Remember how I’ve been struggling with skin/acne and digestive issues for the past few months (well, really, my entire life)?

I knew it wasn’t topical - not a skin cream I was using or not using, not having the proper face wash or anything like that.  From what I knew about how our bodies process toxins, I could tell it was an issue with my hormones, or an allergic reaction, or  … something internal. SOMETHING was not right with my health.

So at the advice of my MD, I went to Dr. Pastore (who is a nutritionist, with a phd) on the recommendation of my friend Julia Price.  She had been struggling with severe dairy allergies for years, and no doctor had diagnosed it properly until him.

Dr. Pastore had me undergo a battery of tests: blood, urine, saliva, as well as integrating the analysis from my gastro-intestinal specialist, who had done the intestinal biopsy to determine my celiac in the summer of 2010.

I knew something was wrong …  what I didn’t know was MANY things were wrong.

Today, I’m sharing with you the write-up from Dr. Pastore that I just received a few hours ago, in the hopes that it may spur you to find out what’s going on with your own bodies.  I have a lot of work to do to get myself healthy again, and I’m scared and frustrated, and more than a little sad (many foods I LOVE I cannot eat anymore).

I had just gotten used to never eating gluten (I’ve been completely compliant for almost two months now).  Now I have to get used to this.  :(

I need all the help I can get.

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Julia Allison Results

1. Severe class 5 delayed reaction to egg, milk and wheat. 
2. Fatty acid analysis reveals elevated DHA levels and high EPA levels. While this sounds like it should be great, it is not when it comes to preventing acne. High levels of DHA and EPA in the blood are linked to an increase in acne. 
3. Fatty acid analysis also reveals high levels of linoleic acid (an omega 6 fatty acid) but it is not converting to the usable form GLA (gamma linolenic acid). This is typically caused by a zinc insufficiency, which is essential for the skin. The lab is recommending 30mg of zinc supplementation. This will be included in an Acne multi I’m recommending.
4. Organic acid analysis reveals low vitamin B6. Such an insufficiency is linked to acne by increasing activity of the sebaceous glands. I am recommending 50mg of the biological form called P5P (pyridoxal-5-phosphate). 
5. Organic acid analysis reveals borderline high 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine. You are one tenth of a point away from being flagged by the lab. This is a sign for an increased requirement for antioxidants such as vitamin C and vitamin E. 
6. Organic acid analysis reveals borderline high homovanillate, a marker of dopamine turnover. Dopamine is a critical neurotransmitter required for mood, thought, memory and behavior. You are 1 point away from being flagged by the lab. Further a marker that measures stress neurotransmitters is quite elevated (5 tenths of a point away from being flagged by the lab) indicating that you are having a hard time converting a long lasting stress neurotransmitter (norepinephrine) into a short lasting stress neurotransmitter (epinephrine). This can cause an exaggerated stress response which may lead to acne. We need protein to manufacture these neurotransmitters normally. Please see your diet notes for more information. 
7. Organic acid analysis reveals borderline high sulfate. Sulfate is a marker of total hepatic phase II detoxification. Sulfate is an indicator of your liver’s efficiency in removing many drugs, steroid hormones, and toxic compounds. High sulfate indicates that this pathway is very active. Low sulfate indicates the fuel to run this pathway has been used up and the liver’s ability to remove toxic compounds is suppressed. Cysteine, taurine, and salts of sulfate are used to replenish sulfur pathways and restore and maintain the liver’s supply of sulfate. I highly recommend  the acne multiple known as Akne-zyme by Enzymatic therapy (taken as directed in the action plan below) because it contains natural sulfur (along with other nutrients you are low in and that help with acne). 
8. Organic acid analysis reveals elevated D-arabinitol. D-Arabinitol is one of the most well researched markers for yeast overgrowth in the intestine. Many symptoms can result from yeast overgrowth, such as fatigue, sensitivity to carbohydrates or sugar, and “foggy-headedness.” Yeast overgrowth is absolutely linked to acne as well. A very low sugar diet is warranted along with targeted supplementation to normalize yeast levels (Kolorex Professional and Probiotics).
9. Interestingly you had a good adrenal response with normal cortisol secretion throughout the day. The hormone DHEA which can cause acne is completely normal at 2.2 (range 2.2 to 4.6). 
10. Estrogen metabolites panel reveals a very low 2/16 hydroxy estrogen ratio. You are negative estrogen dominant. Your 2-OHE1 to 2-OMeE1 ratio is elevated. This is signifies poor catecholestrogen methylation.

Action Plan
1. Strictly avoid all egg, dairy and wheat products. Attached to this email will be information on each of these foods (gluten for wheat due to your celiac history) and a diet plan to move forward. Regarding the diet plan, I highly advice consuming animal protein sources other than fish due to the elevated DHA you have. Too much DHA equals acne. If we only obtain protein from fish you will only keep this DHA level elevated. Further, going vegan will only result in very poor health and poor skin health. I know this is tough, but it is my clinical opinion that your diet needs a major change. The following documents are attached. Egg Allergy, Dairy Allergy, Gluten List and Julia Allison Nutrition Plan. Please study these documents. Needless to say, all sugar (agave, table, honey, molasses, everything with sugar, dried fruit, soda, fruit juice, carrot juice, etc. must be avoided as it feeds yeast.
2. Targeted supplementation - we need to solve these deficiencies quickly as many of them are effecting your skin. Do NOT take fish oil at this time. Vital Nutrients Borage Oil - 1 softgel once dailyEnzymatic therapy Akne-zyme - 2 capsules daily. Pure Encapsulations P-5-P (pyridoxyl-5-phosphate) - 50mg once daily. Kolorex - 1 softgel twice dailyDr. Ohhira’s Probiotic 12 Plus by Essential formulas - 2 softgels daily.Enzymatic Therapy Estrobalance - 1 tablet daily.
All supplements should be taken with food EXCEPT for the probiotics. The best time is either first thing in the morning or before bed. The one I am recommending is hypoallergenic and does not require any refrigeration. 
Collectively, the supplements above solve the nutritional deficiencies and imbalances described in the summary of your test results.