Diet plays an incredibly important role in managing blood glucose. What foods will give you the best nutrients to manage Type 2 Diabetes?

Important nutrients such as Calcium, Potassium, Magnesium, Fiber,Vitamins A, C, and E, Chromium, and Omega-3 fatty acids all play a role in effective blood glucose control. Foods listed below are all nutrient dense powerhouses that can support those with Type 2 Diabetes.

Stock up your pantry and refrigerator from the list below:

• Fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids:   Try fish such as salmon, tuna, sardines and cod.  Omega-3 fatty acids are important for cardiovascular health.  Studies have shown that type 2 diabetes occurs less often in populations that eat fish regularly compared to those who don’t.
• Legumes:   Full of fiber, protein and other nutrients that are great for blood sugar regulation.
• Green leafy vegetables:   Fill your plate with Swiss chard, mustard greens, spinach and kale.  Low in calories and carbohydrates, high in antioxidant nutrients. These unassuming leaves are full of vitamin C, vitamin E, carotenoids and flavonoids.  
• Sweet potatoes:    Don’t be fooled by the name, sweet potatoes are a great addition to any diet.  Studies have shown that sweet potatoes stabilize blood sugar and lower insulin resistance.  They are also full of antioxidant nutrients!
• Onions:   Chock full of chromium, onions are perfect for blood sugar regulation because of this important mineral.
• Tomatoes:   Also a good source of chromium and antioxidant nutrients, tomatoes are a colorful addition to any plate.  
• Cinnamon:   This flavorful spice is a diabetes powerhouse.  Compounds in cinnamon stimulate insulin receptors and increase cells’ ability to use glucose.  Sprinkle it on to your morning oatmeal!
• Red and purple fruits:   The beautiful colors of cherries, cranberries, blueberries and other red and purple fruits is due to anthocyanins.  This phytonutrient may help lower blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.
• Walnuts:   Great source of the omega-3 fatty acid ALA and protein, walnuts may help lower heart disease risk.
• Whole Grains:   Include whole grains in your diet for beneficial dietary fiber.  You want the germ and the bran for the highest nutritional impact.  You’ll get magnesium, chromium, omega-3 fatty acids and folate. Pearled barley and oatmeal are a source of fiber and potassium.  Buckwheat is especially great because it has a substance called chiroinositol that may play an important role in the regulation of blood sugar.     

Things to remember:

•    Include these superfoods to manage glucose and for an overall healthier diet.
•    Focus on the foods you can eat, rather than the foods that you should avoid.
•    You are changing your lifestyle, not just going on a new diet.
•    You can’t go wrong with a whole foods, plant based diet for good health!

References:

• American Diabetes Association.  (2013). Standards of medical care in diabetes — 2013. Diabetes Care, 36, S11-S66.
• Diabetes superfoods (http://www.diabetes.org/food-and-fitness/food/what-can-i-eat/making-healthy-food-choices/diabetes-superfoods.html)
• Diabetes type 2-meal planning (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007429.htm)
• Mateljan, G. (2007). The world’s healthiest foods (1st ed.).  Seattle, WA:  George Mateljan Foundation.
• Murray, M., & Pizzorno, J., & Pizzorno, L. (2005). The encyclopedia of healing foods. New York, NY: Atria Books.

About the Author:

Viktoriya Beliy is a licensed naturopathic physician who completed her education and a year-long residency at the National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, OR. During her time at NUNM she also earned her Master’s in Nutrition concurrently with her doctorate in naturopathic medicine. She has additional training in classical homeopathy through the New England School of Homeopathy with Dr. Paul Herscu and Dr. Amy Rothenberg. She enjoys treating all conditions, especially focusing on dermatology, women’s and men’s health, endocrinology, and autoimmune conditions.

Moving into the spring season can sometimes be one of the most challenging seasonal shifts, both energetically and physically.  As the weather is changing, I often encourage my patients to gradually begin adding spring staples into their batch cooking to ease the transition.

Sometimes it feels like it takes several weeks for the weather to shift, the air to change, the upward energy to take effect and for spring produce to finally become available. Other times, there are abrupt weather changes, from warm days to snow fall and back again.  These abrupt weather shifts are extremely challenging for the body to handle as we are designed to better tolerate gradual and gentle environmental shifts. You may notice around this time that colds, flus and bugs are more prominent as our immune system is struggling with the environmental shift. Digestive imbalance is also common to show up at this time as we move from heavier foods (root vegetables, starchy foods) to lighter produce.

Seasonal Shifts in Ayurveda

In Ayurveda, the transition from winter to spring is perhaps the most difficult.  But this is also where balancing your diet can be so helpful to support the entire body – especially our digestive tract – through these unpredictable seasonal changes. As the weather is changing, I often encourage my patients to gradually begin adding in early spring foods into their batch cooking staples and consuming these throughout the week. As a general rule, I like to choose at least 2 new spring veggies, one whole grain, and fresh herbs and spices as they become available. Adding these into your meals each day helps your digestion to gently transition energetically and maintain a gradual balance of seasonal attunement. You can try all three, or one at a time as these ingredients become available in your area. Each will store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Winter to Spring Recipes

Early Spring Barley

Ingredients:

• 4 1/2 cup vegetable broth or chicken broth
• 2 cups pearled barley, rinsed and soaked overnight
• 1 tsp celtic sea salt
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• 1/2 cup spring onions, chopped
• 1 tsp ghee or coconut oil
• 1/4 cup hemp seeds or  roasted sunflower seeds

Directions:
Bring broth  to a boil in a medium sized saucepan. Wash barley and add to boiling water. Add salt, turmeric, coriander, spring onions  and ghee. Stir, covered, and simmer on medium-low heat for 45 minutes until barley is very soft. Garnish with hemp seeds or roasted sunflower seeds and serve warm in addition to your meals.

