Cholesterol production is one of the most basic and essential functions of the body and we all need a good supply of cholesterol to keep us in a healthy balance.

Although we may instinctively think all cholesterol is a bad thing, this couldn’t be farther from the truth! We always need to strive for a healthy balance of everything in the body, and cholesterol is no exception.

Cholesterol (also called “lipids”)  serves numerous supportive and functional roles in the body including:

• Plays a major role in transmission of nerve impulses
• Essential for Vitamin D synthesis
• Serves as a precursor to bile acids and emulsifies fats
• Cholesterol is the backbone of all sex hormone synthesis
• Cell membranes are composed of phospholipids, glycoproteins and cholesterols – these cholesterols are essential for cell-to-cell communication throughout the body
• Cholesterol is found in every cell membrane in the body as is a major necessity for our brain (nearly 25% of your total cholesterol is found in the brain!)
• Along with calcium and collagen, cholesterol plays a role in patching up damaged tissue
• Cholesterol helps to maintain the integrity of the myelin sheath – an integral component of our central nervous system

Cholesterol production is not just a result of the foods that we eat. The liver and intestines actually produce about 70-80% of our total cholesterol, with our diet only contributing about 20-30% of our cholesterol. With the Standard American Diet (appropriately abbreviated as the SAD diet), we consume a disproportionately large amount of cholesterol from our foods which over time increases our cholesterol to higher than appropriate amounts, throwing off our delicate balance.

The three key aspects to dealing with high cholesterol using nutrition include increasing healthy fats, fiber and plant sterols, supporting optimal digestion and absorption, and supporting the liver.

Here’s how we can stabilize high cholesterol utilizing herbal therapies and nutrition techniques:

1. Increasing Healthy fats: Not all fat = cholesterol fats. Essential fatty acids (EFA’s) for instance are essential to eat in our diet because our body does not produce them, and these healthy fats help to maintain the balance between HDL (bad cholesterol) and LDL (good cholesterol). Nutritional sources of healthy fats include fish and fish oils (salmon and cod especially), avocado, coconut oil, olive oil, nuts and seeds (hemp seeds, chia seeds, walnuts, cashews) and high quality dairy products. Consuming healthy fats daily (omega-3 fatty acids in particular) has been shown to reduce LDL cholesterol levels over time while also supplying whole body anti-inflammatory support.
2. Support digestion with extra fiber and slippery elmAlong with increasing healthy essential fatty acids in the diet, special attention should be given to increasing fiber sources as well. By increasing phytosterols and fiber, you will decrease binding sites for cholesterol. The slower your food is passing through the bowels, the more cholesterols are being absorbed. If you speed up the flow of food with extra fiber, there is less time and opportunity for the body to absorb more cholesterol. Regular bowel movements (at least once daily) is ideal for healthy digestion. Increasing fiber-rich foods help this process. High fiber foods include split peas, lentils, black beans, avocado, edamame, raspberries, whole wheat pastas, blackberries, pearled barley, artichoke hearts, pears, broccoli, chia seeds, oatmeal, apples, brussel sprouts, flax seeds, brown rice and almonds. Also, slippery elm is a wonderful addition to your daily diet as this helps to coat and soothe the lining of the digestive tissues (especially the intestines and colon) so that your foods continue to move through at a steady rate. Just 1 teaspoon a day of slippery elm powder works well.
3. Support the liver With anti-inflammatory foods. Since the liver is a major site of cholesterol production, we need to make sure the liver is healthy and going through both phases of liver detox efficiently. The best way to support your liver detoxification processes is with the foods that you eat every day. Colorful, nutrient rich and simple foods are ideal, with a focus on brightly colored fruits and vegetables and lots of water. Anti-inflammatory foods such as turmeric, black pepper, green leafy vegetables, olive oil (all of the EFA’s are great anti-inflammatories!), blueberries, beets, broccoli, salmon, coconut oil, and chard are excellent foods for liver support, and the more variety you can get in your daily diet the better!

Stress also plays a role in high cholesterol (because we know stress contributes to everything!).

When the body is under stress, we produce more cholesterol because the liver is told to make more cholesterol for cortisol production. This is often why we see high cholesterol and high blood pressure go hand in hand. Along with a healthy diet, we also need to be mindful of how much stress we choose to take on, and especially how we respond to the stressors that we allow in.

Prevention is the first step in maintaining good health.

It has been consistently agreed upon that high cholesterol can lead to an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart disease. With some basic foundational changes in diet and lifestyle, these risks are drastically reduced. If you need support developing a nutrition plan that is specific for high cholesterol or metabolic syndrome, consider making an appointment with one of our Naturopathic doctors trained in integrative & holistic nutrition.

