Radio Naturopath Episode 475: Ron's Spinal Healing, More New Year's Resolutions You Can Actually Do

Today I got reacquainted with Ron, with whom I haven't made a show since November, as he was teaching a fitness class when we usually record together in December! So we're able to make shows together again, well, most of the time. Today we reviewed his health issues, and it seems we're getting close to figuring out what's going on. Thank goodness, it appears he does NOT have peripheral artery disease. If he has intermittent claudication, it's emanating from his spine, which X-rays show he has some disc degeneration, thoracic scoliosis, and neural foramen narrowing in the cervical spine, the neck. I wonder if that narrowing could be intermittent compressing his spine at that level and causing symptoms the rest of the way down. He'll have some more care and we'll see what the next steps are!

I finished out New Year's resolutions that you can actually do, and none of them are Lose Weight. They ARE plan to eat more produce, get more rest, be more mindful and present in your life! Things you can do RIGHT NOW to make your life better. Enjoy!

Radio Naturopath Episode 454: Summer Produce and The Farmers' Markets

Speaking of summer, I felt inspired to talk about the health benefits of all the great produce that's available right now. Tomatoes for lycopene and cancer prevention. Berries for antioxidants. Cherries for sleep! Also, we discussed all the terrific benefits of shopping at your local farmers market, not the least of which is if you're going to buy celeriac from Anita, she'll tell you a great way to cook it! But even better, fresh, nutritious, low carbon footprint, meet your friends and neighbors, and DOGS!

Radio Naturopath Episode 443: Lifestyle Changes to Lower Blood Pressure

This week, I started talking about the very important topic of hypertension, high blood pressure. Our focus this week was on basic lifestyle things to do to lower blood pressure. Some of it is SHOCKING! Stuff like: eat more vegetables and fruit, eat more clean protein, drink more water, get more exercise, stop smoking, do stress reducing activities like deep breathing, leisure walks in nature, yoga, and meditation, and get good quality and quantity of sleep. WHO WOULDA THUNKIT??? It's so important that we'll pick up on this next week, and include actual supplements that help with blood pressure. 

Radio Naturopath Episode 342: Know Your Farmer Fair 2022, Farmer's Markets, Daylight Savings Time

This week we talked about the Know Your Farmer Fair, which is happening this Saturday, March 19 at the Elks Club Lodge, 198 Pleasant St., Willimantic, CT, from 10:00 AM-1:00 PM. It's a great opportunity to meet with 30 local farmers, sample their wares, and talk directly to the people who grow your food! This is a very important event and directly related to everyone's and the planet's health! For more information about the fair, visit: https://www.grownconnected.org/knowyourfarmerfair

We also talked about Daylight Savings Time, since this Saturday night/Sunday morning we sprang ahead! It's kind of nice to have the long daylight hours but not necessarily so nice for people's health. Here's a couple of experts to weight in. The general consensus is that it's really NOT good for our health! Most alarming to me is the increase in major cardiovascular events and motor vehicle accidents.

Radio Naturopath Episode 311: The Benefits of Farmer's Markets and CSAs, and Fiber!

This week, I showcased our wonderful farmer's markets an CSAs. I talked about the benefits of them, the quality of the organic produce, the reduced effect on the environment, and the benefits to the community. I also talked about health reasons why their produce is so good for us, and an aside on the great benefits of fiber.

Radio Naturopath Episode 304: Cardiovascular Disease: Ron's Bump In The Road

We talked about Ron's experience of chest discomfort and shortness of breath during exertion, and how that led us to have him go to first his primary care physician, then the walk-in, and then finally consult with cardiology. It turns out this healthy fit guy had cardiovascular disease! It was pretty severe, and he had no idea because he had no marked symptoms until his arteries were over 90% blocked. So, here's the saga of his surgery, his aftereffects, his recuperation and treatment! Couldn't happen to a nicer guy.

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 275: The President Has COVID-19; Overweight/Obesity and COVID-19 and Risk Reduction

President Trump has contracted COVID-19. As is often the case when a president falls ill, there seems to be some confusion and protection about the president's actual health status. I wish him well and a full, speedy recovery, and same to the at last count 22 White House staff who have also contracted the virus. I expect there will be more. But I believe that the President and all of his staff and advisors behaved irresponsibly. In the time of a pandemic, or in any crisis or situation where there are leaders, it is incumbent upon the leaders to set a good example. By not wearing or requiring masks, by holding outdoor and indoor events without masking or social distancing, the president and his staff put countless people at risk. This virus is mild to most and deadly to some, and when anyone contracts it they don't know which they'll be. I believe that the Trump administration set a poor example for the American people in not taking COVID-19 seriously, and now that the president and many of those around him have shown that their actions definitely result in contracting the virus, they need to change their approach. From a public health, leadership, and human standpoint, the Trump administration has failed to set a good example for the American people. This is NOT how to lead. They should have been masking, encouraging and modeling physical distancing, and following the science. Let's hope that going forward they change their ways. 

Also, it is unfortunate to report that overweight and obesity contribute to the outcome of COVID-19. People with obesity are more than 2x as likely to be hospitalized, have 75% greater risk of going to the ICU, and 48% greater risk of dying. This does not mean that ALL overweight/obese people will have severe disease, but a greater percentage. I talk about ways to mitigate the risk using basic health practices, eating whole foods, hygiene, and supplementation. 

Radio Naturopath Episode 179: Prevention in Health, Lichen Sclerosus, Healthy Produce

This week we talk about PREVENTION, the 6th basic principle of naturopathic medicine. You want to try to prevent an illness before it occurs! So you look at a person's medical history, family history, environment, resources. You also want to make sure that the person lives in an healthy environment, and that there are COMMUNITY and WORLD resources so that person can be outdoors, eat good food, exercise, and reduce their stress. Prevention is about the personal and also about the community!

I also talk about lichen sclerosus, an inflammatory skin condition that mostly happens to menopausal women. I've seen a rash (!!) of cases lately! There are some conventional and natural ways to treat it. 

Also a good reminder to eat that summer produce!