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By Richmond Natural Medicine
RNM Blog
Naturopathic Approach to Flu

Are you seeking the naturopathic approach to the flu so that you may enjoy Fall and Winter as healthily as possible?

Fall and winter are the prime flu seasons. With a little extra caution and preventative support, you can stay on top of feeling as well and possible, however if you present with flu symptoms, the naturopathic approach to flu care may offer some support.

Prevention

The best way to avoid getting a cold or the flu this season is to keep your body in tip-top infection fighting shape so it can defend itself against the microbes that may come its way.

Proper nutrition (eating whole foods and veggies and avoiding sugar, fast food and alcohol), cooking with extra garlic, onion and spices such as turmeric, cloves and cinnamon, stress management, hand washing and an adequate amount of sleep and water intake all help to build up your body’s defenses and should be kept in mind year round.

For extra support during the cold and flu season, daily Vitamin C, Zinc and Probiotics can assist your immune system with the boost it needs to work overtime.

Read More: COVID-19 and other Viruses: Preventative Measures For Virus & Flu Season

Infection

Sometimes bacteria or viruses can sneak past your initial defenses, despite your best efforts. Keep in mind it is completely normal, and healthy to get an occasional cold or flu. These are opportunities for your body to reset and heal itself, and with proper self-care the duration and intensity of these illnesses can be significantly reduced.

One of the most important, yet probably hardest things to do is to allow the body to rest and relax. Even taking one day completely off to rest and properly nourish your body can significantly reduce the duration of the illness.

At the first signs of illness, try increasing the intake of supplements such as Zinc and Vitamin A and herbs like Elderberry and Echinacea, to assist your immune system in fighting off the illness quicker.

Other herbs, supplements or homeopathic remedies may also be helpful to your individual presentation, so reaching out to your local naturopathic doctor as soon as you feel yourself getting ill is very important.

Can’t I just get the flu shot?

The flu shot is always an option, but it’s important to educate yourself on the risks and benefits of the vaccine and then decide what would be the best decision for you and your family.

Statistics on how effective the flu shot is at preventing someone from getting ill in a given year vary greatly. The CDC alone has issued data over the years suggesting the vaccine is anywhere between 19-89% effective. In addition to common symptoms experienced after receiving the flu vaccine such as fever, cough, and body aches, some studies have shown that getting the flu vaccine actually increases the risk of getting a non-flu related virus (#1) or in some cases the very virus you’re being vaccinated against (#2).

In addition to effectiveness, it’s important to keep in mind what is in the flu vaccine. Ingredients can vary from vaccine to vaccine, but the most common ones used in the development of the influenza vaccines include: Chicken embryo and egg protein, Aluminum Salts, Formaldehyde, Thimerosal, Neomycin and Gelatin (#3). The majority of these ingredients are a common allergen, neurotoxin or carcinogen.

Naturopathic Approach – Put yourself first!

Make your health a priority, do your own research, reach out to your local health care provider and find out what works best and feels right for you so you can enjoy these upcoming months in optimal health.

 References:

  1. Increased risk of noninfluenza respiratory virus infections associated with receipt of inactivated influenza vaccine
  1. Association between the 2008-09 Seasonal Influenza Vaccine and Pandemic H1N1 Illness during Spring-Summer 2009: Four Observational Studies from Canada
  1. CDC – Vaccine Ingredients

If you or your family are seeking Naturopathic support during flu season, contact our office at (804) 977-2634 to schedule an appointment with one of our practitioners.

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By Lindsay Kluge
Articles RNM Blog
Signs You May Need To Assess Your Hormones 

Hormones flow through our body constantly and are kept in healthy homeostasis through a series of checks and balances primarily controlled by our thyroid gland, adrenal glands, liver, and gut health. It is normal for our hormone levels to change throughout our lives as we age. Hormone levels are also influenced by environmental factors, diet, and our levels of stress.

When kept in check, we can go years with no noticeable hormonal changes. However, when hormonal imbalances arise, it can be difficult to determine the root cause as hormonal imbalance symptoms can mimic the symptoms of so many other imbalances. Signs you may need to assess your hormones can be subtle, and your naturopathic doctor can help you to gain more insight.