Asparagus & Avocado Chilled Soup

Ingredients:

• 3 medium ripe avocados, pitted
• 1.5 pound asparagus,washed, roasted or lightly steamed
• 2.5 cups plain coconut milk
• 3 cloves garlic (less if you have a sensitive stomach)
• ¼ cup chopped spring onion
• ¼ cup fresh parsley
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Juice of 1 lime
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ½ teaspoon cardamom
• ¼ tsp fennel seed powder
• 1 teaspoon sea salt

Directions:
Add all ingredients (except the asparagus) into a high speed blender , and blend until smooth. Coarsely shop the roasted asparagus and add to the blender and pulse to desired thickness. You can blend until very smooth or leave a little chunky. Serve warm or slightly chilled

Easy Spring Herbed Peas

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds of fresh spring peas
• ½ cup ghee
• 3 scallions, minced
• 3 tbsp fresh chives, chopped
• 2 tbsp coarsely chopped cilantro or parsley
• 3 tsp grated lemon zest
• ½ tsp sea salt

Directions:
Boil fresh peas in a saucepan of slightly salted water for about 3 minutes. Strain and set aside. the ghee on low heat and directly add the scallions and chives. Let simmer for 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and add the peas, cilantro/parsley and lemon zest and mix well. Add salt if desired.

About the Author:

Lindsay Kluge is a Clinical Herbalist & Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist and received her Masters of Science degree in Herbal Medicine from the Maryland University of Integrative Health in 2012. She has been with Richmond Natural Medicine since 2013, and specializes in therapeutic holistic nutrition, circadian rhythm balance and sleep physiology, digestion, and Ayurvedic nutrition. She offers individualized nutrition and herbal medicine consultations that include meal planning support, custom compounded herbal formulas, nutrition guidance and general wellness support.  Learn more about services that Lindsay offers at Richmond Natural Medicine by clicking HERE.

When it comes to transitioning to a gluten free diet, there is no single “right way” to do this, as each person’s response to gluten can range tremendously.

Whether due to a recent allergy, celiac diagnosis, general digestive issues or simply being more conscious of your overall health, there is a huge influx of people within the past 15 years who have chosen to remove gluten from their diet. Unfortunately, when we choose to remove anything from our diet, it is often accompanied by external judgement, stigma and plenty of misinformation surrounding a decision that should otherwise be personal and individual.  

Start Small

When I counsel people on shifting to a gluten free diet, I often recommend they begin with small steps (unless their diagnosis or reaction to gluten is extreme, such as the case of celiac disease in which all wheat and gluten should be avoided). This means first paying attention to their symptoms, writing down their foods and reactions, experimenting with various forms of grains and incorporating in other foods or herbal therapeutics that support digestion during the entire process.  It is important to pay attention to your body’s signals and develop a deep understanding of the foods that either support or detract from your overall health. 

Modern Day Wheat

Processing and production of modern day wheat is heavily overproduced and over-processed. For example, in this country modern day wheat barely marks a resemblance to the wheat products that were consumed 50 years ago. The most popular strains of wheat that are produced now are often easier to harvest, cheaper to produce and significantly less nutrient dense than heirloom wheat strains.  Coincidentally they also have a higher gluten protein content. In our modern diet, wheat, soy and corn are three of the most heavily produced foods and therefore make up a larger part of our diet than we may realize. This is where paying attention to your food labels and familiarizing yourself with all the different forms of wheat is hugely beneficial. It is important to remember that not all grains contain gluten, and familiarizing yourself with several types of grains is helpful when transitioning to a gluten free diet.

Gluten Containing Grains

Examples of gluten containing grains include: wheat, barley, rye, couscous, spelt, semolina, durum, malt, brewer’s yeast, farro, wheat bran and wheat germ. For a complete list of all gluten containing grains and wheat derivatives, visit the Celiac.org reference page. Each grain has an individual nutrient profile with a varying range of gluten proteins, therefore each person (with mild gluten sensitivity) may have individual reactions to some gluten containing grains more than others. If you have a serious gluten condition, all of these grains should be avoided. If you’re experimenting with removing gluten from your diet, it is often helpful to remove all of these grains initially for at least 4 weeks, then add in one grain at a time and pay attention to how your body accepts or reacts to this addition. Go slowly, and allow at least 10 days between adding in different grains. Pay attention to processed or packaged foods such as soy sauce, prepared sauces, beer, baked goods, pasta, candy, gravy, imitation meat, salad dressings and lunch meats, as these often contain gluten ingredients. When a commercially produced product contains gluten ingredients, it should be clearly marked underneath the ingredient list saying. “Contains Gluten”.

