In a world and society where “instant” is demanded and fast is too slow, we are expected to be reachable 24-7. The result is people are constantly “plugged in.” This makes it virtually impossible for our brains to reset and rejuvenate from “fight-flee-and-flight” reactionary patterns. As was stated on Integrative Practitioner: Our modern world...
Cortisol is Not the Enemy, but Too Much Stress Is Not a Good Thing
We are on constant alert 24-7. Apple watches, work emails, and Instagram have us hooked into our devices first thing in the morning and prevent us from drifting off to slumberland late at night. The result of constantly being “on” is that our society is chronically under-slept and highly stressed. This state of...
A Naturopathic Doctor’s Approach to Mind-Body and Mental Health Using Essential Oils
Recently, I explored how food can provide powerful nourishment to the brain. I discussed specific nutrients for cognitive support and how they can modulate neurotransmitters. I also highlighted two of my favorite natural supplements for balancing mental health, N-acetylcysteine and L-theanine. In my naturopathic medicine practice, I often combine a personalized dietary approach...
Addressing All Matters of the Heart: Cardiovascular Support Using Essential Oils
As a naturopathic doctor that honors the whole person, I believe that physical health is only one component of living a life of passion, purpose, vitality, and joy. In fact, striving for “perfect” bodily conditions through diet and exercise could be counterproductive if it is ignoring the importance of social connections. This is one...
Using Natural Medicine as Food for the Brain
Recently, I concluded an article series on healthism. As a naturopathic doctor who honors biochemical individuality and practices personalized medicine, including dietary recommendation, I felt I needed to speak up. I have a deep concern over the current trend in integrative medicine that is focusing way too much on food and exercise and way...
Is Eating “Perfectly” Making You More Anxious and Sicker?
Last week, I discussed the sad state of our health care system and the ineffectiveness of our current attempt to “fix” chronic diseases. I explained that solely focusing on rigid diet and exercise protocols to achieve optimal performance is missing the mark. I feel that many well-intended experts are taking the concept of “food...
Living in an Expensive, Ineffective, and Sick Health Care Model and How Kale and Keto Aren’t the Solution
According to the Multinational Comparisons of Health Systems Data, 2018 by the Commonwealth Fund, the United States is one of the most expensive health care systems among the industrialized countries. From 1980-2017, America spent more of its GDP (17.2% adjusted for cost of living) for healthcare spending. In an earlier study, it was found...
Can You Be “Too Healthy?” What is Orthorexia?
As a naturopathic doctor that advocates for a personalized approach to dietary suggestions and honors the power of food as medicine, I’ve become very concerned with how practitioners and wellness experts are fixating and normalizing restrictive food practices and extreme exercise. Applied to the right person at the right time, these various “nutritional interventions”...
The Pitfalls of Chasing Dietary Perfection in the Pursuit of Weight Loss
Why Diets Will Never Work for Weight Loss As a naturopathic doctor who honors biochemical individuality and the healing aspects of nutrition, I have become very concerned with how “healthcare” is shifting away from using food as medicine and more as a means to control body weight. Practitioners are sounding more and more like...
Heading Into the New Year- Nourishing Yourself With Your Own Personalized Diet
The Dangers of Subscribing to the Morality of Eating When I first started out as a naturopathic doctor in 2007, I was in a new field where most people didn’t even know what the heck I did. Since nutrition is one modality that I use, I found myself spending a lot of time teaching...