Radio Naturopath Episode 470: Long Haul Lyme, Sunscreen and Exfolation, Hot Cocoa and Other Hot Drinks

Today I reviewed my most recent naturopathic visit and my ongoing plan to help my chronic Lyme. I'm in  it for the long haul! I reminded people not only to hydrate in the cold weather, but to apply sunscreen and lip balm with SPF,  because you can still get wind and sunburned in cold weather. We also talked about some lovely hot beverages to enjoy this time of year, including hot cocoa, golden milk, and tea, and their benefits.

And we talked about the incidence of osteoarthritis in the US.

Radio Naturopath Episode 464: More Lyme Herbs, Healthy Halloween Treats, Fall Vegetables

This week, I talk about my new naturopath, Marisa Houser, N.D., and the advice she gave me about my Lyme protocol. A few new herbs and a few less supplements! Lots of good advice and tidying up. I also talked about healthier ways to experience Halloween, like having your sweets after a healthy meal so you're less likely to binge, and make sure to drink water with your sweets so the sugar doesn't stick around and give you cavities! You can also get healthier versions of treats at the health food store, and also make creative scary Halloween treats out of fruit! We also began to talk about healthy fall vegetables and we'll pick up with that next week. 

Radio Naturopath Episode 455: Lyme and Bartonella and the Long Haul

This week, we talked about the long haul and Lyme disease. The idea is that you have to treat for a long time, some say at least a year, and definitely until you have been symptom free for 2 months. Treating for that long can be WEARING, but to successfully treat this sticky, insidious, difficult illness requires tenacity! It is understandable that people get treatment fatigue. To do it right, especially if you're trying to avoid or minimize the use of antibiotics, it seems you have to take a lot of stuff! But I'm going to stick it out until I figure it out, and hopefully can get back to riding my bike when I want, however I want. Not to mention enjoying the rest of my life!

Radio Naturopath Episode 437: Lyme-Bartonella Fatigue and Tremors, Cholesterol and Athletes

This week, we continued our saga of treating chronic fatigue of tick borne illness, and Ron's detox from cholesterol-lowering medication. I have found some energizing herbs like cordyceps and eleuthero, and that low dose lithium and the herb sida acuta are good for tremors. I talked what I'm doing to manage all these symptoms. We talked about how to help Ron with his ongoing healing from medication-induced muscle damage and cramping, including protein, magnesium, antioxidants, and milk thistle. Then I started to discuss cordyceps for energy and immune support and will continue next week!

Radio Naturopath Episode 439: Statin-Induced Myopathy in Athletes, Post-Exertional Malaise

This week, we talked more specifically about statin- and cholesterol-lowering medication induced myopathy. Ron is only a tiny bit better but still can't ride his bike outdoors. We talked about studies showing that athletes and people of lower body habitus tend to have more bad reactions to cholesterol lowering medications. My hypothesis is that doctors often don't dial in lower doses for these people, that they're using the same doses they would for larger people. We're still helping Ron with various natural medicine supplements. We also talked about post-exertional malaise: how it's a feature of chronic fatigue syndrome and other illnesses like autoimmunity, long COVID, and tick borne illness, and how to circumvent it Adaptogen herbs help too! We got started on the use of shilajit and will pick up on that next week. 

Radio Naturopath Episode 438: Musculoskeletal Side Effects of Repatha, Cordyceps, Sida acuta

Poor Ron. He had to get off his bike after less than 2 miles on a gravel ride. The evolocumab is still exerting its effects. We're thinking critically about the mechanisms of action of his musculoskeletal distress and responding accordingly. We are reducing inflammation, helping him to rebuild muscle, offering items to reduce the risk of atherosclerotic buildup, and something to help to break down any leftover drug in his body based on the pharmacokinetic of the compound. We are hoping he will be back to riding happily in a few weeks! Meanwhile, we also continue on the health benefits of cordyceps and my new friend, the mallow Sida acuta. 

Radio Naturopath Episode 397: Spinal Stenosis; CNPA Part 4: MK-4 and Osteoporosis, Mushrooms, HPV

This week we talked about back pain and spinal stenosis, and especially how helpful getting in the water for this kind of pain and lots of other musculoskeletal pain. I will take a deeper dive into spinal stenosis at a later date. 

We also reviewed the last few talks of the Connecticut Naturopathic Physicians Association. MK-4 for osteoporosis, MushWOMB medicine (that's mushrooms for women's health), help for human papillomavirus, and a little about homeopathy! What a great conference! I think we wrapped it up.

Radio Naturopath Episode 331: Santa the Mushroom Shaman, Mushrooms For Your Health

This week we talked about mushrooms! We talked about how the legend of Santa Claus is in part brought on by the Amanita Mushroom Shaman of the indigenous people of the Arctic,right down to the red and white dress mimicking the mushroom's colors, and the big leather boots traditionally worn up there! We talked about a number of species of medicinal mushrooms and how they are helpful, including ordinary button mushrooms and Portobellos, which are the same species. Just make sure that any mushroom you eat, in order to benefit from the 1-3 and 1-6 beta glucans and inactivate toxins, you cook them in hot water!

Ron also spent some time talking about his current cardiovascular health, which is great! He is very happy with his progress.

Radio Naturopath Episode 326: 2021 NHAND Highlights Part 2: Natural Help for Viruses, Senior Fitness, Brain Fog, Hiatal Hernia

This week, we did Part 2 of the highlights of the 2021 NHAND conference. We talked about natural help for viruses and summarized a talk about one doctor's use of natural medicine for COVID-19; about why fitness is important for seniors; about brain fog; and about hiatal hernias. We also filled in with a few tidbits about cherries for gout and the Mediterranean diet.