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elizabethbgrimes · 5 years
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4 Reasons Why Probiotics Make You Feel Sick
Why Probiotics Make You Feel Sick
 Probiotics make you feel bloated, gassy or nauseas? Or maybe they make your skin breakout or bring on brain fog?
 Here is why and what to do about it…
  Your Probiotic Needs Are Unique
The type of probiotic that is best for your microbiome is unique to every individual.
 Any probiotic that cause bloating, gas or digestive upset are not friendly for your gut.
 Ideally, if your probiotic is a good fit for you, it should promote digestive ease and regular, well-formed bowel movements that are easy to pass.
 Although a “healing reaction” may occur during the first 3-7 days while starting a new probiotic as microbial composition may shift, typically if digestive distress continues, it’s a sign that something else may be going on under the hood.
 4 Reasons Why Probiotics Make You Feel Sick
Here are 4 Reasons Why Probiotics Make You Feel Sick:
 Not all formulas are created equal. Probiotics and gut bacteria belong in the colon, not the stomach or small intestine. If the majority of these bacteria get stuck up top, digestive distress may occur (1). Upwards of 90% of probiotics in the form of lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria probiotic strains on shelves (even in the fridge) do not contain the probiotics they claim on their label. Why? Many of these formulas cannot withstand gastric acid, demonstrating a reduction of over 100 colony units within 5 minutes (2). However, when probiotics are encapsulated for site-specific delivery into the distal parts of the gut (colon), up to 90% of the probiotics are still “alive” after two hours of stomach acid exposure, and remain in tact up to 75% by the time they make it to where they should be.
 Digestive distress, brain fog & bloating can happen if you have SIBO, Dysbiosis or yeast overgrowth. A news headline from a 2018 study tried to debunk the benefits of probiotics, stating: “Probiotic use can result in a significant accumulation of bacteria in the small intestine that can result in disorienting brain fogginess as well as rapid, significant belly bloating.” Why? The subjects who reported these symptoms also had SIBO and high D-Lactate levels—high amounts of lactic acid forming bacteria already—the most common strains in commercial probiotics (3).
 There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. A study on the probiotic byproducts in stool samples found the detection of the probiotic strains in the intestinal mucosa was highly person-specific. In some people, the same strains from the probiotics were clearly detected by the multiple analytic methods used to examine samples obtained from the study participants. In others, the probiotic strains were undetectable in the intestinal samples even by the most sensitive methods, such as strain-specific PCR—revealing that the effectiveness of different probiotics is unique to each individual (4).
 Probiotics are essential to pair with pre-biotics. Prebiotic foods and supplements are perhaps more essential for a diverse, healthy microbiome since they are the food that feeds probiotics in the first place. Prebiotics also decrease in pathogenic bacteria populations, enhance gut barrier strength, boost the immune system, and promote increases of Bifidobacteria, lactobacilli and beneficial metabolites. If you miss out on these guys, probiotics don’t “stick” and benefit your gut like intended. Prebiotics include various fiber rich foods in various categories (FOSs, inulin, GOSs, oligofructose, Beta-glucan, resistant starch, guar gum, Lactulose, Xylooligosaccharides). We will review the top food sources later on.
  What to Do About It?
As a general rule of thumb, if you feel sick from your probiotic for longer than 3-7 days, it is best to discontinue its use and consider any underlying gut issues that may be at play.
 Working with a functional medicine practitioner for proper gut testing and interpretation may help you figure out if you have an underlying gut condition, such as dysbiosis, SIBO or a yeast overgrowth.
 In addition, choosing a quality probiotic supplement that is manufactured with proper gastrointestinal delivery in mind—making its way to your colon, rather than getting lost up in your stomach acid and small intestine before it gets to the colon—could also be a gamechanger.
 Probiotics can do a body good…given you get the right formula and focus on “gut supportive” lifestyle, including a nutrient-dense diet, stress management, movement, quality sleep and plenty of clean water.
  References:
 Govender, M., Choonara, Y. E., Kumar, P., du Toit, L. C., van Vuuren, S., & Pillay, V. (2013). A review of the advancements in probiotic delivery: Conventional vs. non-conventional formulations for intestinal flora supplementation. AAPS PharmSciTech, 15(1), 29-43.
Satish S. C. Rao, Abdul Rehman, Siegfried Yu, Nicole Martinez de Andino. Brain fogginess, gas and bloating: a link between SIBO, probiotics and metabolic acidosis. Clinical and Translational Gastroenterology, 2018; 9 (6) DOI: 1038/s41424-018-0030-7
Zmora, N. Et al. (2018). Personalized Gut Mucosal Colonization Resistance to Empiric Probiotics Is Associated with Unique Host and Microbiome Features. Cell. 174: 6; 1388-1405. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2018.08.041
Guéniche A. G., Benyacoub J., Buetler T. M., Smola H., Blum S. (2006). Supplementation with oral probiotic bacteria maintains cutaneous immune homeostasis after UV exposure. J. Dermatol. 16 511–517. 10.1684/ejd.2006.0023
The post 4 Reasons Why Probiotics Make You Feel Sick appeared first on Meet Dr. Lauryn.
Source/Repost=> https://drlauryn.com/uncategorized/why-probiotics-make-you-feel-sick/ ** Dr. Lauryn Lax __Nutrition. Therapy. Functional Medicine ** https://drlauryn.com/ 4 Reasons Why Probiotics Make You Feel Sick via https://drlaurynlax.blogspot.com/
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elizabethbgrimes · 5 years
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Break The Rules #44: Mold Illness Recovery with Jennifer Nitrio
After bringing her daughter earthside in early 2009, Jennifer left a decade long career as an executive recruiter behind to focus her energies on mothering. What was born of that journey (and her crazy adventures with her own mold crisis) is what propelled Jennifer forward to create her first website Hybrid Rasta Mama in February 2011. Hybrid Rasta Mama became a successful website born from Jennifer’s passion about the benefits of CBD oil, coconut oil, toxic mold awareness, holistic health, and natural living. She frequently shares allergy friendly recipes on her site as well as DIY herbal remedies, and natural cleaning recipes.
So much has changed since those early days. While Jennifer loves Hybrid Rasta Mama and the eclectic content she poured her heart into, times have changed and she decided to focus her energies on something she tried to run away from but that kept pulling her back…mold. As such, Jennifer created Mold Help For You, a website that tackles everything from mold prevention, testing for mold, removing mold, leaks…. Basically everything mold from discovery to recovery.  It launches in May 2019.
Jennifer is a Certified Mold Inspector from the International Association of Certified Mold Inspectors. Her coursework includes How To Perform Mold Inspections, Advanced Mold Inspection Training, How To Inspect For Moisture Intrusion, How To Inspect the Exterior, Residential Plumbing Overview, and Indoor Air Quality. She is also a member of the International Society for Environmentally Acquired Illness. Her earlier years afforded her the opportunity to graduate with honors with a Bachelor’s Degree in Ethnic Studies. She is a lifetime member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society and Golden Key Honor Society.
Jennifer has always had a passion for researching everything to death and a passion for writing. She is not afraid to tackle tough topics and doesn’t get embarrassed by much. She is very self-deprecating and apparently Jennifer’s audience loves that about her.
Links:
https://moldhelpforyou.com
https://hybridrastamama.com
The post Break The Rules #44: Mold Illness Recovery with Jennifer Nitrio appeared first on Meet Dr. Lauryn.
Source/Repost=> https://drlauryn.com/podcast/break-the-rules-44-mold-illness-recovery-with-jennifer-nitrio/ ** Dr. Lauryn Lax __Nutrition. Therapy. Functional Medicine ** https://drlauryn.com/ Break The Rules #44: Mold Illness Recovery with Jennifer Nitrio via https://drlaurynlax.blogspot.com/
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elizabethbgrimes · 5 years
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How to Treat & Get Rid of CIRS – 12 Essentials
  So you have mold illness or CIRS…now what?!
 Sure, Dr. Google and Facebook groups can be helpful, but face it…when it comes to mold illness and mold illness recovery, the information can be completely overwhelming!
 Do you have to get rid of all your stuff?
What supplements should you take?
Do you need to move to a dry climate like Arizona or Colorado?
Should you just live in a bubble?!
 Although there is NO one-size-fits-all approach to healing and mold illness recovery, there are several commonalities in helpful therapies, lifestyle changes and treatments that can help you kick mold illness to the curb (for good), including:
 Top 12 Mold Illness Treatments
 Remove yourself from mold exposure
Breathe deeply
Marie Kondo your life
Build a capsule wardrobe
Fog & guard your new environment wisely
Sweat daily
Eat fresh, organic nutrient-dense foods
Love your gut microbiome & liver
Use the right detox binder
Add in anti-fungals (oral and nasal) to treat mold that may have colonized in your body
Purify your air
Surround yourself with positive energy
 Check ‘em out.
  Remove yourself from mold exposure
First things first, you’ve got to get out of there. Healing cannot fully begin until you’re removed from the environment.
 Whether that means going to stay with family, a friend, moving to a mold-free environment, or working remotely, you will not feel the full effects of your treatment protocol until you are free from the space.
 Even if you are remediating your home, a short-term hiatus from the mold free environment is essential.
 Breathe deeply
 Breath has the power to both calm and stimulate the HPA Axis (stress response system).
 What happens to your breath when you run fast or get scared OR come into contact with mycotoxins? Your breathing rate increases (hello shortness of breath, panting and gasping for air or common). On the flip-side, what happens to your breath when you’re calm and at peace? It’s steady, deep and calm as well. Many of us are breathing the wrong way, which sets you up for problems with metabolism, blood pH, core function, and how much blood is getting to your brain and muscles, which allows cortisol to stay elevated.
  Common signs of dysfunctional breathing include:
 Inhaling with your chest. If you notice your chest is the first thing to move when you take a breath, this is a sign you have shallow breath or you’re breathing from the upper chest.
 Your rib cage doesn’t expand. Place your hands on the sides of your rib cage and take note. Your hands should move to the side about one to two inches as your rib cage widens.
 Breathing with your mouth. Unless you have congestion, ideally you should be breathing through your nose. Breathing through your nose releases nitric oxide that is carried to your lungs and helps maintain homeostasis in the rest of the body.
 Tight shoulders and upper neck/chest muscles. Tension in these areas may be a sign of shallow or stressed breathing.
 Frequent yawning. Sighing and yawning is a sign your body is not receiving enough oxygen.
 High resting breath rate. Count the number of times you breathe in one minute. A normal resting breath rate should be no greater than 10-12 breaths per minute—and sometimes as low as 6 to 8 breaths if you are deep breathing. A resting breath rate over 12 is a sign of quick or shallow breathing.
 You are activating your diaphragm when you breathe.
 If you experience any of these signs of dysfunctional breathing, it’s imperative to first train your body to simply breathe correctly.  Given that CIRS (chronic inflammatory response syndrome) is highly connected to cortisol (stress hormone) imbalances, the art of breathing is your innate “stress response” fire extinguisher.
 How to Breathe Deeply
 Balloon Breathing
Train yourself how to start breathing correctly. You can do this by blowing up balloons, pursing your lips, taking deep breaths through your nose and out through your mouth while doing planking exercises, contracting your abs as you breathe, sitting upright when you work and decreasing shoulder movement during breathing.
 Tempo Breathing (a.k.a “4-7-8 breathing”). Place tip of your tongue against the ridge of tissue behind the upper front teeth. Quietly inhale through your nose then audibly exhale through the mouth, inhale for a count of four, hold your breath for a count of 7, and then exhale through your mouth, making an ocean-wave-like sound for a count of 8. Repeat this cycle three times.
 Belly Breathe. Take a deep breath and focus on expanding your belly, rather than your chest. Watch your belly fill up as you breathe in and flatten as you breathe out.
 Breath Walk: Synchronize your breathing with walking steps and focused attention.
 Box Breathe: Close your mouth and slowly breathe in through your nose for four counts. Hold your breath for four seconds. Then slowly exhale through your mouth for a count of four. Hold the exhale for another four counts. Aim to repeat for four minutes.
 Yogi Breathing
This tactic is particularly useful as an “in the moment�� tool when HPA Axis symptoms or stress arise.
How to Do It:
Lay on your back, completely flat
Inhale through your right nostril for 10 counts, while closing your left nostril with your finger
Exhale through your left nostril for 10 counts, while closing your right nostril with your finger
Keep your mouth closed, or lips pursed
Repeat for 5-6 cycles
  Marie Kondo your life
Get rid of (most) of it. Make Marie Kondo, author of the “Magic Art of Tidying Up” proud.
 If it doesn’t “spark joy”, toss it.
 And, chances are, if you are truly struggling with mold illness, many of your things will NOT “spark joy.”
 Sometimes the best bet for at least the current situation is to “leave it behind.” While it may seem or feel extreme (like a fire happened), to help calm your body and mind for the immediate healing period, a break from not only your environment but also the items that smell like that environment can be a healing part of your process.
 In my own experience, I found that the more I kept or tried to hold on to, the more I realized how much those things impacted my symptoms. Starting fresh (see point 4) was difficult to swallow at first, but the more I focused on rebuilding my life slowly, the less overwhelm and attachment I had to my stuff.
 Initially, I did a huge closet sweep—throwing most of my clothes into trash sacks and taking them to a local Goodwill and resale shop where individually, the items would not be as strong. I also left my furniture behind and bags—my suitcases, purses, backpack—things that had been living and breathing mycotoxins in my home.
 I tried to salvage the little things, however, of the things I did keep, it didn’t take long for me to decide the majority of it, I wanted to give away.
