Colostrum for Gut Health and Immune Support

If you’ve been around the gut health realm for any period of time, you’ve undoubtedly heard about the benefits of colostrum. I use personally to aid and enhance my gut and to support my immune system. Let’s chat a little more about what it is and why it’s beneficial!

What is colostrum, and why is it helpful?

Colostrum is the substance expressed from a mother’s breast for the first 3 or so days after birth, and is the first food of all newborn mammals. It is a rich source of immunoglobulins (25-30%), lactoferrin (1.5%), growth factors (1.5%), polypeptides (3.5-5%), antibodies, macronutrients, vitamins, minerals, and more, all of which helps the infant establish a healthy GI tract right from the start.

• Immunoglobulins: Proteins used by the immune system to identify and neutralize foreign compounds.

• Lactoferrin: A protein that plays a crucial role in immune health. It also acts as an antioxidant to help fight against environmental insults and invaders, and has prebiotic properties that help support the development of a diverse microbiome.

• Growth Factors: Proteins that encourage the growth of the body’s systems and facilitate muscle development, including the gut lining. In infants, these growth factors pass right through the gut wall in-tact and support both the strength of the gut lining as well as musculoskeletal development. In adults, these growth factors are broken down during digestion, so they do not provide the same growth stimulation benefits that they do in infants. Instead, the broken-down growth factors are absorbed and contribute to the strength of the gut wall in this way.

• Polypeptides: Polypeptides (especially proline-rich polypeptides, or PRP’s) are immune system regulators that encourage white blood cell growth and encourage balance in cellular immune functions. They may also defend against oxidative stress and support brain health.

• Antibodies: Antibodies are proteins that the immune system uses to fight against foreign threats. In general, it is considered better to have a high number of natural antibodies to support optimal health. Bovine colostrum contains a high amount of IgM, IgA, and IgG antibodies, all of which can help fight infection.

Colostrum is such a nutrient rich substance that it is sometimes referred to as “liquid gold!” After the first few days, colostrum production drops off and is replaced by true milk. However, this doesn’t mean that we can never again have access to the benefits provided by colostrum.

In fact, colostrum is not species specific, and bovine colostrum (from cows) has been used to support humans in many different ways over the years. Female cows produce a significant amount of colostrum in excess of what is needed for their calf. This excess can then be used by humans with the same benefits as human colostrum.

Colostrum for Gut Health and Immune Support

One of the primary benefits of colostrum consumption is the prevention and repair of intestinal permeability, also known as leaky gut. Colostrum helps to maintain the tight junctions between the cells of the gut lining, which can be a factor in stopping the progression of autoimmune disease, as well as alleviating food sensitivities.

It also helps promote a healthy, diverse microbiome to support and maintain these tight junctions (remember, lactoferrin has prebiotic properties, which feeds and nourishes the probiotics in our gut). It has been said that upwards of 70% of our immune system is located right around our gut, and as such, the state of our gut influences the state of our immune system.

Furthermore, additional immune-supportive effects of colostrum can be attributed to the high concentration of lactoferrin, immunoglobulins, and antibodies, which are all critical players in our body’s immune response. Last but not least, colostrum also contains cytokines, which help keep communication online between immune cells.

How can I use it?

Colostrum supplements come in many forms, but powder and capsules are most common. Capsules are pre-measured which makes them convenient, but powder offers greater flexibility with the dose, and is especially helpful if you are looking to take a larger amount. Powder also tends to be easier for kids to consume. One additional benefit of using powdered colostrum is that the oral microbiome also benefits when you drink it!

It is generally recommended to take colostrum on an empty stomach to maximize the benefits. If using powder, mix with cool or room temperature water, not hot.

As an RD, when do I recommend colostrum?

Three of the primary reasons that I would recommend that a client add colostrum into their daily routine are known leaky gut, either confirmed with zonulin testing or based on symptoms, prevalence of food sensitivities, or active autoimmune disease.

Honestly, I think that everyone could benefit from adding colostrum into their daily life, but when we’re looking at focusing on gut health specifically, it can be a tremendous asset to prioritize!

My most recommended brand is Sovereign Laboratories, and I use their unflavored Colostrum-LD powder daily to keep my own gut in tip top shape.

Why Sovereign Laboratories brand? What sets them apart?

To start with, quality! All raw colostrum supplied to Sovereign Laboratories is tested to confirm that it is from the first milking of pasture raised cows and is free of antibiotics, hormones, and herbicides. Because colostrum is as crucial for newborn calves as it is for newborn humans, Sovereign Labs always makes sure that the calf gets what it needs in order to grow and thrive before gathering any for Colostrum-LD. There’s plenty to go around though, as the mothers produce upwards of 2 gallons of colostrum!