Gluten-Free Grains

Examples of gluten free grains include: steel cut or gluten free oats, buckwheat, millet, quinoa, amaranth, wild rice, nuts and seeds, arrowroot, teff, and flax. Many of these grains are also extremely nutrient dense with rich protein content and are high in fiber, making them an excellent addition to meals. Again, try them one at a time and make sure you can tolerate them well. Many local health food stores will carry these grains in their bulk food area, as well as stock certified gluten free products made with many of these gluten free grains. Do keep in mind, however, that just because a product is “gluten free” doesn’t automatically make it healthy and well tolerated. For example, if you have an allergy or intolerance to potato, almost all gluten free products contain potato derivatives of some kind. So again, this is very individualized.

In summary…

When transitioning to a gluten free diet pay close attention to your symptoms, keep a food log, remove gluten containing grains from your diet (and in some cases), gradually add them back into your diet slowly and one at a time. This will either reinforce which grains you need to avoid or allow opportunity to consume select grains depending on your individual response.

If you need support during this process or help figuring out which grains work best for you to support your digestion, schedule a Nutrition appointment at Richmond Natural Medicine with Lindsay Kluge and we can come up with a tailored nutrition plan that fits your unique health picture.

Additional Resources & Perspectives:

Kamut: An Ancient Grain with Many Health Benefits

The Truth About Grains, part I

The Truth About Grains, part II

Gluten Free Food Labeling

About the Author:

Lindsay Kluge is a Clinical Herbalist & Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist and received her Masters of Science degree in Herbal Medicine from the Maryland University of Integrative Health in 2012. She has been with Richmond Natural Medicine since 2013, and specializes in therapeutic holistic nutrition, circadian rhythm balance and sleep physiology, digestion, and Ayurvedic nutrition. She offers individualized nutrition and herbal medicine consultations that include meal planning support, custom compounded herbal formulas, nutrition guidance and general wellness support.  Learn more about services that Lindsay offers at Richmond Natural Medicine by clicking HERE.

The earth is always available and always underneath you – you simply have to walk outside!

Our ancestors throughout human history have sat, stood, walked, slept, worked and played on the ground.  As we evolved we have lost our connection to the earth, with synthetic rubber soled shoes, sleeping on beds full of insulating material, and living largely indoors. We lack the connection to the earth’s healing power in our modern industrialized world.  As this has happened humans have become more and more ill, likely as a result of this disconnection.

What on earth is Earthing?

Earthing (aka grounding) is the timeless and simple practice of having direct contact with the Earth’s surface by walking barefoot, sitting, or lying on the ground outside.  Note: You must have direct skin contact with the earth.

Why is it important?

It is well studied that the earth’s surface is a never-ending supply of free electrons. The earth surface therefore is electrically conductive and maintains a negative potential. As humans we are made up of approximately 50-65% water.  In that water we have electrolytes like sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium and more.  This creates an inner environment that is able to conduct the free electrons the earth has to offer.  We are bioelectric beings; our innate physiology from the beats of our heart to the signals sent by our nervous system depicts this fact.

Earthing reunites us with the naturally occurring electrical signals from the earth that govern all organisms dwelling upon it.  It restores the body’s natural internal electrical stability and rhythms, which in turn promotes normal functioning of all body systems, including the cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, immune and neurological systems.  It remedies electron deficiency to reduce inflammation and shifts the nervous system from a sympathetic to parasympathetic state.  By reconnecting with the earth we allow the body to return to a normal state of electrical balance, which allows the body to better self heal.

How does this work?

The Earth is constantly being charged by solar radiation, thousands of lightning strikes per minute (~5,ooo per minute!!), and heat from the central molten core.  The electrons from the earth act as potent antioxidants and reduce electrical imbalances within your body and thus reduce oxidative stress and damage to the cells and tissues.  The Earth’s diurnal electrical rhythms are also proposed to set the biological clocks for hormones that regulate sleep and activity. One study showed that grounding while sleeping resynchronized cortisol hormone secretion, regulated circadian rhythm, as well as reduced pain and stress.

Health Benefits of Earthing:

• Reduction of inflammation
• Reduction of chronic pain
• Reduction of stress
• Increases energy
• Improves sleep
• Regulates cortisol rhythm
• Improves heart rate variability
• Regulates blood sugar metabolism
• Improves blood flow circulation
• Relieves muscle tension
• Speeds healing process
• Protection from EMFs
• Shifts the autonomic nervous system from a sympathetic (fight or flight) to parasympathetic (rest and heal) state

The Beauty of Reconnection & Grounding:

The earth is always available and always underneath you – you simply have to walk outside! This healing source is available to everyone and even better this is a FREE therapy you can give yourself. There are no harmful side effects and there is no such thing as too much.

Getting outside and grounding also reconnects you to nature – our greatest teacher. The greater whole of nature often times offers us perspective.  It connects us to something much larger than ourselves and gives us a sense of purpose and offers us more tools to cope with the chaos of daily life.  Connecting to nature provides clearer more attentive minds, uplifted energy, inspiration, and a greater sense of well-being.

Bonus healing tip: Maximize the healing capacity of your grounding practice by visualizing yourself being charged up by all the earth has to offer and offering the earth gratitude in return!

“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better” – Albert Einstein

Resource: Ober, C., Sinatra, S. T., & Zucker, M. (2010). Earthing: the most important health discovery ever? Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Publications.