 From my leather Kate Spade purse with the tags still on it, to my yoga mat, my makeup and makeup bag, my occupational therapy grad school books, my hair dryer and my Benji (my stuffed dog I had had since I was 4 years old)—all of it smelled like mold and must. Once I was removed from my home, all I wanted was my health and breath back.
 Yes, I thought it sounded extreme too, but holding on to old stuff only weighed me down more. I found, as I gradually let even these things go, the more freedom I felt and ability to start new—from the inside out.
  Items to Toss or Store (for a long time)
Some of the “top” most-contaminated items include porous or “soft” items to not think too hard about:
 Books (especially opened books)
Clothing (primarily items that are dry clean only, and those items that have been hanging in your closet unworn or collecting dust for a long time)—other clothing may be redeemable, however, not optimal
Backpacks, purses, suitcases—things exposed to mycotoxins in the environment (they will most likely smell like the home as you leave)
Opened makeup and makeup bags
Vented items (your hairdryer, fans)
Upholstery (couches, curtains, rugs)
Chairs with cloth or padding
Linens, towels, pillows & blankets
Wood furniture
Papers (if needed: Store them loosely in plastic bins until a decision can be made at a later date)
Appliances (Refrigerators, washers, and dryers harbor dust in their coils and fans and are difficult to clean. Spores and spore fragments easily attach to washing machine parts)
Laptop computers (the fans in the computer can pick up mycotoxins; *if ridding of your this is not easy, look into selling back your machine or trading it in to the store, or using it outside of your new, clean environment to avoid cross-contamination)
 Given the fibers in these materials, they have a tendency to “soak up” the mycotoxins in the environment.
 Items to Possibly “Save”
Some items can be salvaged—particularly the hard-surfaced items that get a good fogging (point 5), including:
 Some clothing (see clothing exceptions below)
Sentimental stuffed animals (if laundered like your clothing)
Leather (furniture, bags, shoes) (Use quaternary cleaners on leather)
Lamps (not the shades)
Kitchenware (non bamboo)—plates, pans, pots, silverware, etc.
Non-porous surfaces (able to clean well)—such as that plastic waste bin or desk
Anything made of ceramic, glass or metal
Your car (yes some folks get rid of their’s; Hybridrasta Mama has a great post https://hybridrastamama.com/how-to-remove-mold-in-cars/ about mold remediation in your car).
  “But it sounds so extreme…”
 Just breathe. No one is holding a gun to your head to get rid of everything, and little official long term research has been conducted either way revealing whether or not mold contaminated items can make you ill again upon preexposure after healing.
 Ultimately, you may have to find out for yourself what you can and cannot tolerate, and perhaps, more than anything, time away from your contaminated items can help you strengthen your body from the inside out—and also realize…it’s all just stuff. Stuff is helpful for doing some things in life, but we come into this world bald, curled up and naked, and leave it bald, curled up and naked…and we take nothing with us. In other words: It can be replaced.
 If the idea of tossing everything out is devastating, recruit a cleaning company, family member or friend to box things up for you, or wear protective clothing (here) and a nose and mouth mask to put things into bins, large plastic bags or trash sacks to store away while you remove yourself to heal. This also may mean renting a storage facility for a period or storing your items in a family member’s garage. If you’re going to the trouble of moving away from a toxic environment, don’t apologize for being “extreme.” Do what you need to do to break free, allow for healing to occur and then decide what to keep or toss (chances are, you may realize you can live without it).
  Clothing Exceptions
You can clean some things—particularly the machine washable items that have been regular circulators in your clothing rotation (not the items that have been hanging in your closet for a year).
 Use EC3 Laundry Additive on these items, and wash through 2 to 3 cycles, dry and also place in the sun (natural ozone helps kill off mycotoxins). Homemade Hack: You can also use a combination of Borax and white vinegar as your “detergent”.
 What about other items I may keep…Do I literally have to clean everything in my house (i.e. plastic storage containers, books, toiletries, candles, knickknacks, canned food etc) or just the major things like clothing and furniture?
 Yes, everything. I love the whole EC3 line—their concentrate, spray, laundry additive and candles.
 Build a capsule wardrobe
Speaking of Marie Kondo, no time like the present to simplify your wardrobe! Out with the old, in with the new. A capsule wardrobe is a “minimalist’s dream”—filled with only the essentials needed to make dressing easy, classy and vogue.
 Most minimalist fashionistas advise you build your wardrobe on no more than 30 to 40 “staple” pieces (or less) for every 3 months of the year (seasons)— including clothes, jewelry, accessories and shoes. (This excludes underwear, loungewear, and workout wear).
 A capsule wardrobe may entail:
5-7 basic tops
Simple v-neck white tee
Simple black tee
Button up Chambray
5-7 trendy fun tops
5-7 bottoms
1-2 pairs of denim jeans
1 pair white pants
1 pair black pants
1-2 skirts
1-2 dresses
3 Jackets
Classy blazer
Bomber jacket
Hoodie
Shoes (seasonal)
Sneakers
Gold strappy sandals
Flats
Brown boots
Booties
Jewelry & Accessories
Pair stud earrings & hoops
Gold necklace
Bracelet
Sunglasses
Watch
Classic Tote
 How to Start Your Capsule Wardrobe
Pare down your closet to no more than 50 items (ideally: 35-40; excluding underwear, workout wear and lounge wear)
Wear only those 35-50 items for three months.
Don’t go shopping during the season until…
During the last two weeks of the season, plan and shop for your next capsule.
The amount you buy for the next capsule is up to you (you can recycle some from the previous capsule).
Remember: less is more.
 Fog & guard your new environment wisely
As you transition into your new environment, it’s uber important to prevent cross contamination from your old place.
 No, you cannot live in a bubble, but “proper” transition practices can keep your new place (and you) mycotoxin free. This was a huge mistake I made when moving out of my home initially. Although I left most of my things behind, I did trek in my daily use items that I did not think twice about including:
 My backpack
Purse
Tenni shoes I wore daily
My pillow
A sweatshirt
Makeup bag
Hairdryer
 The “little stuff” can add up if you are super sensitive and it’s best to quarantine most all items from the old place into a separate plastic bin or large trash sacks (closed tightly) and store them in a place like a garage in order to mindfully discard contaminated items.
 You can try salvaging some things with an at home fogging machine, as well as use your fogging machine with EC3 solution concentrate in it to spray and disinfect your new place.
 I recommend the Longray Basic ULV Fogger with Adjustable Flow & Flex-Hose and EC3 solution. All you have to do is pour the desired amount of EC3 solution + distilled water (see back of the bottle to measure) into the fogger, then turn the fogger on the medium pressure intensity and spray every nook, cranny, and item you have to make them (more) “mold free”.
 Sweat daily
Sweat helps detox and push impurities out of the body. Some options include:
 Infrared sauna (3-4 times per week for 15 minutes)
Heated yoga
Fresh air & sunshine
Energizing workouts (not chronic cardio; the “just right” challenge for 30-45 minutes, doing something you enjoy)
Eat fresh, organic nutrient-dense foods
Let food be thy medicine. Optimize your detoxification pathways and energy levels by focusing on the foundations, while avoiding foods that leave you (and your gut health) down.
 Eat
Organic pastured proteins: chicken, beef, eggs, bison, wild-caught fish
Dark leafy greens
Fungal fighting foods, including:
Prebiotic Fibers: Carrots, Rutabaga, Onions, Garlic, Raidsh
Spices & herbs: Cayenne, Turmeric, Cinnamon, Ginger Root, Clove, Goldenseal, Olive leaf, Tea trea
Lemon & Lime
Manuka raw honey
Coconut oil (caprylic acid)
Papya seeds
Teas: Green tea, dandelion tea, Pau d’Arco
Other colorful, low starch veggies: broccoli, spinach, summer squash, cauliflower, kale, cabbage, arugula, chard, cucumber, bell peppers, tomato (fresh only), leeks, asparagus, artichokes, seaweed
Healthy Fats: Extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, avocado, coconut milk, ghee, avocado, organic butter, pumpkin seeds, flax
Fermented foods: Sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha, kefir, coconut kefir/yogurt, fermented pickled veggies (Contrary to popular belief, eating fermented foods regularly can support the immune system and prevent the invasion and spread of yeasts or fungal infection. Consume 1-2 medicinal doses daily if tolerated).
Apple cider vinegar
Bone & meat broth. Bone broth is a rich source of collagen, which supports the integrity of the gut lining.
Pastured organ meats. Liver, heart, tongue, kidney; Or, quality grass-fed supplement (like this one by Ancestral Supplements).
Filtered water
Other beverages: Herbal teas, mineral water, fresh veggie juice, coconut milk
 The bottom line: Eat fresh foods as much as possible. (Hint: Buy the freshest fruits, vegetables, meats and foods and buy in smaller quantities vs. having items in your refrigerator for weeks)
 Avoid
Molds thrive on sugar and anything that is not fresh or aged. Mold-loving foods including:
Cheese
High mold nuts: peanuts, walnuts, pecans, cashews, brazil nuts
High amounts of high starch vegetables and legumes: sweet corn, potatoes, beans and peas, lentils, sweet potatoes, winter squashes, turnips, parsnips (stick to 1-2 servings per day)
Dried fruits
Alcohol
Instant coffee & non-organic, conventional coffees (i.e. Starbucks, Folgers)
Sugar & artificial sweeteners
Corn
Wheat
Seed oils: cottonseed, grapeseed, canola
Processed and smoked meats: sausages, hot dogs, corned beef, pastrami, smoked fish, ham, bacon.
Packaged & processed foods
Canned beans, soups & ready-made sauces
5+ day old produce
Edible fungi: including all types of mushrooms and truffles (cordyceps & reishi supplements ok)
Leftovers beyond 2-3 days. While some molds you can see (like the fuzzy green mold on breads), others are not so noticeable. A good rule of thumb for leftovers is a two-day rule (one is better).
  Love your gut microbiome & liver
Your gut is the gateway to health, and your liver is your body’s “master” detoxifier. If one or both of these two systems are down, then you (and your immune system) are more susceptible to molds and the effects of mycotoxins on your health.
 Although many mold sufferers will tell you that 25% of the population has a specific gene (the HLA-DR gene) that makes them more susceptible to mold illness, this is only part of the story.
 Genes load the gun, but environment, lifestyle and your gut microbiome pull the trigger. Disease genes cannot be turned on unless these other factors are at play.
 Given the fact that mycotoxin exposure can wreak havoc on your total health—particularly your gut health— by eliminating beneficial bacteria, by focusing on optimizing your gut health you will give those mycotoxins a run for their money. Research shows the gut microbiota is capable of eliminating mycotoxin from the host naturally, provided that the host is healthy with a balance gut microbiota (1).
 A few essentials for optimizing gut and liver health include:
 Perform at-home gut testing (Figure out what’s going on in your gut with a comprehensive gut test)
 Take a quality probiotic (like this one) and prebiotic fiber (1 tsp.) (like this one)
 Boost stomach acid & digestive enzymes (add 1 tbsp. Apple cider vinegar to 2-4 oz. of water and 1-2 capsules digestive enzymes with meals)
 Eat 1-2 fermented foods daily and 1-2 servings of prebiotic fiber in your diet
Working with a practitioner to safely and effectively cleanse your gut with anti-microbial, anti-fungal herbs if you find a gut “issue” present
 Use the right anti-fungal and binder for your mold illness
 Using anti-fungal herbs and medicines are a common approach for treating a person with mold illness or mold-related issues (like candida) to directly kill molds, candida and yeast in your body. Conventional doctors may prescribe pharmaceuticals like Nystatin or Diflucan, and holistic practitioners may integrate herbs via supplements and foods.
 However there are a few of catches:
 #1. Anti-fungal treatment must be customized
You must know which molds you have so you can be on the right anti-fungals to treat them—this may entail either prescription medications by a medical doctor or herbal anti-fungals via supplements and foods. It’s important to work with a skilled practitioner who understands mycotoxin illness, CIRS and detoxification in order to implement the right approach for your body.
 Natural anti-fungals may include one or a blend of the following:
Lauricidin (monolaurin)
Pau D’Arco Extract (bark)
Cat’s Claw
Caprylic Acid
Uva Ursi
Grapefruit seed extract
Garlic (Allicin)
Tea tree
Oregano
Dill
Cloves
Black walnut
Oregon grape
 #2. Anti-fungals are BEST used orally and nasally (sinus spray)
To effectively treat mold illness, you also must treat every single place that mold can be settled in and growing. Since molds grow in moist, warm cavities (think mouth, nose/sinus and gut), using both oral and nasal antifungals yields the best results.
 One of my favorite anti-fungals is the CitriDrops by Microbalance. You can also make your own nasal anti-fungal wash at home using garlic cloves and probiotics.
 Homemade Nasal Anti-fungal Wash for Mold Illness Recovery
 [RHEA: CAN YOU MAKE THIS A TEXT BOX/GRAPHIC IN THE MIDDLE?)
Ingredients & supplies
A neti pot.
Non-iodized sea salt.
Filtered water (not tap water).
A clove of fresh garlic.
A strainer.
2 probiotic capsules
 Directions
Get used to the Netipot. Use the neti pot as usual for a few days. (Instructions should come with the pot). Dissolve the correct amount of salt into lukewarm filtered water (not tap water), and then pour the solution through one nostril while tilting your head.  When done correctly, the water will flow up into the sinuses, and then down and out the other nostril.
Add in garlic + probiotics. Chop the clove of garlic & place the garlic in a strainer. Make sure that NONE of the garlic pieces can fit through the holes in the strainer (you don’t want bits of garlic in your sinuses).  Pour filtered boiling water over the garlic (through the strainer) and into a cup. Let the mix cool until it is lukewarm. Add your 2 probiotic capsules and stir into the water, then pour the lukewarm infusion into your neti pot. Add salt as usual (make sure to use the correct amount), and follow the standard method for using a neti pot. The only difference is that the water has been infused with garlic and probiotics.