Mothers, fathers, children, siblings, care workers, grandparents, and even friends – so many step up to take on the care of their loved ones, which can be both a loving act and also an extremely depleting and stressful undertaking over the long term.

At Richmond Natural Medicine, we see an enormous number of caretakers, each presenting with their own set of health challenges. It is never overlooked that the act of care-taking another has often played a major role in their long term health.  Thus, it is extremely important for us to acknowledge that role, and make sure that the caretakers are, in fact, still taking time to care for themselves.  

It is extremely common that most people devoted to the long term care of a loved one often put themselves last. They make sure everyone else is cared for (usually a never ending task) before they take the time to care for themselves. Over time, this not only compounds stress and exhaustion, but also emotional guilt associated with taking time for their own self care. This is where they can often use the most support: building up their reserves, focusing on their endocrine system and energy levels, and allowing themselves permission and time to devote to their own self care.

Here are a few tips that we encourage all caregivers to take part in. Even implementing just one can make a huge difference over the long term:

• Ask for help and be willing to accept it. If you feel like you’re overwhelmed and could use additional help  – find someone to help out. Most people want to help, and either don’t know what to ask for, or don’t know how to step in without “overstepping”. Reach out and accept help when it is offered.

• Schedule time for yourself every day or every week that involves something that brings you JOY. Just 15 minutes of daily calm and joy can re-set your central nervous system from a state of overwhelm and stress into a  state to emotional calm and stillness. The body desperately needs these breaks and it’s essential that you mark these self care breaks on your calendar every day in INK.

• Make and follow an iron clad wellness plan that includes strict boundaries. Learning how to say “No” is one of the hardest things for caretakers because, often, they’re the only ones available to do the work. Setting boundaries for yourself is essential to not burn out, and also keeps others from taking advantage of your time, energy and caring nature.

• Create a meditation or gratitude practice every morning and/or evening. Mentally check in with yourself first thing in the morning or right before bed and acknowledge 3 things you’re grateful for that day. Starting and ending the day with positivity sets the stage for a more positive day (or subconscious night).

• Socialize and get together with people outside of your “care network”. Usually caretakers are constantly talking about and answering questions about the people they’re caring for which is equally as exhausting and repetitive as the act of caregiving itself. Get together with people who want to talk about you or something outside of your responsibilities.

• Implement words of kindness and encouragement to yourself every time you look in a mirror. Remember to always give yourself credit and encouragement for the work that you do, and notice when thoughts of negativity or guilt sneak in. Banish them away with a simple mantra for yourself like, “I am well and good today”, or “I am doing good work today, and that is enough”.

• Write: Check in with yourself at least once a week and notice where you are feeling burnout or where you can use the most support. Write this down. Take care not to overwork this area of burnout, and revert back to your boundaries plan to reinforce this area.

• Exercise for 30 minutes, 3 times per week. Just the simple act of exercising – whether it be going to the gym, lifting weights, going for a jog or a walk – can make you feel more in control of your situation and your body, and doubles as an excellent stress reliever while supporting your bones, muscles and central nervous system the same time.

If you need additional support in creating a self care plan for yourself, schedule an appointment with us at Richmond Natural Medicine by contacting our office at (804) 977-2634. We’re all here to help create care plans to support any and every area of imbalance, and support you where you need it most.

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.

Herbalist Lindsay Kluge shares her favorite herbal remedies to support your digestion this holiday season.

The season of travel is in full swing and with travel can come some digestive uncertainty. One of the most common complaints I hear from patients is that when they travel, their digestion can become unpredictable, stagnant, uncomfortable and sluggish. It can take weeks for them to feel “back on track”, and I think we can all relate to the feeling of unease when our digestion is compromised.

Fortunately, there are plenty of easy, portable herbs for digestive support that we can take with us when we travel, or tuck away in our office at work, or keep at home for guests to use when they need support.

Here are 4 of my most commonly recommended herbal allies for digestive health – effective and convenient for holiday travel.