The most important meal of the day (BREAKFAST) is also commonly the most overlooked meal.

In nutrition appointments, I hear over and over again the reasons why people skip breakfast and it usually has to do with lack of time in the morning and also lack of appetite. If you’ve gone several months (or even years!) without eating breakfast, then your  appetite adjusts to that and it’s difficult to incorporate eating breakfast back into your routine. It usually takes about 3-4 weeks for your digestive system to adjust and begin to expect food earlier in the day.

Morning meals don’t have to be complex or time consuming. In fact, most morning breakfasts can be prepped the night before for minimal work in the morning.

Below are 5 quick breakfast ideas that are high in proteins, colorful with fruits and vegetables and easily prepped:

1. 2 egg scramble with (pre-chopped) red pepper, onion and mushrooms.  Pre-chop all the veggies once during the week and just add in ½ cup to your morning egg scramble.
2. Quick cooking oats / overnight oats with ¼ cup walnuts, blueberries, hemps seeds and honey.  Quick cooking oats take 3-4 minutes to prepare in the morning. Adding in nuts and seeds for added proteins and fresh fruits for color and nutrients make a delicious and hearty breakfast.
3. 2 pieces whole grain sprouted toast with smashed avocado, sea salt and hemp seeds.  Sprouted whole grain toast is an excellent carrier for so many things! Top with smashed up avocado and hemp seeds, nut butter and banana or greek yogurt and fresh fruits for protein rich options.
4. 1 cup plain, full fat yogurt with fresh fruits, almonds and honey.  Siggi’s is an excellent yogurt that’s high in protein and low in sugar that makes a delicious creamy protein rich option for a quick breakfast. Top with fresh fruit and honey for added sweetness.
5. Protein rich smoothie with banana, blueberries, nut butter, almond milk and hemp seeds.  You can also add additional protein powders to morning smoothies to enhance the protein content. I always recommend making a smoothing and then pouring into a bowl, top with a bit of granola and eat like cereal. This tricks your stomach into staying fuller longer.

If breakfast is something you’re not allowing time for – consider batch prepping some of the above options to save more time. Having something that is protein rich and nutrient dense in the morning is extremely beneficial to maintaining blood sugar balance and also enhancing your energy and cortisol production early on in the day. Start with just half a serving if you’re not usually hungry in the morning and slowly work your way up to a full serving for your stomach and appetite to adjust.

Looking for more personalized meal suggestions for you and your family? Consider scheduling a  nutrition appointment with RNM’s Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist Lindsay Kluge for a custom nutrition plan that fits your needs and lifestyle.

About the Author:

Lindsay Kluge is a Clinical Herbalist & Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist and received her Masters of Science degree in Herbal Medicine from the Maryland University of Integrative Health in 2012. She has been with Richmond Natural Medicine since 2013, and specializes in therapeutic holistic nutrition, circadian rhythm balance and sleep physiology, digestion, and Ayurvedic nutrition. She offers individualized nutrition and herbal medicine consultations that include meal planning support, custom compounded herbal formulas, nutrition guidance and general wellness support.  Learn more about services that Lindsay offers at Richmond Natural Medicine by clicking HERE.

At Richmond Natural Medicine, many of us recognize that physical symptoms are more than just physical matter.

One of the hardest things to admit is that what we have been doing or the path we’ve been on is just not working.  Maybe something changed or maybe we changed.  But this realization can occur due to a change in our health.  The nagging headaches, the abdominal pain, poor sleep, anxiety or a new diagnosis persist.  But these symptoms can actually serve as a signal that something larger is going on. It can serve as an indicator that something bigger needs to change in your life.  You see, the mind and body connection is real.  Researchers show that under chronic long-term stress, immune markers, inflammation and heart rate variability change.  Essentially, stress and our mood do impact our physical health.  Thus, if we are living out of alignment or our purpose, the body will in fact work to communicate with you.  It will try to get your attention.  The fact is that symptoms can worsen or resurface over and over again until we do something different.  These symptoms serve as signals.

The Past

It is inevitable that we grow and change.  It doesn’t mean that we don’t appreciate the past or the life and lessons we have learned before, it may just be a different time. This can happen for so many reasons including transitions, age, injury, or loss.  For many people, a large part of their identity may come from their career or raising children where maybe there was little self-care.  As life further unfolds, the career or the nest becomes less full, and people may sense that there is a different path awaiting them.  Maybe for years they have ignored hip pain, diabetes or headaches. They mustered through where life was about duty and they did not think about their needs or what would be most useful for them.  They were not in touch with their body and instead the mind was overriding their own needs.  

But some individuals have been unhappy in a career or relationship for some time where they grinned and also mustered through it. They didn’t want to let others down or they don’t want to admit that their decision wasn’t working. They also didn’t want to fail.  But they have been willing to sacrifice their own happiness or needs for others.  It is admirable but not sustainable.  And thus because the mind, body and spirit are connected, the body will start presenting symptoms of dis-ease. It is at this point, that bodily symptoms serve as a cross roads.

Do we listen?

The point is many times we are faced with a transition that we did not anticipate or ask for.  We might be willing to give anything to have another day with a loved one, another stroll in the park before our accident, to heal a broken heart, to have that old job or to have our youth back.  It is natural that, since we are creatures of habit, many of us would like things to stay the same. Staying in the same situation provides normalcy even if it isn’t the healthiest situation.  We are often conditioned where we learn patterns from society and within our upbringing that may have told us to “suck it up and deal with it”.  But what if your body is telling you something else? Do you listen?  