 #3. Anti-fungals are useless without a binder or bio-film disruptor
When mold starts to die during the treatment, your body needs to eliminate the dead molds, yeast and released toxins. If the amount of toxins released by the dying candida is more than what your body can safely handle, you may experience a healing crisis (also known as a “herx”, “healing” or “die off” reaction). Common symptoms may include GI or other ill-feeling symptoms, such as nausea, fever, joint and muscle aches, skin breakouts and headaches. A “herx” reaction typically means your body’s usual rhythms are being recalibrated, and last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.
 For this reason, a quality detoxification binder and biofilm disruptor (along with emphasis on optimizing gut health and liver function in point 8) is recommended to assist in elimination pathways.
 Binder 101
A binder is a compound that helps grab the mold and pull it out of your body. Commonly used binders include:
 Coconut Charcoal
Benedite Clay
Chlorella
Modified Citrus Pectin
Pyrophyllite clay
Cholestyramine (CSM, a prescription)
 Not all binders are created equal, and it’s most beneficial to know the type of mold you have in your body (using a test like the Great Plains Mycotoxin Test) to choose the best binder for you, since certain species are more susceptible to some more than others. Results from the test will also show which binders are most appropriate for you.
 If you are not sure of your particular mold species, I find that a broad spectrum binder like GI Detox by Biocidin or Chlorella tablets are gentle but effective (without too much constipation).
 Note: If you tend towards constipation, binders—particularly charcoal—can make you feel more constipated. Constipation busting “hacks” include: digestive bitters (like Iberogast), Liposomal Vitamin C and Magnesium Citrate like Natural Calm.
 Biofilm Disruptor 101
Biofilm disruptors help ensure both your anti-fungals and binders can work in the first place. Molds often create a glue-like matrix around themselves to protect themselves. Sure, you can take anti-fungals and binders to treat them, but if you can’t “break” into the molds, than you won’t get them out.  Biofilm disruptors  hack through the goo and allow the anti-fungals to reach the fungi and kill the mold.
Recommendation:
Interfase Plus (2-3, in between meals, 2 times per day) –OR–
Biocidin Drops (2-3, 2 times per day)
 Stress (your brain) less
With soooo many steps, therapies and treatments, mold illness recovery can be overwhelming. Not only was living in mold stressful on your health (mentally and physically), but so is recovery!
 That said, the name of the game of winning victory over mold illness is actively and intentionally seeking to stress less—physically and mentally. Since inflammatory cytokines are the key drivers of mold illness symptoms, then stress management is essential for recovery including:
 Quality sleep (7-9 hours)
Natural fresh air (daily)
Daily movement
Eating a nutrient-dense whole foods diet
Drinking clean filtered water
Minimizing screen and light exposure at night
Rewiring your brain and limbic system
 Limbic System 101
There’s a theory in the CIRS and mold illness world that the limbic system—your body’s “stress” system intertwined with memories—is hyper functioning.
 After mold illness, your body stores deep rooted memories of smells, environments, circumstances and can easily sound the “alarm” for the body to react in a myriad of ways when any similar or familiar memory is aroused—such as the smell of must in a different environment.
 In my own recovery, I personally struggled with sleeping in a bed again—I had “PTSD” like symptoms after my experience of waking up at 2 a.m. feeling like I was having a heart attack due to the chronic mold exposure and the asthma-like symptoms it gave me. I spent the next 3 months without a home, couch surfing from friend’s home to friend’s home, and not feeling comfortable back in a bed—where my previous two years of living in that environment came to a head.
 I literally had to tell my body, “It’s ok,” and my body had to tell me back, “I don’t want to hurt you.”
 Limbic system “retraining” involves actively retraining neural pathways to think, act and believe differently. It is inspired by a woman named Annie Hopper who recovered herself from her own chronic mystery illness, similar to CIRS and mold illness.
 Purify your air
Air quality matters—especially in your new environment. Air purifiers with HEPA and charcoal filters can help keep mycotoxins at bay and keep you breathing clean air as you “start over.” Like most things in the health and wellness world, not all air purifiers are created equal.
Don’t waste your money at Target or Bed Bath & Beyond. Most models on their sales floors are not the quality grade you (and your home) need—similar to how that $10 probiotic at Target is not the same as a quality probiotic that actually delivers the ingredients on the label to your gut.
 My top recommendations for a quality air filter include:
 Austin Air: The Bedroom Machine
Austin Air: Healthmate Junior Plus
Air Doctor
 I keep a big guy (like the Bedroom Machine) in the home to filter the whole house, and smaller units—like the Healthmate Junior or Air Doctor—in my bedroom.
 In addition, if you want to take things to the next level, an Air Ozone Generator can aid in ozonating your space for cleaner, fresher and disinfected air.
 You don’t have to go overboard, but investing in a couple units can help you breathe easier indoors—since we spend the majority of our time (about 22-23 hours daily) inside!
 Surround yourself with positive energy
Last, but definitely not least…mold recovery can not only be stressful, but also draining and sometimes, negative.
 If you’ve ever found yourself on an endless Facebook group for CIRS or mold illness recovery survivors, you know what I mean.
 One thing can lead to another, and before you realize it, you believe you have cancer or you’ll never recover.
 No matter what beliefs you have right now about your personal illness and recovery, know this:
 When given the right tools, your body innately wants to heal itself.
 Repeat: When given the right tools, your body innately wants to heal itself.
 You will recover. Speak truth into your body. Lean in. Seek to nourish your mind, body and soul. And believe freedom and healing is possible.
 There was a time you were not ill, and there will be a time again.
 I believe it, do you? If not, let me help you.
 Liew WP, Mohd-Redzwan S. Mycotoxin: Its Impact on Gut Health and Microbiota. Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2018 Feb 26;8:60. doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2018.00060. PubMed PMID: 29535978; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5834427.
The post How to Treat & Get Rid of CIRS – 12 Essentials appeared first on Meet Dr. Lauryn.
Source/Repost=> https://drlauryn.com/wellness-knowledge/how-to-treat-get-rid-of-cirs/ ** Dr. Lauryn Lax __Nutrition. Therapy. Functional Medicine ** https://drlauryn.com/ How to Treat & Get Rid of CIRS – 12 Essentials via https://drlaurynlax.blogspot.com/
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elizabethbgrimes · 5 years
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Break The Rules #43: Thyroid Health 101: All You Need to Know with Elle Russ
Your thyroid is the metabolic mothership for ALL bodily process–gut health, hormone health and body composition included. Unfortunately, more than 1 in 10 people will develop a thyroid condition, but upwards of 60% of cases go undiagnosed for years until it’s a full blown disease. s, Thyroid expert Elle Russ tells us all we need to know about not just managing but healing our thyroid health.
Elle Russ is a writer, speaker and show host of the popular Primal Blueprint Podcast. She is the 5th person in the world certified in Ancestral Health and is the leading voice of thyroid health in the Paleo, Primal, and Evolutionary Health movements.  Elle is the author of the bestselling book The Paleo Thyroid Solution and writer of the award-winning documentary HeadHunt Revisted, and much more. She lives and plays in Malibu, California. You can learn more about her and her work at ElleRuss.com
The post Break The Rules #43: Thyroid Health 101: All You Need to Know with Elle Russ appeared first on Meet Dr. Lauryn.
Source/Repost=> https://drlauryn.com/podcast/break-the-rules-43-thyroid-health-101-all-you-need-to-know-with-elle-russ/ ** Dr. Lauryn Lax __Nutrition. Therapy. Functional Medicine ** https://drlauryn.com/ Break The Rules #43: Thyroid Health 101: All You Need to Know with Elle Russ via https://drlaurynlax.blogspot.com/
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elizabethbgrimes · 5 years
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How to Test for Mold Illness in Your Body 
Do you have mold illness?
Check out my top recommended testing methods to find out, including:
 Mold Toxicity Checklist
Mycotoxin Urine Test
Bloodwork
Gut Testing
Liver Function Testing
DUTCH Cortisol Hormone Test
Visual Contrast Sensitivity Testing
Mold Illness Refresher
Let’s briefly review Mold Illness 101 before diving into my top recommended tests to know what we are looking for in the first place.
 Mold illness or “mycotoxin illness” is a serious condition that is commonly referred to as “CIRS”—Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome.
 Unlike a disease—which is condition typically with a specific known cause and similar symptoms (such as insulin resistance, frequent urination and weight gain in people with diabetes)— a syndrome, like CIRS, is a much broader “collection of signs and symptoms” that may present differently in different people.
 Signs & Symptoms of CIRS
Common signs and symptoms of mold illness or CIRS include
Respiratory difficulties (difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, asthma)
Neurological symptoms
Sinus congestion and stuffy nose
Hair loss
Anxiety
Brain fog, confusion or memory loss
Difficulty concentrating
Morning stiffness, joint pain
Light sensitivity
Skin rashes
Red eyes, blurred vision, sweats, mood swings, sharp pains
Feeling lightheaded or dizzy
Appetite swings
Poor body temperature regulation,
Gastrointestinal problems (cramps, abdominal pain)
Weight loss or weight gain (unintentional)
Unusual skin sensations, tingling and numbness
 You may have several of these symptoms—or just one or two. The amount of symptoms don’t matter as much as the unrelenting poor health experienced because of them.
 Although these symptoms are also synonymous with other conditions often talked about in functional medicine—from “adrenal fatigue”, thyroid disorders to gut dysbiosis—the key distinguisher in mycotoxin illness or CIRS is often times, these are often the patients who do not “get better” once commencing a protocol.
 Buttttt….how do you know if you really have “mold illness” or CIRS—or you’re just feeling out of sorts? What tests can you do to reveal true illness
 There are a handful…
 Mold Toxicity Checklist
Aside from identifying your symptoms, answer “Yes” or “No” for the following questions (adapted from Environmental Health Center).
 Yes or No?
Do musty odors bother you?
Have you worked or lived in a building where the air vents or ceiling tiles were discolored?
Have you noticed water damage or discoloration elsewhere?
Has your home been flooded?
Have you had leaks in the roof?
Do you experience unusual shortness of breath?
Do you experience recurring sinus infections?
Do you experience recurring respiratory infections and coughing?
Do you have frequent flu-like symptoms?
Do your symptoms worsen on rainy days?
Do you have frequent headaches?
Are you fatigued and have a skin rash?
 If you answer “yes” to 4 or more, your CIRS-like symptoms may have some more merit.
 Mycotoxin Urine Test
Mycotoxin urine testing is a relatively newer form of testing that can reveal the release of toxins in the urine. If you really suspect mycotoxin illness from molds to be at play, this test can yield highly insightful information for putting your puzzle together.
 Some key detected mycotoxins include:
Ochratoxins
Aflatoxins
Trichothecenes
Glicotoxins
 Recommendation:
Great Plains Urine Testing (Order Here on behalf of Dr. Lauryn Lax, OTD).
 *Note: Sometimes false “negatives” can occur with urine testing since some patients are unable to detoxify in the first place. In order to get the most accurate results, I recommend using high dose glutathione + NAC for 5 to 7 days prior to conducting your urine test in order to encourage elimination and detoxification.
 My preferred formula is Trizomal Glutathione by Apex Energetics, which includes both NAC and glutathione. Take 1 tsp 3 times per day for 5 to 7 days.  It is tough to find online, but if you call the company directly at 949-251-0152, request a bottle be sent to you on behalf of Dr. Lauryn Lax.
 Bloodwork
Bloodwork doesn’t always tell the whole story of CIRS or mycotoxin illness, but certainly can point to markers of inflammation and immune dysregulation.
 Unfortunately, many patients consult with their conventional medical practitioners and are told, “Your lab tests are normal”, but have not ordered more specialized tests that help look deeper into mycotoxicity and inflammation.  Helpful markers and their normal ranges for assessing mycotoxin illness include:
 Specialty Mycotoxin Blood Tests
Elevations in the following markers point to mold toxicity
VIP (normal range: 23-63, only available by ARUP Labs)
MSH (normal: 35-81)
MMP-9 (normal: 85-332)
C4a (normal: 0-2380)
TGF-beta-1 (normal: <2380)
Leptin (Male: 0.5-13.8; Female: 1.1-27.5)
HLA-DR (the gene that 25% of the population has, making them more susceptible to mycotoxicity; can only be run by LabCorp)
  OTHER LABS
Other labs that may be “off” on general lab work include:
 Complete Blood Count
Red Blood Count low (normal: 4.40–4.90 x 106/µL)
White Blood Count low or high (normal: 5.0–0 x 103/µL)
 Methylation Markers
MMA high (ideal < 300 nmol/L)
Folate low (ideal > 8 μg/L)
 Bloodsugar Markers
Glucose low or high (normal fasting: 75-85, normal 1-2 hours post-meal: 110-140)
HgbA1C high (normal 4.6–5.3%)
 Liver Enzymes
AST high (normal: Male: 0–25 IU/L; Female: 0–23 IU/L)
ALT high (normal: Male: 0–26 IU/L; Female: 0–20 IU/L)
 Nutrient Markers*
Zinc (often low)* (normal: 81–157 µg/dL)
Copper* often high (excess copper can lead to low zinc) (normal: 81–157 µg/dL)
Iron high or low (ideal: 40–135 µg/dL)
Ferritin high (Male: 30–200 ng/mL; Female: 30–100 ng/mL)
Vitamin D low (normal: 35–60 ng/mL)
 *Urine testing via NutraEval (Order Here and search for “NutraEval FMV by Genova)
 Inflammatory Markers
Total Cholesterol high (normal: 150–220 mg/dL for males; 150–230 mg/dL for females)
LDL Cholesterol high (normal: 0–140 mg/dL)
C Reactive Protein (CRP) high (normal: 0–1 mg/L)
BUN high or low (normal: 13–18 mg/dL)
Creatine low (normal: Male: 0.85–1.1 mg/dL; Female: 0.7 – 1.0 mg/dL)
 Hormone Markers*
*Hormone markers can be a sign that something more is going on “under the hood.” Inflammation from mold toxicity and CIRS can drive hormone imbalance. Since hormones are the “key messengers” made by our glands to regulate body functions, if our hormones are “off”, they may perpetuate the symptoms of CIRS.
