Seasonal Affective Disorder is a real thing and it lowers the quality of life of millions of people around the world...

It causes the "Winter blues," low mood, depression, fatigue, weight gain, inability to focus, difficulty sleeping, and many other unwanted side effects...

The bright side of things is that there are natural ways that you can overcome these seasonal mood dampening symptoms, so that you can feel alive again!

Tune into today's #CabralConcept 676 to discover the top 10 ways to beat seasonal affective disorder (SAD) - Enjoy the show!

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Show Notes & Resources:

http://StephenCabral.com/676

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Get Your Question Answered:

http://StephenCabral.com/askcabral

The dictionary defines being in a "funk" as a state of depression or trying to avoid a task or thing out of fear... Simply put, I think we can all relate to being in a funk as feeling like you're stuck in quick sand and that no matter what you do you only seem to sink deeper into the hole you're in… Since none of us want to remain in this state, we need to be able to flip the switch whenever we want in order to get into a flow state where everything in life seems to move us effortlessly to our goals... Tune into today's #CabralConcept 675 to learn how to get out of a funk and into a flow state today - Enjoy the show! - - - Show Notes & Resources: http://StephenCabral.com/675 - - - Get Your Question Answered: http://StephenCabral.com/askcabral

Thank you for joining us for our 2nd Cabral HouseCall of the weekend!

I'm looking forward to sharing with you some of our community's questions that have come in over the past few weeks…

Let's get started!

Ellie: I am 20 years old and am very active. I'm wondering if I will lose muscle from fasted cardio? I lift quite a bit and am trying to lean out but not lose muscular progress. I do intermittent fasting and have been doing fasted cardio about 3 days per week. Will this diminish my muscles? Also, is fasted lifting okay to do? Thanks so much!

Rachel: Hello Thank you for your advice! My question is what is the exact brand of the All-in-one greens drink? Where can I buy it? I have terrible digestive issues, would like to try it but am a bit apprehensive. Thank you!

Anonymous: Hi Dr. Cabral, I am a 34yo female and I recently heard one of your podcasts on what an ideal TSH test result should look like. I was horrified to learn that the last 3+ doctors over the last 7+ years have brushed off my symptoms and my high TSH levels. Over 7 years ago I complained about feeling tired all the time, struggling with my weight, peeling brittle nails, and feeling so cold. I wear sweaters year round in central Texas! Over the last 3 years my TSH levels were 1.94, 3.69 and this year it is 2.85. I recently pulled my medical records at past doctors and my results were similar and not optimal based on what I learned from you. When my TSH was 3.69 last year, they finally said I was "border line". When I asked for natural recommendations from the nurse practitioner going over my blood work over the phone, she simply stated there wasn't anything I could do on my own and would have to take prescription medication for the rest of my life but the doctor wanted to retest and since it lowered some this year, no meds were prescribed which I didn't plan to take anyways. What do you recommend I do to get my tsh levels to optimal and feel normal? Also, I heard cruciferous foods and soy were a "no-no" for thyroid issues, is this true? Any suggestions you may have to feel better would be greatly appreciated. I do not want to take prescription chemical especially for the rest of my life.

Catherine: Hi Dr. Cabral, I have been into healthy living for many years now and have thoroughly enjoyed your podcasts since finding them a couple of months ago. I have two symptoms that are puzzling to me even though I follow a healthy diet (not vegan but mostly real food, occasional meat), exercise and get sunshine, social connection and rest. I do have stress in my life from 3 kids ages 12, 9 and 5. I will be 45 years old next month. First, I have very puffy skin under my eyes and pressure behind the eyes. The puffiness does not go away during the day, it is pretty constant. I have tried natural eye drops, limiting salt, eye creams and massage, elevating my head while sleeping, etc. Nothing works. I would expect some puffiness with my age but it is extreme. Also I have a puzzling symptom.....whenever I am frightened by something or drop something I get a tingling sensation in my body, mainly my arms. It passes quickly but it is strange. Any insight you can give me would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Danielle: Hi! I've recently started listening to your podcast and find them fascinating. I am due to start a round of donor egg ivf in January and I wonder if there's a way I can prepare my body for it? I have severe endometriosis but minimal pain usually apart from around the time of an ivf cycle when the extra estrogen feeds the endo. Is there anything you would recommend food or supplements etc to help mitigate this but also help to increase chances of implantation and a successful pregnancy? I am already doing my best to eat healthily, cut back on caffeine, low alcohol & also taking a preconception multivitamin vitamin, vitamin d3 spray and Wobenzym for the endometriosis. Is there anything else you'd recommend? Thank you, Danielle

Alix: Hello, I've noticed that a few days before I get my monthly period I start getting a sore throat. Then the day before I get cold sores. I've Googled this and it seems that many women are getting these symptoms but no doctors seem to have solutions. Any ways to stop both these symptoms would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Thank you for tuning into this weekend's Cabral HouseCalls and be sure to check back tomorrow for our Mindset & Motivation Monday show to get your week started off right!

