Dana: My 8 year old niece lives in a Northern state and gets very itchy, irritated skin in the heat and has since she was about 3. In the summers it is almost impossible for her to enjoy being outside because she gets heat rashes or eczema type reactions and gets so itchy. Her pediatricians just say she has sensitive skin and give steroid cream to help, tell her to stay indoors, and have no further advice. They have done skin allergy tests with none found. If it's connected at all, she and her dad both have constant sinus fullness and drippy nose. What could be causing symptoms like this? Is there anything she can try without testing first to keep costs low?
Tricia: Hi Dr Cabral, after two years of fighting with myself and trying everything, I'm considering trying a GLP, very low dosage. I know you don't recommend this but for your patients that are taking a GLP 1 drug are there any specific supplements you recommend they take while on this drug? Of course, DNS, D, Mag, Fish Oil, probiotic but what about hair supplement, eye heath, Metavolve, or digestive enzymes? I hear one of the side effects is heart burn. Would really appreciate guidance here. I'm giving it my all until January but deciding. Thank you so much!
Luis: Hi Dr. Cabral, I've been having consistently sticky stools that cling to the toilet. They don't always appear mucousy, and they usually sink. Online sources often attribute this to low fiber, but it happens even when I eat fiber-rich foods like sea moss. I drink plenty of water, and my urine is almost always clear. My stools feel sluggish moving through my intestines, so I take Mag07 every night. Nearly every time I eat, I develop GI pain, mostly in my upper abdomen/chest and almost right away, and I often notice undigested food in my stool, especially plant matter. I've only been diagnosed with functional dyspepsia and mild gastritis (via endoscopy). My doctor also ran a stool test in 2024, and it came back normal. I occasionally have pale stools, so I also take UDCA regularly. Help.
Anonymous: Hi Doc! I've worked long and hard on my health with lots of improvements and disease reversal. I still have Hashimotos which has slowing been improving through lifestyle changes. A lingering issue besides the Hashimotos is vericose/spider veins. All the women in my family have them and I started getting them in my 20s. I'm 37 now and they're only getting worse. The veins themselves don't seem to hurt, but my legs ache at the end of every day. Heat, sitting, and standing for long periods make it worse. They're so unsightly and I'm horribly frustrated that I can't heal my poor circulation. I'm very active and always moving. Clean whole food Mediterranean diet. No alcohol or smoking. I have to elevate my legs or sit in cold water to get any relief. Is this related to thyroid disorders?
S: Hi Dr. Cabral. Would love to hear your thoughts on the studies that have recently been discussed about risks of glucosamine with brain health and who should not take this supplement. Dementias often start long before symptoms show up. I believe the studies showing risk to brain health with glucosamine were done on people with issues already. But if decline starts before symptoms, how would you know if it is safe for an individual? What is the benefit risk trade off? Any concerns or things to consider for this supplement? Additionally, would this be contraindicated if there is a family history or genetic predisposition such as an APOE4genotype? Thanks for taking the time to answer so many of our questions.
