Seasonal Allergies

Are you sniffling, sneezing, itching your eyes or seeing asthma flaring up?  You may be suffering from seasonal allergies.  There are many effective natural solutions for this problem, including doing a spring cleanse (see above) to decrease your intake of inflammatory and allergenic foods and improve your liver and intestine’s ability to normalize immune function.  I also recommend increasing your intake of Vitamin C, a natural anti-histamine to a minimum of 1,000mg daily.  I carry several combination products in my office designed to treat seasonal allergy symptoms, including a homeopathic specific to our region which has been very helpful for many of my patients.
Let me know if I can help you find the right treatment for you!

Colorado ND Licensure

As the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies is running a little behind schedule, I should be able to apply for a license in a few days and then will receive the actual license in 2-3 weeks.  What this means is that I will be able to continue to practice as I have been with the addition of the ability to order lab tests and imaging such as x-rays, ultrasounds, mammograms, etc. at any medical facility in Colorado starting June 1st.
I will not be able to prescribe any pharmaceutical medications until another piece of legislation is passed to add medications to our formulary which may take another year or two.
I am still waiting to hear the decision of our advisory committee regarding vitamin injections and IVs so will update you when I know more.
I appreciate all of your support and patience as we make Naturopathic Doctors legal medical practitioners in Colorado!
To learn more or make a donation see www.coand.org.

Lemon Poppyseed Mini Muffins

Grain and dairy free, easy and delicious!
From elanaspantry.com, a great website for grain-free recipes
1/4 cup coconut flour
1/4 tsp. sea salt
1/4 tsp. baking soda
3 eggs
1/4 cup honey or agave nectar
1/4 cup grapeseed oil
1 Tbsp. lemon zest
1 Tbsp. poppy seeds
1.  Combine coconut flour, salt, baking soda in medium bowl
2.  Blend eggs, honey, oil and lemon zest in large bowl
3.  Blend dry ingredients into wet ingredients
4.  Fold in poppy seeds
5.  Spoon 1 Tbsp. into each greased mini muffin cup
6.  Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes
7.  Cool and serve

It’s Time for A Spring Cleanse!

Would you like to reduce allergy symptoms, fit into your summer clothes, improve your energy and sleep? It could be time for a spring cleanse! I have put together a package which includes a 30 minute office visit, an anti-inflammatory, blood-sugar balancing and cleansing diet along with a custom-blended liver cleansing tea from Shining Mountain Herbs. In the visit I will review my diet, supplement and exercise recommendations for the two week cleanse, which will be modified to suit your needs.

Call my office if you have questions or to schedule an appointment to get started!

February Office Hours

Please note that I will be out of the office from February 10-25. My office manager Kellie will be in the office on February 11th from 9AM to 5PM to assist you in scheduling appointments or purchasing supplements.  From February 12th to the 25th the office will be closed but she will be able to respond to your emails to answer questions and schedule appointments.  Please plan ahead if you will be needing to refill supplements during that time.

 

Do gluten or dairy products cause…

Do gluten or dairy products cause digestive problems?  Do you dread eating out at a restaurant knowing that a stomach ache will follow?  I have discovered a product called Similase GFCF which has proven indispensable for eating out and travel.  Composed of plant enzymes that specifically digest gluten and dairy in addition to protein, fat and carbohydrate, two capsules taken with a meal significantly reduces abdominal pain, gas and bloating.  This product is now available in my office and we are also happy to mail it to you.

Montrose Health Fair 2014

The Montrose Memorial Hospital Health Fair is being held this Saturday February 1st in Ridgway at the 4H Center from 7-11 AM.  Screening laboratory tests will be available at very reasonable prices in addition to free blood pressure checks, eye and skin exams and more.  I will be there all morning and hope to see you there!  Don’t forget to fast with water only for at least 10 hours before the blood draw.
If you cannot make it to one of the local health fairs this winter, I am offering the same lab tests for the same prices at my office until March 14th.  Call my office to schedule a blood draw!