1. Chamomile Tea – Chamomile is an all encompassing digestive remedy for all ages and one of the most effective herbal allies for gastrointestinal support when symptoms present either in the stomach or lower intestines. From minor stomach aches to lower GI bowel spasms, chamomile is a gentle anti-spasmodic that helps to calm, soothe and normalize digestive function no matter where symptoms are presenting. I recommend folks travel with individual tea bags that they can use on a plane, right after dinner at a guest’s home, or to store away in their desk drawer at work to make a quick cup whenever they need it. When it works best: Tummy aches for children; mild stomach or intestinal spasms; mild diarrhea; when digestion feels like it’s moving “too fast”.
2. Digestive bitters – herbal bitters work wonders to help digestion before meals. Just a tiny taste of bitter on your tongue helps stimulate the production of digestive enzymes to support the efficient breakdown of foods. As this is the season when we’re often eating larger, fuller meals than normal, our stomach can use some additional support.  Herbal bitters are ideal to travel with and to share around the table before a holiday meal. When it works best: Before large meals; for blood sugar support post meals; taken regularly before meals when traveling out of the country (or trying new foods).
3. Peppermint Tea –  Peppermint is a wonderful herb to take in tea form when we have difficulty digesting heavier foods like meats or beans that may cause gas and bloating. Taking individual peppermint tea bags with you when you travel is an easy way to consume this no matter where you may be – on a plane or train, at the office or at home as long as hot water is available. Peppermint tastes delicious, and is safe for all ages.       When it works best: taken after meals to reduce gas and bloating
4. Ginger chews or Ginger Tea – Ginger is an ideal herb for sluggish digestion when you need to get things moving and warm up an otherwise stagnant (or cold) digestive tract. Many people suffer from slower bowels when they travel, and ginger is a warming and stimulating herb to support healthy bowel movements. Ginger tea is something I always recommend to people who fly often to help keep them energetically grounded and warm. You can also use the ginger chews on the go for the same benefit if tea is not accessible. When it works best: travel induced constipation; slow gastric emptying or sluggish digestion; nausea; taken daily when traveling to colder climates. When digestion feels like it’s moving “too slow”.

Each person presents with such a unique digestive picture that sometimes just a single herb doesn’t quite do the trick for them or offer enough support for how their symptoms are showing up. If you need more individualized support or a custom compounded herbal remedy to support your digestion this holiday season, consider scheduling an appointment with our clinical herbalist, Lindsay Kluge, before your holiday traveling.

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.

We can control how we respond to stress, but first, we need to notice how we react.

As we enter into December, it’s almost palpable how much stress people are carrying around with them. I can sense it in the way folks whizz through the grocery store isles, aggressively vie for parking spots, fidget in the lines of the post office, and that’s not to mention how they’re feeling in their own home. Planning for house guests or holiday traveling or trying to get their act together for their hosted meals…there’s a lot going on this time of year. But, to be clear, the holidays are not stressful. We make them stressful, and usually, we’re not even aware that we’re doing it.

One of the practices I encourage my patients to do is a “needless vs. essential stress” exercise to help them pare down the amount of stress they feel like they’re carrying. It’s simple, effective and eye-opening, and something I think everyone can benefit from (especially this time of year).

Step 1:

Make a list of every single thing that stresses you. Nothing is too big or small to be included on this list. Write it all down. This can be anything, anyone or any place that causes that little flutter in your heart or tightness in your chest or tinge of headache.

Step 2:

On a separate sheet of paper, make 2 columns titled “Needless” and “Essential”

Step 3:

Divide your long list of stressors into either one of these columns.

“Needless” stressors are anything that you can easily live without and immediately choose to get rid of. These are things like getting angry about traffic, making up stories or conversations in your head about things that haven’t actually (and probably never will) happen, choosing to get stressed about an untidy house, or (intentionally) making your daily to-do list unmanageably long.

“Essential” stressors are things that you can’t easily get rid of and are essential for daily living. These are things like paying your mortgage, feeding yourself and your family, taking care of your children, managing your finances and taking care of your car. These are the big-ticket things, the things that keep your life going that have likely become routine.

After creating your lists, you’ll probably notice that the needless stress list if a lot longer than your essential stress list and this is because we’re often addicted to stress. Stress becomes our default response to things that don’t always go our way or things we do not have control over. But choosing to get stressed over these things is our choice, not our obligation.

Step 4:

Choose one thing from your needless stress list and for 1 week actively work on letting this stressor go. Notice whenever this is popping up for you, and immediately choose not to get upset or stressed by this non-essential thing in your life. Every week, choose one more needless stress until that list becomes obsolete.

You will eventually be left with a significantly lighter stress load once you can actively differentiate between what’s essential and what’s not. You’ll also start to notice how your body responds to stress, those first little symptoms that can pile up into a bigger, more overwhelming, stressful feeling. We can control how we respond to stress, but first, we need to notice how we react to stress.

If you’re still struggling with stress in your life and need additional support, consider making an appointment with one of our naturopathic doctors or scheduling a nutrition appointment to help with meal planning. There are many ways we can combat stress in our lives, and each person takes an individual approach.