Secondly, efficacy. Sovereign Labs utilizes liposomal delivery in their products, which means that the nutrients from colostrum are encased in a liposome (a spherical structure of lipids). This protects the nutrients from the harsh environment of stomach acid and helps the body recognize them as beneficial. The digestive system naturally absorbs the liposome into the bloodstream, where it is broken down into its individual components, allowing the nutrients to flow through the body.

If you’d like to give colostrum a try, you can find it on Amazon, HERE, or on their WEBSITE. I’d love to hear about your experiences with colostrum use in the comments!

NOTE: This blog post was sponsored by Sovereign Laboratories, a brand that I have been using and recommending for years. Sponsored content allows me to continue to provide free resources while also featuring brands that I love and trust!

Stone Fruit Salad with Honey EVOO Vinaigrette

If there’s one oil that basically every dietary camp can agree is beneficial, it would probably be olive oil. It’s been valued for centuries, and a good quality bottle will come packed with polyphenols that are not only anti-inflammatory but also good for the microbiome.

Benefits of olive oil:

A staple of the Mediterranean Diet, olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fats. These fats are more stable that the polyunsaturated fats that make up most seed oils, such as safflower and sunflower, but not quite as heat tolerant as saturated fats like tallow or butter. As such, olive oil is best suited to cold applications or light cooking (such as a quick stir fry in a skillet) as opposed to an extended high heat roast. The polyphenols that are present in olive oil are not only responsible for many of the associated health benefits, they also help protect against heat damage and oxidation.

Two of the primary health benefits associated with regular consumption of olive oil include cardiovascular health and improvement in lipid profile. In fact, just 2 tbsp per day of olive oil has been shown to have a notable positive impact on the lipoprotein spectrum. (source) Furthermore, the polyphenols present in olive oil can also help prevent against oxidation of cholesterol within the body, as well as support endothelial health (which in turn creates a healthy vascular response). (source)

Last but not least, polyphenols are a known source of food for our microbiome; in other words, they help to nourish the bacteria in our digestive tract that keep our digestion strong and immune system working well! (source)

How should a good olive oil taste?

I could basically lick a good quality olive oil straight off the spoon, and I have, many times! A top notch olive oil will taste bright, green, earthy, and have a bitter, peppery kick on the back of your tongue from the polyphenols.

But not all olive oils are created equal. In fact, investigations have shown that often times products labeled as olive oil are cut / diluted with cheaper oils to reduce overhead costs. Aka, you’re not actually getting what you think you are in that bottle!! Not only are you not getting the quality that you think you’re paying for, you might actually be putting old, rancid, toxin-laden, highly processed vegetable oil in your body instead. Yikes!

How to pick a good olive oil:

As with anything, the best way to know that you’re getting a good quality product is to know the producer. If that’s not possible, then these are some of the things that you’ll want to look for:

• Extra virgin (as opposed to virgin, or light; these lack most of the beneficial polyphenols and may use heat processing)

• Heat / light / air protected (dark bottle, tightly sealed)

• Peppery kick (a sign of the polyphenols)

• Harvest date (the fresher the better)

• A third party certification (such as the European Union's Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), Italy's DOP, or the "COOC Certified Extra Virgin" seal from the California Olive Oil Council for California-made oils)

Enter: Life Extension’s unfiltered, cold-pressed California Estate Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil!

Life Extension’s Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil comes from USDA-certified, organic olives hand-picked at the peak of ripeness and milled within hours of harvest. It has a concentration of over 800 mg/kg of naturally occurring olive polyphenols, which is around three times the amount of polyphenols in most other olive oils. It’s evident by the strong peppery kick that you taste when you consume it! In my opinion, this olive oil definitely fits into the “functional food” or “supplement” category, and I aim to have 1-2 tbsp every day.

How to consume it:

Drizzled over roasted veggies or scrambled eggs, used in a salad dressing, as a dip for bread, made into ice cream, or straight from a spoon, the possibilities are endless!!

Today I’m sharing my go-to summer salad recipe that incorporates all of the health benefits of Life Extension’s Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Stone Fruit Salad with Honey EVOO Vinaigrette!

Stone Fruit Salad with Honey EVOO Vinaigrette

Serves: 4

Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

• Greens of choice (I used a baby lettuce blend), about 6 cups

• Stone fruit of choice (I used a mix of peach, plum, nectarine, apricot, and cherries), about 3 cups

• 8oz mozzarella balls

• 1/2 cup pistachios, shelled

• 1/3 cup Life Extension’s Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil

• 1/3 cup white balsamic vinegar

• 2-3 tbsp honey, to taste

• 1 tsp dijon mustard

• 1/4 tsp salt

• Garnish: fresh pepper, fresh mint

Instructions:

1. Pit and slice the stone fruit, cutting larger fruit into thin slices and smaller fruit like cherries in half.

2. In a small bowl, add the olive oil, vinegar, honey, dijon, and salt. Whisk to combine.

3. Assemble the salad: place the greens in a large serving bowl and distribute the fruit over the top. Add the mozzarella balls and pistachios, then dress with the honey evoo vinaigrette. Garnish and serve immediately.

