Archive for the ‘Alternative medicine’ Category
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Tuesday, January 17th, 2012
by Dr. Andy Swanson – Nature Cures Clinic physician
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Many people who have acquired a brain injury tell a similar story. They gradually awaken from a coma. They have to relearn aspects of life that were once simple tasks, like balance, walking, speaking, socializing, and tempering emotions. Weeks pass, exhausted from math and reading classes, speech and physical therapy. The process challenges the very deepest aspects of the individual, often instigating feelings of frustration, hopelessness, and depression. After a period of rehab, they leave the hospital with limited options with regard to therapy, relationships, housing, financing and work.
Local support groups are often great resources to steer people towards the help they need. The Brain Injury Association of Oregon (www.biaoregon.org) offers an excellent resource guide to help those with TBI navigate the assistance available. Communities are coming together to enhance this network for those recovering from TBI. Many people in the TBI community, however, are unaware of the options offered by complementary providers such as naturopathic doctors, acupuncturists, yoga therapists and nutritionists. I’d like to share a brief overview of some of the treatments we provide at Nature Cures Clinic that may be of help in the recovery from TBI.
At Nature Cures Clinic we offer individualized health care focused on addressing not just symptoms, but also the underlying causes of imbalance. For example, I treated a patient for a year and a half for Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis that started following brain injury. The treatment plan focused on balancing the thyroid while simultaneously providing the central nervous system with the building blocks for healing. A generalized TBI treatment would have missed the thyroid imbalance. Even if it is clear that the majority of symptoms are related to TBI, it is absolutely necessary to consider other systems of the body that may be operating below optimal function. At Nature Cures Clinic, we treat each person according to the needs of their body. This is determined by a complete physical exam, a detailed history of illness, and any labs and imaging necessary to accurately assess ongoing internal imbalances.
A brief summary below introduces you to the three modules of the TBI program at Nature Cures Clinic. There may be concepts here that you are unfamiliar with. In the coming weeks, I will provide more information on how we use these therapies in the treatment of TBI.
IV Nutritional Therapy offers a unique way to offer the body nutrients to heal following injury. We have a standard multivitamin formulation we use for many health conditions. These nutrients help enhance mood, energy, and immune function. Other formulations specifically target the brain, and these I find particularly useful to accelerate healing post-TBI. These include nutrients such as alpha lipoic acid and glutathione. I will discuss this further in future posts.
Nutrition matters. What you eat directly impacts how you feel and how well your body heals following injury. Even though food is a very sensitive area for many people and dietary changes are challenging, it can be the pivotal change that decides whether or not the nervous system heals. I will discuss this further in future posts.
Chinese Medicine provides a fresh approach to working with many symptoms of TBI such as chronic pain, muscle spasms, forgetfulness, and mood disorders. Through the lens of Chinese Medicine we often encounter underlying imbalances in the body that may have been overlooked by modern medicine. Addressing these underlying imbalances removes potential obstacles to healing, and thus can speed up the recovery from TBI. At Nature Cures Clinic, we incorporate three aspects of Chinese Medicine as part of the TBI program: Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, and Qi Gong. I will discuss each of these further in future posts.
The three modules above, IV Nutritional Therapy, Nutrition, and Chinese Medicine offer a thorough complementary approach to the treatment of traumatic brain injury. The program is not intended to replace the current model of care, but rather to augment a medical model that falls short in providing options for continued outpatient care for post TBI syndrome. It is my belief that the brain can always do better, regardless of how much time has passed since injury. Please feel free to contact me with any questions you have regarding healthcare and the TBI program at Nature Cures Clinic.
Tags: brain injury association, coma, complementary medicine, Diet, intravenous therapy, IV Nutrition, Nature Cures Clinic, TBI, TBI program, traumatic brain injury
Posted in Acupuncture, Alternative medicine, Andy Swanson, Articles by our Doctors, Back pain, Brain, Chinese medicine, Chronic disease, Chronic fatigue, Cognitive development, Diet, Dr. Andy Swanson, General, Health, Healthy diet, Healthy lifestyle, Herbs, Holistic, Naturopathic medicine, Naturopathic medicine, ND, Neurological disorders, Nutrition, Pain, TBI, Thyroid function, traumatic brain injury, Wellness | Comments Off
The Yearly Onslaught: Managing Colds & Flu
Thursday, December 15th, 2011
by Dr. Greg Eckel - Nature Cures Clinic director
Uh oh, it’s that time of year again… sniffles, coughs, fevers oh my…
Every year we get into the same discussions about whether one should get the flu shot, how to handle a fever, how to get through a cold. Well look no further, here is a resource for you. I’ll share what I do for my family and loved ones (that includes you!).
Shot or no shot? Join the discussion at Facebook.com/NatureCuresClinic
First of all, you have heard the virtues about vitamin D. In this case it helps activate natural killer cells. Natural killer cells are a major part of your innate immunity (you’ll have to ask me about one of my favorite super heroes….), which will help you overcome countless viruses. If you don’t know your blood level of Vitamin D, I highly encourage you to get it done at your next blood draw. You can then individualize your dose of Vitamin D. Ideally you want your blood level to between 50-80 ng/ml.
