Hi Laila – I came here to check up on you to see how you’re getting along, and just realized I somehow missed your question! Sorry about that.

Yes, insurance is a pain, but a liver panel is pretty standard and usually easily covered if a doctor requests it. I’m not surprised the oligoscan isn’t covered – most functional tests aren’t unfortunately.

To answer your question about glutathione – yes, it’s definitely something I’ve recommended a few times, especially when I feel toxicity is at play in a client’s case (ex. mold/mycotoxins, heavy pollution, and/or heavy metals). It’s a powerful antioxidant and detoxifier. Some can’t tolerate it though, so NAC its precursor can be an alternative. It’s important that glutathione is in liposomal form and it should smell rotten (sulfur smelling).

Hi  – yes, I’ve personally done it before. But I had a really high fever for 3 days straight, flat on my back, unable to eat or move. It was rough.

I was taking all of my systemic immune support in my guide, sucking on emulsified oregano tablets (ADP by Biotics Research) as well as swallowing high dose oregano/ADP (3 tablets, 3 x per day – it’s a strong anti-microbial). I was gargling with sole and turmeric several times throughout the day, and drinking turmeric/ginger tea.

By day 3, I gave up and went to see a doctor for antibiotics. By the time I got home from the hospital though with the antibiotics in-hand, I started to feel better and never needed to take them. I’m sure getting outside helped too.

Hi  – in addition to the flaxseed cough remedy which can also soothe an irritated throat, I like to gargle with silver hydrosol (Argentyn23 or Sovereign Silver brands – both available in the B Better Fullscript dispensary). 1 tsp gargle for 30 seconds, then swallow. This can be done several times per day.

I also like to suck on emulsified oregano tablets (ADP by Biotics research). It’s very spicy so keep moving it around.

Spraying propolis spray in my throat also helps relieve it. And gargling with good old fashion salt water (sole) is another option.

In terms of systemic immune support, please check my Medicine cabinet must-haves & immune boosting protocol in “Protocols” in the Discounts & Resources section of your library. All of these products are linked there as well. Scroll to p.8 for the systemic immune support recommendations, and further explanations of each further on after p.8.

In terms of support for your runny nose, Xlear nasal spray can help keep it clear to prevent any infections. Cleansing with a neti pot is another option.

Wishing you a speedy and effective recovery.

 if you want value for money, the OAT test offers a lot of insight. Multi-sample saliva cortisol test can always be measured with a doctor.

Hi  – I’m not sure if I understand your question but I’m assuming you’re asking about ways to incorporate different animal proteins into your meals correct?

If so, I always use my VPF principle as a guideline for planning meals/snacks.

Step 1:
First I list the different types of animal proteins that I’d like to consume in a week. I vary my animal sources and also include vegetarian sources. So I’ll list 7 different types for the week ahead. For example:

-chicken
-fish
-beef
-lamb
-turkey
-lentils
-chickpeas

Step 2:
Then I decide on what cut I’d like to have from that animal. Example:

-chicken liver or chicken thighs or eggs (breast is the least nutritious by the way)
-fish (salmon or sardines)
-beef (ground beef)
-lamb (lamb sausage)
-turkey (turkey breast) or chicken eggs
-lentils
-chickpeas

Step 3:
Then I incorporate these into a meal by adding in the “V” and the “F”. Example:

-chicken liver (P) cooked in onions & tossed with lemon/garlic/parsley dressing, with tabouli salad (V), baked sweet potato fries, and toasted pine nuts (F).

-grilled salmon (P/F), black rice with teriyaki sauce, broccoli and cauli rice (V)

-ground beef chili with kidney beans (P) with a side salad (V) sprinkled with sesame seeds (F)

-lamb sausage (P) chopped up in a veggie/tomato sauce served over rice macaroni and a side cabbage slaw salad (V) with avocadoes (F)

-egg Shakshouka (P), fattoush salad (V), hummus (P/F)

-blended lentils & vegetable soup (P/V) topped with chicken pieces (P) from the chicken stock used to make the lentil soup, served with crushed flaxseeds or flax crackers

-chickpeas quinoa salad (P/V), homemade fish nuggets (P), steamed asparagus (V) & broccoli dressed (V) in garlic/lemon dressing

Step 4:
Then I assign the days to these dinner meals. We make big portions to ensure there are leftovers. My lunch/breakfast is usually dinner leftovers so that’s 1 or 2 less meals to cook.

Snacks:
In terms of snacks (I don’t usually snack because my mail meals carry me through for a good 3-4 hours), but if you do, that’s another opportunity to add in more protein sources:

-beef/salmon jerky
-biltong
-chicken salad/egg salad/ sardine salad
-hummus and veggie sticks
-yogurt with diced cucumbers seasoned with garlic, salt and dried mint (if not dairy free)
-grassfed cheese with fruit

Hope this helps. Let me know if I answered your question. Hope I did.

Hi  – my flaxseed cough remedy works really well and is really easy to make. I hope it helps relieve your tickle and cough. Please let us know if it helps or not. There’s always more tricks up our sleeves… 😉

Hi  – sure, there are many different formulas that have calming adaptogens but a few notes of caution. Please make sure that cortisol is in fact elevated. Someone can feel stressed, but actually have low cortisol. In this case, adaptogenic herbs to lower cortisol would make you feel worse.