Signs you may need to assess your hormones:

  • Your sleep cycles are off or feel inconsistent. This includes difficulty falling asleep and/or staying asleep. You may find you get a surge of energy when you should be winding down, or you wake in the night and can’t fall back to sleep for several hours. This could indicate that your melatonin levels or cortisol rhythm is skewed, and not in alignment with a normal circadian rhythm. Read more: Sleep Cycle & Women’s Health
  • You experience severe acne or skin conditions that are cyclical with your monthly cycle.
  • Thinning of your hair, or changes in hair texture and consistency.
  • Decreased libido in both men and women.
  • You experience frequent mood swings that are unexpected and exaggerated.
  • You have unexplained weight gain or weight loss.
  • Prolonged infertility

Some of the primary hormones that can be assessed include estrogens, progesterone, DHEA, testosterone, cortisol, and melatonin. These are some of the major hormones that influence the above symptoms in both men and women. Hormone levels are one clue in a series of potential contributing factors that contribute to your health. Working with a trained Naturopathic Doctor can be a tremendous help in gathering the appropriate clues to get to the root cause of your health concerns.

Read More: Beyond Balancing Hormones: What Factors Play into Dysregulation?

If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, or suspect that you need holistic support with hormone health, schedule an appointment with one of our naturopathic doctors at Richmond Natural Medicine today.

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By Richmond Natural Medicine
RNM Blog
Classical Homeopathy as a Naturopathic Treatment

What is classical homeopathy and how we utilize this with individual patients at RNM?

Classical homeopathy and their homeopathic remedies are sourced from the natural world. A small piece of a plant or mineral or a bit of venom from a snake or bee, for example, is collected and diluted. The more dilute a preparation is, the more potent the medicine. For example, a ‘200C’ homeopathic remedy is more dilute and therefore stronger than a ‘30c’ homeopathic remedy. Ultimately, the homeopathic remedy is taken orally, as drops in liquid form or as tiny, white pellets.

When someone has a symptom, the homeopathic remedy selected to help them is based on the idea that the same remedy, given to a healthy person, would cause the symptom. For example, if you have a swollen, hot, and red bee sting, a likely homeopathic remedy for you would be Apis. When given to an individual without a bee sting or similar condition, we would expect Apis to cause a transient expression of the symptom. In homeopathy, this is called a proving and it is how we have come to know about how each remedy acts. The mechanism of action of homeopathy is not yet known; however, clinical evidence of its effectiveness dates to the early 1800s. There are no detectable molecules of the original substances used to make homeopathic remedies left on the actual medicine given to patients— it is suspected that an energetic imprint of the original substances remains in the diluted preparation and elicits healing.

Read More: Homeopathy is Investigative Work

How does using homeopathy differ from using other forms of botanical medicines (herbal teas or tinctures) or pharmaceutical drugs?

Herbal teas and tinctures are derived from plants, like some homeopathic remedies. However, the medicine extracted from a plant for an herbal tea or tincture has not diluted the way a homeopathic remedy is.

Additionally, the indications for using one plant in a tea or tincture may be radically different from using that same plant homeopathically. For example, St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perfortaum) is commonly used to support mild depression in an herbal preparation, yet is often used for nerve pain homeopathically.

In what type of situation or person would homeopathy would be an ideal tool to use?

Every person can benefit from having their constitutional homeopathic remedy on board as part of their treatment plan. As it raises one’s overall level of health— acting deeply and steadily— constitutional homeopathic remedies improve sleep and energy levels and help people get more benefit out of healthy lifestyle choices they’re already making. Homeopathy can enhance a natural medicine protocol someone is already following. This is key because often people are working hard to eat well, stay hydrated, sleep enough, manage stress, and follow their supplement and/or herbal medicine regimen— and yet they continue to have some bothersome symptoms. Incorporating an energetic tool like homeopathy can be the missing component to someone achieving profound and lasting positive changes in their health.