NOTE: Add a protein to make this dish into a more hearty meal! I used the Life Extension Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil to pan sear a salmon steak and it was a perfect summer dish!

If you’d like to try out Life Extension’s Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil for yourself, you can save $5 on any order over $50, plus get free shipping with the code TRACEY5 through October 1, 2021! Head to their website to take advantage!

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Life Extension for sending me a bottle of their organic extra virgin olive oil to try out and for sponsoring this post!

The 2019 Whole Daily Life Holiday Gift Guide

I’ve always wanted to put together one of these gift guides, but have never really had the time to do it!

I’ll cut strait to the good stuff. These are some of my most loved products of 2019 that I think almost anyone would enjoy!

For the health conscious:

-Infrared Jade and Tourmaline Heating Pad- Avoids the concern of EMF emitted by traditional heating pads, with the bonus of more penetrating heat and the generation of negative ions. I like to use this with my castor packs!

-Berkey Water Purification System- Access to truly clean water can be a major health upgrade, and our Berkey has been one of our best investments! Be sure to get the fluoride filters too!

-Clearly Filtered Water Purification Pitcher- Sometimes the jump to a Berkey can be a big one, and Clearly Filtered offers equally superior quality of filtration with a more approachable price point. Save 10% on your first purchase with code wholedailylife through 12/15!

-Sun Genomics Customized Probiotics (based on a stool test!)- This is the first company that I have come across that is using stool testing to create custom formulated probiotics based on what YOUR body needs. Use code wholedailylife for $25 off anytime, but through the end of November, save 50% with the code BF50!!

-Beekeepers Naturals Propolis throat spray- This is a convenient (and delicious) way to support overall wellness this season! Propolis is a natural antibacterial and antiviral, and it tastes great! 30% off site-wide on Black Friday, no code needed, otherwise wholedailylife15 gets you 15% off anytime.

-Deep Nutrition- One of the most influential nutrition books I have read recently. It’s packed with information and not for the faint of heart, but it will change the way you think about food forever!

-Go Pure Pod Portable Water Purifier- This is a carbon based water purifier in a compact little capsule. It lasts 6 months and is a perfect way to ensure clean water while traveling. I also keep one in my water bottle year round because it keeps the bottle from getting funky between washes!

-Gua Sha Stone- Gua Sha is an amazing technique to help tone the skin and move lymph in the face. It’s a great evening routine and feels amazing! This is the stone that I use.

-Defender Shield Laptop Pad- We are just starting to learn about how detrimental EMF exposure can be to our health, and we live in a world where it is constant! I make a point to place my laptop on an EMF blocking pad to prevent exposure as much as possible.

-Oral IV Hydration Shots- These little 2oz shots are 100% structured water that helps your body absorb the water you drink more efficiently. It’s my favorite travel hack, and a must for IV’s and blood draws!

-Viva Oil CBD- CBD is all the rage these days, and my top recommended brands is Viva. If you want to learn more about CBD and the benefits that is can have on everything from sleep to anxiety, you can check out this post! Save 10% with code wholedailylife.

-Let’s Get Checked- This is more of a practical gift than a fun one, but knowing your thyroid numbers (especially if you have Hashimoto’s or hypothyroidism) is important! This test covers all of the important markers and can be done from the comfort of your home! Save 20% with code WDL.

For the foodie:

-Hamama Greens Microgreens Kit- If you don’t have the time or space for a garden, these grow kits are an extremely easy and affordable way to increase the nutrient density in your diet! You seriously can’t mess them up, and the flavorful greens go with pretty much everything! Save 10% with code wholedailylife.

-Hot Logic Mini Portable Warmer- This handy appliance has been a lifesaver over my years of working in an office. Just plug it in, add your Pyrex dish of food, and your meal is hot in an hour! Even though I work from home now, I still use this daily as an easy alternative to a microwave.

-Pique Tea Matcha- It’s no secret that I LOVE my morning matcha, and Pique tea is by far my favorite. It’s organic, quadruple screened for toxins, and the flavor is top notch. Pique doesn’t do sales often, so follow the link and use code HOLIDAY10 to save 10%!

-Virginia Boys Kitchen Non-toxic Walnut Cutting Board- A piece that is equally beautiful and functional! (Don’t forget the seasoning oil!)

-Instant Pot- I’m actually considering getting a second one this year! My Instant Pot has been a lifesaver when it comes to efficiency cooking and meal prep. Spaghetti squash in 7 minutes? Yes please!