The Body is Wise

You see, the body will never lie to you.  But our mind will.  We can convince ourselves of so many things as well as talk ourselves out of things or even minimize health concerns.  But the body is so wise and will communicate physical symptoms when we are in conflict or being forced to do things for long periods of time that are not congruent or in our highest good.  The body gives us clues of where attention and healing are needed.  

What is in Your Highest Good?

Change can be hard.  But sometimes sticking with the same thing is even harder.  At some point, there will be a breaking point in your health.  But if you are resisting the inevitable change where you are “sticking” with a job, or sticking with a relationship or career that makes you sick on a regular basis, your body may be screaming at you.  And at some point you may have no other option but to listen.  But even now it is your job to listen.  You are the steward of your body.  No one else.  Listen with your heart, mind, body and spirit.  What is truly in your highest good?  Be brave and follow your body’s signal.

Our Experience

The reason this topic is so important is because we see this all the time within our practice.  Because we deeply understand the mind-body connection, we see many people who come to us in pain, broken and suffering.  But it isn’t always just physical suffering.  There is often more behind their picture.  We see individuals that have been unhappy for years or something changed in their life. The point is how much are you willing to sacrifice?  How much of your health are you willing to lose before you admit a new path is needed?  

At Richmond Natural Medicine, many of us recognize that physical symptoms are more than just physical matter.  We are a whole being that needs joy, love, compassion and someone to deeply understand where we each have been; what has shaped us and what has brought us to this point.  We truly understand that there was deep value in the past, but that there is also value in a new path.

The New Path

Change is a courageous process and we welcome those that are sick, suffering and ready for a new path to unfold.  Be brave!  Be courageous!  

If you are at a place where you recognize the interconnection of your physical and emotional health and are looking for help as you make new steps in your healing journey, reach out to the team at Richmond Natural Medicine.  Contact our office (804) 977-2634 and consider working with one of our trained practitioners to customize a holistic plan to address the mind body and spirit connection of your health.  

About the Author:

Richmond Native and Naturopathic Dr. Leah Hollon is the Co-Owner of Richmond Natural Medicine. She received her B.S. and MPH from Virginia Commonwealth University. She is a graduate of National College of Natural Medicine where she received her Naturopathic Medical Degree. Her areas of focus include Autoimmune, Hormones, MTHFR Gene Mutation and Naturopathic Cancer Support. Please check our Book An Appointment for more information about booking an appointment.

Healing from any illness is a process, as such is healing from trauma.

Whole System Health

Overall health and wellbeing is based on the integration of a number of lifestyle areas.  Including not only our physical body, but also our environment, social interaction, occupation, sense of love and belonging, mental and emotional wellbeing, as well as a history of hardship or trauma.  

When looking at health in this way as a naturopathic doctor, we take a whole person perspective.  We are able to completely hear the patient’s story including all aspects of their life that have brought them to the current time and space.  This approach allows us to unravel the history of stories and symptoms that have occurred over time, leading them to a particular presentation of illness.

Digging Deep

Often times patients present with illnesses and disease states that are not well understood in the medical community.  They have lab work and imaging that suggests they are just fine.  They have been misdiagnosed and mislabeled, treated with no relief, and have had poor reactions or response to pharmaceutical medications. Our office tends to be a last resort for these people, those who have exhausted all their options and still have no answers.  We welcome these patients with open arms and are able to offer them hope. This is because we are able to look deeper, dig underneath the physical presentation and reveal the underlying stress, hardship, emotions, and possible trauma that have made a substantial imprint upon the physical body.

The Emotional Body

Our emotions are one of the major forms of toxicity that bombard us on a daily basis.  From the toxic thoughts that tell us we are not good enough, to the ups and downs of mood that occur in reaction to the chaos of daily living.  We have known for some time that our emotions have the ability to impact our health on a physical level.  There are many studies that show that negative emotional states such as anxiety, depression, and anger increase the release of inflammatory molecules (cytokines).  By knowing that inflammation is linked to a host of illnesses from cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes to chronic fatigue and many cancers, we are able to draw a direct link between our emotions and health. 1

Understanding the fact that our emotional state as well as our level of stress impacts our health, we can take it further to tie in childhood adversity and lifetime traumatic experiences.  There is much evidence on the mental health outcomes of children that have experienced physical, mental, or emotional abuse, family violence, or neglect. Children who experience such adversities have increased risk of depression, anxiety, substance abuse, as well as other physical illness including cardiovascular disease, stroke, asthma, and diabetes. 2 3

Trauma and Health

Trauma is defined as a deeply distressing or disturbing experience.  Trauma is very much subjective and a traumatic experience may range from a fender-bender for some to severe abuse or a natural disaster for others.  The main aspect that makes any experience traumatic is the person’s ability (or inability) to cope or respond, and this is related to their vulnerability to trauma.   In most cases of trauma, individuals may endure long-term reactions such as unpredictable emotions, flashbacks, and physical illness.4 Those with more childhood adversity, life long chronic stress and trauma are more at risk for severe reactions after a traumatic event due to the decreased ability over time to deal with it (these individuals are thought to have an increased vulnerability to trauma’s effect).  This can sometimes lead to such conditions as PTSD or post-traumatic stress disorder.