What kinds of things can shift when using homeopathy with people?

With the correct constitutional homeopathic remedy, we can initially expect someone to generally feel more like themselves with positive changes in mood, sleep, and energy. Following, we can expect to see their presenting symptoms shift and improve.

By symptoms shifting, we mean that someone may go from having a more serious symptom to a less serious symptom — for example, a lung condition like asthma may improve, but the person may develop allergies or a skin rash. This would be a sign that the body is moving in an overall direction of improved health. We can wait and let the homeopathic remedy continue to act, expecting the less serious symptoms to clear up over time as well. When we have a history of illness suppression, the body may need to go through layers or stages of healing to truly resolve it.

Alternatively, with homeopathy, we can expect to see a patient’s symptoms improve in terms of severity or frequency. For example, if someone always gets a migraine headache prior to a major meeting a work, a couple of times a month, we can look for their constitutional homeopathic remedy to make their migraine symptoms less intense and less frequent. The time in which it takes to fully clear a symptom varies between individuals. It is important to remember that the remedy is being selected based on the whole person with the symptom and not just the symptom itself.

Another change that someone may experience with the constitutional homeopathic treatment is needing less of some pharmaceutical medications. For example, if someone is taking pain medication on an ‘as needed’ basis, they may find that they are able to take fewer doses or less frequent doses, as the remedy begins to work.

Read More: Homeopathy for Pain

It is also important for people to know that homeopathy is safe and gentle. It can be used at any stage of life and is safe during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. It can be used in conjunction with conventional medicine and other types of natural medicine.

There are many effective ways one can practice natural medicine and holistic care, and homeopathy is one of the most skilled, precise, and effective tools we can utilize to influence our own health. In the hands of an experienced naturopathic doctor, the use of homeopathy is a powerfully influential tool for achieving positive health outcomes.

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By Lindsay Kluge
Articles RNM Blog
Homeopathy in Practice

If you have ever been to see a naturopathic doctor, you may already have some experience with how successfully homeopathy is used in practice. However for many people, homeopathy may seem mysterious, especially if they have not consulted a trained naturopath. Homeopathic remedies have a long history of use to maintain health and wellness, and can be found all over the world.

Classical homeopathic remedies are sourced from the natural world. A small piece of a mineral or plant, such as chamomile for example, is collected and diluted. The more dilute a preparation is, the more potent the medicine. For example, a ‘200C’ homeopathic remedy is more dilute and therefore stronger than a ‘30c’ homeopathic remedy. Ultimately, the homeopathic remedy is taken orally, as drops in liquid form or as tiny, white pellets. Homeopathic remedies are derived from natural sources including plants, minerals, and animals, and can be prepared as dissolvable white pellets or liquids that energetically cleanse the body. An individual assessment of the individual is usually needed before prescribing the appropriate remedy.

Read More: Homeopathy & Family Practice

How is Homeopathy Used?

Homeopathy can be used for a variety of things, including specific symptoms like pain or skin rashes, and emotional or behavioral presentations as well. Long-standing issues are where homeopathy shines, but homeopathy can work to refocus any imbalance in the human body. It is gentle and deep acting, allowing a person back into the driver’s seat of their own health. A trained naturopathic doctor is skilled in the art and science of matching the appropriate homeopathic remedy with the person depending on their symptoms and how each person presents individually.

Read More: Homeopathy for Pain

Dr. Vanessa Ferreira describes working with homeopathy in her practice:

“Naturopathic medicine is so special when it comes to managing body-wide imbalances because it can be used to target different layers of dysfunction. Homeopathy works on one of those layers and is intended to improve the body’s response to stressors when it is in a state of disease or imbalance. I use homeopathy most often in cases presenting with peculiar symptoms, acute illnesses, stress management, or cases with underlying mental/emotional factors. Homeopathy is a wonderful tool to promote the body’s innate ability to self-heal.”

In what type of situation or person would homeopathy would be an ideal tool to use?