When trying to figure out sleep imbalances, there are so many avenues you can take to track down the elusive source, and one of the main areas to look at is what may be triggering your circadian rhythm.

Is it lifestyle factors that cause disrupted sleep? Or other underlying imbalances that cause lack of sleep? Or is is disrupted sleep itself that causes those other underlying imbalances?  Getting to the root cause of sleep imbalances is key.

What is a circadian rhythm and how does it affect us?

Our circadian rhythm is our 24 hour internal clock which makes up our sleep and wake cycles. It is an intricately entrained biological clock that functions both diurnally (daily), circannually (yearly) and even seasonally! You know it’s dictating a big part of our lives when you fly to the other side of the world, for example, and you’re still on your “normal” time for a few days. You may want to sleep when the sun is high in the sky for the first 48-72 hours abroad even though your environment is completely changed. Eventually, your body adjusts, and that’s due to your environmental triggers dictating your hormones. But other lifestyle factors are just as important to your circadian rhythm, and they’re collectively known as “zeitgebers” – any external lifestyle or environmental cue that synchronizes an organism’s biological rhythm to earth’s 24-hour light/dark cycle. Paying attention to what your triggers are (or lack thereof) can answer several questions about why you may have trouble sleeping.

Here are 4 main circadian rhythm triggers that may be affecting your sleep:

1. Light and Dark Exposure – It is extremely important for the body to experience both a sunrise and a sunset. The sun rising in the morning sends a direct signal to your brain that melatonin (your sleep hormone) should decrease, and your cortisol levels (your stress and energy hormone) should begin to rise. Likewise, in the evening, the absence of light should cause your melatonin levels to increase to make you sleepy, while decreasing your cortisol to allow you to relax and wind down. If you’re waking up in the dark, or trying to fall asleep 2 minutes after turning off the house lights, your hormones just aren’t in the right place to respond to that.
2. Stress & Cortisol – Cortisol, the body’s stress hormone, is one of the essential circadian rhythm hormones that manages our sleep wake cycle, and it is by far the most disrupted during our day. If we live a life of high (or even moderate) stress, our cortisol production is constantly disrupted, leading to an imbalanced sleep/wake cycle over time.
3. Food Inputs – Food is predictably available at certain times. The body comes to anticipate food at certain times during the day, and the most important time to eat is in the morning, after having fasted for 6-8+ hours. Eating your breakfast at the same time every morning will allow the body to maintain this predictable input of food, while it also re-enforces your cortisol increase in the morning to prepare for energy expenditure for the day.
4. Appetite – This can be predictable if set for a while by eating at consistent times during the day. A lack of metabolic rhythm regarding appetite is clearly associated with a loss of biological rhythm and disrupted sleep. This means that activities like grazing throughout the day, skipping meals, or overeating wreck havoc on an otherwise healthy circadian rhythm.

Our triggers are predictable, both seasonally and daily

Reinforcing our biological rhythms and our circadian rhythm triggers is key to supporting overall wellness and especially a good night’s sleep. Biological rhythms are set with our relationship to the world, and the further we drift away from our predictable environmental cues, the more disrupted our rhythms become. Our triggers are predictable, both seasonally and daily. Keeping your triggers predictable and stable is critical to maintaining a good night’s sleep.

This recipe is a staple in my fall and winter dinner rotation. I especially love this recipe because it packs in lots of vegetables, makes a large amount at one time – perfect for batch cooking on the weekends, and it’s filled with warming spices that warm you right up on the colder days.

Ingredients:

2 tbsp olive oil

1 large yellow onion

3 large carrots

2 green or red bell peppers

3 cloves garlic

1 16oz can crushed fire roasted tomatoes

1 16oz can red kidney beans (drained and rinsed)

1 8oz can black beans (drained and rinsed)

2+ cups vegetable stock

2 tbsp chili powder

2 tsp sea salt

Instructions:

Heat the olive oil and add the carrots, bell peppers and onion. Saute until just soft, about 3-4 minutes. Add the garlic, and chili powder and saute another 3 minutes. Add in the stock and tomatoes. Cover and let simmer, for 20 minutes. Add the kidney beans and black beans and let simmer for 30 more minutes. Optional: Add in additional vegetable stock for a thinner consistency while cooking. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Why are beans so good for you?

