Radio Naturopath Episode 303: COVID-19: Safely Getting Back to Life, More On Asthma

Today I did a short history of Cinco de Mayo, which is NOT Mexican Independence Day, but a celebration of the triumph of the Mexicans over the French at the Battle of Puebla. Still a good excuse to celebrate our Mexican-American friends, and eat tacos, burritos, enchiladas, nachos, and raise a Margarita!

I reviewed the new CDC recommendations about the safety of various activities with or without a mask and whether or not you're vaccinated. The bottom line is, if you have to get near anyone for whom you don't know their vaccination status, wear a mask. The pandemic is not over yet.

I talked some more about asthma as I didn't get to all my information last week. Next week: specifics on exercise-induced asthma!

Radio Naturopath Episode 302: More on J&J Vaccine, CBD for Health, and Natural Help for Asthma

This week we talked about how the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 is still very low risk compared to the risk of catching COVID-19. Having said that, if you're a woman under 50 it's probably a good idea to take the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, since they have no incidence of unusual blood clots. If you have gotten Johnson and Johnson, let your doctor know immediately if you have any unusual symptoms, especially severe headaches with blurred vision, seizures, loss of consciousness; or any severe unremitting abdominal pain. If this occurs it will likely be in the 2 weeks following vaccination. As I said, this is VERY unlikely to occur, and you're much more likely to get a blood clot sitting still on an airplane trip.

We covered more about the various benefits of CBD, such as help for pain, anxiety, depression, and inflammtion. We also talked about natural help for asthma, and will discuss this and exercise induced asthma next week too!

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 300: High Intensity Interval Training, Respiratory Allergies 2021

In our continuing quest to inform about exercise, we talked about how high intensity interval training can be helpful. It can increase fat burning during and after exercise, improve insulin sensitivity, lower blood sugar, increase muscle mass, and burn visceral fat. It doesn't have to take a long time, so it's very effiicent! Anyone can do it if they find an intensity level that works for them.

The pollen is flying, so we did a review of respiratory allergies and how to help them. It's time for neti-pots, salt water, bioflavonoids, nettles, and lots of other natural help. Next (live) week we'll talk about asthma!

Radio Naturopath Episode 299: Preservatives and Gut Flora, Food Tracking for Weight Loss, Basic and High Intensity Exercise

This week, we had a question about potassium sorbate effecting gut flora, and it was a great question because additives and preservatives CAN affect gut flora. Cutting out processed food can help your digestion!

We went on to talk about food tracking, how services like MyFitnessPal, LoseIt, and Fooducate can all help with weight loss. We compared WW and Noom as weight loss strategies, and were reminded by a woman listener that hormones are important too and Metabolic Renewal worked for her.

We talked about a general period for exercise that can be helpful for most people. Then we discussed tabatas, what they are and how they can help your fitness.

Radio Naturopath Episode 298: Happy Spring! More Women's History, Sleep Better During the Pandemic

Today we welcomed in Spring and encouraged people to enjoy it.

It's still Women's History Month, so today we honored a former teacher and researcher in naturopathic medicine, Anna MacIntosh, Ph.D., N.D. There is a research scholarship named for her. She managed to make physiology, nutrition, and biochemistry interesting and fun!

I also honored Mayim Bialik. Ph.D., who has a great podcast, Mayim Bialik's Breakdown, in which she discussed mental health and some neuroscience, which is her background.

The main topic of the day: getting better sleep during the pandemic! Stressors of all kinds are high right now, and that leads to issues that affect sleep. We talk about some healthy habits that can help you to sleep better despite the pandemic.

Radio Naturopath Episode 297: St. Patrick's Day, Women in Naturopathic Medicine, Protein Calculators and Shakes

Today we talked about the origin of St. Patrick's Day. Apparently, good ol' Maewyn did NOT physically chase the snakes OR the pagans out of Ireland, but he DID promote and spread the practice of Christianity there. But he wasn't born in Ireland, likely in Wales or Scotland, to a Briton of Roman descent! Who knew. In the US, anywhere where there's lots of Irish (I'm looking at you, Boston, MA) there's a lot of drinkin', partyin', and the wearin' o' the green. In Chicago they dye the Chicago River green, and in New York and lots of other places they have a parade. Everyone is Irish for a day! Many pagans believe that St. Patrick at least sought to replace paganism with Christianity, so don't observe or wear snake jewelry for the day.

In continued celebration of International Women's Month, we profiled another celebrated naturopathic physician, Lise Alschuler, N.D. She is the premier woman naturopathic oncologist in the world!

We got out a protein calculator and figured out that a lot of folks, likely peri- and post-menopausal women, don't eat enough protein, and that may be why they're getting symptoms! Lots of women, especially in this age category, don't eat enough protein, which would likely help them with fat loss. So I recommending mixing animal and vegetable sources to get the right amount of protein. One way to do this is with protein shakes. If you're not dairy intolerant, the best one is whey, but if you are, we discussed alternatives, both animal and vegetable.

Radio Naturopath Episode 296: International Women's Day, Women's Naturopathic Healthcare, More on Protein for Health

This week we talked about the origin of International Women's Day. Did you know that it came from the Socialist Party in Russia obtaining suffrage for women in 1917? In the US, the Socialist Party held a Women's Day on February 28, 1909 in honor of women in the labor movement. March 8 was adapted after Russian suffrage, and then it was made official in the United States in 1967, supported by feminist movements here. This year's theme is #ChoosetoChallenge. You can challenge things like old assumptions, racism, classism, sexism, in any area of life: work, sports, relationships, the arts.

I honored one of my woman teachers of naturopathic medicine, the premier naturopathic gynecologist, in the world, Tori Hudson, N.D. She is an adjunct professor at most of the naturopathic colleges in North America, and I learned naturopathic gynecology from her at the National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon.

Then, protein! Especially, what are the best vegetarian sources? And why is it helpful to eat protein? Protein is so important that we're going to talk about it more next week.

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 294: Getting That 2nd COVID-19 Vaccine Dose, No Flu Season, Liver Cleanse?

This week, I talked about what it feels like to get the COVID-19 vaccine, what you experience afterward, and if it's worth it. The short answer is YES! If the research bears out and this vaccine is safe and effective, it's our way out of this pandemic.

We also discussed how the flu season didn't happen. Many factors: kids not in school, everyone masking and distancing, people doing a lot less indoor gathering.

And, do you really need to do a liver cleanse? The answer is maybe. The scientific side says there's no basis for it. The natural medicine side says of course you do, based on who you talk to. I say it depends. If you eat healthfully, get exercise, watch your sugar, carbs and processed foods, and alcohol, your liver will function a lot more efficiently!