We see a number of mood disorders that are directly linked to emotional stresses and hardship; this is not just in your head. It is biochemical; these traumas have the ability to change the communication of the endocrine system, nervous system and immune system, involving your hormones, neurotransmitters, and inflammatory markers – therefore impacting body-wide functioning. Symptoms not only include mood imbalance but hormonal imbalance, hypothyroidism, adrenal fatigue, aches and pains, headaches, insomnia, brain fog, and just feeling tired and worn out.

Looking at a patient’s symptoms and delving into their history gives us an idea of any significant events that may have imprinted on the body that have the ability to interrupt normal development and function of the body’s organ systems.  Any Symptoms that show up are a sign from the body telling us something is “off”.  The body is wise, and is highlighting the importance of what is going on inside.  I encourage you to listen to your body, to your internal knowing, and take an active role in your healing.

How do we heal from trauma and hardship?

Healing from any illness is a process, as such is healing from trauma.  The body needs time to unravel the knots and webs of emotional patterning imprinted upon us since birth.  In becoming more mindful and aware of our stories and patterns we are able to notice them, catch ourselves in the pattern, and create new habits.  

As stated above, a number of imbalances can occur within the different organ systems of the body, especially the endocrine system and the nervous system.  Healing from trauma will also require rebalancing and normalizing functions of your hormones and neurotransmitters.  There are many ways to do this through homeopathy, herbal medicine, nutrition, and supplementation.

Often times it takes a team of supporters on this healing journey, so part of that team may include a therapist or counselor. It is highly recommended to have a therapist on your team when dealing with emotional wounds.  This can not only speed up the process of healing, but also aids in creating lasting results.

1.         https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11752480
2.        https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23595840
3.         http://www.ajpmonline.org/article/S0749-3797(14)00512-1/abstract
4.        http://www.apa.org/topics/trauma/

Richmond Native and Naturopathic Dr. Leah Hollon is the Co-Owner of Richmond Natural Medicine. She received her B.S. and MPH from Virginia Commonwealth University. She is a graduate of National College of Natural Medicine where she received her Naturopathic Medical Degree. Her areas of focus include Autoimmune, Hormones, MTHFR Gene Mutation and Naturopathic Cancer Support. Please contact our office at (804) 977-2634 about booking an appointment.

“Prevention through diet and lifestyle has a crucial role to play in stemming the tidal wave of cancer that we are facing” —World Cancer Report, 2014

Cancer, as a collective entity, is the single leading cause of death in the world today, with some 8.2 million deaths per year resulting from cancer related dis-eases (according to the Union for International Cancer Control report, 2014). As a result, there has been a considerable uptick in the research surrounding preventative approaches to cancer, including nutritional therapies.

What we are finding is that there is no one “right”diet for everyone. By taking a more holistic approach to each individual person, it is clear that not everyone will respond to the same treatments in the exact same way, and food and nutrition is no exception. While a few diets may be considered “healthy”overall, they may not work well for certain people who require something quite different or more advanced/in depth nutritional inputs. For example, the raw foods diet it touted by many as the ultimate healthful diet, however for someone who is depleted, constitutionally cold with poor circulation and a low digestive fire, the raw foods diet would probably be one of the worst options. Instead, a diet of whole foods, cooked well with warming herbs and spices would be much more balancing and easier to digest. This is just one of many factors to take into consideration. Just as we are aiming for whole foods, we are looking at the whole person.

The Eclectic Triphasic Medical System (ETMS) looks at all of the inputs that goes into the development of cancer – lifestyle, environment, body type, family history, geographic location, seasons, traditional diet (ancestry), diet-gene interactions (nutrigenomics) and organ systems. When we research and apply nutritional therapies and botanical medicines as adjunct treatments (along with any pharmaceuticals and western treatments), we must always look at the whole person to see how effective all inputs are in the landscape of their entire lifestyle. That’s a really big picture, and nearly impossible to come up with one right blanket treatment for everyone.

Most any “cancer diet”you research will almost certainly reinforce the importance of “whole foods and vegetables”- a large category with loads of options that can be overwhelming to the novice cook or fast food (standard American diet) connoisseur.

General nutritional therapies to include every single day:

1. Increase foods that are blood building like beets, collards, cherries, dark leafy greens and black strap molasses – These increase immune function and keep your detoxification system running smoothly.

2. Broccoli – A highly nutritious cruciferous vegetable with proven cancer preventive effects. It is packed full of phytonutrients that contribute to the body’s natural detoxification process.

3. Blueberries – Rich in antioxidants and phytonutrients, blueberries also have proven cancer preventing effects, especially nutrients found in the blueberry skin.

4. Increase healthy fats like coconut oil and avocados – Healthy fat intake, especially via avocados, has been directly linked to the reduction of oral and prostate cancers and contain an extremely high amount of lutein, glutathione and beta-carotene.  Cooking with stable oils like coconut oil decreases the oxidation occurrence of heated oils.

5. Increase fresh, bitter food – Bitter foods like artichoke, dandelion leaf and dark chocolate stimulate the digestive system and assist in liver detoxification. 