-Cuisinart Food Processor- Another kitchen tool that I use weekly at minimum, my food processor has been a hard working member of my kitchen for 8 years now. I use it for everything from slicing and chopping to blending and acai bowls.

-Silpat Nonstick Baking Mats- I grew up with these and have never stopped using them! A reusable alternative to parchment, they’re perfect for roasting veggies, baking potatoes, and of course, the usual holiday sweets and treats. (I use them out of the oven too, for things like freezing slices of banana or steamed veggies for smoothies!)

-Milk Frother- The perfect accompaniment to matcha, this handy tool would make a great stocking stuffer. I use mine daily!

-Organifi GOLD- Organifi products are PACKED with functional ingredients like herbs, spices, and medicinal mushrooms. I love them all, but the GOLD is my favorite. In short, it’s an amped up golden milk taht tastes delicious! Use code wholedailylife for 15% off anytime, but they’re doing 20% off on Black Friday and free shipping on Cyber Monday!

-Wild Zora AIP Holiday Sampler Box- I love Wild Zora products, not only for their quality and flavor, but also for what they are doing in the AIP community by making high quality convenience food (bars, soups, dehydrated meals) available on the go! This sampler box includes their 2 AIP compliant meals, bars, teas, AND some brand new soups that haven’t even been released yet! It’s a $70 value for $50, and is a great gift for adventurers and homebodies alike. For any other products, save 15% with the code wholedailylife15!

I hope you found this list helpful, and if there’s something that you’ve been loving lately too, I’d love to hear about it in the comments!

Until next time,

Tracey

My Top Supplements For International Travel

My husband sometimes jokes that I have my own little supplement pharmacy at home, and honestly, it’s not too far from the truth! When I moved away from conventional medicine as my first response to injury and illness in 2014 in favor of a more natural approach to health, I started to dive into the world of strategic supplementation as a complement to a nutrient dense diet. Through research and experimentation I have learned how to manage most maladies with supplements, herbs, and essential oils instead of conventional drugs.

I knew that if I was going to be abroad for a couple of weeks, I wanted to make sure that I was equipped with natural remedies to support my body if needed.

Here are the exact supplements I kept on hand for international travel.

Wellness

Traveling, especially using public transportation, means lots of exposure to other people’s germs, so I wanted to make sure I had some extra immune support on hand!

-Seeking Health Liposomal Vitamin C- Since this is a liquid that needs to be refrigerated, I only brought enough for my first travel day, about 1.5 tbsp (2 big doses). I carried it in my liquids bag. I find this liposomal form to be VERY effective.

-Seeking Health Liposomal Glutathione- Detox support. Also a liquid that needs to be refrigerated, I combined 2 doses of this with the Vit C and finished it off by the time we landed in France.

-Cold Calm- In case I started to feel a cold coming on.

-Source Naturals Wellness Formula- I took 3 capsules daily, and brought some extras in case either of us caught something.

-Beekeepers Naturals Propolis Spray- This is a natural antiviral. I used 4 sprays daily, more on travel days. (wholedailylife saves 10%)

-Integrative Therapeutics V Clear- A homeopathic antiviral, specifically for respiratory support. I took 1-2 droppers daily as prevention. (I traveled with the tincture, but could only find the liquid to link.)

-doTERRA Essential oils: On Guard, Oregano, Melaleuca with gelcaps in case one of us caught something.

-Thorne Olive Leaf and L Lysine- Natural antimicrobials, I took 1 capsule of each daily (this is part of my usual routine at home as well).

Digestive Support

Knowing that I would be eating some different foods and at different times than my body was used to, I brought what I needed to keep my digestive system strong, as well as some damage control in case I didn’t tolerate something like I expected to.

-Extra digestive enzymes- I use several different types, but BioGest by Thorne is one of my go-to’s. I took 2 with every meal.

-Gluten digesting enzymes- I used these when we ate out anywhere that I wanted some extra insurance against cross contamination. I’m currently using Gluten Guardian, but have also used Enzymedica in the past.

-Activated charcoal- In the states, I take charcoal if I have a glass of wine and it helps minimize any symptoms. I didn’t need to do this while abroad, but also kept charcoal on hand in case I ended up with digestive issues (it helps bind up toxins and gas).

-Mag07- I use this to keep me regular! I take one capsule AM and PM, but brought extras in case I experienced any travel related constipation. Fortunately, I didn’t need them!

-Probiotics: Probiotics are a huge part of how I keep my digestive system strong. I take MegaSpore and Garden of Life Colon Care every day, and add in a Garden of Life Once Daily Ultra for some extra support at meals with lots of higher FODMAP foods. (The latter also needs to be refrigerated, so I kept it in the fridge when possible but didn’t worry about that on travel days.)

