Radio Naturopath Episode 409: Disc Bulge Update, COVID-19 Reminder, Anti-Inflammatory Foods

This week we updated about my injuries, the bulging disc, femoral nerve impingement, and sprain/strained knee. It's TIRING. But, onward with rest, PT, walking, swimming, craniosacral therapy, and supplements. I'm going to start Green Lipped Mussel! Anti-inflammatory and helps to rebuild joints! We also updated about COVID-19; at the moment, cases are pretty low in Connecticut but I have some patients who have been exposed or are catching it. I'm seeing some folks wearing masks in public places, I reminded us all about cleaning our noses and throats, good nutrition, rest, exercise, and a few supplements. Then we talked all about anti-inflammatory foods, like berries, cherries, oily fish, and broccoli!

Radio Naturopath Episode 400: Starch, Sugar, Fat and Cholesterol; Two Newer Drugs

This week, I talked about how starch, sugar, saturated and hydrogenated fats affect cholesterol. It's not as simple as you think! Saturated fat is NOT shown to be that bad for cholesterol, and too much starch and sugar are what mostly raise it. Hydrogenated fat too! We help you sort through that. We also talk about two newer cholesterol lowering meds, bempedoic acid and the PCSK-9 inhibitors. Are they any better than statins? Hmmm.

Radio Naturopath Episode 365: Natural Help for Gallstones, Liver Friendly Foods

This week we went biliary! Lots of people have gallstones and pain from them, but may not be directed yet to have their gallbladder removed. So, we talk about natural ways to calm gallstone colic and possibly reduce them or allow them to dissolve and pass. Caveat: there is not great scientific support for this as a possibility, but it's worth a try, especially if your doctor has not scheduled you to have yours taken out. Plus, we move on to some foods that are healthy for your liver, arguably the most important organ in the body!

Radio Naturopath Episode 338: Happy Valentine's Day! History, Chocolate, and Love; Herbs To Help With Blood Pressure

This week Ron and I talked about Valentine's Day and our relationship, since it's also our anniversary. 17 years and going strong! We also talked about why chocolate is good for you, and how it came to be part of Valentine's Day. In a word: CADBURY! Richard Cadbury thought up the idea of giving out chocolate in heart shaped boxes with cupids on them! And as usual, and a little history on Valentine's Day. I then went into a number of herbs that have blood pressure-reducing capacity, specifically in the form of angiontensin converting enzyme inhibition. Next week we'll talk more about a number of herbs that have similar mechanisms of action to existing blood pressure drugs!

Radio Naturopath Episode 321: Dietary Fats and Your Health

This week I talked about fats. Essential fatty acids, saturated, monounsaturated, polyunsatured, medium chain triglycerides. Certain fats are really good for your health, and certain fats really aren't. You need to eat healthy fats for cellular and body structure and to prevent inflammation. We talk about the different kinds of fats and where they're found in your food.

We also started with an update on Ron and his health, and how reducing his dose of metoprolol helped him to feel better.

Radio Naturopath Episode 307: Statins: Pros and Cons, More Natural Help for Cardiovascular Disease

This week we have more discussion of cardiovascular health. We touch on how statins actually help to lower cardiovascular risk, but also the problems associated with them. We also suggest ways to mitigate these problems. We talk about supplements that help with healthy blood vessels and to keep plaque at bay. We also list some foods that can help with your heart health.

Radio Naturopath Episode 301: Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine and Blood Clots, Happy Cannabis Day!

This week I talked about the blood clotting situation with the Johnson & Johnson and Astra-Zeneca COVID-19 vaccinations. In the US, the J&J vaccination administration has been put on pause until the government knows who can safely take this vaccine. It's because of an exceedingly rare, but often deadly condition involving platelet factor 4 complexes, antibodies, and blood clots to the brain and gut that uses up platelets and increases bleeding likelihood. The likelihood of getting these rare disorders from these vaccines is astronomically lower than getting these conditions from actually having COVID-19. Having said that, YOU don't want to be the one to have this condition, so the CDC is figuring out who has the most likelihood of getting these disorders and will recommend that those folks take Pfizer or Moderna instead, which are not showing these side effects. it's problematic because these single-dose, easliy refrigerated vaccines are the answer for disadvantages populations here and abroad. It's likely that they'll be re-approved for specific populations.

Tuesday, April 20 is Weed Day! It's the day to celebrate cannabis. We talk a little bit about access and health benefits.

Radio Naturopath Episode 295: J&J vs. Moderna/Pfizer Vaccine Efficacy, Eat More Produce and Protein

Today we talked about what it's good for you to eat your fruits and vegetables. You'd think it would be obvious, but a lot of Americans still aren't that great at it. We talked about ways to prepare your vegetables, such as soups, stews, stirfries, salads. We also discussed all the nutritional benefits.

We also started the conversation about why PROTEIN is good for you. It turns out produce is so important that it took a long time to discuss! So we'll discuss protein more next week.

Radio Naturopath Episode 293: Visiting When You're Not Vaccinated, Liver Friendly Foods

Today we discussed whether it's a good idea to visit your vaccinated family if you are non-vaccinated, and the short answer is maybe. The vaccine isn't 100% effective, you can still transmit it, anyone under 16 can't get vaccinated at all, and transmission levels although lower are not dramatically lower. So if you visit, you still have to mask, distance, and wash. And if you're leaving Connecticut for more than 24 hours and going anywhere that's not New York, New Jersey, or Rhode Island, you need to fill out a DPH travel form when you return, then quarantine for 10 days or have a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of arriving in Connecticut to avoid quarantining.

We talked about how to keep your liver healthy and liver-friendly foods too!

Radio Naturopath Episode 288: Why Ron and I Got the COVID-19 Vaccine; Why the Mediterranean Diet Is Good For You

Ron and I got the COVID-19 vaccine! We talk about why we made the decision to do it, what we experienced, and some ways to help mitigate side effects.

We got a great question about the benefits of the Mediterranean diet so we talked about that! You can't go wrong eating vegetables and fruit, a little cheese, olive oil, fish at least 2x/week, nuts, seeds and beans, and a few glasses of wine per week. Like Ron and me! It's also a good idea not to eat too much starch and sugar.