Hi @Bahareh – I personally haven’t done much research on vibration plates to be able to guide you but I asked a biohacking group that I’m in for some tips.

They said that a vibration plate that moves in a figure eight pattern is better for the lymphatic system and joints vs. jerking movements from left to right. A majority of the vibration plates, especially the cheaper versions, are shaking a person vs. actually providing vibration. So definitely look at the mechanism when doing your research.

In Dubai, the Power Plate was the recommended brand for that reason (it offers a figure eight movement).

Hope this helps.

Hi @R-S ,

Based on the symptom assessment questionnaires you filled in, the stomach seems to be the major player that needs support. So yes, trying the baking soda challenge is an at-home tool to see if there is insufficient or low stomach acid. No need to wait for the SIBO test.

Please try the test and let us know your score. We’ll be happy to guide you from there.

@R-S – most SIBO breath tests follow very similar prep rules; the same restricted diet, fasting, and limits on meds/supplements. The main difference is usually just the test drink itself (lactulose or glucose). But because each lab can have small variations, it’s best to follow the prep sheet that comes with your specific kit to get the most accurate results.

For example, here are the preparation instructions for the glucose test from Nordic Labs (which is similar to the lactulose test).

Do you know which company/brand of test you’ll be using? If you send us the instructions they provide, we can help you interpret them.

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.

bbettermembership.com

B Better – Holistic Health & Wellness Community

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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.

@R-S you’re doing it correctly – it’s 1/4 tsp in 1 cup of water which is 230mL. Thanks for pointing out the discrepancy. Both are correct but diluting it in more water will be gentler on the stomach for sensitive individuals. As long as you stick to the same method each time, that’s what matters most to remove as many variables.

@R-S yes. We also have a video lesson “Signs of Hypochlorhydria” that explains the process at the 3min mark from the Gut Health Masterclass.

@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?