Every person can benefit from having their constitutional homeopathic remedy on board as part of their treatment plan. As it raises one’s overall level of health— acting deeply and steadily— constitutional homeopathic remedies improve sleep and energy levels and help people get more benefit out of healthy lifestyle choices they’re already making. Homeopathy can enhance a natural medicine protocol someone is already following. This is key because often people are working hard to eat well, stay hydrated, sleep enough, manage stress and follow their supplement and/or herbal medicine regimen— and yet they continue to have some bothersome symptoms. Incorporating an energetic tool like homeopathy can be the missing component to someone achieving profound and lasting positive changes in their health.

Read More: Homeopathy is Investigative Work

There are many effective ways one can practice natural medicine and holistic care, and homeopathy is one of the most skilled, precise and effective tools we can utilize to influence our own health. In the hands of an experienced naturopathic physician, the use of homeopathy is a powerfully influential tool for achieving positive health outcomes.

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By Richmond Natural Medicine
Articles RNM Blog
Homeopathy Is Investigative Work

Homeopathy works to treat all of a person, not just the physical symptoms.

Like a detective uncovering the many elements of a case in order to recreate the story behind a problem, naturopathic doctors work to unveil the story behind an ailment. Naturopathic doctors take the time to address all concerns and learn about a person’s history in order to understand their predisposition. Only then can they “solve the case” and find the remedy that will address everything the individual needs. The key is understanding someone’s constitution. Homeopathy is investigative work!

These investigative stories include not only physical concerns but those that are mental and emotional as well. If someone continually falls ill, there is likely more than simply a faulty immune system. There is an energetic level beneath the physical that requires a different set of tools in order to treat the health concern in its entirety.

Long-standing issues are where homeopathy shines.  But homeopathy can work to refocus any imbalance in the human body. It is a gentle and deep acting, allowing a person back into the driver’s seat of their own health.

Read More: What is Homeopathy

Imagine your body is a spacious room. In one corner, you may have boxes blocking some of the space. In another area, something might be obstructing an exit. All in all, you may not have the tidiest room. Let’s say the corner with boxes are certain emotions you may avoid, or struggle to express. And the obstructed exit is where those feelings need to escape. Homeopathy is the act of unblocking the spaces in your room so that you can better navigate and experience the landscape of your body.

Homeopathic remedies are the solution to reestablishing that landscape.

These remedies are derived natural sources including plants, minerals, and animals, and can be prepared as dissolvable white pellets or liquids that energetically cleanse the body. After discovering the story a person’s body is telling, a naturopathic doctor can then determine the appropriate remedy. These remedies can also be combined with lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise. The doctor will establish the right balance for the person and manage this over time. This includes determining the correct potency and dosage of a homeopathic remedy based on the individual and any prescription medications they may be on. Homeopathic remedies and prescription medication can work harmoniously in re-balancing the human body.

In the end, it is up to the individual to listen to what their body is saying.

If you feel your story isn’t being heard, consider taking a homeopathic approach to your health, and investigate what Richmond Natural Medicine has to offer. Click here to learn more about homeopathy. 

 

 

 

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By Lindsay Kluge
Articles RNM Blog
Optimizing Weight Through Holistic Nutrition

Optimizing Weight Through Holistic Nutrition

The ease of gaining or losing weight can look different for each person. Many people have a difficult time losing weight as they age, or gaining weight after an illness or times of stress. It is natural for our weight to fluctuate with what life throws at us. Stress, injury, hormonal fluctuations, and our exercise routines all contribute to maintaining and optimizing a healthy weight over time. Educating ourselves on the foods that we eat, and taking a holistic nutrition approach can be a huge support in optimizing our weight as our lifestyles change.

What Contributes To Weight Gain & Weight Loss?

There is so much more to maintaining a healthy weight than just calories. This is where so many diet plans fall short, and this minimal line of thinking contributes to considerable misinformation among diet culture today. Our weight is a reflection of many things including:

Our weight will naturally fluctuate as we age, and is affected by the health of our organ systems, especially our thyroid and endocrine system. Our diet of course plays a huge role in maintaining a healthy weight, but it is not the entire picture. The quality of the foods that we eat is just as (if not more) important than the quantity of foods we consume.

