Radio Naturopath
Radio Naturopath Episode 501: Stress Reduction, Watermelon and the Mediterranean Diet and Health
This week, I talked with Ron about our advancing health situations. I'm likely going to have a laminectomy (short procedure spinal repair) for my spinal stenosis. Ron is healing more and more every day, still getting sore but managing it, riding the bike mostly indoors! I also talked about how women get mammograms, have a finding that needs another look, and have the follow-up several weeks into the future while they wait and worry, and how that's of questionable ethics, especially when often the result is normal. Of course, it's necessary to investigate findings that could not be definitively noted on first look, but I think every effort should be made to not have the woman wait for further diagnosis an inordinate amount of time.
We also talked about some fun stuff: a few more stress reduction items including deep breathing, why watermelon is good for you, why nightshades are probably ALSO good for you, and why the Mediterranean diet is good for you. Eat those plant foods, healthy fats, and protein!
Radio Naturopath Episode 500: How to Lower Triglycerides, Lots of Ways to Lower Stress
This week, I talked specifically about how to lower triglycerides, since I have a number of patients who struggle with that. It's the boring stuff: eating fiber, high quality fatty acids, reducing carbs, and getting regular cardio exercise. There's not a lot of supplements that work better than lifestyle stuff for this, and the drugs have side effects. So eat healthy and get healthy and they'll go down!
I also talked about specific ways to lower stress. Everything from self care, taking yoga, and, you guessed it, eating a healthy diet! By the way, eating a healthy diet is actually more important than whatever you actually wind up weighing.
Radio Naturopath Episode 499: Ultraprocessed vs. Whole Foods, Healthy Habits, Triglycerides
This week, I talked about how ultraprocessed foods really aren't good for you, and ow and why. Surprise. A:so, why whole, unprocessed foods ARE good for you. Your health will be a lot better if you eat less chemicals, more produce, fiber, clean protein, legumes, nuts and seeds! I also have a bit about some life habits that can keep you healthier. I started talking about blood triglycerides, why it's important to keep them low, and how to do that.
Radio Naturopath Episode 498: Taro, Natural Insect Repellent, Electrolytes
This week, I talked about yummy taro root, which can be used like a potato in soups and salads, or as a powder for part of your favorite latte. It has resistant starch and fiber which are great for gut health! I also talked about electrolyte drinks and their pros and cons. Mostly, I think drinking some is a good idea! I also talked about the bumper crop of ticks and how to make some natural insect repellent.
Radio Naturopath Episode 497: Ube vs. Taro, Carbs and Protein for Menopausal Athletes, CLA
This week, I talked about the heatlh benefits of ube, the purple yam, and how it's NOT taro. They're similar, but ube is ALWAYS purple and taro is not. We'll discuss taro next week! Then we talked about the benefits of carbohydrates and protein for peri- and post-menopausal athletes, taking from Selene Yeager and Stacy Sims, two terrific researchers. We started with supplements for fat loss. Hint: it's the LEAST important thing to do. This week, we discussed conjugated linoleic acid, CLA.
Radio Naturopath Episode 496: Lumbar Spinal Cortisone Injection, Acetyl-L-Carnitine, Menopausal Athlete Nutrition
This week, I talked about my experience with having a lumbar spinal cortisone shot at UConn. Spoiler alert: it was a great experience! Just waiting for it to take full effect, but I already have a lot less overall nerve pain. It's exciting! Maybe I'll be back on the bike next weekend! I talked about the health benefits of acetyl-l-carnitine, an amino acid that can help with nerve pain and function. I'm taking it for my nerve pain, and I'll see if it helps! I started to discuss peri- and postmenopausal women and nutrition. Low energy availability and relative energy deficit are totally a thing, and women tend to arrive their because they undereat due to a fear of gaining weight! We get some expert opinions on why older women, especially athletes, should eat more.
Radio Naturopath Episode 495: Spinal Stenosis, The Loneliness Epidemic, Menopause and Progesterone
This week I talked about my spinal stenosis, how I'm managing, what the MRI said, and how it'll be treated. Let's hope for the best! I also talked about the loneliness epidemic, how and who it's affecting, and how to help. We finished with natural progesterone and other things to help with menopause symptoms.
Radio Naturopath Episode 494: Get Your Leucine and Lysine; Do You Really Need Estrogen In Menopause?
This week, we talked about two essential amino acids that are harder to obtain in a vegan diet, but not impossible: leucine and lysine. They can be found in beans, nuts, seeds, and pseudograins like quinoa and amaranth. They're both important for building muscle and collagen. Lysine is also important for immune function. We also got started on whether it's really necessary to take estrogen as part of a natural hormone replacement protocol. Hint: maybe not! We continue to make estrogen into our menopausal years, even if you can't see it in blood work. It's in the organs!
Radio Naturopath Episode 493: Why Your Pollen Allergies Are Worse; Getting Adequate Protein for Vegans
This week we talked about WHY we're all seeing those massive clouds of yellow blowing off trees. There is more pollen! Blame climate change, warmer temperatures, longer warm season, more light. Did you know that the wind blowing pollen is much less efficient for pollinating trees and plants then animal pollinators? Pollen in the air is much less likely to land on the specific plant for which it's intended. However, a bee or dragonfly or butterfly will hop from flower to flower, carrying pollen to other flowers within a species. SAVE THE POLLINATORS! We also talked about how people on a vegan diet may not be getting enough protein, and how they can improve that.
Radio Naturopath Episode 492: Help for Spondylolisthesis, Weight Training Improves Cognitive Function
This week we talked about how THE OTHER SHOE DROPPED for me. I am having a femoral neuralgia/spondylolisthesis flare! If you have nerve pain in your back and leg, like sciatica or femoral neuralgia, you'll want to hear what I'm doing. Supplements, pharmaceuticals, cannabis, chiropractic, acupuncture, even a visit to the spinal surgeon! Plus how weight training can delay or halt cognitive decline, even Alzheimer's.