[Bernadette]

Thank you Daniel for your “tip”. Comprehensive as usual.

[Bernadette]

 Good for you for standing up for yourself. I think once you set that as an intention (as in, “I don’t drink anymore”), it’s so much easier not to feel pressured because your mind is made up.

I always tell my clients “keep the ritual, drop the habit”. So if you enjoy the evening sunsets with your boyfriend, keep that as your ritual, but replace the habit with a mocktail instead for example. The experience will be just as enjoyable.

[Bernadette]

Hi Jenna – first of all, I’m really sorry to hear about your friends. I can only imagine how you must be feeling and I hope you can help put them on a path towards healing and full remission.

Like any other autoimmune disease, cancer is similar in that they both arise from dysfunctions of the immune system.

Autoimmunity is the perfect storm of events; gut dysfunction/leaky gut, an overwrought & weakened immune system, and trigger(s).

There can be many possible triggers in autoimmunity: infections (bacterial, viral, parasitic) through molecular mimicry, environmental toxins (heavy metals, mold, chemicals, etc), trauma, and yes, even vaccines. It’s acknowledged in many studies. Here’s one.

One of the known effects of the mRNA vaccine is that it causes transient immunosuppression which can fuel various infectious dynamics.

So to say that this particular vaccine “caused” their cancer is a stretch, however could it have contributed to immune suppression and been one of their triggers? Quite possible. There’s no shortage of research on vaccines and autoimmunity.

I’m sure in time, we’ll have more definite research on the mRNA vaccine in humans specifically, and its effects. In the meantime, I’ve been compiling all that I can find so that I can share it with all of you as a course.

In terms of what can be done for those who have taken the mRNA vaccine, here is Dr. Mercola’s protocol:
1. Make certain you measure your blood vitamin D level and take enough vitamin D orally (typically about 8,000 units/day for most adults) to make sure your level is 60 to 80 ng/ml (100 to 150 nmol/l).
2. Eliminate all vegetable (seed) oils in your diet, which involves eliminating nearly all processed foods and most meals in restaurants unless you convince the chef to only cook with butter. Avoid any sauces or salad dressings in restaurants as they are loaded with seed oils. Also avoid chicken and pork as they are very high in linoleic acid, the omega-6 fat that is far too high in nearly everyone and contributes to oxidative stress that causes heart disease.
3. Consider taking around 500 mg/day of NAC, as it helps prevent blood clots and is a precursor for your body to produce the important antioxidant glutathione.
4. Consider fibrinolytic enzymes that digest the fibrin that leads to blood clots, strokes and pulmonary embolisms. The dose is typically two, twice a day, but must be taken on an empty stomach, either an hour before or two hours after a meal. Otherwise, the enzymes will digest your food and not the fibrin in the blood clot. (For example, Neprinol supplement by Arthur Andrew)

Hope this is helpful. ❤️

[Bernadette]

 generally speaking, no. But again, just like food, probiotics have different uses and purposes so it’s hard to say whether or not your probiotic is beneficial for your unique needs or not.

Given what you’ve told me about your lactose intolerance, avoiding all dairy (including dairy milk kefir) might be warranted in this case. You can choose to make coconut kefir instead.

[Bernadette]

 don’t apologize – I’m happy to be able to guide you. I just replied to another member about SIBO here. SIBO is a symptom caused by other factors; it’s not a root cause. Something in your environment/lifestyle/eating hygiene/diet allowed that dynamic to happen, so I would focus on eradicating the H Pylori overgrowth first, eliminate ALL dairy (not just lactose), and support digestion (“GPS” – gallbladder, pancreas & stomach, which I cover thoroughly inside the Gut Health Masterclass).

Hope that helps remove the overwhelm and gives you a better direction of what to focus on first.

[Bernadette]

 glad she’s better. Yes, in addition to having anti-histamine properties stinging nettle leaf (unless there’s a sensitivity) can also help with HPA axis regulation (stress) plus provide additional minerals. It must be taken regularly however to have effect, and again, it’s considered “rapid relief” and not root cause resolution. 

Working on gut health will help you both. Where are you in the Gut Health Masterclass – have you had the time to start watching it yet?

