium Health Centre (Cardiology Clinic)
71 King Street West, Mississauga, ON L5B 4A2
Public/private hybrid clinic offering pediatric echos. Check for self-pay options.
Hope one of these options work!