The next piece is always a shocker as it sounds so wrong…the wet sock treatment. In these PC times, it’s been renamed “warming sock treatment.” (By me!) You need a pair of cotton socks and a pair of wool socks. You take a hot foot bath before bed, put the cotton socks under the faucet water as cold as it’ll go, ring them out (so they are damp, not dripping), and put these on your very warm feet. Pull the wool socks over top of that and go directly to bed, do not pass go. This is home hydrotherapy.
At first signs of any upper respiratory illness (sore throat, nasal congestions, sneezes), do this technique for a few evenings to stimulate your immune response. It increases your blood flow at night, your feet will be dry in the morning, and your head will be more clear.
For those with perennial runny nose and congestion, I feel for you. Look no further than EHB (Echinacea, Hydrastis, and Berberine). I use EHB at the first signs of any type of ‘cold.’ This is a very drying formula, has a lot of immune system punch, including garlic and vitamin A among other ingredients. This is also my first go to when I’ve seen a lot of sneezing, coughing patients during the day. We sell it in the Nature Cures e-store — check it out there if you don’t have time to come in to the clinic.
Another component of your immune system function is your gut. Did you knowthat roughly 90% of your immune system surrounds your gut in the GALT (gutassociated lymphoid tissue)? Probiotics are a great addition to your home medicine cabinet. Every doctor has their favorite blend of beneficial bacteria…. of course we have our favorites at the clinic, high ORAC or super natent are two of my favorites.
I’m not impressed with the latest and greatest strands of human microflora. I find most of the time this gets into marketing hype on the most recent research article on so and so particular brand. We do our research so you don’t have to is what I’ll tell you. We see what works clinically and stick with that.
For the kiddos, we have a chewable vitamin C that goes down easy. No complaints coming from them in the morning, even requests for it, when mama or papa forgets. It’s always nice to not have to force anything on them.
Living in the hometown of Linus Pauling, one can’t write an article on immune system function without mentioning vitamin C.
I’m going to leave the discussion about the flu vaccine for those that are interested. If you are interested in that discussion, let’s carry that on our facebook page. Please post a question you have and I’ll be sure to get on there and answer.
Here’s to a healthy and happy new year to you!
-Dr. Eckel
Image Courtesy USACE Europe District
Tags: cold, Dr. Greg Eckel, Flu, flu shot, holiday, Nature Cures Clinic, new year, seasonal depression, vaccination, winter
Posted in Articles by our Doctors, Colds, Dr. Greg Eckel, Flu, H1N1, Naturopathic medicine, Respiratory infections | Comments Off
Palliation vs Treatment in Cancer Care
Friday, December 2nd, 2011
By Dr. Greg Nigh – Nature Cures Clinic physician
No cancer patient wants to hear that their only option is palliative care. Palliative care means using therapies (usually limited to pain medications) that reduce discomfort and thus enhance quality of life. These therapies are explicitly not intended to control the growth and spread of cancer. Palliative care means the cancer patient has progressed beyond the point where there are any treatment options.
The reason that there is such a distinct line between treatment and palliation in conventional cancer care is that the therapies used to treat cancer almost universally make cancer patients feel worse. If there is little hope that a treatment will work, the thinking goes, then treatment is withheld so that the patient can feel more comfortable.
Conventional cancer care focuses almost exclusively on the killing of cancer cells. It is considered an unfortunate but necessary side effect that these therapies also kill healthy cells, which typically leave patients feeling extremely fatigued, depleted, in pain and devitalized.
The world of naturopathic cancer care is dramatically different. The therapies see killing of cancer cells as only one of multiple therapeutic goals. We also work to optimize digestion and overall nutrition; we work to activate anti-cancer immunity; we work to relieve psychological stress and depression that is so common with cancer patients; we work to optimize physical function and activity; and many other therapeutic goals.
In delivering the therapies that pursue these goals, cancer patients feel better, not worse, and sometimes dramatically so. Even patients with advanced cancers and multiple metastases can sometimes feel energetic and active while they are being aggressively treated with naturopathic therapies.
For example, a gentleman with advanced prostate cancer came to our clinic for treatment. Before starting treatment he was extremely fatigued, his activity level very limited. After an intensive series of IV (intravenous) nutrient drips, acupuncture and other therapies, he became energetic, alert, and active. He would commonly tell us that he felt better than he had in decades, and this was a gentleman with advanced metastatic cancer!
In the world of naturopathic cancer care, treatment and palliation go hand in hand. It is not a matter of choosing one or the other. If a medical treatment has enhanced an individual’s health they should feel better, not worse, as a result of that treatment, whether it is treatment of the flu, or indigestion, or cancer.
Any individuals facing a cancer diagnosis and interested in learning about naturopathic treatment options can call to schedule a free consultation. This is limited to 30 minutes and simply gives an overview of the naturopathic treatment process. If the desire is to get a full evaluation and an intensive cancer treatment plan developed, schedule a 90 minute new patient visit.
Whether used in conjunction with conventional therapies or as stand-alone treatment, naturopathic cancer care can enhance every individual’s potential for optimal health and a positive outcome.
Posted in Alternative medicine, Articles by our Doctors, Cancer, Conventional medicine, Dr. Greg Nigh, Naturopathic medicine, Naturopathic medicine | Comments Off
Parent, Nourish Thyself
Tuesday, November 15th, 2011
by Dr. Erika Siegel
Nature Cures Clinic physician
On top of being an excellent physician, writer, yogi and supermom, Dr. Siegel is also the creator of Nourish Me, a superfood supplement for kids and adults aimed at boosting immunity and overall health. Check it out at the Items We Love page of the Nature Cures Clinic store.