 PTH elevation (normal: 10-35 pg/mL
T3 (Thyroid Hormone) deficiency (normal: 2.5–4.0 pg/mL)
Testosterone deficiency
Progesterone deficiency
Estrogen dominance or deficiency
 Bloodwork out of the norm in several of these areas may indicate imbalance.
  Gut Testing
A bi-directional relationship exists between mycotoxins and gut microbiome—mycotoxicity can impact and worsen our gut health, just like poor gut health can make one more susceptible to mycotoxicosis (1)—creating the “perfect” storm.
 On this note, it’s critical to realize, “mold illness” does not just happen from mold alone. Other pathogens that cause the same symptoms as mold illness include:
 Bacteria & bacterial infections (like Babesia and Borrelia)
Fungi
Mycobacteria
Mold
Mold spores
Endotoxins (aka lipopolysaccharides, or LPS; cell wall components of gram-negative bacteria)
Inflammagens (irritants that cause inflammation and edema)
Beta-glucans (sugars that are found in the cell walls of bacteria, fungi, yeasts, algae, lichens, and plants)
Hemolysins (toxins produced by bacteria that can destroy cells)
Volatile organic compounds
 The key theme behind all of these? They affect your gut!
 Your gut microbiome is home to 100 trillion microorganisms (gut bacteria). The healthier your gut bacteria, the healthier you are! The sicker or more pathogenic your gut bacteria, the sicker you are!
 It’s no wonder that candida (fungal overgrowth) and sinus congestion (from fungi and mold growth in the nose—part of the nasal microbiome) are common in those with suspected mold toxicity or CIRS (2).
Given that approximately 80% of your immune system is produced and housed in your gut, a “strong” gut filled with diverse, healthy gut bacteria helps boost your immune fighting defenses to weather the storm of mold and mycotoxin exposure. However, if your gut is infiltrated by pathogens—and not enough “man power” to weather the storm, eventually your gut microbiome profile can shift, resulting in an unhealthier gut…and an unhealthier you.
 Recommendation:
Comprehensive Stool Analysis + Parasitology x 3 (Doctor’s Data) (Order Here)
 Liver Testing & Symptom Checklist
In addition to your gut, your liver—your body’s “chemical processing factory” and recycling system—also plays an important role in guarding against mycotoxin and mold illness. Consider your liver your “defense” for mycotoxin and mold exposure. A sluggish or overworked liver can equally wreak havoc on your health and make you susceptible to mycotoxin illness
 Liver Checklist
The best way to assess for liver dysfunction is a combination of blood markers and symptoms. Common liver malfunction indicators include:
 Nausea
Sensitive to chemicals (perfuma, cleaning agents, etc.)
Bitter/metallic taste in mouth
Headache over the eyes
Easily motion sick
Itchy skin
Jaundice colored skin/eyes
Swelling (abdomen, legs, ankles)
Light or clay colored stools
Greasy or shiny stools
Constipation
Easily intoxicated
Hormone imbalances (PMS, PMDD, irregular menses)
Glucose/blood sugar imbalances (hypoglycemia in particular)
Brain fog
Nutrasweet/artificial sweetener consumption
History of antibiotics, birth control or long term medications
 Liver Function Blood Markers
ALT: High
AST: High
GGT: High
LDH: High
Alkaline Phosphatase: High
  Cortisol Hormone Testing
Your CNS (central nervous system) is your “stress response system.” When functioning properly, your body is able to overcome stress. If malfunctioning, chronic illness and uncontrolled inflammation happens. Swelling of the brain and “stress response” system can lead to changes in nerve endings and interfere with the electrical signaling to all functions of the body. Enter: The unrelenting CIRS symptoms that persist for those who suffer from mycotoxin illness.
 Cortisol hormone testing can give you a clearer picture of where your “stress hormones” are at, along with neurotransmitter function that play a role in controlling inflammation and stress in the body as well—such as dopamine and serotonin.
 Note: NOT all hormone testing is created equal. While bloodwork is great for assessing sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone), it is not great at cortisol testing.
 Cortisol is a constantly changing hormone throughout the day. Therefore you need to collect multiple samples in a given day via urine and saliva in order to see an accurate pattern for your body. In addition, not all urine and saliva tests are created equal! Most tests measure either one or the other—leaving you with only partial results. Most tests also only measure “free cortisol”—NOT metabolized cortisol. However, free cortisol only makes up less than 3% of all cortisol in your body.
 For these reasons, to date, the gold standard for cortisol hormone testing is the DUTCH test—which uses both urine and saliva testing, and measures both free and metabolized cortisol.
 Recommendation:
DUTCH Cortisol Hormone Testing (Order Here)
 Visual Contrast Sensitivity Test
 Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker, creator of SurvivingMold.com and a “father” of mold toxicity recovery invented the “Visual Contrast Sensitivity” test  to measure of one of the neurologic functions of vision called contrast.
 In his years of work with patients recovering from mycotoxin illness, Dr. Shoemaker realized a key theme his patients shared was poor “contrast sensitivity” in their vision.
 His online test can help individuals further identify potential exposure to neurotoxins, biotoxins, and nutritional deficiencies in the body. These compounds have been implicated in diseases such as ADHD, CFIDS, fibromyalgia, mold illness, and Lyme disease.
 It’s not the “end all, be all”, but can be part of a comprehensive work up.
  Beyond Testing
While testing can be a helpful piece of the puzzle to identifying and confirming CIRS and mycotoxin illness, it’s vital to remember, testing is not the “end all, be all.”
 As a functional medicine practitioner, I treat and empower individuals based on the person, not the numbers, and if empirical findings—such as your symptoms or lack of health improvement despite “doing all the things” (i.e. eating clean, working out, sleeping) are still present, then it is safe to assume that something is not right “under the hood.”
 Check out the next post on my top ways to “treat” for mold and get rid of it! (So you can get on with your full, amazing life).
  References
Winnie Pui Pui, Liew & Sabran, Mohd Redzwan. (2018). Mycotoxin: Its Impact on Gut Health and Microbiota. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology. 8. 10.3389/fcimb.2018.00060.
Brewer JH, Thrasher JD, Hooper D. Chronic illness associated with mold and mycotoxins: is naso-sinus fungal biofilm the culprit? Toxins (Basel). 2013 Dec 24;6(1):66-80. doi: 10.3390/toxins6010066. PubMed PMID: 24368325; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3920250.
 The post How to Test for Mold Illness in Your Body  appeared first on Meet Dr. Lauryn.
Source/Repost=> https://drlauryn.com/wellness-knowledge/how-to-test-for-mold-illness/ ** Dr. Lauryn Lax __Nutrition. Therapy. Functional Medicine ** https://drlauryn.com/ How to Test for Mold Illness in Your Body  via https://drlaurynlax.blogspot.com/
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elizabethbgrimes · 5 years
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5 Most Important Steps to Get Rid of Mold in Your Body And Home
So you found you’ve had mold exposure or you have “CIRS” (chronic inflammatory response syndrome”)…now what? The following steps are the best practice for eliminating mold and cleansing from your mold exposure symptoms:
 Step 1. Remove Yourself from Exposure
Step 2. Identify & Reduce the Toxins in Your Environment
Step 3: Reduce the Toxins in Your Body
Step 4: Just Breathe (Clean Air) Step 5: Be Present
  Here are your 5 steps for treating mold exposure, play-by-play:
  Step 1: Remove Yourself from Exposure For everyone, the first and most crucial step in treatment, is to identify where the mold is located and to get away from it. For some this means temporarily moving out of their home in order to remediate it. For others this means completely leaving most everything contaminated behind (mostly porous, fiber containing items like upholstered furniture, rugs, books, clothes)—as if a fire had happened. While it may sound extreme, many anecdotal reports of CIRS sufferers claim it was the only thing that helped them recover. Every body will be different and react differently, and sometimes a short time away from the triggering environment, followed by a reintroduction to it once it is remediated first can be a good first step to deciphering your sensitivity.
 Step 2:  Reduce the Toxins in Your Environment
Out with the old (mold), in with the new. You have two primary options when it comes to reducing toxins in your environment:
 Move
Remediate (remove and repair) the Mold from Your Environment
 Move
This one is easier if you are renting your home, apartment or office space. Many states have no-contest laws in place where, if there is mold present, you may be able to get out of your lease. It essentially entails: uncovering the mold problem, then moving yourself to a non-moldy environment (with a prior mold inspection recommended). It also entails parting with some of your contaminated items.
 Note on Ridding of Items: Mycotoxin removal is nearly impossible for many furnishings and personal items (especially books, linens, towels, etc.) made from soft and porous materials; however, it may be possible to store questionable contents elsewhere (some clothes, closed books) until your health has improved or until the client has become less sensitive enough to withstand exposure.See more on what to toss and what to clean below.
 Remediate the Mold from Your Environment
Mold remediation begins with identifying the source of mold—visible, smell, testing, followed by “remediating” and cleaning—a complete removal of the mold.
 Some restoration businesses advertise “mold removal” and even guarantee to remove all mold. This is a fallacy. They are not necessarily practicing “mold remediation.” Mold remediation focuses on getting mold levels back to normal, natural levels by both removing the issue (sometimes via demolition), then cleaning and purging the affected area.
 You may be able to clean some of the mold yourself, but the process of remediation is best accomplished with professional help. It includes several steps:
 Remediation Process
Step 1: Inspect & Assess Mold Damage
Step 2: Contain the Mold
Step 3: Filter the Air
Step 4: Clean All Surfaces & HVAC’s
Step 5: Remove or Demolish Mold & Mold-Infested Materials Step 6: Clean or Toss Belongings
Step 7: Final Cleaning & Fogging Step 8: Restoration
Step 9: Ongoing Maintenance & Upkeep
  Mold Remediation 101
Step 1: Inspect & Assess Mold Damage Identify all sources of mold that require “remediation” through the assessment process (ERMI and inspection).
 When checking for mold in your home, a few essentials to check include:
 start with ceilings above showers and in bathrooms. Air conditioning systems and ductwork commonly accumulate mold. Attics are also a hotspot: Bathroom fans that work to draw moisture from the room are often vented to the attic instead of outside, or the vent may be leaking. This accumulation of moisture can cause black mold to grow in an attic.
 If you have a front-loading washing machine, check it, too. The door’s rubber seal traps in moisture, creating the perfect environment for mold. Other unsuspecting spots include home water pipes, and mattresses.
 Step 2: Contain Mold
Hire a “Remediation” specialist to address your mold issues. Typically, the mold will have to be “contained” with a containment before any construction or removal of the mold begins. A containment is a structure that closes off the affected area in order to clean the outside environment, as well as get rid of the mold. Rooms with demolition activities—such as knocking out a wall or ripping out paneling or carpeting—must be contained, with contaminated building material removed. All porous surfaces must be sealed since particles lingering in the air can attach to surfaces once disrupted. Protective clothing, negative air pressure, containment barriers and HEPA air scrubbers should be used by the professional remediators.
 Step 3: Filter the Air The professional should also use specialized filtration equipment for the home to capture microscopic mold spores out of the air. Powerful “air scrubbers” and HEPA vacuums to prevent the spread of these mold spores while the mold remediation is in process.
 Step 4: Clean All Surfaces & HVAC’s
During the remediation process, in addition to removing any mold sources, all surfaces should be cleaned as well. Use HEPA vacuuming followed by damp wiping with a cleaning agent that does not leave a residue.
 For most surfaces, terrycloth towels soaked with a cleaning agent that leaves no residue can be used to scrub off residues during pre-cleaning and before air cleaning. Surfaces should be visibly clean to the point there is no visible dust when viewing surfaces with a bright light or flashlight.
Here are some specific surface cleaning guidelines:
 HEPA Vacuuming.
All porous or coarse surfaces should be HEPA vacuumed. A professional can help do this. Note: The HEPA vacuum should be used only for pre-cleaning. Most HEPA vacuums cannot remove all respirable particles, and because the leaked particles are small, they are difficult to remove from the air. A clear sign of HEPA vacuum failure is a strong musty odor when vacuuming.
 Porous Surfaces (Wood, framing)
Unfinished wood surfaces (e.g., framing lumber) and concrete surfaces in areas with visible microbial contamination should be cleaned using highly concentrated hydrogen peroxide cleaner according to label directions. Once dry, wood surfaces should be HEPA vacuumed.
 Concrete Surfaces.
Concrete should be sealed with a clear penetrating encapsulant using an airless paint sprayer. (Sprayers can be rented from Sunbelt Rentals.) Concrete flooring can be encapsulated with other materials if flooring finishes like tile will be installed in an airtight manner. This exception does not apply for floating floor products.
 Wood Surface.
Dry wood surfaces should be coated with an antifungal paint containing anionic silver if there is a moisture concern on external walls or crawlspaces. Unless an independent inspection will be performed, do not use paint with color pigmentation: You must be able to view the substrate to check for acceptable final conditions, including the removal of surface dust checked with a flashlight. Old wood floors must be sealed with a sandable primer or oils specific to wood flooring.