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Show Notes & Resources:

http://StephenCabral.com/674

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Get Your Question Answered:

http://StephenCabral.com/askcabral

Welcome back to our weekend Cabral HouseCall shows!

This is where we answer our community's wellness, weight loss, and anti-aging questions to help people get back on track!

Check out today's questions:

Sarah: Hello, I'm, wondering if you can help point me in the right direction, I have not been diagnosed with any health issues but I know my body is not supposed to function the way it does. I have had insomnia since for the past 14ish years - it goes up and down, but I mainly manage it to a level where I can function normally (obviously not a "normal" level of sleep) I wake often throughout the night and literally don't remember when I slept through the night, I find it difficult to fall asleep often and this whole cycle creates anxiety for me, as it affects my partner too. I have suffered from constipation since I was little (im 32), I feel like I am constantly bloated - no matter how clean I eat, sometimes only a little, sometimes painfully. I'm pretty sure I retain water and/or I am inflamed. I have a thick coating on my tongue. I move my body - mostly walking and yoga and I work in a physical job, I eat pretty well - mostly plants and wholefoods,I have been vegetarian for nearly 3 years, I will eat the occasional wild caught fish. I don't seem to do well with dairy or gluten. I am a natural worrier and stresser and I just know this is all related! There may be more going on inside that I can't see but I think it is all linked. My main issues are the digestions issues and insomnia, I don't have anything else major going on - but to me they are major! I don't think my body is absorbing any nutrients from the relatively clean diet I eat, when I get unhealthy cravings its generally carbs, chocolate or sweets. I know this is all a bit of a mish mash but just trying to give as much info as possible - If you have any tips/ideas/suggestions please let me know, I just want to sleep well and have my digestion working optimally - particularly for when I start a family.

Stephanie: My question is about root canals. I had one done a year ago, after seeing a holistic dentist who thought I should have the procedure done, and have second guessed my decision wondering if I should of had the tooth pulled instead. I'm now considering having it removed and having a removable denture put in. Do you think most people would be better off having the root canal removed rather than leaving it in the mouth and risking disease? Thanks so much for answering!

Jill: Hi Dr. Cabral, I am 38 year old female and an endomorph. A good friend of mine turned me on to your podcast several months ago, and I listen every morning. I appreciate your heart to share the knowledge you have and to see people get well. I have been on my own health journey for the past 7 years. In 2008, I lost 30 pounds using Weight Watchers. In 2010 I started having massive brain fog. I've had digestive issues most of my life. Through a naturopath, I found out I'm allergic to gluten and casein (and a few other things). I have cut both out of my diet (gluten gone as of the end of 2011; dairy gone as of 2013). In 2012, I lost an additional 20 pounds (through calorie counting and a workout plan of 5-6 days a week: 1.5 hours - 60 cardio (treadmill, no running); 30 weights) and was finally at my healthiest weight, still at the high end of my BMI. At the time, it felt like, in order to maintain that weight, I would have to count every calorie and work out hard 6 days a week (or more) for the rest of my life. Overall, I feel significantly better now than I did back in 2010, but I still deal with symptoms: brain fog, my brain feels swollen, fatigue, difficulty focusing/finding words (especially an hour or two after eating), mucus, digestion issues, depression, trouble losing weight. Throughout 2013, I gained back 10 pounds and held there. Toward the beginning of 2016, I gained 20 pounds "out of nowhere" (couldn't identify a cause) and couldn't get it to budge. I work from home often and could easily sleep 10-11 hours a night. Even so, some days, my body would shut down during the day, and I would take an hour nap … only to sleep 10-11 hours again the next night. At the beginning of this year, while monitored by a nutritionist, I did a 40-day juice fast: juice, water, ginger tea, and eventually I added bone broth in as well. During this fast, I felt amazing!!! I was reminded that I could feel vibrant and clear-headed and motivated and positive!!! Plus I would sleep 8-9 hours, wake up on my own and feel refreshed! I lost the 20 pounds and felt like myself again. For most of the fast, I felt like I never wanted to eat food again. As I started adding food back in (one food at a time), I started feeling "not-so-great" again. For a while, I had daily bms (which I have rarely had in my life), but that didn't last. When I ate food, I would feel sluggish. My nutritionist suggested perhaps my body can't handle fiber, so I've been on a low fiber diet (no raw veggies; only cooked). I have gained back much of the 20 pounds. I feel bloated and sluggish and have a hard time focusing and getting motivated to live my life. It feels like my body functions best without having to break down food, but juicing for the rest of my life doesn't feel like an option either. Do you have any thoughts on why my body thrives on liquid but struggles with food? Do you have any recommendations on what I can do to help my body thrive consistently? An additional piece to the puzzle is that I have arthritis in my knees (the right is worse than the left). This has made cardiovascular exercises basically impossible. (The pain made running impossible starting in 2014.) I recently used an upright bike for 10 min (after you recommended it on your podcast). I didn't have pain while working out, but within a few hours, my right knee was experiencing pain (initial as sharp, shooting pain when I sat on the couch). For days after, there was pain when going up and down stairs and sitting, as well as catching or clicking and popping in my knee when opening it/straightening my leg. This is consistent with my experience for the past year plus. Do you have recommendations to help burn fat and build muscle … that won't cause knee pain/worsen my arthritis? Thank you so much for these house calls and for allowing those of us who can't get to Boston to have access to your knowledge base. I am so appreciative! Jill

