Depression- The naturopathic Medicine Approach
I suffer from severe depression- Can Naturopathic Medicine help me?
How is it possible that someone that has been suffering for years and, taken a myriad of prescription medicines, would respond to something as simple as natural medicines?
The main differentiation between treating depression with holistic medicine versus prescription drugs is actually not in the medicines themselves, but in the approach to diagnosis. At any given time we may see ten different patients labeled as suffering from Depression and yet our treatment approach will radically differ from one to the next.
During the last decade, the media and health food industry have presented a number of natural substances as great “holistic remedies” for depression. Some examples are
The role of a good naturopathic physician is that of a ‘Medical Sherlock Holmes’: to investigate hidden clues for the imbalances in the individual’s body chemistry. Just like the famous detective, we find subtle clues that guide us to a proper diagnosis and the “right treatment”, which is always highly individualized for each patient.
Hence, we search for clues in areas such as:
- Nutritional status
- Digestion and elimination
- Metabolic type
- Neurotransmitter (brain molecules) levels
- Essential Fatty Acids ratios.
- Blood sugar and Insulin fluctuations
- Food allergies or intolerances
- Heavy Metals Toxicity
- Sex Hormones levels
- Detoxification patterns
- Psychological and family history
If you or someone you care about suffers from depression- where do you start looking?
If the depression is mild and doesn’t affect daily function- the first place to concentrate is in your food intake, digestion and elimination. High levels of sugar intake can dramatically affect emotional response. Absence of beneficial fats (good fish and flax seed oils) can affect neural and hormonal function. Improper mineral balances can aggravate depressive moods by slowing metabolism. If digestion is improper, then many nutrients that are essential to proper brain function may not be absorbed sufficiently. If, on the other side, elimination is improper, toxins can be incorporated into the blood stream, liver function can be taxed and the foundation for emotional wellbeing is shaken.
Of course, psychological trauma is always taken into account. However, even in the presence of severe psychological dysfunction, a balanced chemistry will make the difference between suffering and being able to handle the trauma and move beyond it.
Severe depression- requires more than a “do-it-yourself” approach. Find a practitioner that is knowledgeable on the areas specified above and in whom you can feel a sense of trust (essential!) and be prepared for a great journey. As a physician, some of the greatest moments have been from seeing people that have suffered for years from severe depression, come back to life. Why choose to just exist, go through life with a black and white view, when it can be so full of vibrant color?
DETOXIFICATION FOR VIGOR & HEALTH
The term ‘Detoxification’ is so often used, but what does it really mean? And are we all really that toxic?
Toxicity is of much greater concern in the twentieth century than ever before. There are many new and stronger chemicals, air and water pollution, radiation and nuclear power. We ingest new chemicals, use more drugs of all kinds, eat more sugar and refined foods, and daily abuse ourselves with various stimulants and sedatives. The incidence of many toxicity diseases has increased as well. Cancer and cardiovascular disease are two of the main ones. A poor ability to detoxify may contribute to illnesses like arthritis, obesity, allergies, chemical sensitivity, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue; digestive problems such as irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease; hormonal issues such as PMS and menopausal symptoms; depression, or skin conditions like acne, eczema, and psoriasis. Toxicity can also manifest in less obvious symptoms such as foggy thinking, headaches, immune weakness, bad breath or indigestion. But you need not suffer from any particular illness to do a detox/cleansing program. It can be beneficial for almost anyone wanting to improve their health.
Detoxification is defined as “the process of removing toxins from the body.” We can do this in two ways:
First, by decreasing/removing the amount of toxins we put into our bodies.
Second, by encouraging the release of stored toxins by using certain foods, vitamins, amino acids, chelating agents, botanicals, homeopathics & other therapies.
To decrease/remove toxins we must first know where they’re found in our environment. Some common culprits are:
• Air
• New carpet, new paint, household cleansers, solvents
• Packaging
• Pharmaceuticals
• Healthcare products (anti-perspirants, perfumed skin products & soaps)
• FOOD (highly processed foods, preservatives, food colorings, SUGAR, saturated fats, pesticides/herbicides, added hormones.)