 HVAC (heating, ventilation, air system)
Heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system (HVAC) and air ducts must be cleaned as well. It should be cleaned according to National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) standards after all building materials are demolished and all surfaces are cleaned to the point of no visible dust. If the old HVAC units will be re-installed, the coils must be cleaned at the same time. Sheet metal ducting and porous wooden floor joists may need to be removed if they cannot be cleaned. Rusted ducting must be replaced. Openings into wall voids should be inspected to ensure they are not heavily impacted with dust build-up. Humidifiers should not be connected to HVAC fan-coil units.
 Step 5: Remove or Demolish Mold & Mold-Infested Materials Once the basic surface cleaning has been accomplished, it’s time to officially remove and/or demolish the mold.
 The mold remediation process depends on the amount of mold growth and the types of surfaces on which the mold appears. Professionals use antifungal and antimicrobial treatments to eliminate mold colonies and to help prevent new colonies from forming. You can also use essential oils and probiotic treatments as well. Removing and disposing of mold-infested porous materials, like drywall and carpeting, may be necessary to remediate heavy mold growth.
 Step 6: Clean or Toss Belongings
 Should I get rid of everything?!
 It’s a question most everyone who experiences “mycotoxin illness” or mold exposure asks, and it’s a topic that website forums and Facebook groups go crazy over—with many folks swearing up and down the only way to heal is to get rid of everything.
 It’s vital to note that, while you do kill the mold source via remediation, myctoxins from the mold in your environment are what are “dangerous” and what make people very sick.
 No One-Size-Fits-All Mold Detox
 Depending on your personal sensitivities, some items may be salvageable. Some people find that, after initially cleaning items and storing them in a contained plastic box, eventually they can slowly introduce them into their new living space, one at a time, and discover what can and cannot stay.  However, other patients report the “best” approach for them was to leave the majority of things behind and start afresh.
At the very least, everything must be cleaned properly, professionally sanitized, for mold and mycotoxins or be discarded, including: furniture, decorative items, kitchenware, curtains, clothing, pictures, frames, kitchenware and other restorable items.
 That said, you must do what is best for you, while keeping in mind: When in doubt, throw it out!
  Mycotoxin 101: The Invisible Health Issues
Even though you may not see “visible” mold on the clothing, books, or other contents of your home, this does NOT matter, nor does it mean that those items are safe. In fact, nold spores—especially those of mycotoxin-producing molds— are often invisible to the human eye—approximately 3-40 microns (note: a human hair is approximately 100 microns thick). Mold spores are so small that as many as 250,000 can fit on a pin head, and a person can breathe in as many as 750,000 spores in an hour. Mycotoxins provoke oxidative stress, neurological problems, DNA damage, and disease.
 Mold spores—and the mycotoxins in them—are only visible to the unaided eye when mold colonies grow. These colonies can have billions of spores. So, if you are actually seeing the mold on a wall, flooring, or on objects inside your home, you are dealing with a huge health issue. The mycotoxin gasses emitted by the molds penetrate materials, are very sticky, and can attach to practically everything in your environment consequently making you sick.
 If too many dead spores from mold remain (even after remediation), the space or item may be unsafe even though the mold is dead—especially porous materials including: furniture (wood, upholstered furniture), bedding, papers, books, insulation, carpeting, ceiling tiles, etc. Some of the items in your home with the highest mold counts may look perfectly clean and safe. Many items act as mold reservoirs and may need to be thrown out even if there is no visible mold on them.
  Proper Cleaning Protocol for Mold Exposed Items You Want to Keep
 Step 1: Stage Your Cleaning Area. Set up a “staging area” in your garage, carport, or other covered area outside of your home where you can physically get things out of the home, assess them, and attempt to remediate the things you feel are worth it
 Step 2: Use Cleaning Bins. Purchase large plastic bins with lids that seal to put contents you wish to try to save inside. The lids must completely seal to keep things air tight. This will allow you to transport things inside the bins without the risk of cross contamination.
 Step 3: Get a HEPA Vaccum. You will also need a HEPA vacuum with a hose and upholstery attachments and a handheld steamer. The vacuum and steamer are for cleaning upholstered items like furniture, curtains, etc.
 Step 4: Fog the Area Before You Start. Get a home Sanitizer Fogger machine and EC3 Mold Solution Concentrate to put in it. The fogger is a must if you are going to attempt to do any remediation or cleaning yourself. (You can also hire someone to come help you do the fogging).
 Step 5: Remove Clothing & Other Items You Wish to Save from House. Remove all clothing, linens and items from the house. Take it out of the closets and drawers and put it into the plastic bins. Close the bins and get them all outside into your staging area. Once in the garage, fog the outside of the bins, and keep them sealed. Allow them to air dry. (All of the fogging is to make sure you aren’t putting the mold into your car when you are trying to transport this stuff if you are going to take it elsewhere—like a laundry mat). For any other “contents,” suit up with plastic gloves, a dry mask and “scrub coat”, go inside, place it in a bin, seal the bins, and bring it into the staging area. Once there, remove it from your bin, fog it, and allow it to air dry.
 Step 6: Use the Sun. After cleaning items, set them out in the sunlight—especially bedding and furniture if you are saving them. Sunlight destroys mycotoxins. Exposure to sunlight may in part explain why mold counts can be high outside and yet moldy people don’t get sick from being outdoors as the mycotoxins coating mold spores have been rendered inactive.
 Mold Cleaning Hacks
Additional cleaning techniques to clean and sanitize your belongings may include:
 Clothes: Use Borax, EC3 Laundry Additive (enzymes) and laundry detergent in a mold-free washer and dryer. In general, clothes are much less of a problem if they are laundered properly.
Linens & Blankets: Get rid of all pillows, comforters and duvets, loose cushions, area or throw rugs that are not washable, and mattresses. Discard lampshades as well. These items are extremely difficult to save.
Books: Books are difficult. If the books are on a shelf and not opened, HEPA vacuum each one. Throw out any you do not absolutely love or need. If possible, you can try removing the books and photos from the home as you have done before with other things, lay them out and fog them. Then, allow them to air dry. I would remove the outer cover of the books first, and possibly even remove the binding, so that the moisture can escape easier.
Household Items (lamps, clocks, etc.): Use hydrogen peroxide, EC3 and/or CitraSafe enzyme based cleaners plus a rag to wipe clean.
Leather (Furniture, bags, jackets, etc.): Use quaternary cleaners on leather. Vacuum the nooks and crannies of the piece of furniture and do the same thing again.
Dishes & Utensils. Dishwasher as normal. Dishes and kitchenware are some of the easiest things to clean.
Stuffed Animals: Place stuffed toy inside a clean pillowcase. Start washing machine on a regular wash cycle with a hot water wash selected. Add detergent and 2 oz. of the EC3 Laundry Additive to the machine while the water is filling up. Close the washing machine lid, and allow the machine to agitate and swish the water around with the toy in it. Turn off the machine after agitation to allow the stuffed animal to soak for at least 30 minutes. Turn the machine back on to allow it to complete its wash cycle. Remove the stuffed animal from the machine and pillowcase. Take it outside into the sunlight and allow it to dry completely, or leave it inside the pillowcase and toss both into the dryer to dry completely with gentle heat.
Furniture: For wood or non-porous furniture, remove it from the home and bring it to your staging area. Non-upholstered furniture can be wiped down with a spray made from the EC3 Mold Solution Concentrate and distilled water, or can be fogged. Just make certain to get every nook and cranny and underside. Note: Upholstered furniture is more difficult. You must HEPA vacuum it first. The dust that gets into the upholstery has lots of mold spores in it. Some items can be fogged. Remember, though, that upholstered items have “stuffing,” so not only is the mold in the fabric, but also in the insides of the item.
 Above All Remember: When in doubt, throw it out
That should be the first pillar of your thinking throughout this process. No tangible item is worth losing your health nor all your new items and home. You don’t want to have to start all over again, because of some contaminated item.
  Step 7: Final Home Cleaning (Final Wipe Down + Fogging) Final cleaning procedures (wiping down surfaces) should follow in each area once demolition and remediation is completed and after the HVAC system has been cleaned. Line the floor with painter’s plastic to protect the floor from particles.
 “Fogging” or “Air washing” the area and furniture or items in each room may also be integrated to remove these super small toxins.
 Fogging
Fogging is a technique using a machine (fogger) that blasts the air with an air cleaning solution to rid of fine and ultrafine particles. Treating mold with foggers will kill and remove mold spores, and slow the rate at which it returns. But remember after spores are dead the second part of remediation must take place: removal.
 Mold fog regularly comes in two forms that are designed to work effectively in hard to reach places. For smaller spaces, prevention, and minor mold issues, an aerosol mold fogger is often sufficient. Concrobium aerosols are often used for less severe mold issues, and when mold is caught early. Larger spaces with more invasive mold problems may require a different method, like the use of cold fog machine. A plastic floor liner should be used when the process starts.
 Air Washing
Involves using a large 2,000 cfm fan along with numerous box fans and sunlight/fresh air to dry out mycotoxins from items. portions of the house are flushed with outside air in a step-wise fashion. You want to make sure to exhaust dirty air out the leeward side of the house while opening windows for fresh air on the side where the breeze is coming from. The key is that you do not want to be drawing dirty air back in.
 Step 8: Restoration Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall, painting, and installing new carpet; or it may entail major repairs such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home or business.
 Step 9: Ongoing Maintenance & Upkeep Prevent future mold exposure with ongoing maintenance of your property:
Fix plumbing leaks, water problems, gutter and roof problems ASAP; Dry everything
Scrub mold off any surfaces with detergent and water; Dry completely.
Toss out absorbent or porous materials (tiles, carpet, upholstered furniture, linens, clothes, books, cardboard)
Keep air conditioning drip pans clean and drain lines unobstructed for proper flow.
Ensure the ground slopes away from the building foundation so water doesn’t enter or collect.
Keep indoor relative humidity at 30 to 50 percent. Vent bathrooms; install an inline dehumidifer connected to your HVAC system
Don’t install carpeting in areas moisture is present (like bathrooms)
  Step 3: Reduce the Toxins in Your Body
 The inside is just as important as the outside (i.e. getting rid of mold in your environment)—detoxification included.
 It’s safe to assume that if you have mold exposure and you feel badly, you probably have mycotoxins in your system. Even healthy people have a certain amount of mycotoxins. Most people do not need elaborate protocols to purge mycotoxins from their system. With a nutrient-dense diet and eradication of mold from your environment, mycotoxins can gradually and naturally be removed from your system.
 That said, mold can grow inside your body if you have a weaker immune system— especially inside body cavities like nasal passages and sinuses, the a perfect warm, moist environment. Those with suppressed immune systems (such as those with autoimmune disease, Lyme, chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic illness, reoccurring infections or illness, etc.) are more susceptible to mycotoxin damage.
 Boosting your immune system and detoxification pathways is imperative after mold exposure to boost recovery, and is best accomplished once you’ve removed yourself from the moldy environment. Recommendations for cleansing and detoxification, along with gut loving supports (a probiotic and digestive enzymes,  include:
 Binders (Coconut Charcoal, Modified Citrus Pectin, Pyrophyllite clay, or Chlorella) What it does: Binders “bind” to toxins in the body to clear our build up, remove biofilm in the gut, and prevent further toxicity or poisoning. Fiber also helps create bulk in your stools t encourage elimination and healthy bacteria growth. Reach for partially hydrolyzed guar gum or glucomannan.
Dose: 1-2 capsules or doses (of binders), twice per day, with water, away from meals on an empty stomach. (Note: Do not use charcoal if you are more prone to constipation); For fiber, take 1/2-1 tsp. once per day with meals.
 Prebiotic Fiber
What it does: Helps create bulk in your stools to encourage elimination and healthy bacteria growth. Reach for an easily digestible source like partially hydrolyzed guar gum or glucomannan in powder form as a supplement.
Dose: Take 1/2-1 tsp. once per day with meals; Eat a variety of vegetables and some fruits—especially pre-biotics and soluble fibers like cooked and cooled sweet potatoes, roasted garlic, winter and summer squash, cruciferous veggies (cooked), leeks, onion, apples, blueberries, green tipped bananas
 Liposomal Glutathione with N-Acetyl Cysteine. What it does: Mycotoxins deplete the body of enzymes that make glutathione — a key antioxidant for fighting free radical damage and removing toxins from the body. Supplementing with glutathione can help with repletion. It supports the body’s detoxification system, provides antioxidant protection, and supports mitochondrial resistance to free radical damage.
Dose: 1 tsp. 2-3 times per day.
 Liposomal Curcumin + Boswellia Akba
What it does: Eliminates inflammation and supports detoxification pathways as well.
Dose: 1 tsp. Cur cumin + 1 dose Boswellia AKBA 2-3 times per day
 Adrenal Adaptogen
What it does: Supports your HPA Axis to combat the “stress” response. Try cordyceps, reishi, Relora, or ashwaganda, or a blend.
Dose: 1 capsule, 2-3 times per day.
 Clear Your Sinuses
If you’ve been continuously inhaling mold in your environment, your body’s healing systems will not be able to function properly and mold may colonize your sinuses since your sinuses are a warm, moist environment with mucous and other organic material to feed on. (Even if you do not have obvious sinus symptoms, your nose is always a potential reservoir for fungal growth and colonization just by nature of how we breathe and because of the warm, moist nasal terrain). Recommendation: Try Daily Nasal Rinsing with a homemade saline-based irrigation system—Boil filtered water, cool it to a warm temperature and and pour in to a large sterilized salad bowl. Next, add salt; (about ½ teaspoon for every cup of water) along with a few drops of iodine, and/or xylitol—a sugar alcohol that inhibits the growth of nose bacteria.