As new parents, we often forget how to care for ourselves. Birthdays pass unnoticed, hair is ignored and even teeth go unbrushed. It’s almost comical at times how little we tend to ourselves during the early days (baby drool and sticky hand prints were my accessories for years!). As time goes on, though, many parents start to “reclaim” themselves in some way or another.
I encourage everyone to take a good look at the ways we are (and are not!) currently caring for ourselves. The people I know who are really thriving in their lives make their health a daily priority. If you have been putting yourself on the back burner, here are some ideas to help you get your groove back!
A Few Minutes is Better than None
We all have activities we long to do but can’t seem to find the time. Perhaps it’s yoga, reading a favorite book, taking a walk, crafting, or playing music. We tend to wait until we have the right setting to really get down with our favorite hobbies…
Translation: We rarely do them anymore.
My husband Matt, for instance, complains regularily about missing his long Northwest bike rides. I almost have to push him out the door to go for an hour ride around our local hills (while he groans that he’d rather not go at all because the ride will not be epic enough!). However, when he just sucks it up and takes that shorter ride he always comes back smiling because it was “SO worth it!” When I stop my own whining and get on my yoga mat, I find that a 10 minute session really can nourish me and provide more that I ever would have guessed.
Here is one idea for you: If one of your goals is to become more physically fit, you can literally spend less than 30 minutes a week on the “100 push-ups program.” Within weeks, you will be amazed at how quickly you can rip out a long set of pushups. This is an exercise that you can do anywhere, tones your whole body, and is great for all levels (yes, you can cheat and put your knees on the ground). The 100 pushup program is truly a good time (and yes, there’s an app for that).
Sometimes we just have to integrate our favorite things and do them in a less-than-ideal way. For Matt, he attaches a trailer to his bike and schleps the kids all over the place. For me, I do “yoga” in the living room while the dogs and kids treat me like a licking stick/jungle gym. Other ideas of integration: Listen to your favorite music while you clean the house, dance around while you do that aforementioned cleaning, bring a craft (knitting?) to doctors appointments or places where you will be waiting around, simultaneously clothes shop and catch up with your friends at a clothing swap (invite the ladies over to trade gently worn clothes and hang out! It’s an amazingly fun and economical way to refresh your wardrobe!) (oh I could go on….)
Here’s the Nourish Me challenge: For the next week, try to do something daily that you usually save for longer stretches of time. Shoot for 5-10 minutes of that activity and see how it can squeeze itself back into your life!
Don’t Wait Until Life Gets Easier, Less Crazy or Less Busy – Reality Is, It Might Not!
Come on, you know this by now; life is packed and (at least from my seat) does not seem to be slowing down anytime soon. Perhaps it’s time to stop telling yourself the story that the near future holds this magical amount of more time or energy to take better care of yourself. Remember, this is not a dress rehearsal, your life is not waiting to start after the kids are a bit older or you change jobs. You are in it right now. This. is. it. Tomorrow is a great time to create the life you want.
Here’s the Nourish Me challenge: After reading this post, write down a few things that you can realistically bring into your life, starting tomorrow. (Baby steps are great!)
Pencil It In
Schedule breaks, exercise, cooking sessions and dates. These things will not spontaneously happen anymore. As a parent, it needs to be in the books. Many at-home parents share that they should have more opportunities to take care of themselves, but it still doesn’t happen. So the solution is, you schedule that morning run or phone call with a friend as if it were part of your job (because caring for yourself IS part of your job!).
Here’s the Nourish Me challenge: Plan a date with your love or friend for next week!
Start the Day off Right
One of our biggest needs, that is severely ignored, is our need for hydration. So many patients I work with discover that when they took my advice to drink more water, they really felt the difference. Water is required for every single metabolic process in the body, and dehydration will disguise itself as fatigue, hunger and moodiness. (Yes, you may actually be thirsty and not as tired as you thought!). Caffeine depletes you of water and if you aren’t hitting 8-10 cups daily, you aren’t getting enough. I recommend starting each day with a big glass of water; it’s really not very hard! And while you do it, consider taking a few seconds to set an intention to have a really good day!
Here’s the Obvious Nourish Me Challenge: Drink a full cup of water every morning this week!
Tags: balance, Children, Dr. Erika Siegel, Exercise, family, nourish me, Nutrition, parenting
Posted in Alternative medicine, Articles by our Doctors, Children, Dr. Erika Siegel, Exercise, General, Health, Healthy lifestyle | Comments Off
The Many Faces of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Friday, October 21st, 2011
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) carries a huge complexity of factors, each of which complicates the healing process. There is of course the impact, the moment of trauma, causing significant damage to the brain and oftentimes other body structures. This is the primary concern as the patient is rushed to the emergency room for life-saving procedures. For everyone involved in a tragedy of this sort, it soon becomes apparent that TBI generates aftershocks that extend way beyond the central nervous system of the individual involved; the aftershocks go on for years to come.