Cara: Hi Dr. Cabral... as always thank you for your work! I share your name to everyone. My daughter just had her 2 year check up at the Children's hospital she went directly to about 2 hours after her birth. She was born early and suffered tremendous blood loss and was a "whole body cooled" baby - hypothermia treatment for 72 hours. She is PERFECT. She was either at 24 months or beyond for her development at her assessment today. However, the same dietician who rubbed me the wrong way at her 10 month high risk infant follow up appointment, giving me a hard time for choosing not to give her iron enriched "baby" cereals, was back at it again when asking if I give her dairy. I do not give her dairy. If/when I do it will be raw dairy but we're not there yet. The dietician was saying how I need to keep an eye on her calcium. She said we can get calcium from dark green leafy greens, but how we'd need to consume 10x the amount of greens as dairy to get the same amount. I know she's not correct, but I chose to get through the appointment and save her my argument. Last time she was right, my daughters iron got low 9.6 but we focused on beef/liver/chicken/molasses combined with a homeopathic remedy and camucamu and broccoli and such and raised it to 11.6 in 3 months. I swear she rolled her eyes (in her head) when I said I'm still nursing her twice a day at 2 years. That's something that should be honored and I'm well aware it's not an absolute "need" at this point. BUT, we couldn't nurse the first 5 days of her life and we're fortunate we did perfectly when we got the green light to nurse. My daughter is also only 21 pounds at 2 years of age, but she's stayed on her own curve and she eats a fare amount of food, including fats like ghee, avocado, etc. She requests ghee :) She really only eats broccoli for her greens and sometimes I chop up spinach in her scrambled egg. She's a meat and sweet potatoes girl. What do I need to be giving her to keep up with calcium? Should I be concerned of her lower weight? Also, the last few weeks after trying bee pollen we get at the farmers market, she literally wants to eat it all day. Is that weird? or ok? In gratitude. Cara

Jen: Is carbonated water and seltzer somehow unhealthy? I love drinking flavored La Croix or Polar seltzers and probably drink a 12oz can 1-2x daily when I have them on hand. I really enjoy it and find that it's a nice treat when I'm tired of drinking water or herbal tea. I'm familiar with how, Ayurvedically speaking, carbonation can increase Vata. Are there any other health concerns to drinking carbonated waters (of course assuming it's not my only source of water intake)?

Thank you for tuning into today's Cabral HouseCall and be sure to check back tomorrow where we answer more of our community's questions!

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Show Notes & Resources:

http://StephenCabral.com/673

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Get Your Question Answered:

http://StephenCabral.com/askcabral

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Welcome back to another #FridayReview where I share my favorite products, books, research, and other items I use in my private practice that are helping people get well, lose weight, and feel great!

The 1st item is one of my favorite books on psychology and deals with how to increase your happiness factor in friendships, family, raising children, and in your work...

The 2nd review is a fun new way to enjoy water. It has a hint of maple and is loaded with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and prebiotics... Plus it has half the sugar of coconut water!

The last product share of the day has to do with an alternative to "Fire Cider" that can crush sinus problems, increase thermogenesis, and makes mucus disappear...

Tune into today's #CabralConcept 672 for all the Friday Reviews and health tips added in along the way - Enjoy the show!

