Radio Naturopath Episode 251: Coronavirus: Basic Supplements and Possible Drug Therapies, Lifestyle Changes, Kindness

This week, I focused on the basic supplements that are thought to be helpful, emphasizing that there is no one thing that has been definitively proven to eradicate SARS-CoV-2. We are using common sense with things that work for viruses in general. The same goes for the use of pharmaceuticals, although there are some clinical trials on hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin, and a new drug called APNO1. It's still necessary to wash, rest, and physically distance. 

I also discussed the importance of exercise, clean eating, and cleaning the nose, throat, and of course hands. I finished with the importance of kindness at this time.

Radio Naturopath Episode 250: Coronavirus and Telehealth; Your Health and Going Outdoors!

Ron and I are still recording in our state-of-the-art studio in the bustling metropolis of beautiful downtown Mansfield Hollow, CT, while simulcasting to the universe on @franstorchnd on Facebook Live. You can go to @franstorchnd which will take you to my Facebook page and you can watch the Facebook Live anytime, and comment on it too! Today I reminded people that they can use telehealth by phone or non-public-facing apps to have visits with their practitioners, whether naturopathic, M.D., counseling, and any other kind of practitioner, and insurance will likely cover it! The BIG thing I wanted to convey is how great it is for you to get outside. There are numerous studies on spending time outdoors and various health parameters. For example, being outdoors in nature lowers cortisol and therefore stress, lowers blood pressure, improves mood. Surprise! I speculate on the science behind why that might be.

Radio Naturopath Episode 249: Coronavirus and Cytokine Storm, Mental Health, Economics

More discussion of COVID-19.  I talked about Doing the 5: hands, arm, elbow, feet, feel. I also discussed the psychiatric impact the pandemic will have on people. Also, I discussed that there are many people, especially entrepreneurs and small business owners, as well as hourly workers, whose businesses will suffer terribly economically. Our beloved Coriander Cafe in Eastford, CT has shuttered its doors for good, and there's more to come. We talked about how the actual stress of the pandemic may increase the risk of some catching the virus due to stress! We also reminded people of all the great herbs that can calm the cytokine storm, the actual event that causes SARS. 

Radio Naturopath Episode 248: The Latest on Coronavirus; Elderberry for Nerve Pain, Cinnamon and Ginger for Diabetes and Inflammation

The 2020 Coronavirus outbreak is not only historic in its scope, but in the response to it. I’ve never seen such an intense global response to an illness. Conferences, sporting events, concerts, public events canceled. Universities and schools shutting down for the semester. People being encouraged to practice social distancing, stay home more, only go to the doctor if it’s a real emergency, change travel plans. Businesses being affected, including my own. And the big question: how long will we be in this status? We try to sort through the info glut for some basic practical information.

Also, elderberry is good for nerve pain, ginger for inflammation, and cinnamon for diabetes!

Radio Naturopath Episode 247: Yet More Coronavirus, Heart Healthy Foods

This week we reviewed the wonderful Know Your Farmer Fair, where I got a great pair of alpaca wool gloves, some fire cider, and a horse hair bracelet. We got to talk with local farmers about their wares! Ron and I both had a great time.

I talked YET MORE about the coronavirus, elaborated on herbs for different purposes: ginger and turmeric to reduce inflammation, marshmallow root, elecampane and mullein to stop viruses from sticking to mucous membranes, echinacea, mushrooms, and eleuthero to support the immune system. We also talked about whether you need masks, washing your hands, and resting. We just have to see what happens as more people contract the virus, or if efforts at containment are successful. 

I also talked about great heart healthy foods! Walnuts, olives and their monounsaturated fats; berries and cherries and anthocyanins; and COCOA FLAVONOLS. Yum!

Radio Naturopath Episode 246: Know Your Farmer Fair 2020, More on Coronavirus, Why Chocolate is Good For You

It’s the 2020 Know Your Farmer Fair! It’s at Town Hall in Willimantic, CT. It’s a great way to get to know the local people who grow your food! There will be produce, meat, eggs, cheese, honey, maple syrup, and jams and jellies for sale. I had a question about more info about the coronavirus, so I discussed it some more. You also get to hear how Ron and I met! And, the health benefits of chocolate.

Radio Naturopath Episode 245: Natural Treatment of Bronchitis, Shingles, and Type 2 Diabetes

I wasn’t on last week because of bronchitis! Will I get to have a year that I don’t catch this malady? Anyway, I rested, ate soup and drank tea, and took immune and lung herbs, and mucolytics. Joe from Coventry wrote in wanting to know about natural treatment for shingles, and Karen from the internet wanted to know how to help her family eat better for Type 2 Diabetes. A good listen!

Radio Naturopath Episode 244: Prevent and Treat the Coronavirus Naturally; Why Chalcones, Pomegranate, and Turmeric Are Good For You

The whole Coronavirus thing is scary. It’s a new strain that hasn’t been seen in humans before, 2019-nCoV. It likely came from an animal vector from a market where exotic animals are purchased for food. This virus is good a mutating and evolving, which is why so many people can catch it. However, you’re much more likely to catch influenza, a cold or the flu! There is no vaccine against coronavirus at this time. So, the best way is to do the usual antiviral prevention: clearing nose, hands, and throat, avoiding processed food, sugar and starch, and too much alcohol and caffeine; get rest, and take certain herbs and supplements. Nothing really exotic!

I also shared some clinical pearls. Learn about chalcones for inflammation, turmeric, and pomegranate.

Radio Naturopath Episode 243: Dr. Oz vs. Mark Wahlberg: Should You Skip Breakfast for Health and Weight?

Mark Wahlberg and Dr. Oz got into it! I think it’s pretty funny but it’s a topic worth discussing. They both got into their corners and said Everyone Should Do Things This Way. The thing is, they’re both right! Dr. Oz thinks you should skip breakfast, because he believes in intermittent fasting. I think there’s benefit to it too. It makes sense to wait until you’re actually hungry to start eating for the day. You also spend a significant amount of time in a low insulin state, which allows your body to do repair, reduces inflammation, and forces your body to burn more fat. However, if you’re like Mark and you have found that your healthy workout is supported by eating a certain way before that workout, then have at it! Mark is presumably very healthy and has found a way of eating that supports him and his workout. The point is not to take a side, but do what makes sense for your body. Dr. Oz is also correct in stating that most people are NOT like Mark Wahlberg. Ron found some CDC stats that said that only 23% of Americans get enough exercise to make a difference in their health, which means 150 minutes/week of moderate or 75 minutes/week of high intensity cardio, plus 2 sessions/week of resistance training. So the VAST MAJORITY of Americans are NOTHING like Mark! So Dr. Oz makes a point in that most people would benefit from doing things the way he suggests. But you should always do what makes you happy and healthy, whatever that is!

Radio Naturopath Episode 242: Normal and Abnormal Body Temperature; Is Food Addiction Really a Thing?

This week we talk about normal body temperature, since a recent study from Stanford University collected 20th century data and found that Wunderlich's data from 1851 was outdated. Body temperature has decreased due to factors like less ongoing infection, sedentary lifestyle, gum disease, and always hanging around in temperature-controlled environments! We also talk about fevers and how to handle them. Also, is food addiction really a thing, given that you HAVE to eat to live, but you don't HAVE to ingest cocaine, heroin, nicotine, or the other substances that addict people? My opinion: the answer is Yes and No.