-Beano and Gas-X- I took these at meals with lots of high FODMAP foods, just for comfort :) (I actually use the CVS brand because the ingredients are a little cleaner than the brand name versions!)

Pain

I prefer not to take conventional pain killers if at all possible, but wanted to have some options on hand in case I needed them. I was also due to possibly start my period while abroad, so included some of the supplements that I use to manage cramps and headaches at home.

-doTERRA Deep Blue Polyphenol Complex- 1 capsule BID as needed.

-Skullcap- 1 capsule BID as needed.

-Curcumin- I use Meriva by Thorne here, but also experimented with this product on travel days, and I think it really helped! Normally travel leaves me achey and with a headache, and I didn’t experience either.

-CBD- I use Viva Oils brand (wholedailylife for 15% off). I transferred some to a 5mL bottle and traveled with it in my liquids bag. I didn’t have any trouble or get any questions about it. I took it on our flying days, and then as needed.

Standard Supplements

I have a lineup of supplements that I take daily, primarily antivirals, liver support, and general wellness. I considered not taking these on my trip, but decided that I wanted to give my body everything I could to keep it feeling in top shape, so I brought them. Among them:

-Thorne Theanine- This is my FAVORITE supplement to help manage anxiety. I take this every morning, but packed a few extras for the trip just in case.

-Ecological Formulas Monolaurin- I take a hearty dose of this daily to help keep viral activity at bay.

-Thorne SAT- Liver support; I take 4 daily.

-Thorne Meriva- Antiinflammatory; I take 4 daily.

-Thorne Vit D- I take 10,000 IU daily.

-Thorne Selenium- To support my thyroid; I take 200 mcg daily.

-Prescription Compounded T3- I mention this here because I made sure to take a few extra days worth of my thyroid medication, just in case we experienced any travel delays.

I realize that this is a lengthy list of supplements. I have come to terms with the reality that my body does best with some extra support, and while it may not be forever, it is for now. It may seem a bit excessive to some, but for me, it enabled me to travel with confidence and to not have to worry about what would happen if I started to feel less than my best!

However, while at home I have a cabinet and a drawer dedicated to these things, we traveled abroad with just a backpack apiece.

Here’s how I packed it all.

I do love a good organization project!

For all of my standard daily supplements, I did what I always do, which is pre-portion them out into little pill baggies for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and bed. I had one quart size bag dedicated to each set, and then each day I would pull out one from each and put it into my “daily bag” that I would carry around with me through the day.

For the other categories, I put as many of the capsules of each kind as I thought I might need in a labeled pill bag and then sorted these into two quart sized bags, one for wellness and one for digestive support + pain. This way, I could pull from these as needed.

I also kept a small little “digestive support” baggie in my daily bag (just call me the bag lady) that had a few capsules of charcoal, some beano, some gas-x, and some gluten containing enzymes. This way I could keep these on hand, since we often spent the whole day out and about, and then refill at night.

Lastly, I packed all of these up into two gallon sized bags, each about half full, which made them easy to pack in my backpack.

One last note on the plastic use: I have been re-using these pill bags, quart bags, and gallon bags since I did this for our first trip two years ago to minimize waste! I use this packing strategy often and only replace the bags when they wear out, which is rarely. I prefer to use Stasher bags when I’m at home!

I hope this guide is helpful! Remember, I’m not a doctor and cannot give you medical advice, but if you have any questions, please drop them in the comments below!

Thanks!

-Tracey

Healing Hashimoto's and SIBO

This post has been a long time coming, and after doing an Instagram Live a few weeks ago where I talked all about my story since my diagnosis in 2014, I finally sat down to write it! I'm going to try to break this down into sections for easy reading, but if there's anything I've left out or that you would like more information on, please feel free to ask in the comments here or on Instagram!

It's long, but there's a lot of information here, and I hope you find it helpful!

Initial symptoms:

I first tuned in to the fact that something wasn't right in September of 2014. I had a persistent abdominal pain on my right side that I couldn't get to go away, no matter what I tried. I explored all of the options that Western medicine had to offer: a GI consult, an ultrasound, endoscopy, colonoscopy, etc etc. Nobody could give me any answers, and after reassuring me that they didn't see anything worth worrying about (I was afraid of something like a structural abnormality or a growth), they sent me home with the explanation of "it must just be IBS."

I was having ongoing pain, so obviously something wasn't right, and I decided to seek out another opinion from a naturopath. I was having other symptoms at the time as well, but didn't realize it until she started asking me some specific questions at my first visit. These symptoms included lots of brain fog, fatigue, lack of excitement/passion for life, cold hands and feet, and amenorrhea (lack of a period). She ran a bundle of lab tests, including a breath test, and then I waited.

