Radio Naturopath Episode 528: Local Herbs, Better Sleep, Sleep Temperature

This week, I talked about local herbs and how they can help, like autumn olive, goldenrod, and chicory. I continued the series on better sleep, with a good mention of yoga nidra, a guided meditation that can really help with good sleep and energy! We also focused on the best temperature for sleep. 

Radio Naturopath Episode 527: Epidural Fibrosis, Circadian Cycle, Sleep and Weight, Yoga Nidra, Cell Salts, MCAS

This week, the MRI showed that I have post-surgical epidural fibrosis over my L4 left thecal sac and left L4 nerve root! That is the likely cause of my continuing femoral nerve pain. I will see the neurosurgeon this week to find out next steps. Meanwhile, I've gotten going on a number of natural remedies to help. 

I went to the CNPA Conference and got smarter! There were all sorts of things to learn. We talked about the circadian cycle, hormones, sleep, and weight management. Yoga Nidra increases alpha and theta brain waves and helps with sleep. Cell salts can be used to help anything, so simple and powerful! We had a great talk about MCAS, mast cell activation, too. 

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 489: Sucralose and Appetite, Alzheimer’s & Sleep, Galveston Menopause Diet

This week I discussed how sucralose, the artificial sweetener, has been studied to INCREASE hunger even though it is basically non-caloric. It fools the brain into thinking it's going to get calories so sets up hormones to receive food. Better to use other alternative sweeteners, or small amounts of sugar! We then discussed how poor sleep can increase risk of dementia and Alzheimer's, and made suggestions on how to fix this. We finished with the Galveston diet, a lower carbohydrate diet that incorporates intermittent fasting for women in peri- and post-menopause. 

Radio Naturopath Episode 486: Rest That Cold, Don’t Stress About Menopause Weight!

This week, we reviewed healing from a cold, and then went on to more information about how menopausal weight gain happens. It's possible to mitigate it but it's not the most important thing. The most important thing is that YOU FEEL GOOD, get your rest, do things that make you happy, and not worry so much about the numbers on the scale! The best diet is going to be one that suits you, that includes a lot of whole foods like veggies and fruits, nuts and seeds, legumes, whole grains, and clean animal protein; adjust these to your tolerances and preferences. We'll get to some more specific information in the coming weeks!

Radio Naturopath Episode 482: More on the Measles Outbreak, Daylight Savings Time: Can We Not?

This was the first week I'd actually BEEN to the Know Your Farmer's Fair so that I could talk about it! A great time was had by all, from getting SO many coasters, to mushroom salt and jerky, to gluten free cookies, to giving Congressman Joe Courtney a hug! Ron got to schmooze the room in his role as co-director of the Mansfield Farm to Families program, and talk to Joe as the registrar of voters for the Town of Mansfield!

Today I talked more about the measles outbreak, and how we shouldn't be so hard on RFKJr. I explained the science behind his offering of vitamin A, cod liver oil, and antibiotics to folks in the outbreak. I also talked about the recent time change to Daylight Savings Time and why we, well, just shouldn't. It's not good for your health! 

Radio Naturopath Episode 474: New Year's Resolutions You Can Actually Keep!

This week we talked about New Year's Resolutions that are actually accessible, that you can keep. Stuff like: eating more whole foods, cooking more meals at home, finding exercise you enjoy, add in a little bit of meditation, get more good sleep. Notice that NONE of these are LOSE WEIGHT! Having weight loss as a goal just makes you nuts, and you never know if it's actually going to happen. However, eating a healthy meal and exercising are things you can do TODAY. That's the focus! Develop some good lifestyle habits now, and before you know it you'll be feeling great, regardless of your weight!

Radio Naturopath Episode 461: Menopause and Weight Loss

This week I'm playing a lecture I recorded a while ago, about menopause and weight loss. I talk about how it's harder to lose fat after menopause, and why. It's all about the cortisol! Get that cortisol down and it will help. Also, having a little extra weight on after menopause is actually good, because the fat makes estrogen for you, and carrying it strengthens your bones. But, if you want to be at a lower weight, here's some tips! Just like all my advice about weight loss, the first rule of weight loss is to not focus on weight loss. 

Radio Naturopath Episode 453: How Sleep Affects Hormones

Ron and I are happily improving! I'm back on the bike and we're both getting our strength back. Rest, treatment, smart training, the right supplements. I hope it all keeps progressing! 

This week I talked about the interaction of sleep and hormones. Ideally, we should generally get between 7-9 hours of sleep for good health and specifically hormonal function. In order to have a good interaction of melatonin and cortisol, one sleep-inducing, the other for energy, 7-9 hours is ideal! Also for healthy reproductive function, weight, mood, and immunity: all the hormones that manage these bodily functions benefit from adequate sleep. So don't skimp! Have a wind-down routine, make sure the room is dark and cool, don't overdo sugar and carbs. Sleep is one of the most healing things you can do!

Radio Naturopath Episode 447: More Medial Collateral Care, Microbiome, Sleep and GABA

This week., I am STILL limping on that MCL sprain/mensicus issue! More interesting stuff, like having to use a hinged brace, heavy and hot in June! And more staying off the bike.  I was a lot better a few days ago and rode a couple of days and  now I'm set back; obviously not healed yet. HInged brace, exercises, rest, ice, elevation, specific exercises. Unlikely need for surgery! We also went back to discussing the microbiome, GABA, and sleep, and there are easy ways to improve sleep by eating the right foods and getting the right probiotics. We touched on help for high blood pressure and we'll pick up on that next week.