Second, if there is truly high cortisol levels, the best remedy is “to slow down/do less/take an extended sabbatical/vacation”. Easier said than done, I know. But no supplement will compare to what lifestyle changes can do.

But to answer your question, here are a few of my go-to supplements to lower high cortisol:

-Cortisol Manager
-Phosphatidyl serine (I usually recommend this one at night for those with aggressive early morning cortisol awakening response)
-Cortisol Calm
-Xymogen Cortisolv (not available in Fullscript)
-Gaia Herbs Adrenal Health

Hope this helps.

Yes, here’s what I would ask for:

Full thyroid panel:
•  TSH, Total T4, Total T3, Free T4, Free T3, Reverse T3, anti-TPO, anti-TG

Thyroid conversion nutrients:
• iron/ferritin is not needed, we already have it
• vitamin A
• RBC zinc, serum zinc, serum copper, ceruloplasmin
• RBC selenium (if available, otherwise serum)

Check if B12 is getting into cells:
• serum B12 and RBC B12 (or Methylmalonic Acid – MMA)

Full Liver panel:
• ALT, AST, Alk Phos, GGT, Total & Direct bilirubin (make sure they add direct bilirubin), Protein, Albumin

Multi-sample Salivary Cortisol (if they don’t offer it, then get the functional tests below)

Functional tests (we can help you access these if you’d like to pursue them):
• Organic Acids Test (this includes MMA plus other B vitamin markers). Here’s a sample report. Cost is $349 USD plus shipping. 3-week turnaround time.
• Dutch Adrenal. Here’s a sample report. Cost is $309 USD plus shipping. 3-week turnaround time.

Repeating ACTH again – not necessary but may be a good idea to make sure it wasn’t lab error.

The FODMAP food list is attached on the right in call recording itself. You’ll see summarized call notes beneath the video and to the right is the attached file.

Please keep us posted on your progress. Lots you can begin to implement and hopefully start feeling relief soon.

I’m not sure I understand your question but here’s a tutorial video I filmed showing you how to setup an account and search the catalogue of products. Hope that helps answer your question.

Hello – I saw that you asked the same question in another thread. Here was a version of my response:

In the US, Tap Score has water test kits to test the contaminants in your water. Here’s the website https://mytapscore.com.

Hope that helps you figure out what type of filter you’ll need.

yes no issues. You can also look at cloth bags for produce

did you have a question to go with the image of those containers?

in the US, Tap Score has water test kits. Here’s the website https://mytapscore.com . I’ll add the link inside the Hydration pillar as well.

I agree with Daniel’s recommendations and would also like to add a few more insights to consider:

-Sun exposure & grounding: These 2 very basic tips are very powerful. How much time do you spend outside during the day? I always recommend getting outside within 20 minutes of rising to help reset the circadian rhythm. I discuss this morning tip in more detail inside the Sleep pillar video here. Getting outside at different times of the day for your eyes to get exposed to the different colors of the sun will also help with melatonin production at night.

-Low progesterone: may I ask your age? If peri-menopausal (40-50), progesterone is needed to potentiate GABA (our calming neurotransmitter) and can lead to interrupted sleep around 2-4am. If this resonates with you, have you ever checked your sex hormones? Progesterone is best measured in the luteal phase (days 19-21).

-Aggressive Cortisol Awakening Response: you didn’t mention what time you wake-up, but if you’re waking between 4 and 5am, it could be due to an aggressive cortisol response (perhaps from a histamine reaction from Kombucha?). Cortisol is naturally supposed to be highest in the morning, but for many different reasons (anticipatory stress perhaps?), there could be an early aggressive response. Have you ever measured your cortisol levels? If this resonates with you, a DUTCH adrenal test could help us see your cortisol production and rhythm throughout the day and night. Phosphatidyl serine taken in the evenings before bed (600mg) could help bring down high cortisol for rapid relief. If stress is indeed at play, a combo formula with calming adaptogenic herbs like Cortisol Manager could also help.

-Sleep apnea: do you know if you snore at night? Do you sleep with your mouth open? This can always develop later in life for various reasons but is something to consider for interrupted sleep. A simple way to see if this is the case is by trying mouth taping. Somnifix is a brand you can look into getting or simply try a DIY version using 3M tape placed vertically across your lips (from your nose to your chin) to keep them shut.

And as Daniel explained above, it could be as simple as a low blood sugar response from early fasting since you have an early dinner. A trial with slices of apple and nut butter, or a tablespoon of coconut oil and honey, or even a nice chunk of grassfed butter before bed could help you stay asleep longer.

I suggest you trial the easiest recommendations first and then progress to the more esoteric options to see what helps you:

0. Sun exposure within 20 mins & grounding throughout the day
1. Snack before bed for at least 3 days (try different options)
2. Stop kombucha for at least a week (possibly the caffeine or histamine?)
3. Calming herbal teas – can be mixed (chamomile, lemon balm, passionflower and magnolia bark)
4. Mouth taping
5. 5-HTP (50-200mg is what’s been helpful in clients) 30-45 mins before bed
6. L-theanine to increase GABA
7. Phosphatidyl serine to reduce early morning aggressive cortisol or Cortisol Manager (which has adaptogenic herbs)
8. Get progesterone levels checked with OBGYN

There are also other more esoteric reasons that we can explore if the above steps don’t help but please try the above tips and report back what does and doesn’t work.

Hope we can get you sleeping longer soon! I’ve been through it and can empathize…