Beans and legumes are one of my absolute favorite additions to a cooler weather diet, and have that protein rich, hearty quality to them that sustains a feeling of fullness longer (especially in delicious stews!). They’re also packed with nutrients, have a long shelf life, and are accessible and affordable for almost everyone. However, I cannot stress enough how important preparation is for beans, as they can sometimes be hard to digest if not prepared appropriately. So, here are some basic tips and facts on beans to get to know these little nutrient powerhouses a little better:

Beans (pulses), generally things in the Fabaceae family

Beans are basically seed pods that are split in half

Types of legumes:

• Forage legumes:  Alfalfa , clover, albizia
• Grain legumes: Beans, lentils, peas, lupins, peanuts

What do legumes contain?

• Protein – In general veggie proteins tend to be a good source of arginine. Animal proteins are higher sources of lysine.
• Arginine – An essential amino acid, important for blood flow and maintaining nitric oxide levels.
• Fiber – Helping to maintain glycemic index
• Phytosterols – Which may help to decrease the risk of heart disease
• Flavonoids (isoflavones) – A wonderful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound.
• Folic Acid – Important to maintain homocysteine levels
• Magnesium
• Potassium

How to prepare:

Soak dried beans overnight. This helps to break down difficult to digest compounds that may cause gas and bloating. Rinse beans thoroughly and then cook for an hour or more depending on the bean until very tender.

Drain and rinse canned beans extremely well.

Watch out what you combine them with! Beans don’t always “play nicely” with other foods in your digestive tract like cheese, extra starchy foods or full fat dairy products. As a general rule, smaller beans are easier to digest than the larger beans. If you’re unaccustomed to eating beans or preparing beans, I suggest starting with red or green lentils or mung beans or mung dahl and then graduate to larger beans like black beans or kidney beans. When you buy dried beans, keep them in glass jars and away from direct light. They have quite a long shelf life!

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.

Are you nearing or experiencing Menopause?  Learn how to support yourself during this transition.

Menopause is a significant physical and emotional transition period in one’s life, so it is important to give yourself permission to slow down and fully experience this change. Not only is the body changing, but often the lifestyle is changing simultaneously – whether it be with children moving out of the house or transitions in career. For this reason, it is a great time to check-in on one’s physical and mental health and make adjustments as needed.

Below are some steps you can take to support yourself during this period:

• Nourish your body with:
  • Movement – weight-bearing exercises like yoga, tai chi, qigong, walking and dancing are all great; also include some strength-training such as free weights or resistance bands (as-appropriate) for improved bone health and fracture prevention.
  • Food – include fresh, whole, unprocessed foods as much as possible. Your body operates best with this fuel. Conversely, packaged/processed/sugar-laden foods act as anti-nutrients in the body – stealing your energy reserves, rather than feeding them.
  • Modified anti–inflammatory diet – include plenty of fresh, organic produce and high quality fats (olive oil, fish, coconut oil, nuts and seeds) and protein (fish, organic soy, pastured eggs, some grass-fed/pastured meat and poultry.
  • Seed cycling to support hormone levels – 2 Tbs of freshly ground seeds per day (flax or pumpkin seeds from new moon to full moon; sesame or sunflower seeds from full moon to new moon).
  • Water – aim for about 1.5-2 liters/day of spring or filtered water
  • Reduce or eliminate soda, caffeine and alcohol
  • Supplement with minerals and Vitamins D & K as-needed for bone health.

• Make time for yourself and be kind to yourself – Keep in mind that previous lifestyle habits may not serve you at this time and you may find you need to adapt or change old habits.  Try to look at this as an opportunity to let go of that which no longer serves you – this can be a very freeing experience! Consider this transition as an opportunity to look at new interests or step outside your normal routine.

• Sleep – Sleep is very important for allowing the body sufficient time to recover and heal. You may find sleep is more difficult during this time, but your need for it is still high. Be gentle with yourself and try developing a new bedtime routine to mentally and physically ready yourself for sleep. Aim for 7-9 hours each night, in a cool, quiet and dark room. Avoid screens emitting blue light at least 1 hour prior to bed. Go to bed and rise at approximately the same time each day – the body loves routine!  Also helpful – not eating at least 2 hours before bed, reducing alcohol intake and taking relaxing herbs such as chamomile, valerian, skullcap and passionflower.

• Stress management – This is extremely important for hormone and nervous system regulation! Dedicate some time each day to focus and calm the body and mind – guided meditation, breathing exercises, yoga and walking outside are all great options.

• Self-care – This is often the hardest thing for women to do because it sometimes feels “selfish” to take time out for oneself. However, if you don’t care for yourself first and foremost, than you simply will not be well enough to take care of others. Think of it as serving both yourself and others when you take care of yourself. Schedule self-care into your routine. Whether it is 5 minutes or 5 hours – do this EVERY DAY. It could be anything from quietly sipping a cup of tea to dry skin brushing or taking a bath – anything that is healthful, enjoyable and just for you.

