[Bernadette_Abraham]

@sheetalramchandani1 thank you for sharing a bit about your history. Do you notice the sour taste only in the morning or have you noticed it at other times of the day as well?

My first thought was possible acid reflux. If the lower esophageal sphincter (LED) is weak for example, stomach acid can rise into the esophagus during sleep and cause a sour or bitter taste in the mouth in the morning.

Please watch this video from the Gut Health Masterclass to see if you have other signs of hypochlorhydria which can lead to acid reflux. You can also download and try the baking soda challenge test which is attached in the tab called ‘Materials’, next to the ‘Lesson’ tab above the video (from desktop view).

There can also be other reasons for a sour taste such as dehydration, a build-up of bacteria in the mouth, possible post-nasal drip. Are you taking any medications?

You mentioned wanting to get a metals test done… is the taste metallic? Arsenic toxicity can lead to a metallic taste, but you’d experience other symptoms as well such as hyperkeratosis
(thickening of skin – heels/palms), warts on heels/palms (plantar warts), skin
pigmentation changes, Mees line formation on nails, low WBC (esp. neutrophils), Raynaud’s,
hypertension/arrhythmia/atherosclerosis, “milk and roses” complexion – arsenic
hinders consistently circulation in the skin.

If you can share more about any other symptoms you might be experiencing, we’ll be able to help you further.

[Bernadette_Abraham]

Hi @DXB – nice to see you on the new website!

NakedPoppy used to be my go-to for retinol, but sadly, like many small businesses, they had to close their doors.

I have two backups I plan to try once I run out of my NakedPoppy retinol. I can only recommend them for their clean ingredients at this point, not necessarily for effectiveness, so be sure to check the reviews.

The first option is Cocokind: https://www.cocokind.com/collections/retinol

The second option is Herbivore’s BAKUCHIOL Retinol Alternative Smoothing Serum: https://www.herbivorebotanicals.com/products/bakuchiol-retinol-alternative-serum?_pos=1&_sid=1b750b94e&_ss=r

I can vouch for their ingredients.

[Bernadette_Abraham]

Hi @naslam1603 – you’re spot on about the right form to be taking for gastric issues.

Zinc L-Carnosine is a combination of zinc and L-carnosine, which is an antioxidant dipeptide made from the amino acids beta-alanine and histidine. It’s mostly used for gut health by repairing the stomach lining, reducing inflammation, and protecting against ulcers. So it’s ideal for those with gastrointestinal issues like gastritis or leaky gut syndrome. It also releases zinc slowly in the stomach, so it provides localized benefits in the digestive system.

Zinc picolinate on the other hand is mostly known for its high bioavailability so it’s more commonly used to help boost low levels of zinc. The picolinic acid enhances zinc absorption, so it’s better for general health and correcting zinc deficiency.

Hope that helps!

[Bernadette_Abraham]

Hi @Annie

In our Mold & Mycotoxin Illness course, I share directories to help you find certified mold inspectors, remediators, and practitioners. Here’s the video.

One directory that I mention is the International Society for Environmentally Acquired Illness. Click here to search for an indoor environmental professional in your area.

As for why it’s a good idea to check for mold in a home… Yes, it’s true that mold spores are present in nearly every home, as they’re naturally found in the air. However, the difference lies in the levels of mold and the types present. Not all mold is harmful, but certain types (like black mold, Stachybotrys) can produce mycotoxins that may lead to serious health problems. And past leaks or moisture issues can lead to hidden mold growth, impacting both health and the structural integrity of the home. An inspection helps protect you from costly surprises. You can also watch this video from the course about how mold can harm us.

[Bernadette_Abraham]

Hi @Annie – have you seen our Varicose Veins handout in the Symptom Dictionary? It provides some initial dietary and lifestyle steps, and supplements to consider.

It also lists possible contributing factors to help get to the root cause(s):

• Portal vein/liver congestion – Do you have a recent liver panel you can share? I remember you saying that you’re working on lymph drainage. There could be a connection here.
• Standing or sitting for long periods – is this relevant, including sitting with crossed legs)?
• Increased blood viscosity – are you well hydrated, did you take the mRNA vaccine? what’s your blood sugar status? do you have a diagnosis that has inflammation at its root – anything ending with ‘itis’?
• Anemia – have you checked your iron levels including ferritin?
• Hormonal imbalance – does this resonate with you?
• Vitamin C/bioflavonoid deficiency – do you consume enough vitamin C rich foods like red bell peppers, strawberries, broccoli, oranges, Brussel sprouts, etc?
• Spleen dysfunction
• Low cortisol

If I recall from previous discussions, chronic stress is something you’ve mentioned correct? Have you ever checked your cortisol status to know if there’s HPA axis dysfunction? Here’s a video from our Adrenal Balance course on how to test for adrenal dysfunction in urine. The DUTCH test can check all hormones including cortisol.