How Can We Maintain a Healthy Weight All Year Long?

If you want to maintain a healthy weight for 365 days a year, then you need a nutrition plan that lasts for 365 days. Following a 30 day diet, or a 10-day “jump-start” is not sustainable to maintain a healthy weight for the long term. Rather, approaching nutrition and lifestyle practices that are sustainable and realistic for you is the best way to achieve a healthy weight all year long.

There may be underlying, less obvious contributors to your weight (gain or loss) that you may need extra support identifying, such as underlying health conditions, hormonal imbalance, or digestive dysregulation. This is where a naturopathic doctor and/or holistic nutritionist can be especially helpful.

Holistic Nutrition Tips To optimize Your Weight

  • Focus on whole, real foods. Fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, whole grains, and quality (un-processed) protein sources are ideal.
  • Eat at consistent times every day. The more sporadic our meals (or skipping meals), the more unstable our blood sugar becomes.
  • Minimize processed sugar intake to less than 25 grams per day. Pay attention to your ingredient labels (especially in drinks!), and add this up each day. It gets to 25g quickly!
  • Ensure you’re eating enough fiber, ideally 25-35 grams per day. This comes from whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds especially.
  • Learn how to mindfully and intuitively feed yourself. Check-in with your hunger levels before each meal, and while you’re eating. You may not always need to clean your plate if your body is telling you that you’re full for now. Intuitive Eating Resources here.
  • Meal prep once a week if you’re scrambling for healthy meals during busy weeks. This is the easiest and best way to ensure you have at least one healthy meal per day, already prepped, when your schedule becomes too full to make a healthy meal. Meal prep tips here.
  • Eliminate late night / after-dinner snacking. Our cells and metabolism are not conditioned to metabolize optimally after dark, and especially not while we’re sleeping.
  • Drink plenty of water. Half of your body weight in ounces is a good rule of thumb. Proper hydration supports every body system and cellular function, detoxification pathways, and optimal blood flow.

If you would like support creating a custom nutrition plan that fits your lifestyle, health needs, and weight goals, consider making an appointment with Dr Beliy  – Naturopathic Doctor and Nutritionist here at Richmond Natural Medicine.

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By Lindsay Kluge
Articles RNM Blog
The Naturopathic Approach to Thyroid Health

Thyroid health is one of the many areas that is supported by the naturopathic doctors here at Richmond Natural Medicine. Whether you have been diagnosed with an existing thyroid condition or are suspecting a possible thyroid imbalance, there are plenty of questions to ask and lab work to assess to further your knowledge about how to approach a personalized solution for you. The naturopathic approach to thyroid health can involve many different

The thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped gland in the front of the neck, and is an integral part of our complicated endocrine system. It plays a role in regulating our metabolism, controlling our body temperature, and supporting the balance of other hormones throughout our body. It is affected by things such as stress (acute and chronic), our sleep cycle, our environments, our diet, and also our genetic predisposition. Common thyroid conditions include hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), hypothyroidism (under-active thyroid), and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis (an autoimmune condition that impacts the thyroid gland). In each case, it is important to dig deeper and assess the cause of the imbalance and determine appropriate short and long term solutions.

Read More: Condition We Support: Thyroid 

The Naturopathic Approach to Thyroid Health

Dr. Vanessa Ferreira shares her expertise on approaching thyroid health with her patients:

Dr. Vanessa Ferreira is a Naturopathic Doctor at Richmond Natural Medicine
Dr. Vanessa Ferreira, Naturopathic Doctor at Richmond Natural Medicine

“When it comes to the thyroid, there are a lot of factors that affect it. We need to look at stress, diet and lifestyle, sex hormones, nutrient and cofactor deficiencies, adrenal function, chronic disease, and a possible autoimmunity factor. In order to address the possible underlying cause of an over or underactive thyroid, we need to fully understand what factors might need improvement and each case is unique to each individual. Through supplementation, diet, and lifestyle, herbs, and stress management, we can get the thyroid to wake up and start producing it’s hormones more appropriately.