• Additional support:

1. 1. 1. • Adrenal health is key before, during and after the menopause transition. The adrenal glands take over for the ovaries regarding the majority of sex hormone production during and after menopause. It is therefore very important to nourish the adrenal glands as much as possible to maintain hormone levels, as well as keep unwanted symptoms, such as hot flashes, at bay. This can be accomplished by managing stress, getting proper rest, maintaining a healthful diet and stable blood sugar. Additional support can be gained from using herbal therapies such as “adaptogenic” herbs, as well as homeopathy and nutritional supplements.
         • Liver and digestive health should be addressed as this is essential for regulating hormone levels as well as detoxification capabilities and overall inflammation.
         • Along with the above recommendations, it is crucial to quit smoking to greatly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (the number one cause of death in women).

• Nourish your mind – Consider sharing your wisdom by engaging with your community; also, keep your mind sharp by reading, doing crossword puzzles, using Lumosity.com, etc.

• Nourish your spirit – Connect to that inner, knowing part of yourself. Try lighting candles, praying, meditating, diffusing essential oils – anything that feels fulfilling to you.  

• Know your limits and ask for help when you need it – This is especially important when in the position of caretaker + parent + spouse, etc. We cannot expect to maintain our health if we consistently put ourselves last. If you find yourself overwhelmed with responsibilities, do not push through it, but rather take a step back and consider prioritizing tasks and asking for help.

In addition, as women age, the risks for cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, diabetes and breast cancer greatly increase. Taking steps to care for yourself now can also help prevent the onset of these diseases.

Recommended resources:

Finally, here are some physician authors you may find interesting with regard to information on menopause: Christiane Northrup, MD; Sara Gottfried, MD; Tori Hudson, ND.

Richmond Natural Medicine’s Nutritionist Lindsay Kluge demystifies Ayurvedic Medicine and demonstrates ways to introduce Ayurveda into your health.  

Ayurvedic medicine has been gaining more and more popularity in the west with the introduction of yoga (a sister practice of Ayurveda), and with the increase in popularity of Ayurvedic herbs such as turmeric, ginger, gotu-kola and tulsi (holy basil) to name a few. But for quite some time, Ayurveda could simply not be supported by the current western medical model due to it’s comprehensiveness and individuality of treatment. Fortunately though, that is starting to shift.

Dr. Vasant Lad, a prominent and gifted Ayurvedic practitioner who was integral to bringing this system of medicine from India to the United States encourages the marriage of both Ayurveda and modern medicine for a holistic approach to medicine. He describes Ayurveda as, “containing the knowledge of nature, the scope and purpose of life, and includes it’s metaphysical and physical aspects – health and disease, happiness and sorrow, pain and pleasure. Ayurveda defines life as the conjunction of body, mind and spirit…and is an art to daily living that has evolved from practical, philosophical and spiritual illumination.”. Clearly, this is much more than symptom management with prescriptions.

Ayurveda takes into account the individual person, from their state of spiritual wellbeing to their dietary inputs to their environmental factors and their overall constitution (or dosha). Imagine your doctor taking the time to assess all of that during a 20 minute visit. That’s why Ayurveda is so special and so effective. The entirety of the person is assessed, and the individualized treatment is always changing as their health is changing. Nothing in Ayurveda is stagnant.

Ayurveda uses many tools for preventive health to balance and sustain a healthy lifestyle that, once understood and implemented, can make preventing disease something you do every day without even being conscious of it. Things like seasonal eating, lifestyle balancing for your dosha, learning about food preparation, and just developing consciousness about how your body is feeling are all common and effective recommendations.

Here are 5 simple ways to introduce Ayurveda into your health and lifestyle:

1. Begin eating with the seasons. Seasonal eating is stressed in Ayurveda in order to keep us more grounded and connected with the world around us, and more in tune with the home that nourishes us. Our environment plays a huge and critical role in your overall health, and the foods that are available from season to season helps to maintain that balance, especially for the digestive system.

2. Determine your predominant dosha, and learn more about how to balance that dosha and (more importantly), learn the signs and symptoms of when that dosha is out of balance. For example, a Vata person is naturally very airy and spacey and requires ritual and routine to keep them grounded. Excessive travel or fluctuations in their daily routine really throws them off balance, while maintaining a steady ritual and predictable routine helps keep them stable and grounded.