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Show Notes & Resources:

http://StephenCabral.com/672

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Get Your Question Answered:

http://StephenCabral.com/askcabral

Some people don't need any more motivation to exercise, but for the average person getting in a workout takes a little bit of "psyching up..."

The good news is that there are so many reasons to exercise you simply have to choose the right one that will get you moving in the right direction...

So on today's #CabralConcept 671 I want to share with you why it's so important (and effective) to workout before you go out to eat a big meal - Enjoy the show!

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Show Notes & Resources:

http://StephenCabral.com/671

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Get Your Question Answered:

http://StephenCabral.com/askcabral

The Holidays can be a real challenging time of the year when it comes to trying to stay healthy, fit, lean, stress-free, and not get sick...

On one hand you want to enjoy your time with friends, family, and at social events, but on the other hand you don't want to start the New Year, bloated, exhausted, overweight, and unhealthy...

Personally, I believe there is a way to still get to enjoy yourself while maintaining all the work you've been putting in over these past 12 months...

Tune into today's #CabralConcept 670 where I explain how to survive the holidays without feeling bloated, burnt out, and overburdened - Enjoy the show!

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Show Notes & Resources:

http://StephenCabral.com/670

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Get Your Question Answered:

http://StephenCabral.com/askcabral

Too often we're just labeled by our doctors, society, or the media as being depressed, anxious, apathetic, ADD, or exhibiting "addictive behaviors...

Then, pharmaceutical companies would have us treat our natural symptoms of bodily and brain dis-ease with unnatural synthetic drugs that don't actually explain why you feel this way, or how you got here...

However, since we know there is always a reason why the body gets out of balance or begins to feel a certain way we can begin to look at your symptoms as to what may be running in short supply...

On today's #CabralConcept 669 I want to share with you the missing brain chemical that boosts motivation, drive, focus, and feelings of being alive - Enjoy the show!

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Show Notes & Resources:

http://StephenCabral.com/669

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Get Your Question Answered:

http://StephenCabral.com/askcabral

As far as any of us can tell the complete absence of suffering in our life doesn't seem like a feasible goal to strive for...

And that's because highs and lows are part of the human experience - It's actually essential to our growth, since it's impossible to appreciate either one without the other...

That's why on today's #CabralConcept 668 I don't want you to fight a winless battle, but instead focus on the 1 thing you can control in your life - Enjoy the show!

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Show Notes & Resources:

http://StephenCabral.com/668

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Get Your Question Answered:

http://StephenCabral.com/askcabral

Thank you for joining us for our 2nd Cabral HouseCall of the weekend!

I'm looking forward to sharing with you some of our community's questions that have come in over the past few weeks…

Let's get started!

Megan: Hi Dr Cabral, as always, thank you so much for taking the time to answer my question. I wrote in a few weeks back about my 10 year old son and how we healed his leaky gut which in turn eleviated the eye tics he was having. His most recent Nutreval showed the yeast was elevating some again. We are back on the biociden and the biofilm buster. When you answered my first question about why the yeast returned, you explained how we have to get rid of the bad yeast and replace it with the good yeast. Makes total sense. We had stayed away from probiotics that have saccharomyces in them because it always caused his symptoms to flare. At first I thought the flare was because yeast was his highest sensitivity in the IgG. I realize the sensitivity is to the bad yeast but my question now is could the flare be from the saccharomyces (even though they are the good guys) or would the flare simply occur because we were adding the good guys while there were still too many guys which means too much yeast all together? Thank you so much for sharing with us each day, you are such a blessing. –Megan (Continued)

Hi Dr Cabral, I just sent in a question yesterday about my 10 year old son and the sacchromyces. I am realizing I may not have posed all of my question clearly so I'm adding on, and I'm so so sorry if this makes it confusing for you. Please feel free to copy and paste for the purpose of your house call. As I mentioned in yesterday's question my sons eye tics used to flare when I would give him probiotics with saccharomyces in them, but what I didn't mention was he was always totally fine with probiotics that didn't include the saccharomyces. His highest sensitivity on the IgG was to yeast. I realize that's the bad yeast and saccharomyces are the good yeast but why do the good cause a flare in symptoms? Is it simply because I added the good before getting rid of the bad? I guess my real question is why would he have been ok on probiotics that didn't include saccharomyces but have a hard time handling the ones that do have them? Is it as simple as too much yeast all together? So maybe when we rid the gut of the bad yeast he won't flare when we add the good? I've avoided the saccharomyces due to the previous flare in symptoms but am now learning that we need to be replenishing the good to keep the bad out! Thank you thank you thank you for sharing all of your incredible knowledge with us. I have the highest respect for you and what you do and can not begin to tell you how much I have learned and how our family's health has changed for the better since we were introduced to you and your incredible podcast. You are a gift to us. Megan PS I again apologize for the mistake and having to submit the same question twice, but I am interested to hear what you have to say about why the saccharomyces in particular cause a problem for him and I left out of the first submission.