• Heavy metals from fish, amalgam fillings
• Negative thoughts/relationships, stress, tension
Why Detox?
The concept of regularly cleansing or detoxifying the body is an ancient one. It has become even more important now in our modern society with daily exposure to toxins in our air and food. Since a toxic body cannot effectively absorb nutrients or eliminate waste, an imbalance is created within the body causing a variety of possible symptoms involving not only our physical health, but also our emotional and mental health.
Common improvements seen by those who complete a detox program :
- Increased energy
- Sense of emotional well-being
- Heightened mental clarity
- Stronger immune system
- Clearer skin
- Decrease in GI discomfort , chemical sensitivities & allergies
Removing toxins is something you can do on your own everyday. However, for a more thorough detox, it is important to work with a licensed healthcare practitioner that can support your body’s systems. The main organs of elimination are the colon, liver, lungs, kidneys, lymph & skin. Supporting these organs while detoxifying is essential to a successful detox. If not managed properly, you may end up feeling worse or exacerbating your symptoms.
Spring and Automn are the traditional time for internal cleansing, but any time of the year is better than none.
Can you really afford to wait?
Menopause: A Holistic Approach
Menopause - Some women dread it, others welcome it. For some, the advent of hot flashes is mild and somehow anti-cathartic, for others the symptoms are debilitating.
While hot flushes are the most common sign, many women experience debilitating states of depression or anxiety, forgetfulness, loss of libido and weight gain.
Why is one woman’s experience so different from the next? In conventional medicine, Menopause is seen as a change in female hormones. A study was done comparing levels of hormones of Mayan women, who do not suffer from Menopausal symptoms, with those of American women. Researchers expected to see a significant difference in patterns. In reality, the hormonal levels of both groups where identical. So what was different?
That leads us to the Holistic approach of viewing the entire person, not just the symptoms.
It is important to look beyond just sex hormones. For example, Adrenal and Thyroid gland function, which may be borderline low before menopause and greatly decrease afterwards; Insulin levels; Liver Health, the capacity of the liver to properly metabolize hormones and detoxify; Intestinal Health, as women with poor digestion tend to have worse menopausal symptoms; Genetics, at what age did your mom and/or sisters experience menopause and how?; the use of Medications (more elements to burden the liver); and, of course, Personal Sensitivities such as pain threshold, sensitivity to changes in temperature, etc.
It is only when we recognize all those elements (the system as a Whole) that we can address menopause effectively. This explains why we use different herbs, homeopathic remedies and nutritional support with different women. In all cases, the treatment supports healthy change and empowers women as they experience these hormonal shifts.
It is common for women who suffer from debilitating Menopausal symptoms to find relief using Naturopathic Medicine. For those that experience only mild changes, when individualized diagnosis and treatment are not necessary, we suggest herbal combinations of plants such as Black Cohosh (a phyto-estrogen), Wild Yam (a phyto-progesterone), Melissa (a mild nervine), Motherwort (liver aid) and/or Vitx and Angelica to balance hormone levels.
We lose most of our bone mass in the first 5 years of Menopause, so a good mineral combination containing Calcium, Magnesium, Vit D, Vit K and B6 is best insurance. I recommend all my patients to have a baseline bone density test, if possible, 2-3 years prior to going into menopause and to have their blood lipids (cholesterol and triglyceride levels) checked.
As we enter into our Menopausal years we also need to be conscious of our heart health, as cardiovascular disease is the number one killer in women over 50. Preventing disease is much easier and more effective than reversing disease.
Nutrition and exercise are imperative as we age. As metabolism and digestion ability slow, consuming proper nutrients and affecting circulation become not only a good idea, but essential.