Oftentimes patients will present with autoimmune thyroid conditions, such as Hashimoto’s, and while many will say there is nothing that can be done about the autoimmune aspect of thyroid disease, I’ve done otherwise. When it comes to hormones and autoimmunity, diet and lifestyle changes are key! With just this simple change, I’ve seen thyroid autoimmunity markers drastically improve, and finally, patients are able to feel like themselves again. Diet and lifestyle changes are no easy task, but as a naturopathic doctor, I work with and support my patients every step of the way so they don’t feel lost along their health journey.”

What Symptoms May Indicate a Thyroid Imbalance?

Because all hormones communicate with one another and the thyroid hormone acts on all body tissues, we can see body-wide symptoms. Many symptoms of thyroid imbalance are also common symptoms of other things, thus many people can go years with an undiagnosed thyroid condition. Things such as fatigue, weight gain, brain fog, anxiety, and mood swings are common to experience. Below is a breakdown of common symptoms for both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism:

Hypothyroid Hyperthyroid
Fatigue, lack of energy Anxiety
Depression, low mood, lack of motivation Palpitations
Weight Gain or difficulty losing weight Restlessness
Hair Loss Irritability
Dry Skin Insomnia
Brittle Nails Weight loss
Constipation Increased sweating
Low basal body temperature Trembling
Intolerance to cold temperature Intolerance to warm temperature
Brain Fog Exophthalmos – protruding eyes
Goiter Goiter

 

Therefore, treatment is highly dependent on the signs and symptoms, lab values, and further workup of other potential endocrine issues. Your naturopathic doctor will best be able to evaluate your whole picture to address the root cause of your thyroid imbalance.  Every case is different and the individualized approach is imperative to healing.

Getting Help With Thyroid Issues With The Naturopathic Approach

Do you need support or have questions about your own thyroid health? We would love to connect you with one of our naturopathic doctors and support you on your health education journey. Call or email us to schedule an appointment today.

Learn More: Individualized Requirements for Hypothyroidism

Learn More: Assessment of Thyroid Function: Towards an Integrate Clinical Approach

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Naturopathic Cancer Care
By Lindsay Kluge
Articles RNM Blog
Naturopathic Care and Cancer Support: An Interview with Dr. Leah Hollon

Studies have found that integrative cancer therapy, which includes naturopathic cancer support or naturopathic oncology, is a growing area of oncology that can improve results by reducing negative side effects from conventional treatments, improving quality of life, and in some cases, potentially decrease the amount of medication needed for cancer treatment. At Richmond Natural Medicine, we provide holistic and naturopathic cancer support in conjunction with your oncology team to address your very individual needs during and after cancer treatments. We take into consideration more than just the diagnosis. We address emotional health, diet, lifestyle, sleep, stress, and family and community support. Learn more from our chief naturopathic doctor, Leah Hollon ND.

Naturopathic Cancer Care with Dr. Leah Hollon

When people seek naturopathic care from you for cancer support, what can they expect from their time working together with you?

They can expect to be heard and that we work in concert with their oncology team. Our purpose is often about maximizing their health at the present time to navigate and stay as healthy as possible through surgery, radiation, or even chemotherapy. They can also expect that if their health changes that we can also modify and shift with them. 

Read More: Naturopathic Cancer Support at RNM

How do you as a Naturopathic Doctor work with oncology teams?
Dr. Leah Hollon is a Chief Naturopathic Doctor and CEO of Richmond Natural Medicine
Leah Hollon, ND, MPH

The most important aspect of Naturopathic Cancer Support to obtain is information to work collaboratively. This includes obtaining the patient’s history, labs, chart records, and pathology reports. Without these, you cannot have a full sense of things. The oncology team that you work with typically will forward this information to us. Throughout someone’s care, their team will fax over ongoing labs or updated chart records so we are apprised of their ongoing health and any changes. Ongoing, we craft a plan that is individualized for that specific person based not just on their type of cancer but also on the markers or pathways that are contributing to their cancer and any changes that might occur during treatment. We also take into account if they are severely anemic or if they are having side effects of insomnia or anxiety and also work to lessen such side effects including nausea, vomiting, toxicity to the heart, lung, kidneys, or liver.

