The following is the latest study as it appears in the bioRxiv archive of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory describing the effects of Bravo yogurt consumption associated with intermittent fasting (intermittent fasting is a means to achieve nutritional ketosis).
 
This study describes the results observed by Dr. Jerry Blythe, MD, a long-time cancer survivor and marathon runner, who embarked in a three-month experience of intermittent fasting and Bravo consumption.
 
The results observed by Dr. Blythe not only are consistent with those reported by other studies, but present additional, exciting observations that open novel perspectives for the use of the combination [intermittent fasting/Bravo].
 
In our paper, we demonstrate that Bravo yogurt leads to elimination through the urine of a number of chemical toxicants stored in fat. In other words, Bravo yogurt detoxifies the body of the harmful chemicals that may negatively affect the immune system, the endocrine system and the brain.
 
In this particular case, elimination through the urine of a number of chemicals that are known endocrine disruptors led to significant improvement of thyroid function as demonstrated by the decrease of TSH.
 
This mechanism bears important consequences: thus, accumulation of endocrine disruptors (chemical toxicants) leads to impaired thyroid function that in turn leads to reduced basal metabolism, reduced energy, retention of liquids and weight gain.
 
When the endocrine disruptors are eliminated through urine thanks to Bravo, thyroid function and metabolism normalize, energy levels increase and weight loss can be maintained.
 
As it is described in our paper, the detoxifying effect of Bravo is due to three mechanisms that, in turn, are due to the Bravo proprietary microbial formulation:
 
1. Instantaneous binding and elimination of toxicants.
2. Improved renal function with increased elimination of toxicants.
3. Increased production of anti-oxidant molecules and enzymes.
 
In addition, Dr. Blythe describes a significant improvement of immune system function as demonstrated by decrease of Nagalase. These data are consistent with the known immune-modulatory properties of Bravo and with the removal of chemical toxicants that are known to affect the immune system.

In July, James from Inner Fire Podcast interviewed me in a podcast called "Episode 008 Inner Fire Interviews: Jovan's Journey."

​Please read the story here:  http://innerfirepodcast.com/jovansjourney/ 
Please listen to the podcast here:  http://traffic.libsyn.com/in…/008_Stephany_JovansJourney.mp3

"This week we hear from our friend Stephany about treating her son, Jovan, with a ketogenic diet to help him adapt and overcome his own challenges and obstacles growing up as a non-verbal autistic child. His progress is incredible, and it’s absolutely thrilling to witness."

Inner Fire Podcast explores information about the journey towards health, fitness, and peace of mind.

Polyphenols are micro nutrients that we get through certain plant-based foods.  They're packed with antioxidants and potential health benefits. It's thought that polyphenols can improve or help treat digestion and weight management issues, diabetes, neurodegenerative disease, and cardiovascular disease.  

70% of your immune system lives in your digestive tract. Your body's naturally-occurring probiotics feed on polyphenols. A polyphenol-rich diet can help you feel better and digest your food better. That's right, eating foods with polyphenols can help fuel our own probiotics, making our own digestive systems healthier. 

It's best to get polyphenols by eating foods containing them rather than via supplements, which can limit iron absorption. There are polyphenol blends available for purchase, but they need to be soy-free, lactose-free and manufactured to cGMP standards and have the same high polyphenol content you'd receive if you simple at the food itself, rather than purchase a supplement. 

The best way we've found to harness the highest nutrient content of these powerful foods is to eat them raw and also blend them to add to our kombucha and daily blended juices.  This has a wonderful effect on my family's health. It helps to detoxify and reduce the inflammation Jovan experiences in his gut.  As I've said before, all health begins in the gut, and that's one of the main places we started to try to heal Jovan with his digestive health.