Last, but not least: have you loved someone today? We don’t need research (although it’s being done) to let us know that the happier we are, the easier our bodies experience and can handle transitions. Cherish your relationship and give yourself at least a few moments every day to be grateful and to experience love.
Cardiovascular Disease
Do you have High Blood Pressure or High Cholesterol?
Have you been diagnosed with Cardiovascular disease?
Have you ever wondered if statins & blood pressure medications are the only answer?
Cardiovascular disease is one of the most widespread health problems in recent history. Statins (cholesterol lowering drugs) along with blood pressure medications are some of the most commonly prescribed pharmaceuticals in the
A large amount of research, public education, and clearly identifiable risk factors still does not prevent literally millions from being diagnosed with some form of cardiovascular disease each year. (In 2000, 61,800,000 Americans had some form of cardiovascular disease).
Although pharmaceuticals can be necessary, they are not the only answer to this epidemic. Most medications work by suppressing symptoms. If the underlying cause of the symptom is not addressed, once you take away the medication the symptom naturally returns. This is why folks are often on medications for the rest of their lives.
As Naturopathic Doctors, we seek to find the underlying imbalance in the individual that’s creating or causing the symptom.
Whether you’ve just been diagnosed, you’re already on medication or you want to prevent disease, a Naturopathic Medical approach may be the most effective approach.
Did you know that statins cause a deficiency of Coenzyme Q10, a powerful antioxidant and necessary energy source for heart muscle? Our doctors are trained in both pharmacology as well as medically trained in natural medicines. If on medications, decreasing the side effects and correcting nutrient depletions is necessary for optimal health.
The utilization of preventive medicines in those at risk for heart disease (in addition to lifestyle [diet, exercise] changes) can provide effective medical therapy ... before more drastic interventions are needed.
Apart from these approaches perhaps the most important "medicines" one may offer oneself are exercise and a healthful diet
In addition to exercise and a clean, whole foods diet, the following therapies are beneficial for heart health:
Magnesium
Magnesium is a smooth muscle relaxor. It allows the muscles around the arteries to relax, thereby lowering blood pressure. Low body stores are associated with cardiomyopathy, atherosclerosis, stroke, and hypertension. Supplementation with magnesium displays a protective effect against the development of high blood pressure.
Fish Oils
The anti-inflammatory benefits of fish oil are well accepted, and their role in a cardiovascular disease prevention program should not be overlooked. The low inflammatory effect of DHA may lower the risk of Coronary Artery Disease.
Botanicals
The botanical
B Vitamins
Vitamins B-12, B-6, B-2, and folic acid can effectively reduce homocysteine levels. The base of this therapy and source of other vitamins is a diet rich in fruits and leafy green vegetables. Another way to lower homocysteine levels would be a diet low in the precursor amino acid methionine. Homocysteine is a by-product of methionine; foods containing high levels of methionine include cheddar cheese, eggs, chicken, and beef.Arginine
Arginine has become increasingly popular as part of cardiovascular treatment plans. More specifically, L-arginine is a precursor in the production of the nitric oxide synthase enzyme, which relaxes the arterial walls, thereby increasing coronary blood flow.
High blood pressure responds to metabolic testing
By Dr. Ruth Bar-Shalom, N.D.
When Lori came to see us last December her blood pressure was sky high. She had visited an urgent care center two months earlier and received a prescription for Atenolol, a common beta blocker that acts by reducing the action of stimulating hormones. She did not like the effect. It made her “sluggish and apathetic”. So she decided to reduce her blood pressure on her own, using herbs that had worked for a friend’s high blood pressure
Fast forward through eight weeks of self treatment: Lori’s blood pressure had not fallen, it was now affecting her vision and was giving her blinding headaches.
On Lori’s first visit to our clinic, I reviewed all her symptoms, her history as well as the herbal medications she had been taking. They were good herbs, both in terms of their combination and from the standpoint of quality. Yet it was obvious that they did not address the cause of her high blood pressure, anymore than prescription medicines could.