Our goal is to keep the body vital throughout therapy so that they can complete and receive the therapies without diminishing the effectiveness of the therapies that their oncology team has laid out. We must know the side effects, interactions, and contraindications of food, nutrients, chemotherapy, other drug therapy, radiation, prep for surgery, immunotherapy, and even botanical medicine. We have to know all of this. Thus, when the plan is initially and carefully crafted, we reach out to the patient’s oncology team to share the recommendations and provide the research and evidenced-based support for such choices.

We typically draft a letter and provide the concrete evidence for these choices. We often will also connect by phone to communicate if there is something urgent. Our recommendations may include nutrition, lifestyle including stress management, emotional support as well as even certain supplements. But it is based upon the specific person as well as the empirical evidence. Also due to the fact that we work in prevention, sometimes we would like specialized lab work where we may request their oncology team provide. Thus our goal is to serve as a bridge that is easily navigable for patients in their overall health and well-being which means collaborating with everyone on the team. It is hard dealing with a diagnosis of cancer, it can feel vulnerable and our job is to lessen the anxiety that can be created with the diagnosis of cancer. 

We also participate in annual continuing medical education hours with a number of local and regional oncology centers in order to continue our relationships with multiple providers and to continue to integrate a more holistic experience from a patient’s perspective.  

How might a Naturopathic approach to cancer differ from a conventional MD? And how do the two work best together for comprehensive care?

Prevention. I cannot prevent how and why someone got cancer. But with Naturopathic Cancer Support or Naturopathic Oncology, we can work to prevent harmful side effects that can occur secondarily from their cancer treatments. Thus often times we are preventing secondary harm to organs such as the liver, lung, heart, etc. We are also trying to prevent them from having to stop therapy due to the side effects being too much. This includes allowing the therapy to work to its best efficiency. Not all treatment is broken down by the body equally among all people. We can see people react or have side effects that only occur in 5% of the population. We work to understand why this is occurring for this patient and if we can further enhance the body’s ability to process a drug such as certain chemotherapies. We work to optimize their ability to respond to the therapy laid out by their oncology team. If they cannot process the therapy effectively then more harm occurs to secondary tissues which are harmful and put them at added risks for other chronic illnesses down the road. 

Additionally, many patients after treatment then feel as though after all the intense therapy that they are on their own. They may go for check-ins every 6 months or annually but they feel no one is really watching the subtle symptoms. This is where we also help with aftercare to make sure that very subtle changes are something alarming in between 6 months and 12-month check-ins. These times allow us to be additionally proactive for short and long term health. 

Read More: Putting Integrative Medicine Into Practice

Learn More about Naturopathic Cancer Support at Richmond Natural Medicine. If you are looking to include a skilled naturopathic doctor into your oncology care team, consider making an appointment with one of our naturopathic doctors at Richmond Natural Medicine. Learn More about making an appointment.

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Naturopathiv Mens Health
By Lindsay Kluge
Articles RNM Blog
The Naturopathic Approach to Men’s Health & Fertility

Here at Richmond Natural Medicine, we view fertility support as a small part in the overall health and vitality in both partners. This means that in addition to looking comprehensively at hormonal health, our Naturopathic Doctors also investigate chronic ailments throughout the physical body and take interest in any mental or emotional symptoms. Inviting a naturopathic doctor into your larger care team means having an expert who can assess both partners as whole people and provide non-toxic, effective, and individualized care options.

How Can RNM Support Men’s Health and Fertility?

In our practice, it’s common to see patients who have previously been diagnosed with erectile dysfunction, hormonal imbalances, stress related conditions, and PTSD or past trauma. Naturopathic medicine and doctors are well positioned to support these patients because their goal is to discover the root cause of a fertility difficulty by using modalities such as herbs, supplements, diet, lifestyle changes, and homeopathic remedies to support and strengthen the body inside and out. After reviewing a patient’s medical history, a ND may explore specialty hormone or gastrointestinal health assessments, circadian patterns, environmental exposures, and chronic infections. But more important to us than a diagnosis is the individual behind the diagnosis, if there is one. Sometimes, men struggling with fertility issues seemingly have no obvious reasons why. We want to know your whole picture as a person.

