Radio Naturopath Episode 447: More Medial Collateral Care, Microbiome, Sleep and GABA

This week., I am STILL limping on that MCL sprain/mensicus issue! More interesting stuff, like having to use a hinged brace, heavy and hot in June! And more staying off the bike.  I was a lot better a few days ago and rode a couple of days and  now I'm set back; obviously not healed yet. HInged brace, exercises, rest, ice, elevation, specific exercises. Unlikely need for surgery! We also went back to discussing the microbiome, GABA, and sleep, and there are easy ways to improve sleep by eating the right foods and getting the right probiotics. We touched on help for high blood pressure and we'll pick up on that next week.

Radio Naturopath Episode 316: Neti Pots, Nasal Sprays and Gargling; Help for Diverticulosis-Itis

This week we talked about the benefits of nasal rinses, such as neti pots and nasal sprays with salt and xylitol. These can be helpful in preventing and treating respiratory infections. Although they are not strictly proven, it does make sense to have good respiratory hygiene. I think it's a useful practice during the pandemic.

We also talked about diverticulosis and diverticulitis. This is a very common problem so I get frequent requests to discuss it. Acutely, you need bowel rest, probably antibiotics, probiotics, and a liquid diet. For prevention, it's fiber, fiber fiber! Fiber improves bowel tone and makes it so that food does not get stuck in the diverticular pockets.

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 263: Wear Your Mask Properly, A History of Hygiene and Health, Diverticulosis/Diverticulitis

Today, I discussed my concern that people are going into shops or in places where masks should be worn and wearing them incorrectly. I saw at least three people in one store with their mouths covered and their noses uncovered. I explained why this is a worthless act and why you need BOTH your nose and mouth covered. I also explained if you have a health or emotional reason why you can't or won't cover both your nose and mouth, the healthful, safe, considerate thing is not to enter the store, nor go to places with crowds where it's difficult to maintain distance. The solution to shopping is either to get curbside or delivery service, or have someone else shop for you!

I gave a history of the advent of hygiene, and how that has helped with our health and longevity. I also talked about diverticular disease!