by Kathleen Regan, ND Migraines are disabling headaches that often occur with sensory or motor changes including: • sensitivity to light, noise, and smells, • nausea and vomiting, • upset stomach, • loss of appetite, • fatigue, and dizziness. Aside from food sensitivities, there are a number of diets which have been found to relieve intensity or frequency of migraines. […]
By Kathleen Regan, NDWhat is ‘blood sugar’?Blood sugar is the amount of glucose or sugar found in your blood.Is it normal to have sugar in the blood?A certain level of sugar is normal in the blood. Our body has developed ways of controlling sugars so that they aren’t too high or too low. A number of things will cause sugar to be released into the blood including food, drink, exercise, stress, dehydration, illness or infection. We use sugar as an energy source. Any signal that the body requires energy can stimulate the release of glucose from our own bodily supply.How do I know if my blood sugar is too high?There are several signs that blood sugar is too high including:• increased thirst and a dry mouth,• needing to pee frequently,• tiredness,• blurred vision,• headaches,• unintentional weight loss,• recurrent infections, such as yeast infections, bladder infections (cystitis) and skin infections.However, these are signs that blood sugar has been elevated for some time. High levels of sugar in the blood are often diagnosed too late. […]
As an adult, do you find yourself asking “why do I suddenly have allergy symptoms?”. Unfortunately, allergies usually start early in life with most people showing symptoms in childhood or young adulthood. It is therefore a surprise to adults when they suddenly develop symptoms such as: itchy skin watery eyes runny nose sneezing skin rashes stomach cramps vomiting. But, what causes allergies to develop? A family history of allergies will predispose you to develop allergies at any age but environmental factors should be taken into consideration with adult-onset allergies. The reason for sudden allergy symptoms is a common chemical found in the body called histamine. Why Do I Have Allergies All of a Sudden? Can you suddenly become allergic to something? Unfortunately, the answer is yes and here’s why: Histamine. Histamine is a chemical found in the body which is responsible for many of the uncomfortable symptoms of allergies. Yet it has many important functions in the body. It can be considered a ‘communication’ molecule sending signals throughout the body. Here are some examples of the positive roles that histamine plays: It stimulates your stomach to produce stomach acid which helps you break down food It stimulates inflammatory reactions so that the immune system can do its job of fighting off invaders such as parasites. It promotes wakefulness in the brain. So, is it possible to develop allergies this way? Each time your body produces histamine in response to inflammation, the body requires enzymes to break that histamine down. If your body is in a state of constant inflammation or if you lack specific enzymes, the burden of histamine increases, and you may begin to show signs of allergies. The burden of histamine rises as [...]
There are many benefits to working with a Naturopathic Doctor (ND) and even more benefits of naturopathic medicine. Whether you are looking for general wellness advice or support while working through chronic health concerns, a licensed naturopathic doctor from our team can provide support by recommending individualized lifestyle, nutrition, and natural therapies. The main benefits of naturopathy flow from the guiding principles of naturopathic medicine. Here are the naturopathic medicine benefits. 1. First to Do No Harm: A naturopath will use the least invasive and least toxic therapies to gently guide you back to wellness. There are circumstances (injury and illness) where stronger medicine is required; NDs are trained to assess and refer for treatments outside their scope of practice. Benefit: You will receive non-invasive therapies with fewer side effects. 2. Maximize the Healing Wisdom of Nature: The nature of biology is to be self-healing and self-correcting. Many of the body’s innate mechanisms for healing (pain, inflammation, redness, and heat) are signs that the body is attempting to regenerate. An ND from our professional team will look for these signs and work with the body to promote healing where possible with lifestyle recommendations and natural therapies. It is important to understand that these recommendations and naturopathic medicine advantages are designed to support your body’s capacity to heal. This means that while the therapies are supportive, your body is doing much of the work. Benefit: You will be encouraging your body to restore balance rather than relying on therapies that suppress symptoms. While suppressive therapies are sometimes required, your body gets stronger and learns each time it is naturally able to self-correct. 3. Identify and Treat the Cause: An ND will explore deep into your health [...]