These are some of the medical conditions involving infertility that naturopathic medicine can address for men:

  • Low sperm counts
  • Poor morphology
  • Poor fertilization
  • Hormone imbalances (estrogen, testosterone, thyroid and/or adrenal)
  • Erectile dysfunction

Read More: 5 Preventative Tips for Men’s Health

The Goals of Naturopathic Fertility Support

The changes we strive for when optimizing men’s fertility are highly individualized. When your ND addresses whole-body health and sees your chronic ailments improve, the effects on fertility may include:

  • Increase blood flow or lymphatic flow
  • Improve nutrition to for the reproductive system
  • Assist with sperm count
  • Enhance morphology
  • Reduce mental or emotional stress
  • Support unresolved trauma that can impact endocrine system
  • Hormonal regulation
  • Supporting detoxification pathways to help the body process environmental toxins that impact the endocrine system

Naturopathic medicine can be an excellent tool in the process of enhancing overall fertility support in men, and we are happy to work with people individually or partners to reach their goals. Interested in scheduling an appointment with one of our naturopathic doctors? Click here to get stared.

 

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By Lindsay Kluge
RNM Blog
The Naturopathic Approach to Teen Health

Teen and young adult health is an area where Naturopathic Medicine really shines. During the ages of 12-19, young adults are eager to learn, yet often get little education about how their body works, and what steps they can take to encourage preventive health to stay healthy and vibrant. Young people often present as the healthiest among us, but that doesn’t always mean they have the healthiest habits.

The naturopathic doctors here at Richmond Natural Medicine love to see teens and young adults, and especially educate these young patients about the fascinating and important ways their body can stay healthy and strong. Dr. Viktoriya Beliy shares some of her first hand experience working with teen health:

The Naturopathic Approach to Teen Health

What are some of the most common health issues you see presenting in teen’s and young adults at RNM?

I am most often supporting teens with acne, hormone imbalance, and mood support (ADD/ADHD, anxiety, depression).  Teens are placed under more pressure than ever to perform in their academic and social lives which also takes a toll on their adrenals and nervous system. I feel we’re seeing more burnout in teens and young adults than even in older age groups. 

What are some of the ways the naturopathic approach is different from the conventional approach when working with teens? What can they expect from working with you over time?

Naturopathic medicine is much more holistic in treating teens. We don’t just talk about acne and skin, we’ll talk about all of the organ systems, diet, and lifestyle to address the root cause. Our questions are more detailed and focused on addressing the whole person and how that is relevant to their current condition. 

One thing to note is that naturopathic medicine doesn’t always offer very quick solutions, some therapies take time to see a difference. But they can expect to feel overall better. 

Can you talk a little about empowering young adults and teens with health education to support long-term healthy habits & maintaining balanced wellness in their life?

A big piece of working with this age group is to ensure a safe space where they can talk openly about what’s going on and how it’s affecting them. I want to ensure comfort and compassion so they can be advocates for their health starting now. Education plays a huge role in our discussions so that they understand the long term goals of care and how we want their future health to be. The foundations of good health are sleep, nutrition, and self-care, so we want to set up those habits now and find ways to fit that into their everyday lives. If we discuss the importance of these habits there’s more incentive to follow through.

Remember, you don’t always need to have a diagnosis, or be presenting with an obvious health issue to get support from a naturopathic doctor. Naturopathic medicine focuses heavily on educating you, supporting your health goals long term by practicing preventative health, and offering you individualized holistic wellbeing tools and recommendations to enhance areas in your life where you may be struggling. This can include stress management, diet, sleep, or emotional and mood support, and more!

If you would like more information or guidance for teen and young adult health here at Richmond Natural Medicine, consider making an appointment with Dr. Beliy to get started.

 

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