About a week later I got all of the results, which showed that I had a positive breath test for SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, which I had never heard of) and Hashimoto's antibodies above the testable lab limit of 900. I wasn't surprised about the SIBO once I learned what it was, because it explained the bloating, gas, pain, and constipation that I was experiencing, but thyroid issues weren't even on my radar! I also tested positive for H Pylori.

This kind of bloat was a daily occurrence.

Initial recommendations:

The first thing that my ND did was prescribe a round of Rifaximin + Metronidazole for the SIBO, followed by a low dose of Erythromycin as a prokinetic for 3 months. She also recommended a low FODMAP diet both during and after treatment, but that's all she really changed from my diet. Herbal antibiotics are also an option for treating SIBO (you can find more info about this on siboinfo.com) but I didn't know that at the time. I also didn't know that it is generally recommended NOT to eat a low FODMAP diet during antibiotics, because this is associated with a better eradication of the bacteria.

I was eating a loosely paleo diet already, but up until that point, would still have gluten once a week or so, at an event, date night, etc, which I stopped doing immediately because it is a common trigger in Hashimoto's. She also recommended a thyroid support supplement and an adrenal support supplement, as my cortisol was borderline out of balance. Her hope was that by treating the SIBO first, the other things would regulate as well. She did not treat the H Pylori at that time.

My take on diet:

My diagnosis came in December of 2014, and I decided that in January of 2015 I was going to go on the elimination phase of the Autoimmune Protocol, which I had been using with patients with great success for at least a year. I also did some food sensitivity testing using the LEAP/MRT test, and continued with a low FODMAP diet. When I overlaid all of these protocols, I was left with a VERY narrow food list (at one point less than 10 foods), but I was determined. This is one thing that I do differently in my practice now, as I have found that an overly restrictive diet is often counterproductive, but I won't get into that here. I launched into the protocol with gusto and started the two antibiotics for SIBO at the same time.

I followed this protocol for 3 months, during which I also moved across the country from Seattle to Austin. I had no noticeable improvement in my bloating, gas, or pain, but at the three month mark I did go get my Hashimoto's antibodies tested, and they had come down to around 700, which I was proud of! At that point I decided to go ahead and start to bring some foods back in. I knew that to stay true to the AIP protocol, I should wait until my antibodies were at goal (<35), but the compounded limitations of the three diets were wearing on me. I began cautiously reintroducing foods with no noticeable consequences. 

Life happened:

Of course, as soon as I established care with a new ND in Austin (who put me on a maca supplement to try to help me regain my period, unsuccessfully), my husband and I moved across the country again. This time we moved to San Diego, where I needed to establish care with a new practitioner once again. I started working with a naturopath who decided to re-treat me for SIBO, as well as treat the H Pylori. She also ran a stool test which showed an overgrowth of a different bacteria, so she decided to treat that as well, with the mentality "let's just wipe everything out and then rebuild." This was a (negative) turning point in my health, because I was on 5 antibiotics over the course of 4 weeks, and I just don't think my system could bounce back from it. However, I was so desperate for any kind of relief from my symptoms at that point that I didn't even question it.

There were a few positive things that came out of my time with this ND though. She discovered that I have a homozygous 677T MTHFR gene mutation, which means that my methylation capacity is around 30%. Methylation affects everything, but in particular, detoxification, so I started supplementing with methylated B vitamins (MethylGuard Plus by Thorne) as well as doing things to support my liver, like castor oil packs (I have shared about this on Instagram in my "getting well" story highlight, but can do a post on it too if folks are interested!). She also tested for various other autoimmune conditions, and I showed up with some Scleroderma antibodies too. I did undergo a thorough workup at the Mayo Clinic around this same time for both the Scleroderma and my ongoing digestive issues, but they didn't have any answers for me either. 

Waiting for a CT scan at the Mayo Clinic, where I spent a week and a half doing every kind of test imaginable to try and figure it all out.

However, I was still having extensive bloating, pain, and gas, my antibody numbers weren't moving, my thyroid was still sluggish, and my period was still MIA. My ND wasn't sure where to go next, and wanted to continue to wait it out and do stool tests every few months to see if things were changing. I wanted to be more proactive than that, so I sought out a new naturopath once again. (Moral of the story: don't be afraid to seek out a new doctor if yours isn't supporting you the way that you need!)

Finally, some progress:

I started working with a new ND in November of 2016. She did a fresh batch of lab work (which I'm always a fan of), including some testing for underlying viral infections and different genetic mutations. A few things cropped up: I tested positive for both Epstein Barr (which has a high correlation with Hashimoto's) and Cytomegalovirus. The testing also revealed that I have some genetic SNP's (single nucleotide polymorphisms) for Vitamin D and Nitric Oxide processing. Low vitamin D is associated with a myriad of health concerns, including autoimmunity, and low nitric oxide is associated with cardiovascular issues and for me in particular, brain fog. (This test also revealed that I am slow to process sulfites, which is why alcohol always gives me a headache. This is also correlated to histamine intolerance, so I was on a low histamine diet for several weeks until I was able to get this system up to speed again with some strategic supplementation.)