6. Decrease sugar intake – Processed sugars (and artificial sweeteners) contribute to “glucose overload”  in most standard American foods, causing insulin imbalance and inflammatory conditions.

7. Decrease consumption of Red Meats – Donald Yance, a leading cancer researcher, states that research on red meat consumption, “has found statistically significant associations between several common cancers (gastric, pancreatic, esophageal, prostate, breast & lung) and total dietary intake of red meat and processed meats”. The preparation of meats of course plays a major role.

     8.  Some other favorite, well researched foods include asparagus, sweet potatoes/yams, bitter greens (dandelion!), pomegranate, mushrooms and spinach.

A general rule of thumb would be to follow a Mediterranean Diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats and minimal red meats and sweets.

As with any botanical or nutritional therapy, we cannot expect or demand a quick fix or immediate resolution. Foundational approaches to healing take time and continued use to show lasting and stable results, and ideally the supervision of a well trained health care professional to tailor a treatment plan that is right for you. It is promising to see the increased research on nutrition and botanical inputs on the treatments of cancers, and we must keep in mind that some of the best treatments are those that are preventative. Keep your entire lifestyle in mind – community, spiritual practice, environment, diet, genetics, body type and even your career. All of this can contribute to the manifestation of disease. As with anything, balance is key!

Richmond Natural Medicine has designed a program (STAR – Support/Therapy/Recovery) for patients at any stage of cancer.  To learn more about the Naturopathic cancer support we offer, click HERE.

References:

Donald Yance

Eclectic Triphasic Medical System

Union for International Cancer Control

California Hass avocado: profiling of carotenoids, tocopherol, fatty acid, and fat content during maturation and from different growing areas

Meat Intake and Risk of Stomach and Esophageal Adenocarcinoma within the European Prospective Investigation Into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC).

About the Author

Lindsay Kluge is a Clinical Herbalist & Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist and received her Masters of Science degree in Herbal Medicine from the Maryland University of Integrative Health in 2012. She has been with Richmond Natural Medicine since 2013, and specializes in therapeutic holistic nutrition, circadian rhythm balance and sleep physiology, digestion, and Ayurvedic nutrition. She offers individualized nutrition and herbal medicine consultations that include meal planning support, custom compounded herbal formulas, nutrition guidance and general wellness support.  Learn more about services that Lindsay offers at Richmond Natural Medicine by clicking HERE.

One of the biggest areas we can support as we enter Spring is our digestive system. RNM’s Lindsay Kluge shares her favorite detox foods & herbs for spring.

The body likes to transition slowly – from resting to waking, from low energy to high energy, from emotion to emotion, and especially from season to season. It’s during the seasonal shifts that we often see an uptick in illness and acute symptoms, and this is often due to the dramatic change in weather and temperature from day to day. It’s confusing for the body to have abrupt external and internal change, and although our body’s have an amazing ability to adapt and transition, we can always offer additional support during the seasonal shifts.

Two of my favorite gentle detox foods & herbs for spring include the Ayurvedic recipe for Kitchari, along with cumin, coriander & fennel (CCF) tea.

Kitchari Cleanse

My favorite way to enhance and support the digestive system with the shift into spring is with a 3 day Kitchari cleanse along with daily herbal CCF tea after meals to enhance digestive function, balance the internal energetics of the digestive tract and also build up and nourish the lower digestive tract (large intestines and bowel) with detox foods and herbs. Many of the “detox kits” on the market these days focus on rapid cleansing and not the nutritive component that is so needed by the body.

Any type of cleanse breaks the body down to some extent, and you need to build yourself up before you can break it down. That’s why I gravitate towards kitchari whenever I need to re-set and nourish my digestive system. It’s a basmati rice and mung dal based dish with warming and balancing detox foods and herbs to support the liver while allowing the intestinal tract to absorb extra nutrients and promote daily bowel movements.

Cumin, Coriander & Fennel (CCF) Tea

The addition of cumin + coriander + fennel tea is helpful to combine with any cleanse (and works beautifully with kitchari) because it’s balanced and tri-doshic (good for all body types) and supports the body’s endogenous production of digestive enzymes for optimal food absorption. Make a teapot to sip on throughout the day, or have a small mug (about 6 ounces worth) after meals.

Fennel – one of the best carminative herbs (helps alleviate gas and bloating) that’s aromatic, cooling and mildly antispasmodic in the lower GI (large intestines and colon) to soothe digestion especially after heavier meals with lots of heavy proteins and savory foods. Fresh fennel seeds should be slightly sweet, a little pungent and very aromatic.

Cumin – a very aromatic and anti-inflammatory herb that also functions as a mild bitter tonic. Bitter sensation on the tongue and in the upper GI (stomach and pancreas) help to stimulate the endogenous production of digestive enzymes which break down your macro-nutrients (like proteins, fats and carbohydrates) into smaller, more digestible pieces that are easier to absorb. Energetically, cumin is a warming spice which helps to balance the cooling qualities of both fennel and coriander.

Coriander – the seed of the cilantro leaf, is perhaps the most cooling ingredient in this formula which helps to reduce excess heat from the digestive tract, thus supporting the liver in its detoxification process as well.

