Radio Naturopath Episode 440: Hypertension, Shilajit, Rhodiola, Low Dose Lithium

This week, we talked about Shilajit, this interesting, antioxidant-rich substance that comes from the HImalayas. It has a lot of fulvic acid in it which is detoxifying and free-radical quenching. And it's energizing and helps with hormone balance! We also talked about rhodiola, plant extraordinaire that is energizing, an immune tonic, and helps with altitude sickness. And LITHIUM, the nervous system's best friend! It can be helpful with simply improving anxiety to helping with dementia to preventing murder, suicide, and rape in towns where it's high in the water. I wonder if the US, Israel, Gaza, and the world need to microdose lithium?

Radio Naturopath Episode 434: Health Benefits of Sex, Increase Libido Naturally

Here's a popular topic, why sex is good for you health! From reducing anxiety and depression to improving cardiovascular function to improving muscle strength and flexibility, sex has a lot to offer. We also talk about natural ways to increase sex drive and performance. We also get started on how caffeine can be problematic and will pick that up next week!

Radio Naturopath Episode 419: Long COVID and Low Serotonin, Weight Loss Surgery

This week, I talked about a study that came out suggesting that people with long COVID may have viral remnants, or even actual virus, in their guts, and this is preventing them from making adequate serotonin. Inadequate serotonin leads to mood disorders, poor digestion, pain, migraines, and all sorts of other issues! i suggested some naturopathic fixes for this. 

Then we started on weight loss topics. beginning with the nature and effects of weight loss surgery. I'd rather people didn't do it but sometimes it can be a good choice!

Radio Naturopath Episode 415: Health Benefits of the Outdoors, the Beach, and Vitamin D

This week I talked about how it's helpful to get away to Florida. We also talked about specific health benefits of both being outdoors and the beach, which are similar. You breathe better, improve neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, have better mood and sleep, and more! We also talked about the heatlh benefits of vitamin D.

Radio Naturopath Episode 373: The Pros and Cons of Sugar

This week we talked about SUGAR, because the eating season has started! Mmmm, Halloween candy. And now Thanksgiving is upon us and it's officially the holiday season. Sirius XM already has its holiday channels playing! So, we talked about the pros and cons of sugar. I've come to the conclusion that if you deprive people completely of sweets, they will crave them and want to eat more. Even people on ketogenic diets have chocolatey goodies with sugar alcohols in them! However, if you eat too much sugar, it can lead to various illnesses, ranging from fatigue and mood disorders, to acne, to heart disease and cancer! So, of course, moderation is key.

Radio Naturopath Episode 347: Happy 4/20! All About Cannabis, Marijuana, CBD, THC for Health

This Wednesday is 4/20/22, so I thought it only fitting to talk about the latest on cannabis! I talked about the history of the use of 4/20. I also talked about the many health benefits of CBD, THC, and CBD's parent compound, CBG. They all can be helpful for things like anxiety, depression, seizures, pain, insomnia, cancer treatment, high blood pressure, and more! I talked about some health caveats and drug interaction issues. I also talked about the status of legalization in Connecticut.

Radio Naturopath Episode 270: Notes on the Amish, Help for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Ron and I went to Pennsylvania Dutch Country! It was really interesting to learn that there are about 40,000 Amish in greater Lancaster County, PA, the difference between Amish and Mennonite, that church is in each other's homes, and that they DO use electricity as long as it's not attached to the grid. Some still have ancient coal stoves, but coal is very expensive, so many have gas-powered stoves and refrigerators, and air compressor powered small appliances. Some are so newfangled that they're getting solar panels! Apparently church is on alternate weeks, so we saw TONS OF BUGGIES on the road, and late in the day we saw young folks in buggies a-courtin'! We knew this because the boys had no facial air and the girls had white pinafores. We learned all this stuff at the museum of the Amish Village! https://www.amishvillage.com/ I also ate whoopie pies and shoo-fly pie and went to the DUTCH HAVEN! https://www.google.com/search?gs_ssp=eJzj4tZP1zcsSY9Pjy80M2C0UjWosLBMNjO2NEtJTEqzTEuzMLUyqDA3szBISUxOSjYzTUpOTTH04k4pLUnOUMhILEvNAwB3nBQD&q=dutch+haven&oq=DUTCH+HAVEN&aqs=chrome.2.69i57j0j46j0l3j46j0.4987j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8 I think my parents took me there when I was a kid. 

This week's big topic was IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME. I thought lots of people would appreciate the topic; somewhere between 3-20% of my listeners. All about what it is and isn't, and how it's usually some combination of stress, anxiety/depression, and eating foods that just don't work for you. We talked about some meds ,and more supplements that can help.

Radio Naturopath Episode 250: Coronavirus and Telehealth; Your Health and Going Outdoors!

Ron and I are still recording in our state-of-the-art studio in the bustling metropolis of beautiful downtown Mansfield Hollow, CT, while simulcasting to the universe on @franstorchnd on Facebook Live. You can go to @franstorchnd which will take you to my Facebook page and you can watch the Facebook Live anytime, and comment on it too! Today I reminded people that they can use telehealth by phone or non-public-facing apps to have visits with their practitioners, whether naturopathic, M.D., counseling, and any other kind of practitioner, and insurance will likely cover it! The BIG thing I wanted to convey is how great it is for you to get outside. There are numerous studies on spending time outdoors and various health parameters. For example, being outdoors in nature lowers cortisol and therefore stress, lowers blood pressure, improves mood. Surprise! I speculate on the science behind why that might be.

Radio Naturopath Episode 249: Coronavirus and Cytokine Storm, Mental Health, Economics

More discussion of COVID-19.  I talked about Doing the 5: hands, arm, elbow, feet, feel. I also discussed the psychiatric impact the pandemic will have on people. Also, I discussed that there are many people, especially entrepreneurs and small business owners, as well as hourly workers, whose businesses will suffer terribly economically. Our beloved Coriander Cafe in Eastford, CT has shuttered its doors for good, and there's more to come. We talked about how the actual stress of the pandemic may increase the risk of some catching the virus due to stress! We also reminded people of all the great herbs that can calm the cytokine storm, the actual event that causes SARS. 

Radio Naturopath Episode 230: More Help For Sprains, Preventing Colds and Flu, Genetic Testing for Psychiatric Meds and Conditions

Today we review my progress on healing my sore knee. It's going OK, but now I'm off the bike until Sunday! My chiropractor thinks I need more down time. And then I'll have to go slow and easy when I get back! But I want to heal so I can get in some good fall riding before I have to move indoors.

I've seen so many colds and coughs and so many people with lingering sinus infections and bronchitis that I felt I needed to remind everyone about their cold and cough hygiene! Even Savannah Guthrie on NBC went viral! Neti pots, nasal sprays, lozenges, gargling.

And finally, for people taking meds for depression, anxiety and other psychiatric conditions, I talked about genetic testing to help figure out the meds that will work best and which are contraindicated. I also have testing for which supplements might be more helpful than others, and for vitamin utilization.