Radio Naturopath Episode 303: COVID-19: Safely Getting Back to Life, More On Asthma

Today I did a short history of Cinco de Mayo, which is NOT Mexican Independence Day, but a celebration of the triumph of the Mexicans over the French at the Battle of Puebla. Still a good excuse to celebrate our Mexican-American friends, and eat tacos, burritos, enchiladas, nachos, and raise a Margarita!

I reviewed the new CDC recommendations about the safety of various activities with or without a mask and whether or not you're vaccinated. The bottom line is, if you have to get near anyone for whom you don't know their vaccination status, wear a mask. The pandemic is not over yet.

I talked some more about asthma as I didn't get to all my information last week. Next week: specifics on exercise-induced asthma!

Radio Naturopath Episode 302: More on J&J Vaccine, CBD for Health, and Natural Help for Asthma

This week we talked about how the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 is still very low risk compared to the risk of catching COVID-19. Having said that, if you're a woman under 50 it's probably a good idea to take the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, since they have no incidence of unusual blood clots. If you have gotten Johnson and Johnson, let your doctor know immediately if you have any unusual symptoms, especially severe headaches with blurred vision, seizures, loss of consciousness; or any severe unremitting abdominal pain. If this occurs it will likely be in the 2 weeks following vaccination. As I said, this is VERY unlikely to occur, and you're much more likely to get a blood clot sitting still on an airplane trip.

We covered more about the various benefits of CBD, such as help for pain, anxiety, depression, and inflammtion. We also talked about natural help for asthma, and will discuss this and exercise induced asthma next week too!

Radio Naturopath Episode 292: Montelukast and Psychiatric Side Effects; Why Chocolate is Good For You

This week, we alerted listeners to the drug montelukast, brand name Singulair. This anti-leukotriene drug is commonly given to children and adults with allergies and asthma. The manufacturer has known for at least ten years that it can cause severe psychiatric effects in children, and yet the drug continues to be prescribed. I discussed the mechanism of action of the drug and some possibilities as to its cause. I also talked about nutritional factors that can be managed.

Since it's Valentine's Day this coming Sunday, I skipped over the mushy stuff and went right to chocolate! Why it's good for you, what conditions it can help, and recipes that include it.

Radio Naturopath Episode 279: Election Day Stress, Humidity in Your Home, Get More Rest

Whew, Election Day 2020! At this writing I don't know who won the election and I'll edit when I find out. I talked about election day stress, which most people are feeling regardless of your side of the aisle. What can you do about it? Well, if you are so inclined and able, you can canvass or staff phone banks. Whether or not you're going to do that, you can also take time to engage in stress reduction techniques, such as avoiding social media, avoiding ALL media, sleeping more, and anything that makes you feel calmer.

Here's a timely topic: the humidity in your home! What should it be and how do you adjust it? Also, this the time of year to get more REST. Here's some ideas!

Radio Naturopath Episode 140: Increasing Red Blood Cells After Babesiosis; All About Vitamin C!

Time to learn all about Vitamin C! It's ASCORBIC ACID or ASCORBATES. This important water soluble vitamin can't be synthesized by our bodies, so we have to eat it. It's part of the structure of collagen, so it's part of every tissue and organ. It stimulates the function of the immune system, so it helps with allergies, asthma and illness. It's a cofactor for detoxification. It can be found in citrus, but also in other cool foods, like peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, strawberries, acerola cherries, and rose hips! Let's spread some vitamin C to the world! Also, we talk about how to get that red count up after a bout with Babesiosis.