Healing Kitchari

• 1 c basmati rice
• 1/2 c mung dal
• 3 teaspoons kitchari spice mix (available here)
• 2 tablespoons ghee
• 6 cups water
• 1-2 cups chopped vegetables (like carrots, broccoli, spinach, beets or turnips)

Wash rice and mung dal and soak overnight. Drain the soak water. In a medium sauce pan, warm the ghee. Add the kitchari spice mixture and sauté for one to two minutes. Add rice and mung beans and sauté for another couple of minutes. Then add 6 cups of water and bring to a boil. Once the kitchari has come to a boil reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and cook until tender (about 30-45 minutes). If you are adding vegetables to your kitchari, add the longer cooking vegetables halfway through the cooking. Add more water if needed. Typically, kitchari is the consistency of a vegetable stew.

If you’re new to food based mono diets, I would strongly recommend you only start with one day at a time and you can always work up to 3 (or more) over time. The kitchari daily cleanse is just as supportive as a 3-7 day timeline, and it’s flexible enough to add in additional foods such as eggs, carrots, beets, greens and cabbages if you need some extra sustenance or proteins to maintain blood sugar levels if that is of concern.

Everyone’s needs are different and working with a nutritionist may be beneficial before incorporating detox foods and herbs for Spring into your diet to ensure you’re getting in everything you need for your unique body type and situation.  If you are interested in embarking on a gentle Spring detox, contact our office at (804) 977-2634 to schedule an appointment with our Nutritionist, Lindsay Kluge.

About The Author

Lindsay Kluge is a Clinical Herbalist & Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist and received her Masters of Science degree in Herbal Medicine from the Maryland University of Integrative Health in 2012. She has been with Richmond Natural Medicine since 2013, and specializes in therapeutic holistic nutrition, circadian rhythm balance and sleep physiology, digestion, and Ayurvedic nutrition. She offers individualized nutrition and herbal medicine consultations that include meal planning support, custom compounded herbal formulas, nutrition guidance and general wellness support.  Learn more about services that Lindsay offers at Richmond Natural Medicine by clicking HERE.

The majority (up to 85%) of new moms experience some level of postpartum baby blues. And another 10-15% experience more severe postpartum depression.

Bringing new life into the world is a miraculous ability of the female body. The time around birth can be joyous and exciting.  Can you imagine this time also being full of feelings of overwhelm, fear, fatigue, and depression?

What causes postpartum depression (PPD)?

The emotional experience of giving birth is enough to cause changes in mood, but on top of that women experience a multitude of physical and biochemical changes during the birthing process. Specifically changes within the immune system as well as the endocrine system especially the HPA-axis, thyroid, and sex steroids (estrogen & progesterone).  These fluxes in hormones and inflammatory systems can trigger the alteration of mood and energy.

In addition to the physical changes, other mental/emotional aspects often contribute to the depression as well.

A 2009 meta-analysis on the rates and risk of PPD showed that a past history of psychopathology and psychological disturbance during pregnancy, poor marital relationship and low social support, and stressful life events were the strongest predictors of PPD.

Baby Blues vs Postpartum Depression

The baby blues are most common and may only last a couple weeks and resolve on their own. Other times the low mood may continue and be more severe, this is postpartum depression. PPD can develop in the first few weeks after birth or up to 6 months later.

How do I know if I have the blues or if I have full-blown postpartum depression?

Symptoms of baby blues:                 Symptoms of PPD:

Mood swings                                               Depressed mood

Crying spells                                               Excessive crying

Sadness                                                       Withdrawing from support

Irritability                                                   Difficulty bonding w/baby

Overwhelm                                                 Intense irritability or anger

Poor focus                                                   Severe anxiety + panic

Sleep difficulty                                           Mental fog and inability to make decisions        

                                                                      Thoughts of harming yourself or baby

                                                                      Thoughts of death and suicide

How do we support mothers through PPD?

We approach PPD just like we approach all of our cases here at RNM, with a whole person perspective (mind, body, spirit). We are looking at all aspects of the woman, not just that she is a new mother.  We listen to her story, her history, how she shows up in the world and what has led to this point.

We are taking into account all levels of being in our approach:

• Physical: The biochemical changes that occur during childbirth – focusing on balancing the hormones is very important here. As is enough sleep!
• Social: Does she have enough support at home? Does she have enough time to take care of herself and her needs in addition to her new baby?
• Mental: Do we need other members on her care team? Therapy and counseling may be suggested if not already a part of mom’s health care team. What are her daily thoughts and perceptions? How can we shift these to be more positive and self-nurturing?
• Emotional: Checking in with her feelings and her own experience of depression. Each mother’s experience of PPD is unique, we take this into consideration to offer individualized support. Our therapies work not only on the physical body, but the emotional body as well.
• Spirit: This part of being is the most subtle, yet can provide the most profound changes in health. Often times over the course of treatment working on the previously described levels of being we create space for the spirit to show up.  Energetic medicines like specific homeopathics, flower essences, and energy work like Reiki, Craniosacral therapy, and even Gemstone acupoint therapy can offer support on this level. Ultimately though, this part of being is sacred to each individual. It is she, and only she, that can tap into her spirit, and invite it to be fully present in her life.

Many of us go through different mood states throughout our lives. Whether it be anxiety, depression, or postpartum depression, there are many ways our naturopathic doctors can support you on your healing journey.  If you are suffering from postpartum depression, please contact our office at (804) 977-2634 to receive the support you need.