There are many naturopathic medicine guides online, but not all of them are created equal. Naturopathic Medicine is a healthcare profession that combines traditional and natural medicine with modern science and research. It is guided by six main principles. To do no harm. To recognize the healing wisdom of nature. To identify and treat the cause of imbalance. To teach and provide tools that empower health literacy. To treat the person as a whole by exploring beyond the immediate symptoms. To promote the prevention of disease. Naturopathic doctors (ND) are trained in the foundations of health sciences, including anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pathology, and pharmacology. Their tools for treatment include lifestyle counseling, nutrition, supplementation, western herbal medicine, homeopathy, acupuncture, and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). An ND is in a unique position to understand conventional medicine and play a supportive role or a primary role by using these tools. This means that a naturopathic doctor may play a vital role on your healthcare team, supporting you while you also work with a conventional medical doctor. Or you may choose to seek out a naturopathic doctor to act as your main health care provider. All licensed naturopathic doctors (ND) come from 1 of 7 schools in North America. Graduation from a naturopathic medicine program that is accredited or is a candidate for accreditation guarantees eligibility to sit for the Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examinations (NPLEX), the passage of which is required to obtain licensure. Licensure is offered by regulated provinces or territories, including British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario, Northwest Territories. There are 26 states in the United States offering regulation or licensure of Naturopathic Doctors. The scope of practice varies between provinces, territories, and states. Naturopathic medicine [...]
Want to improve your sleep? Disrupted sleep can look different for everyone. A typical night’s sleep changes depending on age. The average adult sleeps 7 hours per night. By the time an adult is 55, this may decrease to 6.5 hours, while the average 80-year-old sleeps 6 hours per night. Disrupted sleep may involve: Difficulty falling asleep Difficulty staying asleep Frequent waking Consistently getting less than 6 hours per night Non-restorative sleep (waking tired) Naturopathic medicine has several tools used to support sleep, but the most effective types will differ depending on the individual. A naturopathic doctor will consider the following factors when addressing sleep disturbance Lifestyle & Sleep Hygiene Underlying Medical Conditions Nutrition Supplementation Acupuncture Lifestyle & Sleep Hygiene for Improving Sleep Quality A ‘physically active lifestyle’ is a ‘sleep-promoting lifestyle,’ but when it comes time to sleep, your environment should be calm and dark. Start dimming the lights a couple of hours before you go to bed to send the message to your brain that it is time for lights out. Yes, this means reducing or eliminating screen time. Your room should be completely dark and silent. Restorative sleep is best achieved when you climb into bed before midnight. The quality of sleep you get is better if you are in bed between 10-11pm at the latest. Underlying Medical Conditions That Could Affect Your Sleep If you are having sleep disturbance or low energy, it is important to check in with your primary care provider for a routine physical exam and bloodwork. There are a few conditions that can affect sleep; blood sugar imbalance or diabetes, digestive disturbance, heart disease, hormone changes, chronic pain, hyperthyroid, anemia, and stress are just some of the [...]
