Is Naturopathic Medicine safe during pregnancy? Absolutely! Naturopathic Medicine is an ideal treatment option during pregnancy. Although not all Naturopathic treatments are safe during pregnancy, a large majority of Naturopathic treatments are both safe and effective for the common and uncommon health concerns of pregnancy. Being under the care of a Naturopathic Doctor during pregnancy does not replace the prenatal care offered by a midwif...
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40 Vegan Calcium SourcesWe all know that calcium is an essential mineral that is used by the body to build and maintain healthy bones and teeth. But did you know that calcium is also used for blood clotting, nerve conduction, muscle contraction, regulation of enzymes and cell membrane function? Th...
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Food Allergy TestingEggs 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 s...
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Treating Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome NaturallyPolycystic 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 d...
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Tea for Fever in ChildrenFever is a natural defence mechanism that our body uses to fight off viral and bacterial infections. Increasing the body’s temperature allows our immune system to function optimally and makes it difficult for viruses and bacteria to replicate. In an adult the level of feve...
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Gallstones: Diet and SupplementsI’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 ...
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The Importance of Essential Fatty AcidsEssential fatty acids are just that – essential. Our body can produce most of the fats it needs (such as cholesterol, saturated and unsaturated fatty acids), however it can not produce omega-3 or omega-6 fatty acids. This makes them essential to consume in our diet. Omega-...
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25 Uses for TeaObviously 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 o...
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Natural Labour InductionAs every pregnant woman approaches the last weeks of pregnancy they can’t help but start thinking of ways to bring on labour and get the chance to meet their baby sooner. A pregnancy is considered full term at 37 weeks and the techniques discussed in this article should not be...
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Natural First Aid Kit – Burning Man EditionAs 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, h...
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Natural Insect RepellentsAs 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 ingredi...
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Heartburn in PregnancyEvery pregnancy is different. Sometimes VERY different! When I was pregnant with my first child I had few symptoms (aside from some swelling in my third trimester) and felt vital and healthy for the entire 9 months. This time around, things are different – and uncomf...
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Candida Quiz – Is Yeast Your Problem?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 impa...
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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...
Elderberry has been getting a lot of respect in the media in the past year, but it has long been revered by Naturopathic Doctors and herbalists as a potent immune booster and medicine for the prevention and treatment of influenza. What is Elderberry? Sambucus nigra berries Elderberry, or Sambucus nigra is one species of elder that is grown primarily in Europe and western Asia. It is a shrub or small tree that has small black berries. The l...
There is no question that teens need their sleep. Often parents recognize when their teens are sleeping too late – waking at noon or later, but insomnia in teens often goes unnoticed. An article in the journal Sleep suggests that 12.5% of teens experience insomnia and that in almost half of those teens the insomnia is chronic. This means that insomnia is just as common in teens as depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. So why are teen...
Pregnancy is a time of growth – growth of a baby, growth of a mother’s belly and growth of a family. And in pregnancy, as in life, sometimes there are growing pains! Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine provide mothers with a safe and natural form of health care that can effectively manage the growth and ‘pains’ of pregnancy. Acupuncture during Pregnancy Many physical, emotional, and spiritual changes occur throughout a pregn...
Gluten-Free Flour Substitutes As more and more people are decreasing their gluten intake, due to sensitivities, Celiac disease, or just for healthy nutrition the availability of gluten-free foods continues to increase. Baking with gluten-free flours at home doesn’t need to be intimidating. Below are some general guidelines for using gluten-free flours in baking and as thickening agents. For more information read “360 Gluten Free Livi...
As a mother and a Naturopathic Doctor, nutrition is something I take seriously. Muffins are one food that have three features I can’t resist: children love them, they are easily portable (for breakfast, lunches, snacks or anytime!) and they are an ideal opportunity for parents to enhance the nutrition of our children. If you have never had sweet potato muffins, now is the time to give them a try. They have a natural sweetness and are highe...
Iron deficiency is the most common nutrient deficiency seen in children. In adults the causes of iron deficiency tend to be pregnancy and menses (in women) and gastrointestinal bleeding (in men). In children iron deficiency is most often due to dietary influences. Dietary Influences on Iron Levels Lentils are a vegan source of iron The effects of diet on iron levels are well-known. Eating a diet low in iron-rich foods will result in iron...
Chai tea spice is a yang tonic food Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) uses four main pillars of treatment to manage illness and disease: acupuncture, botanical (herbal) medicine, healthy lifestyle and proper diet. Each of the imbalances that can lead to illness (hot/cold, yin/yang, interior/exterior, excess/deficiency) can be altered by eating foods that re-balance the systems of our body. Yang represents the energy that is responsible for ...
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