Eliana: I love your podcast, it is so informative! I wanted to ask you about my workout program split. I typically do this kind of 5 day split: legs, arms, cardio and abs, back and chest, shoulders and cardio. Basically, I lift 4-5 days a week and get my cardio in either on the same day or on alternating days. Is this too much lifting? I have been doing it for awhile now and have enjoyed it, but I was listening to your recommendation about 3 days of resistance training per week. Thank you!

Tyler: Hi Dr. Cabral, I know you have a background in body building and personal training and am looking for advice in regards to putting on more muscle. I am a 25 year old former collegiate athlete and am very lean but am looking to put more mass on in the safest way possible. I eat predominately vegan and GF with some wild fish and eggs. I work out 3-4 days a week and do a combo of lifting, swimming, and hatha yoga. I am 6'1" and 182 lbs. I have read on the importance of ingrsting protein shakes before and after workouts as well as BCAAs pre, during, and post workout for anabolic muscle growth. Do you have brands that you recommend for vegan protein (I do your Nutritional Support Powder in smoothies in the morning) and BCAAs? Or are they even necessary? I appreciate your insight. Thanks, Tyler

Anthony: Hi Dr. Cabral, What are your thoughts on MRET water activators? Your products and podcasts have become a very positive part of my life, thank you for sharing your knowledge. Sincerely, Anthony

James: Is a kenogentic diet good for you

Zach: What's up Doc, writing in for my 27 y/o girlfriend who has recently been to the "doctor" because she was having allergic reactions (tingling itchy lips, redness around the lips, and breakouts) whenever she ate certain foods. She's tired all the time, never seems to have energy to do anything active, and could lay on the couch all day. We recently (within the last year) went vegetarian, and we limit dairy and eggs as much as possible, but this hasn't seemed to help with the issues she's having. She has had allergy problems (histamine issues) her whole life and found out she was allergic to nickel, as well as many different pollens/grass/trees when she was younger. About a year and a half ago she had a psoriasis "patch" show up on the back of her neck on her hair line, during a stressful period at work. It went away after she was prescribed some cream for it, but it bothers her randomly. Basically she's always had skin issues, and her mother and grandmother have thyroid issues that we now know have been passed to her. Here are the results of her first blood test...only going to give you what was "out of range" as well as her thyroid numbers. T3 uptake - 25.9 T4 - 8.1 TSH - 8.32 BUN - 5 CALC/BUN/Creatine - 7 On a food/skin prick test she was "allergic" to almonds, cherries, hazelnut, soy, and green peppers. I know she needs to do an IgG food sensitivity test, but unfortunately we can't afford that and insurance won't cover it. She cut out those foods, and had her blood work taken about a month and a half later. These were her results the second time: Free T3 - 3.2 Reverse T3 - 14.5 Free T4 - 1.11 TSH - 5.07 Thyroid peroxidase AB - 130 IU/ML Thyroglobulin AB - 6 IU/ML Positive for ANA ANA titter 1:1280 Cholesterol - 212 Calculated LDL - 127 So we know she has hypothyroid and an auto immune disorder. I believe its from some form of intestinal permeability (IBS, Leaky gut, etc) but I also think she has high levels of heavy metals, as she's always putting stuff on her skin/hair whether its make-up, hairspray, or dry shampoo. I've told her she needs to cut out gluten and dairy for sure, but what do you recommend for her as far as the next step in testing, diet, detoxing, and overall lifestyle changes? I just ordered a 21 day detox from your store...I'm going to start her on a 7 day detox whenever that comes in, and hopefully have her doing a 21 day detox in January. If money weren't an issue, after the IgG test I'd have her doing a heavy metal detox, candida/SIBO/yeast protocol, and then start rebuilding her gut. What do you think Doc? Thanks for everything you do. I listen to you daily, and I pass your podcast on to anyone and everyone because theres isn't a person it wouldn't help. If you ever want to take someone under your wing and create the next you, you have my email. ;] But then again, you're already creating more of us like you everyday! Thank you sincerely for the knowledge you pass along. Keep it up! -Zach

Thank you for tuning into this weekend's Cabral HouseCalls and be sure to check back tomorrow for our Mindset & Motivation Monday show to get your week started off right!

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Show Notes & Resources:

http://StephenCabral.com/667

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Get Your Question Answered:

http://StephenCabral.com/askcabral

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