[Bernadette]

Hi  – oral lichen planus is a a localized autoimmune disease and there is much disagreement in the conventional medical community about root cause. This is a common situation in disorders where we see an overlap in inflammatory, infectious, and/or autoimmune causes. It is just a matter of the particular progression and manifestation in each individual person. Conventional medicine often looks unrealistically for a single, common trigger, but the immune system is a complex, uniquely-programmed control system in every human body.

It is often cited that a bacterial or fungal infection coincides with lichen planus/lichen sclerosis. This can be a direct factor on the skin itself, in the oral cavity, or it can be internal, simmering infections. I would recommend doing a comprehensive stool analysis (I discuss this in my Gut Health Masterclass course) and addressing any microbial imbalances uncovered.

Consuming fermented foods like sauerkraut, coconut kefir (because I believe dairy should be eliminated in this case), kimchi, etc, is a great way of introducing beneficial probiotics both orally and in the gut if you aren’t histamine intolerant. I share many fermented food recipes in Discounts & Resources. Start slow with 1 tsp and increase gradually to at least 1/4 cup per day. There is recent research on the oral microbiome and oral lichen planus.

Because of its relative prevalence in women 40 years or older, it is postulated that hormone imbalance plays a role, perhaps low progesterone, low estrogen, low testosterone, or a mix of these.  There is evidence that low 5 alpha reductase enzyme activity may play a role. You may want to consider urinary hormone metabolite testing to uncover any hormonal imbalances that might be at play. I like the DUTCH test for all of these markers. This testing will also provide a look at cortisol levels and curve. Low cortisol is also often involved in autoimmune activation.
Also check thyroid levels with a full thyroid panel: TSH, Free T4, Free T3, Reverse T3 and both TPO and thyroglobulin antibodies. Subclinical hypothyroidism is often involved in adrenal dysfunction and is believed to play a role in the hormone imbalance often at the root of lichen sclerosis/planus activation.

As I mentioned in your introduction post, autoimmunity (regardless of the diagnosis) will always have these 3 factors at play: leaky gut/gut dysfunction, immune dysregulation, and trigger(s) (which varies from person to person). Triggers can be infectious (viral, microbial, fungal, parasitic), emotional/physical traumas, food sensitivities, mold, heavy metals, chemical toxins, etc.

Because it helps to increase weak estrogens safely and has strong anti-inflammatory properties too, I recommend supplementing with two heaping tbsp ground flaxseed daily (but don’t do this until after the hormone samples have been collected if you’re doing so, to ensure an accurate baseline).
Food sensitivities are often involved with autoimmune activation or chronic inflammatory symptoms. I would definitely recommend elimination of dairy foods and all added sugars/sweeteners and grains (which will get rid of the inflammatory trigger of gluten but also the common exacerbating effect of grains on intestinal microbial imbalance).
Lastly, consider checking basic nutritional sufficiency for vitamins and minerals that strengthen the immune system, in particular vitamin D, vitamin A, and RBC zinc.

In terms of disease management (not root cause) solutions, here are some additional areas to consider:
• Homeopathic “Ignatia” as a treatment
• Consumption of purslane
• Systemic selenium supplementation (this can also be tested in blood)
• Antioxidants astaxanthin and quercetin
• Probiotics
• Topical chamomile gel for management
• Low level laser therapy 

I hope the above gives you a clearer direction and some areas to explore and take action. If you have the financial means to get a comprehensive stool test and some basic blood tests, I would start there.

[Bernadette]

well said. I always tell extended family members this as well when they poke fun at my consistently “lame/boring” health choices. But I see my aunts and uncles who are in their 60’s and 70’s in chronic pain and physically unfit and vow that I will continue to honour my body so that I live a quality life in my elder years. I too make choices for my future self. Love the way you stated it!

[Bernadette]

yes – same. My book UNJUNK in fact has a resource as the back which can be a book all by itself with tons of healthier alternative recipes.

[Bernadette]

Hello  – yes correct, I do have this symptom listed in the Symptom Dictionary under “C” category for “Candidiasis (Yeast Infection)”.

For rapid relief, I usually recommend that my clients open up a probiotic capsule that is high in lactobacillus (example, Renew Life Women’s Vaginal probiotic), mix the contents with a little bit of coconut oil, and gently insert a little vaginally and on the labia in the evening before bed. Wear a cotton underwear, and wash up in the morning. Repeat as needed. It usually helps clear it within 2-3 days because it helps create an acidic pH/environment that does not allow yeast to thrive in.

The probiotic capsules can also be taken orally morning and evening as well. Avoid sugar, refined carbs, and hydrate well.

That usually helps do the trick. But of course, tell your friend to work on addressing the root cause(s) which I’ve listed here in the Symptom Dictionary.

Hope this helps.

[Bernadette]

Hi
– ok so the first thing that jumped out at me from what you’ve listed is your high intake of soluble fiber (chia seeds and psyllium husk). Did you increase your intake of these by any chance this month? Soluble fiber can slow transit time. Here is a post I did that can provide a quick visual reference of the different types of fiber. Try reducing or even eliminating these for a few days to see if it helps, and instead choose more insoluble fiber sources.

My next thought is about stress. Has it increased this past month? If you watched the Gut Health Masterclass, you’ll know that stress all by itself will compromise digestion. Eating hygiene is simple but very powerful. I discuss this in both the Beginner’s Health Roadmap & Gut Health Masterclass if you need a refresher.

How’s your hydration been this month? Are you taking any diuretics? Dehydration is often a basic cause for constipation.

My next thought is food sensitivities. You mentioned that the only new food you’ve introduced is walnut milk. Did you try eliminating it for at least 2 weeks to see if that helps?

Did your nausea start at the same time as the constipation? Nausea is often a sign of liver/gallbladder congestion. A lack of bile flow from the gallbladder can definitely contribute to slow motility and constipation so I would focus on liver/gallbladder health. I have a whole section on liver/gb function and remedies inside the Gut Health Masterclass.

Finally, magnesium citrate 400mg+ (maximum 1200mg short term) to bowel tolerance can help offer rapid relief in the meantime while you troubleshoot the possible root causes.

Please let me know if any of these possible root causes resonate with you. Please keep me posted.
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[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.