What Causes GERD?Reflux or ‘GERD’ (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) is often caused by something that affects the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). This sphincter is a muscle that opens to let food into the stomach. If it stays open too often or for too long, stomach acid rises back into the ‘food pipe’ or the esophagus. This ‘reflux’ of stomach acid causes symptoms like heartburn, bad breath, bad taste in the mouth or even vomiting. In young children, it may look like fussiness, refusal to eat, frequent spit-up, sudden startling or constant arching backwards. (Babies are more likely to have a weak LES as they are naturally lower in muscle tone as they are growing). Reflux can also aggravate asthma or present as a respiratory problem as the acidic stomach contents cause coughing and frequent mucus clearing. Uncontrolled and severe reflux can actually leak back into the lungs causing respiratory problems. What are the Symptoms of GERD in a Child?Heartburn is the most common symptom of GERD. ‘Heartburn’ feels like burning in the chest or throat. It can also present as upper abdominal pain, especially on the right side. It can last as long as 2 hours. It is often worse after eating. Lying down or bending over after a meal can also lead to heartburn.Children younger than age 12 will often have different GERD symptoms. They will have a dry cough, asthma symptoms, or trouble swallowing. They may not have classic heartburn.The good news is that GERD can be managed with nutrition. From a dietary perspective, there are three main categories of foods that promote GERD. 1. Some foods affect the muscle tone of the LES, allowing it to stay open longer. These foods include:ChocolatePeppermintHigh-fat foods (Meat, Dairy, Fried Foods)2. Some [...]
Clean eating generally refers to a longevity and healthy diet that is NOT the ‘SAD Diet’ or the Standard North American Diet. The Sad Diet typically consists of ultra-processed foods, added sugar, fat, and sodium. Consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and lean protein is greatly lacking in this diet.Balanced Plates:Balanced eating goes together with clean eating because ‘you can have too much of a good thing’. Balance has to do with managing the amount of ‘macronutrients’ in your diet and on your plate. A ‘balanced plate’, if you were looking from above, might consist of 50% fruit or vegetables, 25% starchy foods (like grains and root vegetables) and 25% protein.Balanced Macronutrients:Macronutrients include carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Many trendy diets base their recommendations on modifying macronutrient intake or portions. What are these macronutrients? Carbohydrates:Carbohydrates (Fruits, Vegetables, Grains, Beans!) are a main fuel source and nutrient source for the body. They are the exclusive fuel source for the brain. Carbohydrates provide food for our delicate microbiome (gut bacteria) that perform many crucial functions. The fibers found in most carbohydrates help to aid in detoxification through binding fats and toxins and through improving the quality of elimination (pooping!)Protein:Proteins (Meats, Fish, Beans, Dairy, Eggs ) form the backbone of important hormones. They play a role in important functions such as the formation of your hemoglobin (your blood), thyroid hormone (your internal thermostat) and insulin production (your internal sugar control). Proteins also literally build your muscle, connective tissues etc. Protein deficiency can result in grey, dull skin, acne, hair loss, hair thinning, poor concentration, low energy, fatigue and easy bruising. Proteins break down/provide amino acids that are crucial to many functions including detoxification and metabolism.Functions of Proteins:Fats:Fats (Animal Protein, Fish, [...]
By Dr. Kathleen Regan, ND Are you considering a new diet for 2018? You may want to reconsider. A lot of diets restrict nutrients, which are essential for bodily function or increase nutrients that are unhealthy in high amounts over long periods of time. Health is found in balance, not restriction (although balance can sometimes feel like restriction!) The perfect place to start is with the macronutrients: Protein, Fat and Carbohydrates. Learning how to balance macronutrients will get you on the path to feeling better in 2018! […]
By: Dr. Kathleen Regan, ND It is not a stretch to say that health begins with what you eat. This is true of breast health and hormonal health in general. Changes in breast tissue from benign cysts to breast cancer have been linked to estrogen balance within the body or “estrogen dominance”. “Estrogen dominance” is a term used to describe a high ratio of estrogen to progesterone or just globally high estradiol (one of the three types of possible estrogen). Estrogen dominance has been linked to many different types of women’s health issues besides breast health including PMS symptoms, menopausal symptoms, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, allergies, decreased libido, fatigue, fibrocystic breasts, headaches, infertility, irritability, and fat gain around the abdomen and on the top of the thighs. In addition, studies have shown a well-established link between excess estrogen and breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer and cervical dysplasia. The good news is that hormones are affected by nutrition. Modifying specific dietary and lifestyle habits can help to keep hormones balanced! The following list includes nutrition habits that negatively impact healthy estrogen balance and healthy breasts. […]