Treatment plan:

With this new information, I increased my dose of Vitamin D and started a supplement that is a precursor to nitric oxide. Immediately I noticed an improvement in my brain fog! I also agreed to bump up my dose of compounded T3, which I had started a few months prior. My levels were borderline, and since thyroid is interwoven with other hormone systems AND digestion, we decided to be a little more aggressive. After about 4 years without a period, I also decided to start supplementing bio-identical progesterone at her recommendation. This approach isn't for everyone, but it was what my body needed (all of my hormone levels were postmenopausal, and I was only 28). Last but not least, I also increased my prescription of Low Dose Naltrexone, which acts as both a prokinetic (to prevent a SIBO relapse) as well as an immune system modulator. (More info on that here.)

In response to the viral infections, I also started an antiviral protocol. I used this colloidal silver (1 tbsp TID, this is also great when you feel like you're getting sick!), this monolaurin (2 capsules TID), Artecin by Thorne (1 BID), and started doing IV therapy (Vitamin C and H2O2, one of each per week). All of this was targeting the underlying viral infections, which were continuing to trigger my Hashimoto's, and subsequently, my digestive issues. I believe this is one of the factors that helped me reach a turning point in my health. 

There were a few other key supplements that I was already using that I continued:

-L Glutamine by Thorne, 1 scoop AM/PM on empty stomach with water; this is one of my most recommended supplements for healing the gut!

-MegaSporeBiotic, 2 capsules daily with breakfast (this one has been a GAME CHANGER for my gut health and I recommend it to everyone with gut issues // you can order this from me directly through the contact form on my website)

-FloraSport by Thorne, 2 capsules in AM on empty stomach; I tried about a dozen probiotics before finding the ones that work for me

-MBC by Systemic Formulas, 1-2 capsules at bedtime on an empty stomach (this is a practitioner only brand, you can order this from me directly through the contact form on my website)

-Multivitamin Elite by Thorne, to make sure my nutrition intake was covered while I was on a super restricted diet

-digestive enzymes and HCL to aid in digestion (there are differing opinions about the use of digestive enzymes, but I have found them helpful!)

-NAC for liver support

And a few that I added:

-SAT by Thorne, for additional liver support

-Meriva by Thorne, to reduce inflammation

-Berberine, to help prevent a SIBO relapse and support blood sugar balance

-Moducare, to reduce Hashimoto's antibodies

-Theanine, to decrease anxiety, which is common with Hashimoto's

Progress:

I didn't notice a difference immediately, but after a couple of months, I realized that my bloating wasn't as pronounced, and there were days when I didn't really notice the abdominal pain. At my first follow up about 3 months later, we did lab work that showed that my Hashimoto's antibodies had come down to around 500! We did not re-test the viruses at that time. Since things were moving along, we kept with the same protocol.

Since then, my protocol has stayed pretty much the same. I went to Europe for my 5th anniversary in April of 2017 and ate pretty everything except gluten while I was away. I had dairy almost every day, some gluten free grains, and definitely indulged in the gelato! I did take all of my supplements with me (which took up about 1/4 of my backpack, hah), and when I came back, I was happy to find that my numbers hadn't regressed at all. I also decreased the frequency of my IV's to twice per month instead of weekly, and added in acupuncture. I FINALLY got my mercury amalgam fillings out, which I think definitely made a difference, because my numbers had stalled for about 6 months and after that, they dropped another 200 points! I also bumped my thyroid dose up one more time to what we have discovered is my optimal dose, and slowly but surely, my periods are getting back on track.

The key thing to note here is that I wasn't treating JUST the Hashi or JUST the SIBO, but rather addressing all of the body systems that weren't quite up to speed. The body is a cohesive unit, and if something is out of balance, something else will pay the toll. As I addressed my body from a holistic perspective, everything started to improve.

A little more on IV therapy:

I get a lot of questions on IV's, and it's something I try to share about on my Instagram on a regular basis. In short, both the Vitamin C and the Hydrogen Peroxide IV's that I do are targeting the underlying viral infections, but they work in slightly different ways. The H2O2 converts to oxygen and water in the bloodstream, and as the oxygen works its way through the body, it helps to eradicate any infections that are anaerobic (aka live without oxygen). The Vitamin C IV is 100% bioavailable, and because it goes directly into the bloodstream (as opposed to being digested and then absorbed), it is able to much more effectively reach all of the tissues in the body, where it acts as an antioxidant and helps to reduce oxidative stress. It also targets infections and is frequently used in cancer treatment as well.