As a naturopathic physician and acupuncturist, I have treated patients with TBI in a primary care setting. As a student I wrote my thesis on the naturopathic treatment of TBI. I thought I understood the complexities of this condition. In fact, I was preparing the outline of a book highlighting my understanding of TBI and the treatment of chronic syndromes that continue for years following injury. A year ago, however, I was exposed to an entirely new understanding of TBI when one of my patients hit a tree at a projected speed of 120 mph. She was a passenger in a car and received the full brunt of the impact. What I would learn is that the impact extended much further, as family and friends, healthcare providers, and many others gathered to support each other and the patient in the healing process.
People mobilized from around the country and gathered in the waiting room of the ICU. Two could visit at a time, and the rest patiently awaited and prayed for good news. It was there, in the waiting room, that I saw many angles of the experience transpire. My first day I met the driver of the car, and the remorse was evident in the downward gaze and the pale expression of worry. Soon I would meet the driver’s family, the patient’s family, and the school friends, all of whom supported each other and maintained hope for the best possible outcome.
An undeniable presence in a trauma of this magnitude is the attorneys, the media, the insurance companies, the doctors and nurses, the priests, and the bankers; all present on the scene to “help” navigate these treacherous waters. Some provide support while others make the challenge much more difficult. Mixing all these ingredients together with the volatility of emotions of sheer joy and utter sadness and grief, the experience mirrors that of a human pressure cooker.
There were many details to organize, like who was taking care of the dogs at home while the family lived in the hospital? How often would one leave the hospital to shower? There was the horrendous hospital cafeteria food that all were subject to, and the sleep deprivation from consecutive nights in upright chairs. At one point, a family member awoke with a homeless man sleeping next to her. Emotions were on overload, as people blindly traversed each moment awaiting updates from medical staff. Shock and tragedy have a way of catapulting you into the present moment, where nothing else matters. There’s no more room in the inn. All emotional sensors are activated. There were already family rifts present from a previous divorce and a history of abuse with a family member. Now all were in one room together, forced to get along because this moment was not about them. Past and future seemed far away.
The media was sneaking into the ICU to get interviews with the family. Lawyers for the insurance companies were calling to deny charges. Soon the banks would start sending liens on the family’s home.
I will not get into the details of this experience for the sake of protecting patient confidentiality. I bring this story to light only as an example of the complexity of TBI. This story repeats itself over and over again, every time someone experiences a severe head trauma. The CDC reports that each year, an estimated 1.7 million people sustain a TBI. Of these, 1.3 million report to the ER. 275,000 will require hospitalization, and 52,000 will die.
The experience of TBI extends way beyond the patient. As a clinician I focus on helping patients navigate trauma and heal the nervous system. This involves nutrients, herbs, nutrition, acupuncture, and the movement arts. Complete healing must also include the families and friends involved, as they too are attempting to release the memory of trauma and accept the ongoing challenge of supporting a loved one dealing with the chronic effects of post-TBI syndrome. Healing this requires a community.
Written by Andy Swanson, ND, LAc practicing at Nature Cures Clinic in Portland, OR
Tags: Acupuncture, Brain, community, Dr. Andy Swanson, herbal medicine, Herbs, Naturopathic medicine, nervous system, Nutrition, qigong, statistics, TBI, traumatic brain injury
Posted in Alternative medicine, Andy Swanson, Articles by our Doctors, Brain, Dr. Andy Swanson, Emotions, Health, Herbs, Holistic, Human behavior, LAc, Naturopathic medicine, Naturopathic medicine, ND, Neurological disorders | Comments Off
Depression: Treatments that go beyond medication
Monday, October 17th, 2011
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A number of imbalances in the body or brain could be the cause of depression. Naturopathic medicine seeks to find and change those causes.
by Dr. Greg Nigh - Nature Cures Clinic physician
October is National Depression Awareness Month. This is a good opportunity to reflect on the treatment for depression that our “health care industry” almost universally utilizes.
Sales of anti-depressant medications brings in around $12 billion in profits annually for the pharmaceutical industry. Approximately 30 million people are currently taking anti-depressant medication in the US alone. And while there is evidence that anti-depressants can improve symptoms for individuals with severe depression, there is virtually no evidence that the drugs work better than placebo in those with moderate or mild depression.
Naturopathic treatment approaches to depression shed light on causes instead of masking symptoms with meds.
Depression can be used to illustrate the difference between the conventional and the naturopathic approach to symptoms. The conventional approach is to prescribe a medication that hides the symptom. The conventional medical assumption is that depression is caused by an imbalance in brain chemistry, and that imbalance is corrected with the medications. In reality, though, anyone can read the mechanism of action of those drugs and discover that no one knows exactly how they reduce symptoms in some people.
The second and most dramatic aspect of conventional treatment of depression is what it lacks: in a primary care setting there is no thorough inquiry into why a given individual is experiencing symptoms of depression. Once the list of qualifying symptoms are expressed, the prescription very commonly is quick to follow.
In naturopathic medicine, depression is understood in much the same way that any other symptom is: it signals an imbalance. If the overall goal of medicine is to promote health and enhance vitality, it is essential to understand all the elements that lead to the depression experienced by each individual.
For example, diet and nutrition play a profound role in health generally and in the regulation of mood in particular. Dietary excesses of some foods deplete serotonin and dopamine, the brain chemicals associated with feeling good. Likewise, lack of specific nutrients can have profound effects on the body’s ability to maintain optimal function of the nervous system. Simply correcting these issues can lead to dramatic improvements in symptoms.
