In this week’s Q&A, I focused on drug pricing, light therapy, sauna use, nutrient testing and daily protocols.
I want to start with a story that explains why these Q&A sessions matter. A patient needed testosterone. I prescribed a ten milliliter vial. A retail pharmacy quoted more than five hundred dollars for something that should cost around fifty. The patient tried to save money with GoodRx but entered the wrong volume and was given ten one milliliter vials instead of the one larger vial. The pharmacy ignored my original prescription and charged one hundred fifty dollars. Better than five hundred, but still triple the real cost.
This is the ignorance tax. The less you understand the system, the more it extracts from you. In today’s world you must use every tool you can. GoodRx helps. AI helps. Asking questions helps. Retail pharmacies have relied on confusion for decades. That era is ending but only for people who choose to take responsibility for their choices.
This is one reason I rely on compounding pharmacies. They respect both the doctor and the patient. They provide real customer service. They do not alter prescriptions behind the scenes.
The deeper problem is the system itself. Doctors are squeezed to the point that meaningful care becomes difficult. This is why we use a membership model. It protects our time and our patients.
Light Patches
A common question is whether LifeWave patches work even when you do not feel anything. Light based therapies depend on raw materials inside the body. If you are low in minerals or hydration or basic nutrients, you will not respond well to any form of phototherapy.
This is why I developed the 14 Day Reset. It pairs the X39 patch with two liters of spring water every day, three real meals built on protein, greens and root vegetables, and strict light hygiene at night. These steps give the body what it needs to respond.
Gentle therapies work with your biology. They rarely produce dramatic sensations even when they are making real changes.
Sauna
A sauna session should leave you pleasantly tired. Think of the calm heaviness you feel after a moderate workout or after some time in the sun. Most people reach that point in twenty to forty minutes. The aim is to sweat and support detoxification. Modern life exposes the body to a staggering number of environmental toxins. Hair tests show this again and again.
If you are already exhausted, skip the sauna. If you feel a pleasant sense of relaxation afterward, even when under the weather, it is likely helping. Be cautious if your sodium runs low in your labs. My electrolyte protocol can guide you safely.
Vitamin C and MSM
The usual order for these protocols is vitamin C first, then MSM, then iodine. I sometimes adjust this for individuals but the sequence works for most.
Our vitamin C is potent. In a recent test I reached bowel tolerance at forty grams. A competitor required more than seventy. You pay more upfront but you need less to get results.
If your bowels are loose, take vitamin C until you notice one extra bowel movement. The goal is at least five grams and often ten. Many people underdose and then wonder why they do not feel a change.
For organic acid testing you can stop supplements for two weeks if you want a completely clean baseline. Often I prefer to keep people on their support protocols because they feel better that way.
Potassium
Hunter gatherer communities often consume five to eight grams of potassium per day. That is the territory you want to aim for. Most modern diets do not come close.
At less than two grams you will struggle to make progress. At two to three grams your odds improve. At three to five grams you have a chance. Beyond five grams you finally match what the human body expects.
Potassium strongly activates the parasympathetic nervous system. Some people feel drained at first. These cases need individualized support while the body adapts.
Hyperbaric Oxygen
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is one of the most versatile tools in integrative medicine. I would place most of my patients in a chamber if I could. It helps with injuries and inflammation and general longevity.
I believe many homes will have their own chambers in the future. A used compact car costs about the same as a high quality system. The car will not add years to your life. The chamber might.
HBOT works best when used quickly after injuries.
Final Thoughts
If you want a deeper understanding of these protocols and how to pinpoint your own triggers, you can join me for the Autoimmunity Masterclass.
Thank you, as always, for your questions and your support. Your memberships and supplement purchases make this work possible and allow me to keep sharing what actually helps rather than adding to the noise in the wellness world.
If you are ready to work with me, apply to join my practice.
Submit Your Questions
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You can find the supplements mentioned in this week’s Q&A in my supplement store.
I’d appreciate hearing how these lifestyle strategies and product recommendations have worked for you. You can share that feedback with my team here in our testimonials form.
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Until next time, be well,
Dr. Stillman
Executive Summary
Using tools like GoodRx can help find better drug pricing.
Compounding pharmacies often provide better service and pricing.
Membership models in healthcare can improve patient care.
Light therapy requires proper nutrition to be effective.
Sauna use should be tailored to individual health conditions.
Vitamin C protocols need careful dosing to avoid side effects.
Patients often don’t realize the benefits of gentle therapies until they stop.
Regular detoxification is important for health.
Healthcare should focus on long-term wellness, not just treating illness.
Personalized medicine is key to achieving optimal health outcomes. Organic acid testing should be done without supplements for accurate results.
Aiming for five grams of potassium daily is crucial for health.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is versatile and beneficial for many conditions.
Sun exposure should be gradual, especially on photosensitizing medications.
Detox powder can significantly aid in health improvement.
Zeolite may help detoxify but is not necessary for everyone.
Hormone replacement therapy requires careful monitoring of symptoms.
Standard care for tick bites includes antibiotics when necessary.
Folate and B12 are essential in fertility protocols.
Light therapy can be beneficial for those in low sunlight areas.