ND Licensure News and New Rates

Thanks to your efforts, Naturopathic Doctors in Colorado will be able to apply for a license in April 2014. I will continue to put out updates about what this means regarding prescriptions and other services as I learn more.

Rates for office visits have increased a small amount as of January 2014 to cover new required expenses such as malpractice insurance.
30 minute visit: $70
60 minute visit: $115-$125
Comprehensive Women’s Annual Exam (60 minutes): $125

My office will be open Thursday 1/2 from 9 AM to 5 PM and Friday 1/3 from 9 AM to 12 PM this week and then will resume normal hours: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 9 AM to 4 PM and Friday 9 AM to 12 PM.

I look forward to seeing you soon!

Roasted Broccoli

Rich in sulforaphanes like its cruciferous cousins, a winter treat with anti-cancer and anti-microbial properties.

1 1/2 lbs. broccoli, cut into florets
3-4 Tbsp. olive oil
Juice from 1/2 a lemon
Sea Salt
2-3 garlic cloves, minced
Freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup grated Parmesean cheese or to taste

1.  Preheat the oven to 425 F.  In a large bowl toss the broccoli florets and minced garlic with olive oil and lemon juice until lightly coated.  Sprinkle salt over the broccoli and toss to coat.

2.  Arrange the florets in a single layer on a greased or parchment lined baking sheet.  Roast for 16-20 minutes, until cooked through and nicely browned.

3.  Put the roasted broccoli back in the bowl and toss with lots of freshly ground black pepper and parmesean cheese.

4.  Enjoy immediately!

 

A Hitch In Your Git Along?

Years ago I worked for a doctor whose typical response to a patient hobbling into the office was the above expression.  At the time I found it funny but did not think much about it until recently when I developed my own “hitch” and started thinking more deeply about how to address joint pain, particularly in the hips, knees and ankles.

 

With our mountain environment, lower extremity injuries and plain old “wear and tear” are extremely common.  Without going into detail regarding individual types of injuries, I would like to mention some treatment options:

 

1.  Pilates and Physical Therapy:  Naturopathic Medicine focuses on treating the cause of the illness.  With joint pain and injury, often the cause is weakness/imbalance in the muscles that support the joint, and weakness in the “core” (abdomen, back and pelvic floor). Core strength allows the limbs to move freely without excessive strain on a joint.   See a qualified Pilates instructor or Physical Therapist for an individualized set of exercises to address your specific needs.

 

2.  Weight Loss:  This one seems obvious but bears repeating.  Joints are fairly delicate structures.  Any excess weight born by the hips, knees and ankles is going to speed wear and tear and increase pain and likelihood for injury.  See me to discuss safe strategies for weight loss.

 

3.  Nutritional Supplements:  I would like to mention three products which have been helpful for my patients.

Meriva from Thorne is a Curcumin product bound to phospholipids to make it more absorbable.  It is very effective for joint pain and inflammation, particularly in the acute stage of an injury or if there is ongoing swelling.

 

AR-Encap from Thorne is a very good general formula for chronic osteoarthritis pain composed of Glucosamine Sulfate, MSM, Meriva, Devil’s Claw and Boswellia.

 

Collagen derived from animal cartilage has been the subject of some positive studies recently showing that it may have benefit for chronic joint pain caused by osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and athletic activity.  It appears to reduce inflammation and build cartilage in humans.

 

The Wonders of Peat

Medicinal peat is a substance obtained from bogs on low or highland moors that has been used extensively as a medicinal preparation in baths and packs in Europe for centuries.  I now carry this amazing product for use in a bath as treatment for skin disorders, arthritis pain, fibromyalgia, muscle tension, viral infections, detoxification and much more. Contact me for more information!

Autumn Recipe – Classic Chicken Soup

One 3 lb. chicken

3 1/2 qts. water

4 carrots–2 coarsely chopped, 2 sliced 1/4 inch thick

4 celery ribs–2 coarsely chopped, 2 sliced 1/4 inch thick

1 unpeeled onion, quartered

1 large unpeeled garlic clove, smashed

1 tsp. whole black peppercorns

1 large bay leaf

6 parsley sprigs

2 thyme sprigs

Sea salt

 

1.  In a stockpot, combine the chicken, water, chopped carrots and celery, onion, garlic, peppercorns and herbs; bring to a boil.  Cover partially and simmer over low heat for 30 minutes.  Transfer chicken to a plate.  Discard the skin.  Pull the meat off the bones, cut into 1/2 inch pieces and refrigerate.