A much larger issue is the way in which our society has turned circumstantial feelings of sadness, grief, isolation or hopelessness into a diagnosis that requires medication to manage. When individuals experience profound loss, or feel trapped in relationships or jobs, or are unable to resolve past traumas, medications to mask those valid emotions are not addressing the cause of the depression.
A naturopathic approach to depression utilizes a comprehensive understanding of the history and circumstances that contribute to the depression. It can involve lab testing to determine metabolic imbalances. It will virtually always involve a close look at nutrition and the ways in which eating habits might be contributing to the ongoing symptoms. It can include recommendations for regular exercise, because that is a therapy that has been consistently found to relieve depression as well as medications.
There are many reasons that any given person might experience depression. Treating depression can only be done if the underlying cause is understood as clearly as possible, and therapies are used to re-establish balance in an individual’s life.
During National Depression Awareness Month, those who feel they may have depression should seek out a naturopathic physician. The most important thing to know about depression is that it is not simply a chemical imbalance in the brain that requires medication to correct. Depression is a dynamic relationship between an individual, their lifestyle, their circumstances and their way of thinking about their life. In the context of a naturopathic treatment plan, all of these factors are addressed to optimize an individual’s full capacity for optimum wellness.
Dr. Greg Nigh is available for free 30-minute consultations to discuss your health care. To set up an appointment, call Nature Cures Clinic at (503) 287-4970, or email info2@naturecuresclinic.com
Image courtesy: TheAlieness GiselaGiardino
Tags: anti-depressants, anxiety, depression, depression awareness month, Dr. Greg Nigh, imbalance, managing depression, mental health, Nature Cures Clinic, october, Portland, treating depression, treatments for depression
Posted in Alternative medicine, Articles by our Doctors, Dr. Greg Nigh | Comments Off
After a week of Cold Showers….
Monday, September 26th, 2011
So a week of cold showers, or rather, 3 minutes a day of cold water. Yep, I did it. Though, it should be known that this all went down in early August.
As a refresher, after reading some articles on the health benefits of cold showers, I decided to try it for a week. My technique was to start my showers warm, not hot, and turn them down, so as to have 3-5 minutes of cool water. I never ran them straight cold – just cool.
What did I find?
Well, for starters, I didn’t hate it. But it was also August….I could see cold showers being utterly unfathomable once the icy Portland rain returns. Yes, I rocked some goose bumps, but cold water sure gives caffeine a run for its money in the energy department. I definitely felt more alert and energetic that week. Not leap-a-building energetic, but generally a bit brighter. I also found that I was much warmer throughout the day after taking a cold shower. Dousing yourself in cold water stimulates thermogenesis – the process of building internal heat. I’ll be curious to see if there is a significant difference this winter. As far as skin and hair goes, I didn’t notice any radical changes….or perhaps my internal glow superseded any outward differences.
Since my official experiment week, I’ve maintained the cold shower ritual probably 70% of the time, and will continue to do so. I have certainly acclimated to the temperature change, and can handle longer periods of cooler water.
All in all, I’d say a week of cold showers was a worthy trial – certainly no negative effects, and be it coincidence or not, I was happy and alert all week.
Tags: cold showers
Posted in Alternative medicine, Anne Carruth, Articles by our Doctors, Emotions, Fatigue, General, Health, Healthy lifestyle | Comments Off
NCC Cleanse: Day 1
Saturday, September 17th, 2011
Nature Cures Clinic Cleanse
Day 1
After reading through the materials for Day 1 and 2 of the cleanse, it seemed pretty doable to me. Breakfast wasn’t so different from what I usually have. This morning it was a bowl of steel cut oats with blueberries, raspberries and a dash of cinnamon. I would normally have added honey and milk of some sort. It really wasn’t too bad without the added sweetness. I was worried it would be too dry for my taste, which is why I usually put in the milk. But, because the berries were frozen, when I heated them up there was enough juice to spread throughout the oats.
For my mid-morning snack, I had a salt-free organic brown rice cake with a tablespoon of unsalted almond butter. That kept me full until lunch, which was a 1/2 cup of brown rice with black beans, blanched green beans, chicken, and about a tablespoon of salsa verde for some fat and flavor. This was really satisfying and seemed like a lot of food, but it was still under the 600 calorie limit. I used an online calorie counter to figure out how much each ingredient was worth.
With both breakfast and lunch I took the Formula 1 capsules, which I noticed, did not have any kind of bad aftertaste or smell- love that!
Mid-afternoon I had a handful of raw almonds and about a third of a sliced cucumber. By 3pm I was really wanting some protein and the almonds did the trick.
Dinner: The Shake. 5:30pm arrived and it was time to make dinner, a crazy looking shake of protein and greens powder. I decided to buy a Blender Bottle from Dr. Costello because I knew I wouldn’t want to mess around with an actual blender, especially when the shakes become more frequent. The Blender Bottle is special because of a metal ball inside that is shaped like a round whisk. It really works; I was quite impressed.
Admittedly, I hate greens powder. I can’t stand the smell or the taste and was not looking forward to this at all. During my cleanse prep session with Maria Zilka, I expressed my concerns about the flavor and she had a brilliant idea blending: Baby food! The organic baby food that comes in convenient little pouches will mix with the greens powder quite nicely in the Blender Bottle. I chose a Plum Organics mix of pear, blueberry and purple carrot (all approved foods on the elimination diet). Maria said that I could mix half a cup of fruit puree to the shake and fortunately each little pouch is exactly the right amount.
