Radio Naturopath
Radio Naturopath Episode 393: Statins, Ezetimibe, PCSK-9 Inhibitors, Cholesterol and Health
This week I continued with my series on cardiovascular health. We explored how statin drugs work to lower cholesterol and how they cause detrimental side effects. We talked about another commonly used drug that also has side effects, ezetimibe. And there's the somewhat newer PCSK-9 inhibitors, which lower cholesterol by an alternate mechanism. For some people, they have less side effects, but not necessarily. We also began to discuss some of the natural ways to lower cholesterol, and some cholesterol testing besides the common LDL, HDL, and triglyceride testing that can go deeper into helping the decision on whether to medicate.
Radio Naturopath Episode 391: Back Pain: The Ol' Reach 'n' Seize; ApoB100 and Cardiovascular Health
Last week, I did the ol' Reach 'n' Seize with my low back. You know how you were just fine a minute ago, then you reached for the mayo in the fridge and your back just SEIZED UP and now it hurts to tie your shoes? Well, I did that a week ago, only I was on my bike trainer and reached for the iPad. I was very fortunate to be able to see the chiropractor that day. I talked about what can lead up to that, how to prevent it, and nutrition, exercise, and topicals to use to help it.
We then finally got started on cardiovascular issues, and focused on Apolipoprotein B100. This is an important measure that most doctors don't do. Specifically, if your doctor is about to order you statins or you've already been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease, it's important to know your ApoB100/ApoAOA1 ratio. The ApoB carries LDL, while A carries HDL, which is cardioprotective. If you have high cholesterol but also a low ApoB/A ratio, you have much lower cardiovascular risk! More on cardiovascular issues next week.
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 343: Herbs, Exercise, and Healing for Women
It's still International Women's Month! This week we talked more about products and activities that can help with women's health. Herbs for hot flashes, probiotics, estrogen balance, stress reduction. Exercise and healing modalities. And why boron is really good for you! Next week we'll get into Being a Woman in 2022, and Being a Naturopathic Physician in 2022.
Radio Naturopath Episode 341: International Women's Day: Women in Medicine, Women's Health
This week, it's March, and Tuesday is International Women's Day. So I talked about many women who are prominent in medicine, including two of my most admired naturopathic physicians! Clara Barton and Florence Nightingale standing side by side with Tori Hudson and Amy Rothenberg. That's how it should be! I also talked about may items related to women's health: exercise, nutrition, rest, supplements, screenings. I'll expand upon that next week too!
Radio Naturopath Episode 339: Natural Therapies for High Blood Pressure
This week it was all about hypertension. How it's so common, how you can't tell who's going to have it, how there's a big genetic component. There's foods you can eat, supplements to take, exercise to do. And there's even herbs and supplements that have similar mechanisms to common hypertension medications! It can be hard to treat but not impossible.
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 337: Should You Try To Catch Omicron? Help Me, I'm Anxious!
This week I talked about whether it's a good idea to deliberately try to contract the Omicron COVID-19 variant. My conclusion, in short, is NO. Czech folk singer Hana Horka, who was unvaccinated, died after contracting the Omicron variant while her husband and son were sick. The bottom line is, you just never know how you'll fare with any variant of COVID-19, whether you're vaccinated or not. Chances are you'll do fine but there is the chance that you won't. You could also infect someone else, and unnecessarily take up space in the hospital. If you're vaccinated, eating healthfully, getting good rest and exercise, and wearing masks when appropriate, you're likely to catch a milder case due to lower viral loads. Be patient; summer is coming and we can all go outdoors again!
COVID-19, and life, make many people anxious, so I thought it was a good time to review anxiety and how to help it naturally and with lifestyle. It's genetic, situational, and lifestyle-mediated. There's help for it!
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!
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.