Dr. Soyona Rafatjah

irritable bowel syndrome
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Symptoms, Causes & Treatments

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common digestive system disorder, characterized by stomach pain and diarrhea or constipation. The cause differs for every patient, and the best treatment depends on the diagnosed cause. How many people in the United States have IBS? According to the International Foundation of Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders, between 25 and 45…

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How Much Fish Oil Should I Take
How Much Fish Oil Should I Take?

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential to overall health, but most Americans aren’t getting enough of the recommended 250-500mg of EPA and DHA through diet alone. Fish oil supplements can be an efficient solution to address gaps in nutrition and enjoy the benefits of diets rich in omega-3s. How much fish oil you should take depends…

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subclinical hypothyroidism
What Is Subclinical Hypothyroidism? Symptoms & Natural Treatments

Subclinical hypothyroidism means you have normal T3 and T4 hormone levels but high TSH levels (thyroid-stimulating hormone). Physicians may refer to this as mild thyroid failure.  It may cause mild hypothyroidism symptoms, but is usually asymptomatic and diagnosed by thyroid blood tests. It’s possible, and even normal, to have subclinical hypothyroidism and never know it.…

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Hypothyroidism: Symptoms, Reversal & More
Hypothyroidism Guide: Symptoms & How to Reverse It

Your thyroid affects every single cell in your body. It makes sense that a thyroid disorder, like hypothyroidism, can greatly disrupt your daily life. Hypothyroidism arises when the immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland, causing levels of thyroid hormone to drop.  Hypothyroidism is often classified as an autoimmune disorder and an endocrine disorder. This…

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5-HTP
5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) Uses and Side Effects

What Is 5-HTP? 5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan) is a chemical your body makes from L-tryptophan, an essential amino acid you eat in foods like turkey and pumpkin. Once tryptophan is converted to 5-HTP, it’s then converted to the neurotransmitter serotonin. Clinical studies show that 5-HTP supplements work by increasing serotonin production. Serotonin regulates sleep, body temperature, sexual…

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SIBO
SIBO: 12 Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Diet, and Prevention

Living with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) may significantly decrease your quality of life and is more prevalent than experts previously believed. SIBO is estimated to impact up to 15% of healthy individuals, often without their awareness of its presence. SIBO may be caused by irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), hypothyroidism, or a whole host of…

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SAM-e: A Natural Alternative to Antidepressants
SAM-e: A Natural Antidepressant Supplement

Antidepressant medications are one of the most common treatment options for those suffering from depression. Though typically effective, antidepressants can cause several negative side effects.  There are several natural treatment options for depression, ranging from lifestyle changes to dietary supplements to ketamine infusions. SAM-e has earned recent attention as an effective alternative to traditional antidepressants.…

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Methylene Blue: 9 Shocking Benefits + Side Effects
What is Methylene Blue? Benefits, Side Effects, Interactions

Methylene blue (brand name: Provayblue) is an over-the-counter and prescription medication (prescriptions are required for injections). It may be able to help with a variety of conditions, including methemoglobinemia, malaria, chronic infections like Lyme disease, long-COVID, and even Alzheimer’s disease. Methylene blue (MB) started as a dye in the 1800s, notably used to treat malaria…

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A Guide to Breathwork + Tips To Get Started
A Guide to Breathwork + Tips To Get Started

Most of the day, we humans don’t consciously think about breathing. Our lungs are on autopilot, and it isn’t until there is a problem that we think about the breaths we are taking. Consciously controlling, manipulating, and practicing the breaths we take is called breathwork. Breathwork can have tremendous effects on our mental health and…

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