[Bernadette]

 there could be an indirect link to your high TSH. TSH is a brain hormone so if it’s high, it’s telling us that your brain is sensing that there’s a need for more T4 thyroid hormone. Hence why your doctor is suggesting thyroxine (which is synthetic T4).

The nutrients needed to make T4 thyroid hormone are iodine & tyrosine (T4 stands for 1 molecule of tyrosine (an amino acid protein) and 4 molecules of iodine). So given that you have an H Pylori overgrowth, and you are learning in the course that stomach acid is needed to break down our proteins, there could be a lack of tyrosine (either from a lack in the diet, and/or malabsorption due to H Pylori).

So this is where I would start. Are you eating enough animal protein? If not, consider adding more in. If you are, clearing the H Pylori overgrowth and supporting stomach acid once you do that, will help with protein digestion and absorption.

Iodine – are you consuming seafood & sea vegetables? If not, I would introduce organic kelp granules (if there are no allergies to seafood/seaweed) which can be used like salt.

I usually recommend my clients take a therapeutic dose of kelp (like 1/2 tsp per day sprinkled over food) for a good 30 days, and then use it liberally like salt to continue getting in iodine through food form.

Regarding your daughter, yes it wouldn’t hurt to test for H Pylori as well to know what’s going on for sure. 

[Bernadette]

 I’m not a doctor so I can’t diagnose what she may have, however from your explanation of her symptoms, my best guess would be a histamine/allergic type of reaction. I would also suggest taking her to a doctor to get a proper diagnosis so you can know what you’re dealing with and be more targeted with your approach.

In the meantime, I would make a stinging nettle leaf and onion peel infusion which is rich in quercetin and anti-histamine action. Here’s a quick tutorial video. Honey or maple syrup can be added to help with compliance and improve the bitter taste that kids don’t usually like. It needs to be taken for a while (minimum 2 weeks) to really notice an improvement (if it’s histamine related).

Also, if you’re ready to begin an elimination challenge, I would focus on dairy first and foremost. Butter, milk, cream, cheese, yogurt, ice cream, etc. Please see the dairy elimination handout in the resources>tools & guidelines of your library.

Hope this helps. Please keep me posted.

[Bernadette]

Glad you got that checked out! The low ferritin makes sense given the positive H Pylori test results. Remember, we need strong stomach acid to absorb iron, and an H Pylori overgrowth will cause a a more alkaline environment, which compromises nutrient absorption and overall digestive signaling to the pancreas and gallbladder.

Unfortunately, antibiotics have a high rate of recurrence (and not to mention, can wreak havoc on the gut lining and disrupt the microbiome balance, by allowing yeast/fungal and antibiotic resistant bacterial species an opportunity to grow aggressively, given suppressed competition from antibiotics).

I have helped many clients eradicate an H Pylori overgrowth using herbal protocols for 30-60 days. Have you watched that section yet in the Gut Health Masterclass? I share my go-to remedies which include broccoli sprouts, mastic gum, Matula tea, and when all else fails, the silver hydrosol protocol.

Unfortunately, these tests done at the doctor’s office do not provide us with a quantitative value – only a positive or negative result. So it’s hard to know how entrenched the overgrowth is, and what type of remedy to use and at what dosages and what duration. That’s why I like the H Pylori test by Diagnostic Solutions. It actually provides a value so that when we re-test, we can see the progress made (or not) with whatever therapy being used, and also what dosage and duration.

In general, my clients have eradiated h pylori overgrowths in 30-60 days. It’s very important to bring in stomach acid support after about 30 days as well, to prevent re-infection, as it’s very contagious.

For prevention, I usually ask family members to drink Matula tea as well. It’s an expensive 30-day course tea, but it’s very effective and comes with a money back guarantee if the H Pylori is not negative after the 30-day course. (note – they want to see a before and after GI Map or similar functional stool test. They will either return your money or send you another kit to do another 30 days)

If you haven’t yet watched the Gut Health Masterclass, I highly recommend starting there. You can also skip to the module on H Pylori.

Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.

[Bernadette]

 Yes, I was also referring to oral probiotics. Hope that clears things up.

