Radio Naturopath Episode 333: New Year's REST, Then Start On Nutrition and Fitness Goals

we talked about how to deal with the cold weather this year! This week’s discussion turned to healthy habits for the new year, mostly diet and exercise. We also talked about the benefits of taking it easy the first two weeks of the year, since we tend to be overwhelmed from the rush of the holidays and the glut of holiday food and drink. I suggested taking a couple of weeks of no pressure, rest, and once you're feeling like you can't sit still, THAT'S the time to start planning and even implementing healthy habits! For some, that's going to mean getting lots of rest the first two weeks of the year, then starting planning the third week, and getting started in earnest in February. The darkest, coldest time of the year tends to happen in early January, at least in Connecticut. This is a good time to acclimate to the cold weather! We also talked about how to get started on an exercise program. The answer: do what you'll do, and start slowly!

Radio Naturopath Episode 332: A Little Chocolate, Hiatal Hernia, and Heartburn/Reflux/GERD

This week we started out with a discussion of ALL the chocolate in the house, from the pedestrian to the sublime. We reminded everyone that high cocoa content is healthiest, but it's OK to indulge in the mundane just for the pleasure of it!

The main focus was on hiatal hernia and gastroesophageal reflux disorder, or GERD. It was good to get a review in and discuss diet, supplements, food intolerances, and some habits that can help to reduce the symptoms. Thanks to Matthew Robinson, N.D., we discussed a couple of ways to reduce a hiatal hernia.

Radio Naturopath Episode 331: Santa the Mushroom Shaman, Mushrooms For Your Health

This week we talked about mushrooms! We talked about how the legend of Santa Claus is in part brought on by the Amanita Mushroom Shaman of the indigenous people of the Arctic,right down to the red and white dress mimicking the mushroom's colors, and the big leather boots traditionally worn up there! We talked about a number of species of medicinal mushrooms and how they are helpful, including ordinary button mushrooms and Portobellos, which are the same species. Just make sure that any mushroom you eat, in order to benefit from the 1-3 and 1-6 beta glucans and inactivate toxins, you cook them in hot water!

Ron also spent some time talking about his current cardiovascular health, which is great! He is very happy with his progress.

Radio Naturopath Episode 330: Home Physical Medicine, Women's Probiotics, My Current Take On The Pandemic

This week, we talked about just a few things: Ron had a slip and fall injury about two years ago, hit his head, his right shoulder blade, and maybe more. He got checked out at the ER to see if he had a concussion and they sent him home. He hasn't been getting regular care for his resultant, ongoing shoulder pain due to cost. We talked about some things he could do at home to help with pain and healing. We also mentioned some probiotics that can be helpful in protecting against vaginitis in women. We finished with the current status of the pandemic. Ron went on a bit of a rant in that too many people aren't wearing masks in indoor public spaces, and if they would it would go a long way to calming down the pandemic. We were in a very good place in Connecticut with low case numbers in the summer and then they shot up again since the cold weather has come. Some schools have even gone to remote learning because of case numbers. it's exhausting and frustrating! We go through some of the reasons and things that can help.

Radio Naturopath Episode 329: Nature Cure, Cannabinomimetics, Chocolate, Intestinal Blockage

This week Ron asked me a bunch more questions. We elaborated on what nature cure actually is; we talked about plants that contain cannabinomimetics, compounds that function similarly to cannabinoids; we reviewed why chocolate is good for you; and talked about why Ron keeps getting an intestinal blockage and how we helped him.

Radio Naturopath Episode 328: Happy Hanukah Foods, Mosquitoes, Green Tea and Weight, Memory

This week Ron asked me a bunch of questions again, and I talked about why Hanukah foods are good for you! Potatoes, sweet potatoes, raspberries, yogurt and apples. We also discussed the number of pesky mosquitoes this year, green tea and weight loss, and memory. Eat your blackberries!

Radio Naturopath Episode 327: Water: Alkaline and Cactus, Beta Blockers, Statins, Red Meat

Today we played Ask Dr. Fran! Ron asked me five questions:

1. What is alkaline water?

2. Is cactus water good for you?

3. Will I ever get off these beta blockers?

4. Why do statins make me sore?

5. Is meat REALLY bad for cardiovascular disease?

For answers to these important questions and more, listen to the show!

Radio Naturopath Episode 326: 2021 NHAND Highlights Part 2: Natural Help for Viruses, Senior Fitness, Brain Fog, Hiatal Hernia

This week, we did Part 2 of the highlights of the 2021 NHAND conference. We talked about natural help for viruses and summarized a talk about one doctor's use of natural medicine for COVID-19; about why fitness is important for seniors; about brain fog; and about hiatal hernias. We also filled in with a few tidbits about cherries for gout and the Mediterranean diet.

Radio Naturopath Episode 325: NHAND Highlights Part 1: Diabetes Meds, Alcohol and Food Addiction, Calming Herbs, Repro Microbiome

This week, I did a highlight episode for the New Hampshire Association of Naturopathic Doctors convention. There was so much great information that I have to do a Part 1 and Part 2! This week, the topics were about new drugs for Type 2 diabetes; herbs for anxiety, sleep, and relaxation; the reproductive microbiome, beneficial bacteria that live in the vagina, uterus, and ovaries; alcohol's effect on women's health and evidence for reducing intake, and The Science of Food Addiction! All really great speakers and topics and I'll highlight more next week!

Radio Naturopath Episode 324: Supplements, Exercise, and Salt Water for Joint Pain

This week I started with a caveat about COVID-19, as I had two virtual visits with patients with acute cases of COVID-19. They were both vaccinated. I mentioned that if you're eligible, it's a good idea to get the booster, since it appears that immunity is waning from earlier this year and people are tending to spend more time together. It's probably still a good idea to wear masks when indoors, especially when it's hard to distance from people.

I went on to talk more about arthritis, supplements that are helpful such as curcumin, fish oil, and glucosamine, exercise, and salt water. Being in any kind of water is helpful, but salt water has particular benefits!