 To get the rinse in your nose, use a Netipot or simply place your bowl on a counter and bend forward with your spine parallel to the floor— don’t tip your head back or you’ll gag. Cloose your eyes, then “drink” through your nose. Note: The solution won’t go down your throat if you are at the proper angle; instead, it will collect in the back of your mouth. When your mouth is full, spit the water out in the sink, and repeat.
 Sweat. Daily—a mix between exercise, warmed yoga and outdoors/fresh air.
 Infrared Sauna. Also do at least 2-3 times per week to help rid the body of mycotoxins through sweat.
 Nourish Your Cells
When given the right tools your body innately wants to heal itself…starting in your gut. Steer clear of processed carbohydrates and sugars, while nourishing your cells with nutrient-dense, whole “gut loving” foods, including:
 Fermented Foods (1-2 servings/day; sauerkraut, kefir, organic plain yogurt)
Apple Cider Vinegar (1 tbsp in water)
Meat broth & bone broth
Organ Meats (capsule or ground in food)
Cleansing Teas (especially: rooibos, honeybush, green, black teas)
Unsweetened Cocoa (polyphenol-enriched cocoa extract was able to reduce free radicals produced by mycotoxins)
Dark leafy greens
Fresh organic herbs (cilantro, dandelion, basil, oregano, peppermint)
Grass-fed ghee and butter (for butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid that helps bacteria fight off toxins in the body, and supports the health and healing of cells in the small and large intestine)
 Essential Oil Infusion
Essential oils have been around fro centuries, used medicinally and therapeutically to cleanse and heal. Get an oil diffuser for your home and diffuse: oregano, thyme, cinnamon, clove and tea tree oil.
  Step 4: Just Breathe (Clean Air)
People spend more than 90 percent of their time indoors (upwards of 22 to 23 house per day) and the concentrations of air pollutants may be two-and-a-half times higher indoors than outdoors.
indoor air quality is influenced by a number of factors including:
 Air pollutants (carbon monoxide, chemical compounds, lead, nitrogen dioxide etc.)
Air sources (heating and air units, and air purifiers)
Emissions (off gases) from those sources
Ventilation quality
Absorption of compounds by materials (furniture, clothes, upholstery, etc.)
Temperature and humidity
 To help combat air pollutants, an indoor air filters and air sanitizer can be game changers. You can buy a large HEPA filter for your home and air sanitizers for individual rooms. However, be warned: Not all air filters and sanitizers are created equal. According to the EPA as well as Consumer Reports, many manufacturers falsely advertise that ozone cleaners are air cleaners. This is false. Ensure you get a quality machine.
 Indoor Air Purifier/Filter
Air purifiers remove some or most of those pollutants from your indoor air. They work by drawing room air in and through a filter or combination of filters, then blowing out fresh, clean air. A good air purifier removes allergens, dust, gases, and other pollutants from the room air, leaving behind clean air for your lung’s benefit. A HEPA filter is the “gold standard” to have in the home for helping remove ultrafine particles and mycotoxins from the air. Look for air purifiers that are CARB certified (California Air Resource Board). CARB is the most stringent testing agency of consumer products, and if you’re unsure, just ask!
Recommendations: Austin Air, IQAir Note: HEPA filters will do a great job of capturing particles, but not the VOCs. To remove other VOCs, you’ll need an air sanitizer. Also, remember that regular filter replacement is key to getting to the most out of your HEPA purifier while minimizing wear on the motor.
 Indoor Air Sanitizer or “Sterilizer”
An air sanitizer takes your air to the next level. Rather than simply block every single contaminant in the air like air filters do, air sanitizers destroy microorganisms and cause them to be ineffective—especially “VOC’s” (volatile organic compounds are carbon-based chemicals and “off gases” released by materials like carpets, vinyl flooring, paints, and upholstery fabrics that become more problematic when mold spores are also involved).
 Air sanitizers kill viruses, bacteria and molds that can cause diseases or exacerbate illnesses, as well as break down volatile organic chemicals that affect the sinuses and lungs. Sanitizers are particularly great for putting in smaller rooms, in conjunction with your larger HEPA filter for your who home.
Recommendation: Air Oasis, UV4Life, Germ Guardian Note: Run your air sanitizer only when you’re not in the room and turn them off when you enter due to the small amounts of ozone that they release.
 Step 5: Be Present
Face it, mold “recovery” can be overwhelming and it can also feel somewhat extreme, emotionally and financially draining.
 The key to keep in mind, no matte the severity of your mycotoxin exposure: When given the right tools, your body innately wants to heal itself.
 Think:
Removing yourself from the environmental exposure
Supporting your immune system and gut health
Being present to your life today—not caught up in endless social media scrolling, Dr. Google overwhelm, and living in fear, instead of peace. The sun will come out tomorrow.
The post 5 Most Important Steps to Get Rid of Mold in Your Body And Home appeared first on Meet Dr. Lauryn.
Source/Repost=> https://drlauryn.com/uncategorized/get-rid-of-mold-body-home/ ** Dr. Lauryn Lax __Nutrition. Therapy. Functional Medicine ** https://drlauryn.com/ 5 Most Important Steps to Get Rid of Mold in Your Body And Home via https://drlaurynlax.blogspot.com/
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elizabethbgrimes · 5 years
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Break The Rules #42: Getting More Done by Doing Less with Kate Northrup
What’s the secret to “getting more done?” Doing less.
Unfortunately, most Americans are in the opposite mentality. Approximately 3 in 4 Americans will experience “adrenal fatigue”or “burn out” at some point in their life. Seven-figure entrepreneur Kate Northrup has lived to tell about it, and now helps thousands of women worldwide “do more” in their lives, health and business by “doing less”…including us too.
As an entrepreneur, bestselling author, speaker, and mother, Kate Northrup has built a multimedia digital empire with her husband, Mike Watts, that reaches hundreds of thousands globally. They are committed to supporting ambitious women to light up the world without burning themselves out in the process. Kate teaches data-driven and soul-driven time and energy management practices that result in saving time, making more money, and experiencing less stress. Kate has a membership of over 1,000 entrepreneurs called Origin Collective that’s about infusing more feminine energy into your business and reclaiming your time, and she has also helped over 5,000 students heal their relationship with money with her signature Money Love Course. Her first book, Money: A Love Story, has been published in 5 languages, and her second book, Do Less: A Revolutionary Approach to Time and Energy Management for Busy Moms, is now available wherever books are sold. Kate’s work has been featured by The Today Show, Yahoo! Finance, Women’s Health, Glamour, The Institute of Integrative Nutrition, Wanderlust, The Huffington Post, and more. Kate lives with her husband and business partner, Mike, and their daughters in a cozy town in Maine.
The post Break The Rules #42: Getting More Done by Doing Less with Kate Northrup appeared first on Meet Dr. Lauryn.
Source/Repost=> https://drlauryn.com/podcast/getting-more-done-by-doing-less-with-kate-northrup/ ** Dr. Lauryn Lax __Nutrition. Therapy. Functional Medicine ** https://drlauryn.com/ Break The Rules #42: Getting More Done by Doing Less with Kate Northrup via https://drlaurynlax.blogspot.com/
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elizabethbgrimes · 5 years
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CIRS & Mold Illness 101: What it Is
CIRS or “chronic inflammatory response syndrome” or “mold illness” is frequently talked about as a “health hazard,” but often overlooked contaminant when it comes to chronic disease or health conditions.
What is “CIRS”? & Mold Illness
 “CIRS” (Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome) is exactly what it sounds like—inflammation that arises in the immune system from a long-time exposure to a chronic health condition or environmental toxins (like mold).
Mold illness, or “biotoxin illness” are two common illnesses associated r “CIRS”—specifically for those affected by it environmentally by mycotoxins (molds, fungi, bacteria), heavy metals (mercury, lead, arsenic) and chemicals (endocrine disrupting BPA’s in plastics, glyphosate in plants and packaged foods, sulfates and parabens in shampoo and conditioner).
Both acute or chronic immune dysregulation can wreak havoc on your health with a host of side effects including:
Symptoms of  “CIRS”& Mold Illness
“Allergies”
Appetite swings
Chronic burning sensation in the throat, chest and/or nasal passage
Coughing, wheezing, chest tightness and shortness of breath
Loss of balance
Depression and/or anxiety
Difficulty regulating body temperature
Dizziness
Eye irritation
Fatigue
GI distress (diarrhea, abdominal pain)
Headache
Hearing loss
Heightened sensitivity to chemicals, smells and foods
Irregular heartbeat
Joint pain and/or muscle pain
Light sensitivity
Memory problems or brain fog or decreased word-finding
Mood swings/changes
Morning stiffness
Muscle weakness
Peripheral neuropathy, and sensory neuropathy
Reduced color distinction
Respiratory problems (suppressed function)
Sinus congestion
Skin rashes
Skin sensitivity, tingling and/or ice pick pain
Sleep problems
Slower reaction time
Serious toxicity may result in impaired speech, seizures, stroke, and paralysis.
Urination frequency
Vertigo
Vision changes (blurred vision, tearing of eyes, or red eyes)
You do not have to have all the signs and symptoms of mold illness��in fact you may just have two or three. For mold illness.
Unfortunately, mold illness or “CIRS” is often overlooked because signs and symptoms can easily fly under the radar, believed to be a “norm”—such as sinus congestion (“allergies”), morning stiffness or frequent loose stools. CIRS is also often missed as an underlying trigger to other co-morbidities associated with mold and biotoxin illness, like autoimmune disease, weight gain/loss, hormone imbalances or skin conditions. No matter how many green juices you drink, many diseases won’t fully heal until you address the underlying cause.
Who Gets CIRS or “Mold Illness”?
Vulnerability to mold toxicity is present in about 25% of the population—most of whom have a genetic predisposition (the “HLA” gene) that inhibits their clearance of biotoxins from their body, and a weaker immune system (i.e. a predisposition for autoimmunity and B cell or T cell imbalances).
 In fact, a family can all be living in the same house with mold growth, but only one family member will become ill. This is because that person is the only one with the genetic vulnerability.
Those who are genetically prone to “CIRS” (chronic inflammatory response syndrome) are more prone to develop CIRS if two conditions are present:
Chronic exposure to biotoxins (in the home or work place, food, environment)
A “triggering” inflammatory event (something that fires or activates the immune system, like strep throat or allergens in the air)
For the remainder of this article, we are going to focus on mold illness.
Mold Illness Statistics
Contrary to popular belief, molds can be found in both old and new construction. When water damage occurs, and relative humidity is high enough, mold can grow in as little as 24 to 48 hours.
More than 50 percent of buildings have moisture problems.  In fact, a report by the Federal Facilities Council found over 40 percent of buildings they examined had current water damage, and over 80 percent had past water damage (23). Even in buildings without water damage, mold and other fungi and bacterium can develop when indoor humidity levels reach around 50 to 60 percent.
 In addition, the current practice of making homes more energy efficient, means that there is less ventilation with outside air, and toxic mold gasses can be trapped inside, potentiating their effect.
 Little Known Fact: Mold Illness is NOT Just Caused by Mold
Contrary to popular belief, it’s not just mold or pathogenic molds that are a concern from water-damaged and humid buildings. This is why both allergenic and pathogenic molds can trigger CIRS in susceptible individuals. In addition, there are multiple other toxins that may trigger “mold illness” or CIRS—both from moldy contaminants (allergens, pathogens and toxic mold) as well as other pathogens in the including:
 fungi
bacteria
actinomycetes
mycobacteria
endotoxins
inflammagens
beta-glucans
hemolysins
volatile organic compounds (VOC’s)
 Types of Mold
Molds are fungi that can be found both indoors and outdoors that grow best in warm, damp, and humid conditions, and spread and reproduce by making spores. Once established, mold spores can survive harsh environmental conditions, such as dry conditions, that do not support normal mold growth.
 Harmful molds may fall into any of the following classifications:
 Allergenic: Molds that cause and produce allergies and allergic reactions such as asthma attacks.
Pathogenic: Molds that cause health problems in those suffering from an acute illness.
Toxigenic: Molds that produce toxic substances (mycotoxins) that can lead to dangerous or even deadly health conditions. This is sometimes referred to as “toxic mold.”
 The most common types of these molds found in home environments include:
 Acremonium (Toxic)
Where it is: Household systems and areas such as condensation from humidifiers, cooling coils, drain pans and window sealants
What it looks like: often pink, grey, orange or white in color
Symptoms: Cause disease in the bone marrow, immune system and other organs. Because it is a carcinogen, it can also impair brain function.
 Aspergillus (Allergenic & Toxic)
Where it is: A a wide range of stored food products such as maize (foods with corn syrup, corn, etc.) and nuts, damp walls, wallpaper, floor and carpet dust, tarred wooden flooring, humidifiers and HVAC fans, bakeries, shoes, leather, old bird droppings, potted plant soil, compost
What it Looks Like: Long flask-shaped spores that can form thick layers or walls of the mold. This creates long chains of mold growth on surfaces. Because there are over 185 species of aspergillus mold, it can appear in many different colors.
Symptoms: Asthma symptoms, lung infections and respiratory inflammation
 Chaetomium (Pathogenic)
Where it Is: Usually found in a damp or leaking roof, basement or sink and may be recognizable by its musty odor.