[Bernadette]

Hello Ivona, if you consume fermented foods and beverages, then there’s no need. I always look at supplements, including probiotics, as something “in addition” to a supportive, nutrient-dense diet.

If you haven’t seen them yet, I share several fermented food & beverage recipes inside Discounts & Resources in your library. Hope that helps.

[Bernadette]

 it’s always best to make sure selenium levels are sufficient before adding in iodine. So I would actually recommend selenium intake before iodine (at least a month).

[Bernadette]

 please email support@bernadetteabraham.com with the client/patient’s name, email address, phone number, shipping/billing address (if different) and we’ll send you a requisition so you can order the H Pylori or full GI Map (let us know your preference). The kit will get shipped and collected from you.

As for testing the full thyroid panel, you can make an appointment with Dr. Liliana Skorski at HealthBay Polyclinic (Al Wasl road). If insurance won’t cover or if you prefer to pay out of pocket and not bother with a doctor’s visit, we can also arrange for a lab to come to your house. Let us know in the email what you prefer.

[Bernadette]

Hi Lina, lots of changes coming your way. A move is incredibly stressful on the whole family, so please be gentle with yourself and your family and give yourself the time you need to make these changes. 

If you haven’t yet watched the Gut Health Masterclass, I explain how healing can only happen when we’re in a parasympathetic state. So I wouldn’t attempt making dietary changes until you’re all settled since your bodies will be in a flight or fight sympathetic dominant state for a while.

Once you feel like you’re in a routine, then I would focus on gut healing therapies (I discuss this in detail in the course). When there are more than 10 high food sensitivities (let alone 100!), this usually indicates the likelihood of “leaky gut”, so I would focus on removing the big 5 offenders as to not overwhelm yourself and your daughter; gluten/oats, dairy, corn, yeast, nuts, and grains. And with kids, removing 1 at a time while finding a substitute for it, is usually an easier and more sustainable approach then making all of these changes at once (but of course, each child is different and you know what’s best for your child).

Although dairy was not listed as one of their sensitivities, I have found that dairy is most often implicated in enlarged adenoids. So this would actually be the first elimination challenge I would do with my children, and it’s also the easiest for most since there are many plant-based options available.

In essence, this is an AIP type of diet (autoimmune protocol) which is very restrictive but can be helpful while applying gut healing therapies for a few months to help calm the immune system and bring down inflammation. It’s basically my VPF principle that I share in the Beginner’s Health Roadmap, which includes vegetables, proteins & healthy fats. For carbs, focus on non-grain sources like potatoes, sweet potatoes, and starchy root vegetables (I have a handout in the resources).

My go-to gut healing product is called GI Revive powder. It’s sweet, peach flavored and well tolerated by most when mixed in a smoothie. For non-dairy sensitive children, colostrum is another option. 

If you google “easy AIP recipes”, you’ll get a ton of blogs with sample recipes you can download to help give you ideas of meals that you can make that will cater to their dietary restrictions. If you need more help with dietary support, let me know and I’ll share more resources. I have plenty but don’t want to overwhelm you.

In the meantime, I would recommend watching my Beginner’s Health Roadmap and Gut Health Masterclass (if you haven’t already) and prepare yourself for the changes you’re about to make so you can feel more in control and less overwhelmed.

And I’m here to guide you through it and answer any questions you may have.

Hope this helps give you a clearer direction.

[Bernadette]

 haha – I forgot I added this question as an example for my tutorial video. Ok, glad to answer.

Digestive enzymes offer pancreatic support by supplying the body with additional enzymes to help break down our food. These can be plant based or animal based supplements. I discuss digestive enzymes in more detail in Gut Health Masterclass as well; it’s really like the cereal isle in terms of choices of digestive enzymes available. Some support better digestion of fats, others better digestion of legumes and starchy carbs, others for dairy and gluten. It really all depends on the individual’s needs.

Digestive bitters on the other hand help support overall digestive secretions by signaling to the brain that food is on the way. It helps stimulate stomach acid production, digestive enzyme secretion and bile flow, so it’s more broad in terms of its digestive support.

Hope that helps. Let me know if you still have additional questions.