Because her blood pressure levels were so high, we scheduled Lori immediately for a series of tests. We found that while she had been eating mostly organic high quality foods, the ratios of proteins, carbohydrates and fats were not suitable for her metabolic type.
Furthermore, the metabolic typing test showed that Lori was strongly affected by her sympathetic nervous system and that she needed more magnesium. A health conscious woman in her 50s, Lori had been taking high doses of calcium to prevent osteoporosis. While other metabolic types need higher levels of calcium, in Lori’s case that imbalance may have aggravated her blood pressure levels.
If this account sounds complicated, it is only because of the intricacy of our physical systems and the fact that we are all different. One diet does not fit all and the latest news on herbs and supplements may not fit your own individual picture.
Lori’s blood pressure is now within normal range. She has slimmed down (without dieting), has more energy and feels she has a new lease on life.
For people suffering from high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol or other cardiovascular conditions, please read and educate yourself. Doing it “natural” and self prescribing are not necessarily the same or the best course of action. Find a good practitioner in your area who can help you identify what your body needs.
Refining the diagnosis of heart problems
By Dr. Ruth Bar-Shalom, N.D.
According to official statistics, coronary vascular disease (CVD) is a major cause
of death and strokes in
For years we've heard that the culprit is cholesterol, a chemical that is produced
in the body. We're told by the drug companies that it clogs the interior of the
heart, corrodes the lining of blood vessels and reduces the vascular system's
efficiency.
But that's only one part of the story. A closer examination reveals that the issue
is more complicated. For instance, 50 percent of people with CVD have normal levels
of cholesterol. This indicates that conventional medicine oversimplifies the role
cholesterol plays in CVD.
In order to assure heart health, we need to go beyond the notion of good
cholesterol/bad cholesterol.
Consider Shelly, a 60-year-old woman who was an active tennis player and jogger.
She came to me complaining of fatigue. Because of a strong family history of heart disease, even though her cholesterol was normal, I ordered an additional blood test called C reactive protein (HS-CRP). The levels were high- letting us know she had an inflammation that was affecting her heart and arteries.
When HS-CRP is too high it creates an environment in the vascular system that
promotes roughness on the interior walls of the blood vessels. This roughness
allows further accumulations of fats and cholesterol to attach to the vessels,
impeding blood flow and the possibility of total blockage. This is particularly
dangerous when it occurs in small vessels located in the brain and heart.
I recommend the HS-CRP test to my patients as well as another that measures a
clotting molecule called Fibrinogen. This is a normal molecule, but when it is
elevated it makes the blood thicker, overworking the heart and its vascular system.
Science has made strides in refining our knowledge of the various components within
cholesterol. We can now measure fractions within the components. Analyzing the
fractions presents physicians with more treatment options than we've had in the
past.
Carla, a recent patient, had elevated levels of LDL (low density lipoprotein), the
so-called bad cholesterol. However, when I reviewed her fractions we learned that
she had features in her blood chemistry that offset her LDL status. Were she to
have followed conventional medicine's approach she'd likely have received drugs she
didn't need.
These refined blood tests, are not the final word. But they do support my
assertions that each patient is a unique individual and that each one has treatment
options that may not be shared by all. A patient's emotional status is as important
as their cholesterol levels. A chemical analysis of their blood does not reveal
enough of their health profile.
As a naturopathic doctor, I go beyond the conventional model of disease and look for what is working well in patient's lives. I want to know how love, work, play
and community figure in the lives of my patients. These features play a larger role than we imagine and when identified they should be emphasized.
Weight Loss
It sounds simple enough: In order to loose weight all we need to do is eat less and exercise more. Then…why is it that so many people in our society find the task impossible?
In our clinical experience, we find that the answers are a bit more complex. Take two different people, feed them the same diet and put them under the same exercise program and one will loose weight while the other will not.
The answer lies in the sophisticated chemistry of our organisms.