THE RESULT:
It didn’t smell bad, it didn’t look good and it didn’t make me gag- but it is 7:40 pm right now and I’ve still got 6 ounces to go. It is not an easy beverage for me to get down, but it is far from the worst I’ve ever tried. I wont be making it without any purees, and I think I can handle it.
I don’t think I have hit my water goal for the day yet and I would definitely like some carbs right now. I’m pretty sure I will feel hungry for a while…wish me luck as I try to exercise some willpower!
Tags: cleanse, Diet, Nature Cures Clinic, organic food, protein
Posted in Caffeine, Caloric restriction, Diet, Elimination diet, Food, Food intolerances, Healthy diet, Maria Zilka, Naturopathic medicine, Nutrition, Office Manager Blog | Comments Off
The Night Before The Cleanse…
Thursday, September 15th, 2011
Hello, my name is Megan, and to be perfectly honest I am not a big “cleanse” person. I completely support the idea and have seen the amazing results that people have achieved. But, for me personally, I don’t enjoy what I consider to be “restricting” my diet. I have decided to embark on a cleanse with a few other clinic employees and see what all the fuss is about. My goal is to write something daily. Maybe a detailed account of my day to day experience or just a simple statement about how a particular day went; as long as I document something then I will have reached one of my goals.
As a newbie Mom to a 10 month old boy, my current diet can be can be summed up as erratic. I’ll eat a basic breakfast of a bowl of whole grain cereal with milk (sometimes soy) and either a banana or some berries thrown in. I’ll be lucky if I get another sit-down meal before dinner, mainly subsisting on Trader Joe’s snacks while at work. I don’t eat a varied diet, though I do believe for the most part I eat fairly well. I am a firm believer in all things Gluten, Dairy, and Sugar. I don’t drink caffeine so I don’t anticipate that being a problem during the 21 days I plan to stick to the Nature Cures Clinic Cleanse and Elimination Diet. My biggest fear is the carb cravings!
I hope that this cleanse will give me a jump start and really motivate me to branch out in my eating habits, as well as open my eyes to new and nutritious foods that I can introduce to my little guy. I’m fortunate to work just a few steps away from Maria Zilka, who is an amazing source of knowledge on all things food and nutrition. I’m so glad not to be doing this alone! While we will all be doing a slightly different version of the Nature Cures Clinic Cleanse, it is so important to have that support system in place.
I have no known food allergies and bound by no intolerance, I am curious to find out if there could actually be something hiding beneath the surface.
Since tomorrow morning is my first cleansing day, I thought that I should really make tonight count- you know, go out with a bang! Here’s a photo of my absolutely delicious dinner:
Chicken Sausage and Potato Hash with Cold Green Bean Salad and a Fried Egg
Without going into too much detail…Fingerling Potatoes are chopped into rings and fried in smoked fat, the greens beans are tossed in a homemade aioli, and the entire dish is drizzled in salsa verde- yummmm!
As you can see, I ate it all.
I plan to finish the night off with a little blueberry and nectarine torte and a nice glass of red wine.
Stay posted for the upcoming cleanse details, I plan on being brutally honest on the whole experience- especially when it comes to taste- and I promise lots of pictures.
Wish me luck!
Posted in Caffeine, Caloric restriction, Children, Diet, Elimination diet, Exercise, Food, Food allergies, Food intolerances, Health, Healthy diet, Maria Zilka, Naturopathic medicine, Nutrition, Office Manager Blog, Wellness, Women's health | Comments Off
Health Insurance, Really?
Thursday, July 21st, 2011
By Dr. Greg Eckel, Naturopathic Physician at Nature Cures Clinic__________
The health insurance industry seems to be purposefully obtuse and complex. As a recent conversation reveals it is also costly. If you are responsible for your own health insurance you probably already know this. If your employer carries the insurance you’ve probably seen the portion you have to pay for has been on the increase.
One recent example that I had to write about was around a patient needing imaging of their abdomen. The insurance company confirmed they cover preventative screenings, however, if any positive finding (meaning anything that shouldn’t be there) would mean that the imaging would be deemed a surgical procedure, which they don’t cover any of the costs. The procedure could cost upwards of $5,000. My patient wouldn’t know if they had to cover the cost of the procedure until after they were woken up!! This is on top of a $600.00 a month cost just for the insurance to not cover a needed procedure! Yikes!
Instead of ranting and raving about this, it got me thinking about other ways of going about delivering our healthcare. I’m going to ask for some help and some brainstorming from you all out there in blog land though. Health insurance drives up the cost of running this little thing we call Nature Cures. We accept it for our patients as they have coverage and pay for it and should be able to use it. However, as more and more stories like the one mentioned above come in, I’d like to explore some options.
I was thinking about our patients who pay out of pocket for our services. Through creating a foundation, non-profit, some other vehicle (this is where I need your help to connect me to the people who know, perhaps you do?) where patients would get a tax deduction. The entity would employ doctors to deliver care. There would less transactions at the clinic. This would possibly cut down on the amount of health insurance transactions we would need to do around here. And patients would get the care they need from our office. Of course this doesn’t solve the above mentioned problem, but it does address the access to care for a lot of people to naturopathic and Chinese medicine care.