3. Utilize Ayurvedic herbs to enhance and support your digestion. Ayurveda stresses the importance of maintaining optimal digestive health as a major preventive factor in warding off imbalance and disease. If we cannot digest and absorb foods optimally, we cannot absorb the essential prana (life force) from foods that keep us strong and vibrant. Our gut health is a major factor in modulating our immune system as well, and maintaining awareness of the foods we eat and how we digest them is key to warding off disease before it even starts. Simple Ayurvedic herbs to balance the digestive tract include aloe, turmeric, ginger, cumin, fennel and coriander eaten with your foods, or many into daily teas.

4. Develop conscious lifestyle practices that follows Prajnaparadha – the Ayurvedic concept of imbalance. Prajnaparadha means that you innately know what is right, but you knowingly do the opposite. This is obviously a major contributor to disease and imbalance in the body. Examples include knowing you need to exercise but not doing it. Knowing you need to eat more vegetables but you keep eating “junk foods” Knowing you need to decrease your stress and get rid stressful things in your life, but you keep working yourself into the ground. The body innately knows what is right, and so often we choose to do the opposite. Practicing prajnaparadha helps to keep us aware that we have the power to make these changes, and produce positive shifts in our health.

5. Do something daily that supports your body, your mind, and your spirit. These are the three essential principles to Ayurvedic healing, and all must be in balance to achieve and maintain optimal health. One cannot be ignored and expected to balance itself. For example, make sure that in addition to your seasonal diet, you’re also getting in a 20 minute walk to support the bones, joints and lymphatic system; you take time during the day to rest your mind by reading or enjoying pleasant music and a calm space; and you have a spiritual practice that you partake in daily, whether it be prayer, meditation, musical composition or whatever connects you to “your source”. The body, mind, and spirit all must be tended in as much importance as your prescribed medicines.

It’s obvious that Ayurveda is not just a simple medicine, but a comprehensive lifestyle shift that takes some time and focus to acquire. If you’d like to learn more about this ancient system of medicine, contact our office at (804) 977-2634 or click here to explore Ayurveda with one of our practitioners.

Feeling tired?  Richmond Natural Medicine’s Nutritionist Lindsay Kluge shares helpful lifestyle tips that are sure to counter fatigue and boost energy.

If you’re having a hard time making it through the day, sleeping through the night, or waking up in the morning, you’re likely to experience fatigue and low energy on a daily basis. There are several physiological factors that go into our energy production including hormone balance, dietary inputs and environment factors, and finding the “weak link” in your daily life might pose clues as to why you’re experiencing fatigue.  As a holistic practitioner, I often encourage my patients to focus on lifestyle factors before resorting to medications or supplements.

Take a look at 5 areas in particular to counter fatigue and increase energy before supplementing with over the counter supplements or medication:

• Balance your Circadian Rhythm. If you have difficulty getting out of bed in the morning, or have an afternoon slump in energy, or can’t fall asleep at night, you might be having some imbalance in your circadian rhythm. The circadian rhythm in your body’s 24 hour internal clock that modulates your sleep wake cycle, and is influenced by an orchestra of hormones and environmental factors. Cortisol is a major endocrine hormone that not only is responsible for your stress response, it is also one one of the major hormone modulators of your circadian rhythm. When you feel constantly tired or lack energy throughout the day, you may want to consider having your cortisol levels checked, but more importantly, pay attention to how your struggling with your circadian rhythm. Things like maintaining consistent meal times, waking with the sun and dimming the lights before bed, and avoiding computer and TV screens at night all help to balance your circadian rhythm, thereby supporting your cortisol (stress) levels.

• Cut back on the caffeine. There’s nothing wrong with a morning cup of coffee or caffeinated tea, however when consumed in excess, and especially too late in the afternoon, caffeine can put unnecessary strain on your adrenal glands and tax your cortisol supplies. This goes back to supporting your circadian rhythm, and using the cortisol you have sparingly. It’s not “normal” for your body to constantly be jolted by caffeine, and this unnatural push for more and more quick energy burns out the adrenals quickly, leading to chronic low energy over time.

• Practice meditation or mindfulness breathing. Taking full, deep breaths truly does help to re-set and calm the nervous system which can become over-burdened and heightened with too much stress. Stress is exhausting and very taxing to the body, and taking moments throughout the day to breath deeply to support your nervous system will help decrease the fatigue experienced by those with a higher than normal stress level. Take a deep breath at every red light while driving, while you’re brushing your teeth, every time you get a new email in your inbox…have signals to remind yourself to do this during the day.