[Bernadette_Abraham]

Hi @Annie – in addition to Daniel’s suggestion, my clients have also had success using Apex Energetics ClearVite CLA or ChC (vanilla or chocolate) for therapeutic short-term use (few months) as another option. Keep in mind, chocolate in general is high in cadmium (even if organic), so if it’s to be used longer term, best to look at no flavors than you can flavor yourself with vanilla extract or fruits as Daniel suggested.

And for vegan options, here are cleaner options than many others:

–Nuzest
–Ora Organics

All of these are dairy/gluten free options.

[Bernadette_Abraham]

Hi @Bahareh – best to source your honey from a local farm directly.

The 2 that I know of are:

• iFarm: Mahmood 055-885-1025 – don’t think they are ESMA certified though (but many smaller farmers don’t bother because of the cost involved)
• Hatta Honey: https://www.hattahoney.ae/ – they are ESMA certified

They both offer raw, organic honey and welcome farm visits. Hatta Honey has a cool activity where you can wear the bee suit and learn all about the process. 50 dhs per person. Can make a family day trip out of it (which I’ve wanted to do for a while).

I’m also waiting on a contact to get me a few other local farmers’ numbers. I’ll let you know if I have any other contacts.

Attached is iFarm’s product list.

iFarms-Product-List.jpg 195 KB Image File - Click to view

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[Bernadette_Abraham]

Hi @Annie –

When it comes to skin conditions, it’s difficult to determine the exact cause without a proper diagnosis from a doctor. My initial suggestion would be to see a general practitioner (GP) or dermatologist for an accurate diagnosis. Once we have that, we can better identify the root cause and work on addressing it effectively.

White patches on the skin can be due to various reasons, such as fungal infections, eczema (atopic dermatitis), vitiligo, or nutritional deficiencies. This is why a doctor’s evaluation is crucial as the first step.

[Bernadette_Abraham]

Hi @sara_alm369 – it’s important to remember that fevers are a natural immune response and are not always something that needs to be treated unless they become very uncomfortable and dangerously high. As long as the fever is below 40.5°C/105°F and my kids are alert,
playing, eating, and living normally, I don’t suppress a fever with
medication which I find delays recovery.

A natural approach however is the “magic socks” protocol which you can find HERE in Protocols.

As for supporting immunity, you can find the protocol I use for my kids HERE (also in Protocols>Getting Sick)

[Bernadette_Abraham]

Hi @sheetalramchandani1 – so burping is also a possible sign of hypochlorhydria (insufficient or low stomach acid). Did you watch the video I shared and try the baking soda challenge?

Please revert back if you do and let us know the result so we can guide you further.

[Bernadette_Abraham]

@naslam1603 there will be an opportunity to ask questions after his presentation in case he doesn’t cover it.

[Bernadette_Abraham]

@Annie thanks for your feedback. We’ve changed the editing time from 10 minutes to 4 hours after posting. Do you feel this is sufficient?

And regarding the page load time, can you please clarify so we can rectify the issue. Which pages aren’t loading quickly for you?

[Bernadette_Abraham]

@Annie – I believe you’re referring to the TRS Spray that’s being promoted online correct? TRS is an activated colloidal zeolite spray which forms nanoparticles in the body. It’s basically a binder. We are unsure of how well these are eliminated from the body. Testimonials are impressive, and with very ill children, some believe the benefits outweigh the risks.

However with children, a food first approach is always safer. Here is a passage from Dr. Jill’s book about binders:

“Environmental medicine guru, Dr. Walter Crinnion has been treating environmental illnesses of all kinds for decades (including mold). He uses fiber that have been shown to bind bile and reduce toxin burden. In his book, Clean, Green and Lean, Dr. Crinnion recommends rice bran fiber. Rice bran fiber and other similar fibers work very effectively at grabbing toxin-laden bile from the intestines so they’re pooped out and not reabsorbed.”