No need to worry if you are a patient of ours and have insurance coverage. We aren’t getting rid of the benefit. I’m just exploring some options with you all and starting a dialogue here.
If you have any ideas, I’d love to hear them! We really like creating around here and want to support you in creating as well. Perhaps we could come up with a novel model that would help change health care delivery for the better!
Tags: Alternative medicine, Dr. Greg Eckel, Health care reform, health insurance, natural medicine
Posted in Alternative medicine, Articles by our Doctors, Conventional medicine, Dr. Greg Eckel, Health care reform, Miscellaneous, Naturopathic medicine | 2 Comments »
Plant Two Seeds and Call Me in the Morning
Friday, April 15th, 2011
Gardening – A Prescription For Health
By Rose Paisley, ND
Get creative to get growing in small spaces.
Oh, what’s that you say? Those seasonal allergies, tension headaches, achy joints and muscles, fussy digestive system, excess fatigue, slowly rising cholesterol and blood pressure, and the few extra pounds that have crept up this winter have been bothering you? Well, fret no more.
I have just the thing for you, I want you to get into the dirt and plant some vegetables, herbs and flowers. Oh, you’re concerned about side effects? Well, you may experience more productivity, feel peaceful, rejuvenated, proud, and restored. I also expect with in three months of 30-60 minutes per day that your blood pressure and cholesterol will come down a bit, you immune system to be stronger, you will have lost a few pounds, your headaches will decrease, and your overall energy and sense of well being will have improved. The long-term effects should include a deeper connection to the earth and your food, an increased consumption of veggies and stress reduction. I know, pretty great medicine, isn’t it!
Gardening is Truly Preventative
Currently obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer are among the most likely causes of death in our country. These conditions are also among the largest contributors to health care costs and can all be reduced, alleviated and often treated with lifestyle changes. What sort of changes you may be asking? It’s nothing all that surprising…more fruits and vegetables and more exercise.
Literally, by simply adopting a whole foods diet rich in fruits and vegetables and moving your body for 30 min/day, you can significantly decrease your risk for obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer. In fact, a recent Meta Analysis demonstrated that more than 1.5 million subjects showed a reduction in cardiovascular disease when they adhered to the Mediterranean Diet.
Essentially, the Mediterranean Diet is low in saturated fats, low in sugar, rich in omega 3 fatty acids, whole grains and unprocessed fruits and veggies. Endless studies continue to demonstrate risk prevention and improved longevity with as little as 30 minutes of exercise per day 6 days per week. With a vegetable garden in your yard or involvement in a community garden you can easily accomplish both an increased consumption of fruits and veggies and 30 minutes of exercise.
Connecting with Nature
Beyond lowering cholesterol, blood pressure and stress, and the weight loss that is associated with gardening, there is a powerful healing benefit when you are more connected with nature. Harvard naturalist and Pulitzer Prize winner Edward O. Wilson, who coined the term biophilia – love of living things, believes that we have an affinity for nature because we are part of nature. He says that we would prefer to look at flowers, tress, fruits and vegetables over concrete buildings, freeways, and busy sidewalks. Wilson says that because we are connected to nature we are restored by nature.
There have been several studies that have demonstrated strong evidence that nature heals. One study done at Texas A&M University found that patients recovering from gallbladder surgery who looked out at a view of trees had significantly shorter hospital stays, fewer complaints, and took less pain medication than those who looked out at a brick wall. There are other studies that have found that looking at scenes of nature can produce a decline in systolic blood pressure in five minutes or less. It is believed that by looking at nature we increase healing. By examining changes in brain electrical activity, muscle tension, respiration, and shifts in emotional states, researchers have concluded that all may be linked to better immune function. Therefore, not only can we heal faster by improving the immune function and inflammatory response, we can also decrease disease.
Quality of Life
Furthermore, gardening is a great way to promote healthy living and nutritious eating habits. Gardening increases the consumption of fruits and vegetables for kids and adults by making fresh fruits and vegetables readily available, adding in the excitement of eating something healthy because you grew it, creating a greater appreciation for how food is grown and by providing opportunities to practice preparing nutritious and new foods. It is a great way to spend time with children and discuss important topics such as; life cycles, the health of the soil, composting, our relationship with the earth and other species, and of course food.
My daughter Lola loves to be in the garden. Whether it’s the thrill of starting seeds and growing sprouts in a couple of days or waiting months for the beets to be ready, she is always eager to take a bite of something that she helped grow. That is the moment when I think to my self, “now, that’s some good parenting!” Plus, gardens are an exciting and interactive tool that demonstrates life skills and develops good habits.
Top 10 reasons to grow a garden
1. Deeper Connection with the Earth
2. Local, Organic, Fresh
3. Better Health
4. Economical
5. Educational
6. Stress Reduction
7. Beauty
8. Sharing the with your community
9. Variety in Your Diet
10. Joy
Here are some great resources to get you started, simply Google the following:
You Grow Girl
Gardening Supply Company
Vegetable Gardening Made Easy – good soil to great veggies
Organic Home Gardener
Gardening Guru
Thank you for coming to Nature Cures today, I expect that if you follow my simple instructions, with in a few weeks and for years to come you will be feeling much, much better.
Peace!