2. Return the bones to the pot.  Simmer for 1-2  hours.  Strain the broth into a bowl and rinse out the pot.  Return broth to the pot and simmer until reduced to 8 cups.  Season with salt.

3.  Add the sliced carrots and celery to the broth, cover and simmer until just tender, 12 minutes.  Add chicken pieces and cooked noodles or rice if desired.  Garnish with chopped parsley and enjoy!

Immune Support

I wanted to share with all of you the three dietary supplements that I feel make the biggest impact when it comes to fighting off infection each winter.  This is in addition to a good night’s sleep, whole food dietary choices and regular exercise.

 

1.  Juice Plus:  This is a whole food based nutritional product made by juicing a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, then concentrating the juices into powders.  It is available in capsules or chewables.  My 4 year old son and I have taken this product for about one year and I have been very impressed with the reduction in colds, flu, sinus infections, etc.  that are typical with a young child.  In fact, we have not been sick at all during the time we have taken Juice Plus.  I also like the fact that numerous clinical studies have been done on Juice Plus which have been published in major medical journals showing that the product also:

1.  Delivers key antioxidants and other phytonutrients that are absorbed by the body

2.  Reduces oxidative stress

3.  Helps protect DNA

4.  Supports cardiovascular wellness

5.  Supports healthy skin and gums

 

2.  Homeopathic Influenzinum:  Many of you are familiar with this item as I have offered it several years in a row as an alternative to the flu vaccine.  Influenzinum is a homeopathic (diluted and potentized) form of this year’s flu strains.  It is taken orally on a schedule starting in October through the flu season.  I have found it very effective at preventing the flu when taken as directed and is safe for all ages.  I expect this year’s Influenzinum to arrive in the next week or two.

 

3.  Vitamin D:  The research on Vitamin D is overwhelmingly in support of its use as an immune supportive agent.  Not only do we see reductions in hospital-acquired infections when blood levels of Vitamin D are sufficient, but also decreased risk of death from many cancers.  In my practice, blood levels of Vitamin D are low across the board unless one is taking a Vitamin D supplement.  Bottom line:  If you are not taking Vitamin D already, start now.  An average dose for adults is 1,000 -2,000 IU daily of the Vitamin D3 form, taken with food.  Some may need higher doses which would be determined by a blood test.

New Hours

Appointments are now available Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM and Friday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.  My office manager Kellie is available to take your calls on Tuesdays, otherwise please leave a message and I will return your call as soon as possible.

Phone – (970) 626-3188

New Lab Tests

I am excited to be offering some new and very useful laboratory tests in my practice.

Ever wonder if you are really absorbing the nutrients from your food or vitamins?  Or suspect that your medical condition is related to nutritional deficiency but can’t figure it out?  Spectracell measures vitamin, mineral and antioxidant levels in the white blood cells using a unique process that can reveal a person’s functional nutritional status over a much longer period of time than conventional serum testing.  This test has allowed me to really pinpoint the nutrients you need to prevent and treat illness in a much more objective way.  www.spectracell.com

The other lab that I am using frequently in my practice right now is Neuroscience.  This company measures neurotransmitter levels through a urine test.  At last we are able to specifically determine which neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine, etc. are excess or deficient so that your treatment for anxiety, depression, insomnia, etc. can be as targeted as possible.  If you would like to treat one of these conditions naturally or have not had much luck with pharmaceutical anti-depressants or sleep medications, this test may be useful.  www.neuroscienceinc.com

In addition, I am now working with a company that uses the nationwide lab Quest for standard lab tests but offers the tests at a much lower cost.  This includes all standard lab tests including thyroid, female and male hormones, chemistry panels, cardiovascular health markers and much more.  Please call the office to inquire about any of these tests and specific costs.