• Exercise for at least 20 minutes per day. Your body needs to move and stay flexible or it will become brittle and “break” more easily. By moving your body through walking, yoga, weight lifting or resistance training, the body’s circulatory and lymphatic system will be engaged and active. Interestingly, the more active and physically fit you are, the more energy you will ultimately have throughout the day. The more sluggish you become, the weaker and more fatigued the muscles and joints become.

• Decrease processed carbohydrates. Processed carbohydrates in the form of breads, cereals, bagels, pizza etc. often give us instant energy due to their transformation of sugars in the body, but the energy is short lived, often leading to an energy crash shortly after eating. This massive fluctuation in the body is disruptive not only to the digestive tract, but to the circadian rhythm and cortisol function as well. Rather than snack on processed carbs, try eating colorful whole fruits and vegetables or healthy protein sources such as nut butter balls, carrots sticks with hummus or even a boiled egg for a more sustainable pick-me-up during the day.

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.

Cold and Flu Got You Down?  While this is certainly no fun, it can be a good time to check-in and give your body some much-needed TLC.

Here are some recommendations for natural at-home remedies to treat the flu and common cold.

1. Sleep – listen to your body and rest as much as you need! Allowing adequate rest gives your immune system the chance to fight off infections, such as the influenza virus.

2. Hydrate – normally I recommend folks drink about ½ their body weight in ounces of water each day, but this often needs to be increased during sickness. Water is essential for proper immune function and is also the ultimate decongestant, helping to thin and move mucus. Adding some electrolytes with a pinch of sea salt and/or rotating in a homemade electrolyte drink can also be helpful. Here’s a homemade electrolyte drink recipe you can try: 8oz water + 1/4 tsp sea salt + 1⁄4 tsp baking soda + 1 Tbs raw honey.

3. Only eat easy-to-digest, whole foods – Focus on cooked vegetables and broths/soups. The age-old cure of mom’s chicken and vegetable soup is great, as is bone broth. Adding garlic and onions, as well as herbs such as rosemary, sage and thyme can be especially beneficial for their immune-boosting and anti-microbial properties. Include foods rich in Vitamins A and C such as greens, squashes, carrots and cruciferous vegetables.

• Also – Avoid processed foods, especially sugar, which feeds bacteria and viruses and avoid mucus-forming foods such as dairy and citrus.

4. Try some herbs like Elderberry and/or Echinacea – find a high-quality (ideally without sugar) liquid elderberry syrup and take as-directed on the bottle. Elder berries also make a great tea. This herb has wonderful antiviral activity and also tastes great. Another commonly used herb with antiviral activity is Echinacea and can usually be taken safely as-directed. Note – as with anything, quality here is very important. Some high-quality brands you can find in stores and online include Wise Woman Herbals, Gaia Herbs and Herb Pharm.

5. Supplement with essential immune-boosting nutrients such as Vitamins A, C, D and Zinc. These can be taken individually, but there are also lots of great combination products out there so experiment and see what works best for you.

Some general guidelines for adults are below, but for kids make sure to adjust dosing based on body size:

• Vitamin A – Has great anti-viral activity and can be used at higher doses for a short period of time. While sick, supplement with up to 25,000 IU/day, but not more unless otherwise directed by a physician. Note: anything above 10,000 IU/day can cause birth defects so women who are pregnant or may become pregnant need to be cautious.
• Vitamin C – Is a powerful antioxidant and therefore takes some pressure off the immune system. It can usually be safely taken up to bowel tolerance but I would recommend starting with 1000-1500mg/day. I prefer a whole food-based supplement, rather than just the ascorbic acid component, when possible. Some brands I like for this include Innate Response and Ecological Formulas.
• Vitamin D – Is very important in maintaining immune health. You can usually double a typical daily supplement dose during acute illness (for example – use 4,000 IU/day rather than the typical 2,000 IU/day for an adult). With Vitamin D, you want to make sure to get the active form called cholecalciferol or Vitamin D3.
• Zinc – Is also key for healing and immune health. I usually recommend taking Zinc the form of Zinc picolinate or Zinc citrate and adults can take between 25mg-50mg/day for acute illness. Do not use Zinc long-term unless otherwise directed by a physician.

Bonus tip:

Utilize “hydrotherapy” (i.e. water therapy) – one simple technique you can try includes aiming the shower at first your chest and then back for a good 15-30 seconds with cold water at the end of your hot shower. Upon exiting the shower, quickly dry off and wrap yourself in a few dry towels or warm clothes. This process stimulates blood and lymph flow, which improves immune function.

Your Naturopathic Doctor can also provide individualized recommendations and formulations for your needs. This may include specific homeopathic remedies, herbal formulations, nutritional products or any combination thereof.