Eggs are a common food allergy Food allergy testing is one of the tools Naturopathic Doctors use to assess health in our patients. In Naturopathic Medicine our goal is to find the cause of symptoms of illness and disease. In some people the cause is the food we eat, and a sensitivity or allergy to those foods. In this article I will answer some of the most common questions people have regarding food allergy testing. I would know if I had ...
Posts Under Integrative Health Category
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) or “multiple ovarian cysts” affect many teenage girls and adult women. PCOS often begins shortly after puberty and can persist for years. It can be a frustrating, and sometimes painful condition. It can also make becoming pregnant difficult. However, there are natural treatment options available that are safe and effective even for teenaged girls. What are ovarian cysts? Ovarian cysts are formed w...
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again – every pregnancy is different. And so too is the post-natal period, or months following the delivery of your baby. My son was born at the end of September and in the weeks since then I’ve developed a troubling new symptom – biliary colic or “gallstone attacks”. What is the gallbladder? The gallbladder is a small pear-shaped organ that sits next to the liver. It’s main function is ...
Obviously my favourite use for tea is as a delicious health-promoting beverage, but I love finding new ways to incorporate tea into my life. I scoured the internet to find other uses for tea – either loose tea leaves, new or used tea bags. I was amazed at the versatility of tea – just another reason to love it! Around the house 1. Deodorize fridges: Place loose black tea leaves or used tea bags in the fridge to absorb odours. 2. Spice up...
As one of my RMT friends prepares to embark on her yearly journey to Burning Man she asked if I could prepare a list of natural first aid supplies to support her during her time in the Nevada desert. This is that list – supplies for general first aid, for digestive health, headaches and more. What is Burning Man? Once a year, tens of thousands of participants gather in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert to create Black Rock City, dedicated to ...
As a mother to a pre-schooler, a pregnant woman and a Naturopathic Doctor when I venture out of Toronto into the great outdoors (or even out into our backyard!) I am very mindful of avoiding pesky insects – and also avoiding poisonous insect repellents! The most common ingredient used in commercial insect repellents is DEET (N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide) – a solvent that is not recommended for use in children under 12 years of age or in pregna...
Candida (Candida albicans) is a yeast that is a normal part of our digestive flora (the bacteria that lives in our digestive tract) and in the vaginal region in women. Under certain circumstances the candida yeast can grow excessively and lead to symptoms that negatively impact our health. What Are the Symptoms of Candida Overgrowth Candida overgrowth (also known as chronic candidiasis, systemic candidiasis or chronic yeast infection) affects...
A common (and very frustrating) occurrence in weight loss is when all progress stops despite continued efforts. A plateau is usually defined as two consecutive weeks without weight loss. Weight loss plateaus are predictable and can be easily explained – and overcome. Why does a weight loss plateau occur? The basal metabolic rate (BMR) – the energy required by the body at rest (to maintain vital bodily functions) accounts for 60 to 70% of t...
Ever wonder who sees a Naturopathic Doctor? Well the Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges (AANMC) surveyed Naturopathic Doctors to determine what health conditions they saw most frequently in their practice. The results were: As a whole I would agree with the list provided by the AANMC. However, in my personal practice I would add a few conditions to the list: . My additions are based on my personal experience as a Natur...
Stress, Relaxation, and the Impact on our Health During stressful events – be they physically or emotionally stressful – our bodies produce large amounts of epinephrine (adrenaline) to prepare our bodies to take action. This is commonly known as the fight-or-flight response. On the other hand, when the body and mind are relaxed the body releases chemicals that reduce action of the nervous system – eliciting what is called the re...
Recent Comments