I have not experienced any major side effects from IV therapy. If the drip is too fast, the Vit C can cause nausea, and the H2O2 can cause some achey feelings in the arm and shoulder similar to the feeling of a sore muscle, but my tolerance to both has significantly increased as I have continued to use them. There is no "down time" afterwards, and I get right back to normal life immediately.

There's not a ton of research on these because they are much more of an alternative therapy, but I have found them to be incredibly beneficial! I do pay out of pocket for them, and I budget for them like I do with any other big expense. The Vitamin C IV is $150 and the H2O2 is $100, but I'm able to purchase in a package at my naturopath's office for a slight discount. Insurance does not cover them, but I have been able to get them reimbursed by my flex spending account. 

Triggers/Causes:

It's hard to say what it was that caused all of this to start so many years ago, but I believe there are a few different factors. My digestion has always tended toward constipation, and growing up I ate a ton of candy and junk food (I was a very picky eater). Coupled with a history of regular antibiotic use for things like upper respiratory infections and sinus infections, I think my gut was compromised from the beginning. Then, in 2011 I started taking hormonal birth control, which I believe further impaired my gut and disrupted my hormones (which had always been balanced up until that point). I used hormonal birth control for about 18 months before I lost my period entirely and my gut symptoms really started to flare up. That is when all of this really started, back in late 2014. I also spent several years of my life growing up in a house with mold, which we learned about after the fact. Given my MTHFR genetics, which hinders my body's ability to detox, I think this was another factor that put my body into overload and created a condition for things to get out of hand. I believe that the viruses were one of my underlying triggers, which caused my thyroid to get out of balance, which subsequently caused the SIBO, which exacerbated the leaky gut, which continued to trigger the Hashimoto's, and so on and so forth. As you can see, it's all very intertwined!

A few specifics on SIBO:

After my second round of Rifaximin, I followed a combination of the GAPS + low FODMAP diets. I held off on supplementing probiotics again for a couple of months. When I did start supplementing, it took me a few tries to figure out the ones that worked the best for me. As mentioned above, I have had the most success with the following:

-MegaSporeBiotic, 2 capsules daily with breakfast (this one has been a GAME CHANGER for my gut health and I recommend it to everyone with gut issues // you can order this from me directly through the contact form on my website)

-FloraSport by Thorne, 2 capsules in AM on empty stomach

-MBC by Systemic Formulas, 1-2 capsules at bedtime on an empty stomach (this is a practitioner only brand that is amazing for recolonizing the digestive tract after antibiotics, you can order this from me directly through the contact form on my website)

When I first started incorporating probiotics and ramping up my dose, I had to go slow. However, I believe that my gut was so depleted from all of the antibiotics that there were just not any good bugs left! At the recommendation of my naturopath, I bumped up my dosage significantly after a few months, and at one point was on 200+ billion CFU per day. It took about 6 months after my second SIBO treatment for me to see a significant improvement in my bloating, gas, and pain. It was slow, but steady progress, and I believe it was a result of treating the underlying viruses, optimizing my thyroid, and finding the probiotics that worked for me. 

Where I am now:

I'm not quite at goal yet with my Hashimoto's antibodies, but they are on their way and making consistent progress. The rest of my thyroid labs are at goal. The other autoimmune antibodies that popped up, Scleroderma, went from severely elevated to below the detectable limit. At my most recent lab tests, both viruses were completely in remission. My pain is gone, except when I do things that I know that I shouldn't, like eat when I'm in a hurry or graze all day. (I can talk more about how I get myself out that in another post as well.) Last but not least, my brain fog is gone, I have energy to get through the day, and I feel a sense of adventure and passion again! Two years ago I never would have thought any of this was possible. While it has been an expensive journey and at times felt like I would never see progress, when I reflect on how far I've come I am so incredibly grateful to have the health that I have worked so hard for. With the exception of the antibiotics and a couple of other prescriptions, it has all been a predominantly holistic approach.

As I have been writing this, I have realized that there are SO many other factors that I would like to address, such as exercise, mindset, sleep, stress, and more. Each of these has had an impact on my health as well. I might have to come back and write a Part 2 to talk about those!

I'm definitely not perfect, but have learned so much about how to tune into my body, how to slow down when I need it, and how to take note of the foods that don't sit well with me. I hope my story is encouraging or helpful to you in some way. If there's only one thing that you take away, I hope it is to keep digging for your root cause and keep asking questions until you find the answers!

With love,

Tracey

UPDATE: I have taken all of the information that I have learned through my journey and successfully used it with several clients to help them heal their Hashimoto’s as well. After seeing just how powerful this information is, I co-created an online course to help get this information out to MORE people! You can download my free PDF all about the top 5 things I have done to heal my Hashi naturally and learn more about that course here.

Now, as long as I'm taking care of myself, I live a pretty normal life with minimal symptoms!