HouseCall: Type 2 Diabetes, Wake Up at Night, Hormone Acne, Food Layering, Healthy Flying, HSV-2, Aging Brain

It’s that time again! Welcome back to our weekend Cabral HouseCalls where we answer our community’s questions each and every week!

Here are today’s Q&A topics:

Irene: Hello, I have type 2 diabetes. I was diagnosed about 3 years ago. A few days ago I ordered your Protocal package and I’m looking forward to start using it. I will also be doing the three day fast that I recently heard on one of your podcasts. My diabetes numbers average about 325 each morning. I am on Metformin and Glipizide. The doctors have tried other meds that got my numbers in the 180 range, but they made me very sick. When I eat healthy, my numbers average about 250 in the mornings. Right now I exercise doing Zumba for one hour, twice a week. What can I do immediately that can lower my numbers? Thank you for taking the time to answer this question.

Sally: Hi Dr. Cabral, thanks for taking the time to answer these questions! My issue- I have no trouble falling asleep but wake up multiple times a night- sometimes every 1.5. I don’t feel low energy but I just want to be able to sleep the full night! And what makes it worse, is I’ll wake up, go to the fridge and grab something small (even nuts or chocolate) and go back to bed. Therefore, I know I can’t be doing the 12 hour fast each night and letting my body regenerate. If there are any tips you have to staying asleep throughout the night (I tried CALM before bed, tart cherries, yoga, limiting water before bed and nothing has helped), I would truly appreciate it.

Megan: Hi Dr. Cabral, I am a recent new listener and look forward to listening to your podcasts every day. Thank you for all that you do for this community. Your passion for medicine is incredibly inspiring and truly gives me hope I will feel well again. I am an intensive care RN and in graduate school to become a functional nurse practitioner. Similar to your story, I have pursued this career path partly because of my own health issues. I developed methane dominant SIBO 3 years ago during nursing school, a very stressful time, after years of birth control, minocycline for acne, and a recent bought of kidney stones. Other past medical histories include chronic sinus infections as an undergraduate and an abnormal Pap smear. Since then I have taken 3 rounds of Xifaxin, worked with a nutritionist who advised me to eliminate FODMAPs, and followed a strict paleo diet for a year with moderate success. I am no where near as sick as I was but still suffer with occasional painful unpredictable gas, bloating and incomplete BM’s despite my seemingly perfect nutrition. I am currently working with a practitioner who ran labs that showed I was estrogen dominant with low T3, and vitamin D. My testosterone is also low. I am taking a probiotic, EPA/DHA, DHEA, a multi-vitamin, D3, and adaptogens for adrenal support. My practitioner doesn’t believe I have SIBO again but instead is treating my leaky gut with low-dose naltrexone. Since starting this therapy I feel better, but still not 100%. I have difficulty with word-finding, low libido, staying asleep at night (side-effect of LDN?), I grind my teeth, and suffer each month with wild PMS and moderate anxiety. My practitioner believes the LDN will heal my gut but my question for you is can I be doing more to feel better faster? I started Dr. Shulze’s intestinal cleanse hoping that will help also. I am 27 years old, getting married next year, and feel like a fraction of myself most days. I eat well, exercise and take care of myself. I am tired of feeling like everything I do, all the supplements I try, all the doctors I see, is useless. I want to get better and I am willing to do the work. What more can I do to finally feel well? Thank you so much for your time and I look forward to your next podcast. Megan

Cara: Hi Dr. Cabral, Thank you for always answering my questions. I tell EVERYONE I meet about your podcast! My daughter is almost 2 and since she started solids her breakfast has been mainly scrambled eggs, avocado and sometimes fruit. I had read to wait on giving them grains until they had their molars. I also just recently saw your oatmeal breakfast recipe and I’m curious what your thoughts are on grain and fruit food combining. Another very well known and versed holistic practitioner I’ve worked with said to never combine grains and fruit because they compete for digestion and result in fermentation. She also says “eat melon alone, or leave it alone.” Thank you!

Cara: Hi Dr. Cabral, We’re flying to the east coast from the west coast in a month and we have an almost 2 year old that has flown twice. This time she will have her own seat because we’re bringing the car seat. Since flying with a little one, I use a spray hand sanitizer and wipe down the armrests, belt buckle, tray table and window to try and keep her from getting the plethora of germs that are left behind. Is this excessive, or smart since these areas are never cleaned? I usually add liquid echinacea and elderberry by Herb Pharm before traveling in addition to her daily spoonful of probiotic and camu camu. Any other recommendations, or traveling protocols you follow? I know some people who put a touch of tea tree oil right in their nose as a precaution. I can only imagine how I’m going to handle potty training and public toilets when we cross that bridge – hahaha! In gratitude, Cara

Elle: Hello! I was diagnosed with HSV-2 a little over 2 years ago and I am currently eradicating the virus from my body. I am slightly changing my protocol after listening to your recommendations on fighting the virus. I would like to know, how do I prevent the spreading of the virus to my partner? I have not been sexually active in fear of spreading the virus through viral shedding. What recommendations do you have while eradicating the virus?

M: My mom is 85 and her body is strong and fit — yet she has about 3 second recall and neurologist says dementia/Alzheimer’s. she’s been on Namenda and Aricept for 6 years. She also has glaucoma. She always lived a clean life with no alcohol and did yoga and took vitamins. Is there anything I can do now — I give her a B 12 every day? Should I have her tested for heavy metals? She lives in assisted living. Thanks for all you do!

Thank you for joining me today and I look forward to speaking with you tomorrow and answering more of our community’s questions!