Radio Naturopath
Radio Naturopath Episode 531: Bowel Blockage, Astaxanthin, Resveratrol, Cholesterol Lowering Foods
This week, we talked about Ron's unfortunate situation with a bowel blockage, what causes it and how to manage it. When it's very acute, it involves an overnight stay in the hospital. To prevent it, it involves some diet alteration. I also offered some turmeric, which is a great anti-inflammatory. We hope it doesn't happen again!
I talked about the health benefits of two great antioxidants, astaxanthin and resveratrol. Great for cardiovascular, genetic, eye health, and more! I then started into foods that can help to keep cholesterol low.
Radio Naturopath Episode 526: Monounsaturated Fats, Pistachios, Sleep, Aging, and How To Do It Better
This week, I talked about monounsaturated fats (MUFAs) and what they can do for you. All good stuff, mostly related to cardiovascular health! Then I talked about two of the best nuts to get MUFAs, macadamia and pistachios. They're good for you in so many ways! Then I talked about sleep: why you don't sleep as well when you age, and then started on many ways to sleep better. Good sleep is key to health!
Radio Naturopath Episode 513: Bioflavonoids, Saffron, Natural Menorrhagia Help, Honey
This week, I talked about a number of timely subjects! We started with why bioflavonoids are good for you. It's the antioxidants! We talked about the specific, precious herb saffron, which is turns out is good for mood, PMS, cardiovascular disease, and much more! Then we finished off menorrhagia, heavy menstrual bleeding, which affects so many women from early to late child-bearing age. We ended with something sweet: the health benefits of honey! You can even have some if you have Type 2 diabetes!
Radio Naturopath Episode 505: Whole vs. Skim Milk, Dairy Substitute Comparison
This week, I talked about the controversy of whole vs. skim milk, the pros and cons of each, which there are a few. Is the fat good for you or not? It depends on who you ask, but mostly whole milk is OK! I also discuss the problems of consuming dairy from non-humans at all. Some people, based on their specific health issues, really shouldn't be having dairy at all! Then I compared a few of the non-dairy milk substitutes for health and general benefits. Hint: they're really not high in protein, and rice milk is WAY too high in carbs!
Radio Naturopath Episode 466: Managing Fatigue, Intermittent Claudication, Peripheral Artery Disease, Chromium
This week, I talked a bit about how I manage intermittent fatigue, mostly with taking breaks and getting enough sleep! Like a lot of us, I'm guilty of pushing myself to get stuff done until I drop, and I need to learn to rest more.
Then we discussed the possibility that Ron has intermittent claudication, a form of peripheral artery disease. He certainly has symptoms that could fit. We discussed the mechanics of intermittent claudication, the pain, cramping, and burning that are worse with exertion and better with rest. Then we discussed how it's diagnosed and treated, both conventionally and naturally. And then, a little piece on chromium for food cravings!
Radio Naturopath Episode 458: Cholesterol and Muscle, Shilajit/LIthium Orotate, Health Not Weight Loss!
This week, I talked to Ron about his muscle building efforts, which are still taking a long time. We talked about how the cholesterol-lowering drug he took didn't allow him to rebuild muscle, and may also have affected his nerves, He's eating a lot of oats, and the beta-glucan in them can help to lower cholesterol; he's also eating a lot of ground flaxseed to help to sweep extra cholesterol out. He's looking forward to his next cholesterol test! We answered a question about shilajit and lithium orotate from a listener in India! I tried a pea-sized amount of shilajit for the first time live on the air, and it give me a mild rush! Then we went on to discuss my take on weight loss, and went through a Prevention article that is very much in line with my thinking, that weight loss, the numbers on the scale, and BMI are not nearly as important as more direct measures of health, like cholesterol, blood sugar, nutritional status, getting regular exercise and rest, and eating a healthy diet of whole fooods and avoiding processed, chemically laden foods and food intolerances. There are studies that really do bear out Healthy at Any Size!
Radio Naturopath Episode 444: CNPA Conference 2024: Crohns/UC, Cancer, Ticks, Herbs for Heart Health
This week, I am fresh from the Connecticut Naturopathic Phyiscians Association conference. So much to learn! I did a redux of the first few talks. We started with inflammatory bowel disease, moved on to natural treatment of cancer, then tick borne illness, then a great talk about herbs for cardiovascular disease. I am so grateful to my colleagues for putting together such helpful, informative talks!
Radio Naturopath Episode 438: Musculoskeletal Side Effects of Repatha, Cordyceps, Sida acuta
Poor Ron. He had to get off his bike after less than 2 miles on a gravel ride. The evolocumab is still exerting its effects. We're thinking critically about the mechanisms of action of his musculoskeletal distress and responding accordingly. We are reducing inflammation, helping him to rebuild muscle, offering items to reduce the risk of atherosclerotic buildup, and something to help to break down any leftover drug in his body based on the pharmacokinetic of the compound. We are hoping he will be back to riding happily in a few weeks! Meanwhile, we also continue on the health benefits of cordyceps and my new friend, the mallow Sida acuta.
Radio Naturopath Episode 435: Ron's Cholesterol and Thyroid Labs, Bicycle Positioning and Sciatica
This week, Ron handed me his recent blood work and had me talk about it. We talked about his elevated TSH and how his doc needs to adjust his thyroid medicine. We talked about his target-low cholesterol numbers, and how his Repatha drug is starting to give him a lot of side effects. We talked about the mechanism of that. We also answered a question from a listener about whether cycling negatively impacts sciatica, and how it's necessary to get the position right on the bike and also do stretch and strengthening exercises.
Radio Naturopath Episode 403: Natural Help for High Blood Pressure, Hawthorn, Amla
This week, I reviewed natural ways to help with high blood pressure. We talked about the controversy over salt, the DASH diet, and a couple of herbs that can help hypertension, amla and hawthorn. It all gets down to eating healthy, getting exercise, and reducing stress!