Dr. Rose
Image courtesy Mazaletel
Posted in Alternative medicine, Articles by our Doctors, Food, General, Health, Healthy diet, Healthy lifestyle, Nutrition | Comments Off
Keeping the Heart Healthy
Saturday, February 19th, 2011
________________________________
by Leslie Fuller, ND –
Nature Cures Clinic physician –
The hearts of our Valentines are not the only ones that we celebrate in the month of February. Since 1963, Congress has officially required the President to declare February as American Heart Month as a way to urge Americans to join the battle against cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular diseases, including stroke, are our nation’s No. 1 killer. For those reasons, it’s important to know what ‘heart health’ means and how you can accomplish it.
Gaining a basic understanding of cardiovascular physiology is important in order to know how to improve that physiology. Allow me geek out for a few moments here on the physics of what the heart does for us.
For starters, the heart is a pump that is responsible for supply our entire body with blood flow to provide our cells with oxygen and nutrients, and to help eventually rid the body of some toxins. Heart failure occurs when the heart can no longer meet the metabolic demands of the body.
The heart working as a pump pushes our blood through a series of large and small tubes (arteries, capillaries and veins) that have a limited volume capacity. If our ‘tubes’ get too gummed up (with plaques derived from cholesterol) and become smaller in diameter, or if our blood volume has a dramatic increase, our heart will have to work much harder to pump the required blood through, straining the system. This is what we refer to as blood pressure, and when the blood volume is too high, or the arteries have become too narrow, hypertension ensues.
The heart also has an intricate conduction system that allows it to beat in a succinct, rhythmical fashion. Our heart rate is supposed to increase as we exercise and move around throughout our daily activities, but at rest, our heart rate should remain even and slow. Arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation, occur when the heart’s usually quiet electrical system misfires or becomes overactive, often due to damage of the cells that support the conduction system. Last, but not least, our heart cells require oxygen to survive. When these cells become starved of oxygen, from too little or restricted blood flow, it is possible to experience chest pain, commonly called angina.
So… now that we know all about what our hearts are responsible for, how do we keep them healthy? We can take many lifestyle-based steps to decrease the workload required of our cardiovascular systems. Keeping blood pressure in check is a good place to start. A key tactic in accomplishing this is decreasing the amount of stress in our lives, as the hormones and neurotransmitters released during times of stress are responsible for constriction of our blood vessels, which in turn causes elevated blood pressure.
While the stresses of our daily lives can often not be eliminated, how we cope with stress can be improved upon. This includes taking time daily to relax, breathe, and let our bodies switch from the “go go go!” mode, to one that is more calm. And any amount of time will be beneficial: from laying down and breathing deep for a few minutes to hours of meditation. There are several specific nutritional, herbal and even pharmaceutical options that can be explored if blood pressure is a concern. Keeping our blood pressure at a normal level decreases the wear and tear on our vascular systems and our hearts, allowing for flawless function well into our later years.
There are several dietary changes that can be made to improve heart health. By now, most people are aware that saturated fats and processed foods should generally be avoided. Those foods can lead to a negative increase in cholesterol levels as well as help generate plaques along artery walls that further promotes hypertension and increases the risk of adverse events, such as a stroke. And most people also know that sugar, along with simple carbohydrates and starches, should be avoided.
What may not be as familiar to you, however, are the foods that we can add to our diet to improve heart function.
Foods rich in calcium, magnesium and potassium are all important for proper function of our heart cells and their conduction systems. Coincidentally, these foods also offer plentiful vitamins and minerals. Now, where can you get these power-packed nutritional foods? Your own garden! That’s right: fruits and vegetables have high amounts of the major minerals we need for heart health, as well as smaller nutrients that help our entire cardiovascular system, such as bioflavonoids and vitamin C. Fruits and vegetables, along with whole grains, are also high in soluble and insoluble fiber —- both of which help balance cholesterol levels and overall bowel health.
It is also important to remember that your heart is a muscle and it, like all other muscles in our body, needs regular exercise to maintain healthy. Fortunately for us, some of the main ways to exercise out bodies also give our hearts a sufficient workout. Aerobic exercise, such as brisk walking, swimming, jogging or biking gives your heart the best workout. Weight loss, achieved through diet and exercise, also increases our overall heart health by putting less work on the heart.
If you are unsure where to start with these heart health changes, come in and see us at Nature Cures Clinic. Navigating the world of health and fitness can be tricky and overwhelming… let us help you find your way!
Photo courtesy Debs
Tags: cardiova, dr leslie fuller, dr. fuller, heart health, valentine's day
Posted in Articles by our Doctors, Dr. Fuller, General, Holistic | Comments Off
Dr. Greg Eckel appointed to state naturopathic board
Wednesday, February 17th, 2010
Congratulations to Nature Cures Clinic’s Dr. Greg Eckel for his recent appointment to the Oregon State Board of Naturopathic Medicine. Dr. Eckel was confirmed in the Oregon State Senate on February 10th. He was chosen for his leadership and excellence in the field of naturopathic medicine. (more…)
Tags: Dr. Greg Eckel, Oregon State Board of Naturopathic Medicine
Posted in Dr. Greg Eckel, Naturopathic medicine | 3 Comments »
Medication Menace Podcast
Thursday, August 9th, 2007
Listen to Medication Menace Podcast
Posted in Alternative medicine, Medication, Podcast, Side effects, Statins | Comments Off