What it Looks Like: cotton-like texture and usually changes colors from white to grey to brown and eventually to black over time
Symptoms: Skin and nail infections, weakened immune system
Cladosporium (Allergenic) Where it is: Can grow in warm or cold conditions, common outdoor mold, but often found on indoor material such as fabrics, carpets, and upholsteries
What it Looks Like: Olive green or brown Symptoms: Sneezing, dry skin, hives, watery eyes, stuffy or runny nose, coughing, postnasal drip
Fusarium (Toxic)
Where it Is: Carpeting, wallpaper and other fabrics and materials; naturally grows on food products and in compost.
What it Looks Like: Pink, white or reddish in color
Symptoms: Brain and nervous system damage; neurological problems or tingling, internal bleeding.
 Penicillium (Allergenic & Toxic)
Where it is: Water-damaged homes and buildings and materials such as carpets, wallpapers, ducting and even in mattresses.humidifiers and HVAC fans, bakeries, shoes, leather, bird droppings, potted plant soil, compost
What it Looks Like: Blue or green colored surface with a velvety texture.
Symptoms: Pulmonary inflammation and asthma; further weaken immune system
  Stachybotrys (Classic “Toxic Mold” or “Black Mold”)
Where it is: Typically on cellulose material such as woods, cardboard, paper, hay or wicker.; thrives in damp, wet areas with high humidity levels that maintain these environmental conditions for weeks.
What it Looks Like: Black splotches
Symptoms: Difficulty breathing, sinusitis, fatigue, depression, dull aches and pains in the mucous membranes, burning sensations in your airways, a tightening in the chest, persistent cough, nose bleeds, fever and painful headaches.
 Ulocladium
Where it is: Found in homes and buildings that have experienced extreme water damage. It can be found in kitchens, bathrooms and basements as well as around windows with high condensation levels.
What it Looks Like: Black in color
Symptoms: Skin infections, asthma, allergy symptoms, hay fever
              Mold Allergy vs. Mold Illness
Although mold is a part of life, it is the overgrowth of these mold and chronic (ongoing) exposure to that mold that can cause problems—both allergies and illness .
 Mold Allergy Explained
A mold allergy produces hay fever-like symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, itching, nasal stuffiness, watering eyes, wheezing, and coughing. The symptoms are usually easily observable by a physician and therefore are easily accepted and diagnosed. Diagnosis can be confirmed with typical allergy tests for elevated immunoglobulin E (IgE).
 Mold Illness Explained
If you’re especially sensitive to mold, you may develop irritation in your throat and nasal passages, often immediately upon exposure. But not all symptoms of mold sensitivity are respiratory related. In sensitive individuals who go on to develop “mold illness,” mycotoxins can produce numerous symptoms (as described above).
 Again:
 Chronic burning sensation in the throat, chest and/or nasal passage
Coughing, wheezing, chest tightness and shortness of breath
Loss of balance
Depression and/or anxiety
Dizziness
Eye irritation
Fatigue
GI distress
Headache
Hearing loss
Heightened sensitivity to chemicals, smells and foods
Irregular heartbeat
Joint pain and/or muscle pain
Memory problems or brain fog
Mood swings/changes
Muscle weakness
Peripheral neuropathy, and sensory neuropathy
Reduced color distinction
Skin rashes
Sleep problems
Slower reaction time
Vision changes
Serious toxicity may result in impaired speech, seizures, stroke, and paralysis.
   How to tell?!
If chronic mold allergy is an issue, the only option for complete relief is to eradicate mold from your environment. Generally folks with mold allergies feel much better simply by being removed from the mold. They also often find that heal much quicker than someone with a true HLA gene and mycotoxin or black mold illness.  If you have an HLA gene that prevents you from excreting mycotoxins—leading to Mycotoxin Illness, in this case you’ll also need help from additional therapies such as binders and possibly antifungal therapies to clear them from your system, which will be detailed more in a future post.
 Conventional Medicine Doesn’t Always Get It
Unfortunately, conventional medicine assumes that a response to mold is related to external allergens (outdoors, dust, pollen, etc.)—not necessarily the mycotoxins from molds themselves.
 CIRS (chronic inflammatory response syndrome) is practically unrecognized altogether in conventional medicine as practitioners often overlook environmental pathogenic and toxigenic mold exposure as being a source of health ills, or the possibility of allergenic molds turning into a more serious health condition if exposure continues. Consequently, if a patient’s mold allergy test comes back negative via bloodwork or allergy testing, they are turned away; if it is positive, they are given a prescription for allergy shots or steroids. End of story.
 So How Do You Know if You Have Mold Illness?
Stay tuned for the next post where we will talk about diagnostics for uncovering mold illness.
The post CIRS & Mold Illness 101: What it Is appeared first on Meet Dr. Lauryn.
Source/Repost=> https://drlauryn.com/uncategorized/cirs-mold-illness-101-what-it-is/ ** Dr. Lauryn Lax __Nutrition. Therapy. Functional Medicine ** https://drlauryn.com/ CIRS & Mold Illness 101: What it Is via https://drlaurynlax.blogspot.com/
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elizabethbgrimes · 5 years
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Break The Rules #41: Probiotic 101: All You Need to Know with Seed Probiotic
More than 90% of probiotics and foods on shelves do NOT contain the probiotics they claim.How do you know which ones are good and which ones are bad? Moreover, why do you really need probiotics anyhow? We are breaking it down on the show today with the co-founders of Raja Dhir &Ara Katz of Seed Probiotic, a research-backed company on a mission to bring awareness to the myths and truths in probiotic world.
www.seed.com
IG: https://www.instagram.com/seed/
Ara Katz
Ara’s breastfeeding experience led her to the microbiome and inspired a personal mission to bring science closer to humans and to pioneer how microbes (probiotics) can impact the health of our bodies, our children, and our planet. A serial entrepreneur, Ara previously Co-Founded and served as CMO of mobile commerce marketplace, Spring (recently sold to Shoprunner), was on the Founding Team of social commerce company, BeachMint (sold to Conde Nast), and advises various companies across health, tech, and consumer, including Violet Grey, Tamara Mellon and, Stadium Goods, which was recently acquired by FarFetch.
Ara has been a fellow at the MIT Media Lab’s Center for Future Storytelling and CCA’s Design MBA program. She was named in Marie Claire’s “The New Guard: The 50 Most Influential Women in America”, listed on Business Insider’s “Silicon Alley Top 100” and “36 Rockstar Women in NYC Tech”, and was recently included in Create + Cultivate’s 100 List for STEM.
She lives in Venice, California with her husband and three-year-old son, Pax–without whom Seed wouldn’t exist. Oh, and she’s the proud owner of several tardigrades who now live at Harvard’s Museum of Natural History.
@arakatz
LinkedIn
Raja Dhir Co-Founder & Co-CEO
Raja leads Seed’s research strategy and academic collaborations, clinical trial design, product development, and
intellectual property strategy. He is the architect of the Seed Platform and has unique expertise in translating
scientific research for product development – including patented inventions to stabilize sensitive compounds to
improve human microbiome diversity and inflammatory biomarkers. He’s also the Co-Chair of Seed’s Scientific
Advisory Board where Seed focuses on solving complex ecological problems including honeybee colony collapse,
plastic degradation, and soil fertility through bacteria.
Raja serves on the Editorial Board for the scientific journal, Microbiome, and on the Industry Advisory
Committee for the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP). He’s a member of New York Academy of Sciences (NYAS), the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), and is an EIR in Harvard’s Church Lab.
@WildRaja
Ara Katz
The post Break The Rules #41: Probiotic 101: All You Need to Know with Seed Probiotic appeared first on Meet Dr. Lauryn.
Source/Repost=> https://drlauryn.com/podcast/break-the-rules-41-probiotic-101-all-you-need-to-know-with-seed-probiotic/ ** Dr. Lauryn Lax __Nutrition. Therapy. Functional Medicine ** https://drlauryn.com/ Break The Rules #41: Probiotic 101: All You Need to Know with Seed Probiotic via https://drlaurynlax.blogspot.com/
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elizabethbgrimes · 5 years
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Important: How to Find Mold in Your Home or Environment
The tell-tell validation for mold exposure is actually finding remnants in your home, workplace or other environments you frequent. Note: It’s important to realize that many molds are not always seen with the naked eye, nor do they have to infest an entire wall, shower caulking or window sill to be hazardous.
Use “ERMI” Testing
To date, the best initial screening for mold is “surface” or “air PCR” (polymerase chain reaction) testing—also referred to as “ERMI testing.”
The ERMI test was developed by the EPA as a means of determining the relative “moldiness” of a home compared to a group of reference homes that do not have mold. This type of testing involves collecting possible mold samples with a dust cloth kit on surfaces where you suspect mold may be present. The cloth is able to pick up mold DNA on the surfaces of walls, furniture and places it may be, as well as the air. After collection, you or the mold inspector send it back to the lab for testing and mold identification under a microscope.
Some people claim that mold plate testing can work too, but keep in mind, it is not very sensitive. Mold spores differ in weight, density, and air flow characteristics, so some types are more likely to settle on the plates than others. Sticky molds that often appear near water damage, like black mold, may end up evading the plates completely.
Note:
ERMI results will not tell you every single species, crevice or corner of your house that has mold. Results are still limited since they only evaluate the areas where you take a sample.  Testing is best to give you an idea of patterns and what types of mold may be present.
There are two primary methods for using ERMI testing:
Hire (the right) professional
DIY
Method 1: Hire the Right Professional
Not all mold inspectors are created equal. Many mold inspectors do not use in-depth, accurate testing methods. If you call up a local mold inspector and ask him to come assess your property, he will probably do a visual inspection and take some air samples, but on their own, they are not enough. Air sampling does not allow identification of particular species.
To accurately assess your exposure, the best practice is to hire a mold inspector who is familiar with proper testing methods (ERMI with EPA validated methods). Do your research. Visit ACAC.org (ACAC is American Council for Accredited Certification) and look for “Certificants” in your area with one or more of the following certifications:
CCIEC, council-certified indoor environmental consultant;
CMI, council-certified microbial inspector;
CMC, consultant
A good mold inspector will walk your property and be aware that the inside and outside can be equally affected; they may ask you questions about your health or timeline of mold exposure; they will know what ERMI testing is; and they may have even heard about  Unfortunately, many mold specialists claim they test mold, but do not utilize this in depth type of testing—often missing the lingering root causes of toxic exposure.
Mold Testing Problems
Warning 1: NOT All Mold is Visible
Mold is sneaky and not always seen with the naked eye. Many average mold inspectors, unaware of the nuances of testing, will come to your house, look, and if they don’t see anything visually black on the wall, growing, they may feel you, “You don’t have a mold problem.” Buzz! Mold can still be present. Testing for spore counts can help you see beyond black splotches and green fuzz.
Mold Spore Count Test Guide
 0-50 spores – These are only trace levels and are not an issue. Even Stachybotrys is not considered an issue at these levels if the sample does not also contain water markers like Chaetomium and Fusarium or high levels of Penicillium/Aspergillus.
50-200 spores – These are still very low levels. The toxic mold species Stachybotrys and Memnoniella are just about the only species that are considered an issue at this level.
200-500 spores – Up to this point, the most common species (Penicillium/Aspergillus, Cladosporium and Curvularia) are still not an issue and are in the normal range.
500-1500 spores – Sometimes the Penicillium/Aspergillus & Cladosporium levels are in this range and there is not an issue that needs to be remediated. If no water intrusion or mold issue is found during the inspection, these levels can be caused by normal life in an enclosed environment.
1500-3000 spores – This is where the grey area begins. When levels reach this point there may be an issue that needs to be addressed unless there is a corresponding number in the outdoor sample. If no water intrusion or mold issue is found during the inspection these levels can be achieved by a dusty home or A/C system.
3000-10,000 spores – Unless there is a corresponding number in the outdoor sample, this is the point were some remediation may be necessary. If a mold spore source has been identified, then clean up of that area is needed. If there was no water intrusion or mold issue found, the home may need to be cleaned and the duct system should be evaluated.
10,000-25,000 spores – Unless there is a corresponding number in the outdoor sample, a mold spore source has usually been identified and remediation of the area is needed. If there was no water intrusion or mold issue found, the duct system may need to be cleaned and/or a general “Spring Cleaning” of the home.
25,000-75,000+ spores – When spore levels are at this point, a mold issue will be easy to identify. Clean up will be required and should be performed by a Professional Mold Remediator.
75,000-1,000,000+ spores – When spore levels are at this point a mold issue will be evident. Remediation will be required and needs to be performed by a Professional Mold Remediator.
Warning 2: Mold Overgrowth Can Happen in New Buildings
New construction is rarely suspected as a hotbed for mold, but don’t be fooled. Moldy drywall after new construction is particularly common. If you are a mold sensitized individual, consider purchasing an older home with plaster and lath walls instead of wallboard. If that’s not an option, consider mold resistant construction materials. They’re a little more expensive, but worth the price in prevention. Also, whether or not you’re a mold sensitized individual, remember mold can’t grow without water. Therefore, get any problems with leaks, bursts or floods clean, dried and sanitized fast to prevent the problem from happening.
Warning 3: NOT All Mold Testing is Created Equal
The majority of companies and “mold professionals” use air sampling alone; however, air sampling is limited. Not all molds are the same—not all of them float in the air as much. Some are heavier and don’t linger in the air, others are lighter. Some settle out quicker, others slower. Some are dry, wet or sticky. So when an inspector collects just an air sample and results are generated immediately (not the 8 hour+ process), these tests only collect about 5 minutes worth of air, and many people are told “there is no problem”—yet still suffer from symptoms.
 Warning 4: NOT All ERMI Testing is Created Equal (Go with a Reputable Company)
The quality of the lab that you use matters. The ERMI test alone is not the end all be all. Some labs try to cut costs by using lower quality primers and probes, leading to missed positives and lower counts of mold than what’s actually present.