Here’s a list of insoluble fibers in order of least constipating to most constipating:

Flaxseed
Chia seed
Rice bran
Oat bran
Psyllium husk

I always prefer to use a food first approach with children. And lots of sweaty, outdoor play!! If he doesn’t sweat easily, draw up a hot bath for him and add 2 Tbsp ginger powder to the water to help him sweat.

Bitter foods and bitter supplements like QuickSilver’s Bitters No. 9, can also help stimulate production and flow of bile – all in the name of supporting our body’s natural detox process.

[Bernadette_Abraham]

Hi @Annie – if you haven’t had any testing done in a while, a combination of blood and functional tests can help provide some helpful insights. If your doctor is not functionally trained however, they may not be open to recommending these tests for you. However, in B Better we provide access to tests through Rupa Health or True Health Labs in the USA if you’re willing to pay out of pocket.

Based on what you’ve described, here’s a good starting point for some blood tests, which are best done fasting (12 hours) first thing in the morning, when you have time to spare and aren’t in a rush:

• CBC with differentials – to check infections, anemia, and immune status
• Liver panel (ALT, AST, GGT, Total Bilirubin, Direct Bilirubin, Total Protein, Albumin, Globulin) – (make sure it includes direct bilirubin) – <i style=”background-color: var(–bb-content-background-color); font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; color: var(–bb-body-text-color);”>poor liver detox can affect histamine clearance
• Blood sugar (fasting insulin, fasting glucose, HbA1c) – metabolic health can impact hormones
• Full Thyroid panel (TSH, Free T3, Free T4, anti-TPO, anti-TG, Reverse T3) – impacts energy & metabolic health
• Inflammation (hs-CRP) – check general inflammation in the body
• Iron panel (iron, ferritin, % saturation, TIBC) – impacts energy, immune health & thyroid function
• Homocysteine – to check methylation status which is needed to break down histamine
• Key nutrients:
• • RBC Magnesium
  • RBC B12 or methylmalonic acid (MMA)
  • Vitamin D
  • RBC zinc – needed for liver enzymes, immune function and metabolizes testosterone (if low can lead to androgen dominance – see comment about pumpkin seed oil below)
• Sex hormones: (test on Day 19-21 of your cycle)
• • Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG)
  • Testosterone (Total and Free)
  • Estradiol (E2)
  • Progesterone
  • DHEA-S
  • Cortisol (AM and PM)

The clue about pumpkin seed oil was interesting. Sounds like it may have helped modulate androgen dominance. If low in zinc for example, the body will produce more DHT – a stronger form of testosterone that can lead to those symptoms you described. And androgen dominance can lead to estrogen dominance since it leads to anovulation, and therefore lower progesterone relative to estrogen.

Since hormones are affected by so many upstream causes, I would not spend money on a DUTCH test at this stage. Instead, I would start with the blood tests above to determine what other functional test(s) might be helpful if needed.

If histamine intolerance is in fact at play, consider following a histamine elimination diet for 2 weeks to see if your symptoms improve, and then please report back so we can guide you on the next steps.

[Bernadette_Abraham]

@Annie I know how frustrating that can be. Conventional healthcare is reactive, and not at all preventative. The best example is diabetes. People can show signs of insulin resistance 10 years prior to a diagnosis, and believe that they suddenly wake up with a diagnosis overnight for that exact reason; they are told “everything is normal” until it’s not.

Unfortunately, they aren’t taught to look at the body as a whole system, nor are they taught to look at the root causes. And they typically only receive 24 hours of formal education on nutrition. I’m not bashing conventional medicine – we need them for acute situations and I’m grateful for them – but we cannot deny the huge gap and need for more integrative care.

Your son’s situation is the perfect example. We cannot provide you with a diagnosis. Only a dermatologist can. However, in functional medicine a diagnosis is meaningless since we look at the body as a whole, and try to figure out what it needs, doesn’t need, or needs to be prioritized.

However, a diagnosis or lack thereof, can help us zoom in and search for the root cause. If your husband doesn’t suspect it’s fungal or a type of dermatitis, then perhaps exploring possible nutritional deficiencies is a good starting point. In children, a hair elements test can provide some clues about mineral insufficiencies and possible toxicities.

I also want to validate your concerns. As a mother, your instincts are strong and usually on point. If you suspect something is not right about your child, always trust your gut, even if doctors may tell you otherwise.

Symptoms are our body’s way of talking to us, and there’s always a reason why.