Radio Naturopath Episode 337: Should You Try To Catch Omicron? Help Me, I'm Anxious!

This week I talked about whether it's a good idea to deliberately try to contract the Omicron COVID-19 variant. My conclusion, in short, is NO. Czech folk singer Hana Horka, who was unvaccinated, died after contracting the Omicron variant while her husband and son were sick. The bottom line is, you just never know how you'll fare with any variant of COVID-19, whether you're vaccinated or not. Chances are you'll do fine but there is the chance that you won't. You could also infect someone else, and unnecessarily take up space in the hospital. If you're vaccinated, eating healthfully, getting good rest and exercise, and wearing masks when appropriate, you're likely to catch a milder case due to lower viral loads. Be patient; summer is coming and we can all go outdoors again!

COVID-19, and life, make many people anxious, so I thought it was a good time to review anxiety and how to help it naturally and with lifestyle. It's genetic, situational, and lifestyle-mediated. There's help for it!

Radio Naturopath Episode 336: Supplement Timing, Red Wine, Food and LDL, QiGong, Natural Feminine Products

Today I had a question about the timing of supplements. We talked about how there are certain ones that are taken at certain times for specific purposes, but I don't like to be too strict about that because it affects compliance. I also talked about red wine and cholesterol; it definitely helps but not necessary for everyone to drink, and there are non-alcoholic foods and beverages that can also help to lower LDL. And don't forget cardio exercise! I've become a big QiGong fan and have been finding it very healing, helpful, and stress-reducing, so I talked all about it. And I advised women, especially those that have menstrual spotting between periods, to consider using unbleached sanitary supplies, or even reusable menstrual cups, that bleached supplies can contain dioxins and other chemicals that can affect menses!

Radio Naturopath Episode 335: Hunker Down to Beat Omicron, Supplements for Bone Density

Today we talked about the origins of the word Hunkering Down! Who knew it was Scottish for hanging out in a squat? We also talked about some other weather terms, like sheltering in place and riding out the storm. Interesting! We had a listener write in wanting to know if she needed calcium supplements for osteopenia, so we did a bone density redux. And then we talked about the latest on the Omicron COVID-19 variant and ideas on how to proceed currently.

Radio Naturopath Episode 334: Are Eggs, Red Meat, Red Wine, and Saturated Fat Good For You?

Today we talked about food! There ARE actually health benefits to eggs, red meat, and red wine, and it looks like saturated fat isn't really the thing that raises your LDL cholesterol. Naturally, if eggs are free range, if beef is grass fed, if you drink wine in moderation, they are likely good for your health! There are some reasons that are NOT directy eggs or meat that may skew the numbers in the wrong direction. And saturated fat is generally not going to affect your cardiovascular health. Because it's saturated, it doesn't tend to oxidize and therefore damage your blood vessels!

Radio Naturopath Episode 333: New Year's REST, Then Start On Nutrition and Fitness Goals

we talked about how to deal with the cold weather this year! This week’s discussion turned to healthy habits for the new year, mostly diet and exercise. We also talked about the benefits of taking it easy the first two weeks of the year, since we tend to be overwhelmed from the rush of the holidays and the glut of holiday food and drink. I suggested taking a couple of weeks of no pressure, rest, and once you're feeling like you can't sit still, THAT'S the time to start planning and even implementing healthy habits! For some, that's going to mean getting lots of rest the first two weeks of the year, then starting planning the third week, and getting started in earnest in February. The darkest, coldest time of the year tends to happen in early January, at least in Connecticut. This is a good time to acclimate to the cold weather! We also talked about how to get started on an exercise program. The answer: do what you'll do, and start slowly!

Radio Naturopath Episode 332: A Little Chocolate, Hiatal Hernia, and Heartburn/Reflux/GERD

This week we started out with a discussion of ALL the chocolate in the house, from the pedestrian to the sublime. We reminded everyone that high cocoa content is healthiest, but it's OK to indulge in the mundane just for the pleasure of it!

The main focus was on hiatal hernia and gastroesophageal reflux disorder, or GERD. It was good to get a review in and discuss diet, supplements, food intolerances, and some habits that can help to reduce the symptoms. Thanks to Matthew Robinson, N.D., we discussed a couple of ways to reduce a hiatal hernia.

Radio Naturopath Episode 331: Santa the Mushroom Shaman, Mushrooms For Your Health

This week we talked about mushrooms! We talked about how the legend of Santa Claus is in part brought on by the Amanita Mushroom Shaman of the indigenous people of the Arctic,right down to the red and white dress mimicking the mushroom's colors, and the big leather boots traditionally worn up there! We talked about a number of species of medicinal mushrooms and how they are helpful, including ordinary button mushrooms and Portobellos, which are the same species. Just make sure that any mushroom you eat, in order to benefit from the 1-3 and 1-6 beta glucans and inactivate toxins, you cook them in hot water!

Ron also spent some time talking about his current cardiovascular health, which is great! He is very happy with his progress.

Radio Naturopath Episode 330: Home Physical Medicine, Women's Probiotics, My Current Take On The Pandemic

This week, we talked about just a few things: Ron had a slip and fall injury about two years ago, hit his head, his right shoulder blade, and maybe more. He got checked out at the ER to see if he had a concussion and they sent him home. He hasn't been getting regular care for his resultant, ongoing shoulder pain due to cost. We talked about some things he could do at home to help with pain and healing. We also mentioned some probiotics that can be helpful in protecting against vaginitis in women. We finished with the current status of the pandemic. Ron went on a bit of a rant in that too many people aren't wearing masks in indoor public spaces, and if they would it would go a long way to calming down the pandemic. We were in a very good place in Connecticut with low case numbers in the summer and then they shot up again since the cold weather has come. Some schools have even gone to remote learning because of case numbers. it's exhausting and frustrating! We go through some of the reasons and things that can help.

Radio Naturopath Episode 329: Nature Cure, Cannabinomimetics, Chocolate, Intestinal Blockage

This week Ron asked me a bunch more questions. We elaborated on what nature cure actually is; we talked about plants that contain cannabinomimetics, compounds that function similarly to cannabinoids; we reviewed why chocolate is good for you; and talked about why Ron keeps getting an intestinal blockage and how we helped him.

Radio Naturopath Episode 328: Happy Hanukah Foods, Mosquitoes, Green Tea and Weight, Memory

This week Ron asked me a bunch of questions again, and I talked about why Hanukah foods are good for you! Potatoes, sweet potatoes, raspberries, yogurt and apples. We also discussed the number of pesky mosquitoes this year, green tea and weight loss, and memory. Eat your blackberries!