  Method 2: DIY Mold Test
If a professional is hard to come by, check out the company Mycometrics (Link: https://www.mycometrics.com) for the tools and information for a do-it-yourself mold test at home
The post Important: How to Find Mold in Your Home or Environment appeared first on Meet Dr. Lauryn.
Source/Repost=> https://drlauryn.com/uncategorized/find-mold-home-environment/ ** Dr. Lauryn Lax __Nutrition. Therapy. Functional Medicine ** https://drlauryn.com/ Important: How to Find Mold in Your Home or Environment via https://drlaurynlax.blogspot.com/
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elizabethbgrimes · 5 years
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Savory Plantain Casserole https://drlaurynlax.blogspot.com/2019/04/savory-plantain-casserole.html
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elizabethbgrimes · 5 years
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Savory Plantain Casserole
Savory Plantain Casserole via https://drlaurynlax.blogspot.com/
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elizabethbgrimes · 5 years
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Breakfast Hash Recipe https://drlaurynlax.blogspot.com/2019/04/breakfast-hash-recipe.html
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elizabethbgrimes · 5 years
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Breakfast Hash Recipe
Breakfast Hash Recipe via https://drlaurynlax.blogspot.com/
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elizabethbgrimes · 5 years
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Break The Rules #40: Debunking Keto Myths with Jimmy & Christine Moore
Keto is all the rage right now, but what happens when you hit a roadblock, such as keto constipation; unwanted weight gain or weight loss; low energy? And what about keto for women and hormone balance, thyroid issues or gut health complications? Is keto helpful or harmful? We’re talking ALL about it on the show today with Jimmy and Christine Moore, power couple, keto leaders and authors of their latest book, “Real Food Keto.”
Christine Moore, NTP is a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner who specializes in real food-based low-carb, high-fat, ketogenic nutrition. She helps clients globally via Skype through her Rebooting Your Nutrition (http://www.rebootingyournutrition.com) business and is passionate about customizing the diet to the individual. Christine is a regular guest on the weekly One Moore Thing With Jimmy podcast (http://www.omtwithjimmy.com) airing on Fridays with her husband and international bestselling keto author, podcaster, and speaker Jimmy Moore. She works diligently to get to the underlying issues in your digestion, gut health, blood sugar and insulin levels to optimize your health nutritionally in the most natural way possible. Christine resides in Spartanburg, South Carolina with her husband, four cats, and fifteen backyard chickens.
Jimmy Moore catapulted onto the health scene in 2004 after a phenomenal 180-pound weight loss enabled him to come off of prescription drugs for high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and respiratory problems. He is the energetic personality behind the über-popular blog Livin’ La Vida Low-Carb and the host of the longest-running and one of the top-ranked iTunes health podcasts, The Livin’ La Vida Low-Carb Show. Jimmy also hosts three other active podcasts Keto Talk With Jimmy Moore & Dr. Will Cole, The Nutritional Pearls Podcast featuring Christine Moore, NTP and Jimmy Moore, and The Ketohacking MD Podcast with Dr. John Limansky and Jimmy Moore along with the retired podcasts Fasting Talk with Jimmy Moore and Friends and Ask The Low-Carb Experts as well as the departed Low-Carb Conversations. He has interviewed over 1500 of the world’s top health experts and has dedicated his life to helping people get the best information possible about living healthy so they can make the right decisions for their health. Jimmy is an engaging speaker who has been invited to speak all around the world, including the UK, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and across the United States and is a regular interview guest on podcasts, radio, and television. He is the international bestselling author of The Keto Cure, The Complete Guide To Fasting, The Ketogenic Cookbook, Keto Clarity, and Cholesterol Clarity as well as his latest release Real Food Keto with Christine Moore, NTP with several new book projects in the works. Learn more about Jimmy and his work at www.livinlavidalowcarb.com.
The post Break The Rules #40: Debunking Keto Myths with Jimmy & Christine Moore appeared first on Meet Dr. Lauryn.
Source/Repost=> https://drlauryn.com/podcast/break-the-rules-40-debunking-keto-myths-with-jimmy-christine-moore/ ** Dr. Lauryn Lax __Nutrition. Therapy. Functional Medicine ** https://drlauryn.com/ Break The Rules #40: Debunking Keto Myths with Jimmy & Christine Moore via https://drlaurynlax.blogspot.com/
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elizabethbgrimes · 5 years
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Ingredients
2tsp. Fresh Sage
1tsp. Fresh Rosemary
1tsp. Fresh Thyme
½ tsp. Garlic Powder
1tsp. Sea Salt
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Source/Repost=> https://drlauryn.com/recipe/29405/ ** Dr. Lauryn Lax __Nutrition. Therapy. Functional Medicine ** https://drlauryn.com/ via https://drlaurynlax.blogspot.com/
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elizabethbgrimes · 5 years
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Important: How to Use Antimicrobial Herbs to Heal Your Gut
Antimicrobial herbs are the top natural treatment for gut issues, like SIBO, dysbiosis, parasites and yeast overgrowth.
Here’s all you need to know and how to use them.
Antimicrobial Herbs 101
Herbal therapies have been used for centuries as the preferred “drugs” of choice for addressing illness—from stomach aches, viruses, colds and flu’s.
Long before researchers mentioned the words “gut microbiome,” people knew there was powerful healing in nature’s medicine for reversing disease.
Types of Antimicrobial Herbs
Some of these powerful herbal agents include:
Peppermint
Berberine
Garlic (Alicin)
Olive Leaf
Oregano Oil
Grapefruit Seed Extract
Pau d’arco
Black Walnut
Resveratrol
Licorice
Echinacea
Goldenseal
Oregon grape
Barberry
Wormwood
Thyme
Stinging Nettle
Uva Ursi
Yerba Mansa
Caprylic Acid
Cat’s Claw
Manuka honey
Tea tree oil
Curcumin
Clove
Cinnamon
Astragalus Root
Colloidal silver
 “Antimicrobial” protocols—herbal therapies—are often part of a “healing” gut protocol if dysbiosis (too much or too little gut bacteria), SIBO, fungal or yeast overgrowth, parasites or gut infections are identified as a “root cause” behind poor health.  Treatment of these  “gut issues” typically a two-stage treatment approach:
Eradicate or reduce pathological organisms
Restore a healthy gut microbiome
In most cases of dysbiosis, except for significant fungal overgrowth, a short period of antimicrobials (30-60 days) commences, followed by a more significant focus on restoring the healthy gut microbiome.
Generally speaking, a blend of botanical herbs in supplement form is recommended for most cases of dysbiosis for a “broad spectrum” approach to healing. However, depending on the certain pathogenic organisms identified on a stool or SIBO breath test, some people find treating specific organisms with research-backed specific agents may be effective (such as grapefruit seed extract for the overgrowth pseudomonas aeruginosa).
Lastly, given the fact that antimicrobial herbs can be powerful, is also recommended you combine antimicrobial treatment with adjunct supports to aid in both complete eradication/reduction of pathogenic organisms, as well as the preservation of any healthy bacteria you do have. Support agents for an antimicrobial protocol include:
Antimicrobial Treatment: Support Agents
Quality probiotic & symbiotic (a probiotic + prebiotic).
To maintain a healthy gut microbiome as some bacteria die off. (Ideally taken away from antimicrobial herbs; particularly a soil-based bacteria). Medium-chain fatty acids extracted from coconut oil that are antiparasitic in addition to being antifungal, antiviral, and antibacterial. Great for boosting immunity and warding off yeast.
Biofilm Disruptor.
Pathogenic bacteria can form biofilm around their outer layer—sort of like “steel armor” for preventing destruction. Biofilm may be one of the primary drivers of resistance and treatment failure in multiple disease, antimicrobial and/or antibiotic treatments. Biofilm disruptors help break up biofilm to allow your other antimicrobial agents to work. (ex. NAC, Cranberry, Biocidin, Colloidal silver, Xylitol, Manuka honey, Interfase Plus)
Least Restrictive “Real Food” Diet. 
Many people go on an “anti-candida,” ketogenic or “no carb” diet while “healing their gut.” However, these can be counterproductive to resetting your gut microbiome, given the fact that some starchy plants and pre-biotics are needed to feed healthy gut bacteria and bring pathogenic bacteria “out to play.” Prebiotics found in starchy plants and veggies help your antimicrobials work even better (so there is bacteria for them to target). Aim for 1 to 2 servings per day of starchy plants and/or prebiotic fibers while on an antimicrobial herbs protocol.
“But isn’t medicine more powerful?”
Herbal therapies are at least as effective as rifaximin—the typical conventional antibiotic treatment for resolution of gut dysbiosis (i.e. SIBO, candida, parasites and IBS)—if not more. In one study, 104 patients diagnosed with SIBO with the lactulose breath test were treated either with Rifaximin (1,200 mg) or a cocktail of herbal antimicrobials (see below) for 4 weeks before repeating the lactulose breath test. 
The study showed that 46% of the patients treated with herbal antimicrobials were successfully treated while only 34% were free of SIBO after taking Rifaximin (1).
 Recommended Antimicrobial & Support Agents to Buy
Here are my top recommended supplements for using in your “gut healing protocol.”
Antimicrobial Herbs
Biotics FC Cidal + Dysbiocide
Roasted Garlic
Symbiotic Probiotic
Seed Probiotic
Soil Based Probiotic
Terra Flora
Monolaurin
Lauricidin
Biofilm Disruptor
Interfase Plus
-or-
Biocidin
Sample Antimicrobial Protocol
Pre-Breakfast:
Symbiotic Probiotic (probiotic + prebiotic)
Breakfast
Antimicrobial Herbs (broad spectrum supplement)
Monolaurin
Mid-Morning
Biofilm Disrupter
Lunch
Soil Based Probiotic
Mid-Afternoon
Biofilm Disrupter
Dinner
Antimicrobial Herbs (broad spectrum supplement)
Monolaurin
Post Dinner
Herbal Tea (optional)
Antimicrobial Protocol Treatment Timeline
Dysbiosis-Pathogenic (high amount of pathogenic and/or commensals bacteria): 60 Days
Dysbiosis-Healthy Overgrowth (high amount of “beneficial” bacteria on stool test and possibly yeast markers): 30 Days
Insufficiency Dysbiosis (lack of healthy bacteria with a few pathogenic bacteria): 30 Days, followed by emphasis on Probiotics & Prebiotics
Parasites: 60 Days
SIBO: Low/Mild: 30 Days, Moderate: 60 Days, High: 90 Days
 Beware: Herx (“Healing”) Reactions May Happen
A die-off reaction, also called a Herxheimer reaction or “Herx reaction”, can occur whenever you first start a new supplement or antimicrobial protocol—often a sign of a “detox” or die off of certain bacteria.
Typically, Herx symptoms develop within a couple of hours to several days after treatment and last anywhere from a few days to several weeks or months—depending on the severity of the underlying pathology you are treating. However, depending on the location of the bacteria, symptoms may develop later. The Herxheimer reaction is especially seen during antimicrobial treatments (gut healing protocol) because antimicrobials destroy numerous microorganisms and bacteria.
Although the Herxheimer reaction is typically not harmful, it does frequently cause temporary pain, discomfort, and worsening of symptoms. Symptom severity is often indicative of the level of inflammation triggered by the immune system.
Common symptoms that may develop or worsen due to a Herxheimer response include:
Bloating
Brain Fog
Chills
Cold Sweats
Constipation
Cramps
Diarrhea
Fatigue
Fever
Headaches
Irritability
Joint Pain
Lethargy
Muscle Pain
Nausea
Skin Irritation
Sore Throat
 Because of the sudden worsening of symptoms, it is common for patients to feel that the severity of their condition has increased due to the treatment. However, even though treatment causes a temporary increase in symptom intensity due to greater release of toxins the condition ultimately improves. The body responding in this way usually means that the treatment is actually working effectively.
Nevertheless, even though a Herxheimer reaction indicates that treatment is working effectively, it doesn’t make the patient’s condition any more comfortable in the immediate.
Fortunately, there are several ways of limiting the symptoms of a Herxheimer reaction without inhibiting treatment efficacy. The following suggestions can and should be used when detoxing, using antibiotics, or being treated for infections and other forms of chronic disease to limit Herxheimer intensity, including:
How to Deal with HERX Reactions
Drink H20. Drink plenty of fluids to aid in the removal of toxins and help cleanse the GI tract.
Get Your Zzzz’s. The body conducts many restorative processes while at rest that it cannot accomplish when it is awake. When experiencing a Herxheimer reaction due to greater toxicity, it is best to allow more time for quality sleep.
Sweat. Sweat it out with heated yoga, sauna and daily movement—a natural essential for detoxification.
Try Dry Brushing & Rebounding. Two lymphatic “cleansing” tactics to help flush the lymphatic track.
References
Chedid, V., Dhalla, S., Clarke, J. O., Roland, B. C., Dunbar, K. B., Koh, J., Justino, E., Tomakin, E., … Mullin, G. E. (2014). Herbal therapy is equivalent to rifaximin for the treatment of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. Global advances in health and medicine, 3(3), 16-24.
 The post Important: How to Use Antimicrobial Herbs to Heal Your Gut appeared first on Meet Dr. Lauryn.
Source/Repost=> https://drlauryn.com/gut-health/antimicrobial-herbs-heal-gut-naturally/ ** Dr. Lauryn Lax __Nutrition. Therapy. Functional Medicine ** https://drlauryn.com/ Important: How to Use Antimicrobial Herbs to Heal Your Gut via https://drlaurynlax.blogspot.com/
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