“The right diet may be wrong for you”. This statement predicts that each individual needs a diet program that takes into account his or her own unique biochemical individuality. Some of the mayor deciding factors are: Metabolic Type, Body and Blood Type, Genetic disposition, family history of diabetes and cardiovascular disease, Body mineral status and hormonal state. They are all indicators of body chemistry and of the individual needs that will determine what type of diet and exercise program will a person need in order to loose AND KEEP OFF weight.
Perhaps the most crucial of the indicators is the person’s Metabolic Type. This refers to the way that our cells utilize nutrients. Inside our cells lies a “battery” called mitochondria. The absorption of individual nutrients and production of energy molecules occurs within that part of the cell. How effective the process is, will determine how much energy is produced and how efficient our cells become. But different people need different proportions of nutrients (carbohydrates, proteins and fats) for the process to be effective. That explains why some of us feel better on high protein diets and some can get sick on them. Even the type of protein and fats will differ according to our Metabolic Type. Nature is diverse and so are our bodies.
The American search for the “right” diet needs to change focus from the type of diet to a person’s unique needs. Only then will those needing to loose weight will be able to find a life long solution to weight problems that pluck so many of us.
Want to loose weight? What to keep the weight you just lost off? Next time you are searching for a solution, learn more about the state of your own unique body and chemistry. You will see the difference.
Osteoporosis, determining what is best for your bones
By Dr. Ruth Bar-Shalom
Osteoporosis is the process that pulls minerals from the bones. It is commonly seen
as a process of aging. The bones become fragile and can fracture easily. This is
more commonly seen in females but it affects approximately 1-2 million men in the
Today we want to live not only longer, but active lives. Hence, the issue of
osteoporosis is critical to large numbers of people.
One of the main reasons for osteoporosis is a decrease of the production of two
hormones, estrogen and growth hormone.
When the drug Fosamax and other bisphosphonates were introduced 20 years ago we
thought that it would slow the epidemic of fractures in older women. Today, after
years of use, we know that while bisphosphonates cause a reduction in fracture
risk by increasing bone density, they limit the bone’s flexibility. While
bone loss is prevented, new bone is not created.
The good news: there are simple nutrients we can use to either decrease bone loss or
increase bone production.
Vitamin K has demonstrated it will slow bone loss and at the same time help grow
new bone. The doses required, however, are much higher than previous
recommendations.
New science indicates that 45 milligrams of Vit K is more effective in this regard
than 300 micrograms, the previous recommendation. (1000 milligram = 1 microgram.)
However, we need to bear in mind that Vit K is an element in blood clotting defense
so it needs to be used with caution, even though it is an over-the-counter
supplement. I advise patients to use Vit K with the supervision of a physician.
Strontium is another bone-building nutrient that has shown wide promise. The
results of a strontium study in
taking strontium had about half the fracture risk of women who didn't. Over three
years, bone density in the spine increased 15 percent.
Ipriflavone, a semi-synthetic isoflavone derived from soy also affects the bones,
slowing bone loss in much the same way as estrogen. However, we must note
Ipriflavone has a downside. In a very small number of people it decreases white
blood cells, so we monitor its levels when part of a patient's regime.
Of course, calcium, magnesium, Vitamin B6 and Vitamin D3 (prescribed in much larger
doses than health maintenance) are well known for their positive benefits in
building bone.
Decisions about dosage and what type of Calcium are usually made after accounting a patient's constitution, mineral status, metabolic type (which greatly influences how nutrients are utilized in the body) and general health.
To prevent toxic reaction we measure liver function and Vitamin D3 levels before
beginning high-dose therapy.
While nutrient supplementation is important, there are two essential treatments
that cannot be overemphasized: Diet and exercise. Even the best supplement regime
will not succeed against a very poor diet. Sugar and caffeine in large amounts
contribute to poor bone health, while a regime of mild aerobics (walking) and
weight resistance exercise will add years to your bone health (the latter by
increasing the body's growth hormone production). A good book on this subject is
Miriam Nelson's "Strong Women Stay Young".
