NATUROPATHY BLOG

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Menopause is a time in a woman’s life where hormones decline fast. This quick decline is the reason why symptoms can be sudden and severe. However, our bodies can handle this stressful time in life better if our adrenal glands (our stress handling glands) are functioning at their best.

Hormones affect how we feel and what we do every day and the production of hormones is dependent on so many factors that we can control! Learning about hormone health can help you take control of your hormones whether your still menstruating or going through menopause.

Hormone balance all starts with good amounts of healthy cholesterol. This means that we don’t want cholesterol to be too low. Cholesterol is the precursor to our hormones and it should naturally elevate, to a certain degree, as we age due to hormonal changes, especially in women going through ...

Did you know that your hormones can affect the quality of your sleep? If you have symptoms that relate to poor sleep, then you may want to consider easy techniques to improve sleep. But when those options do not work, it is typically the endocrine system that is not in balance which can contribute ...

For those of you who feel you have implemented ways to improve sleep, have ruled out sleep apnea and other sleeping disorders, and continue to struggle, then functional medicine labs may be the answer for you. These labs look at functional underlying causes for insomnia. Here are the two most ...

Do you have difficulties falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking early? Come to this class to learn how to improve sleep through lifestyle choices and learn natural solutions to consider when these options have been exhausted.

Do you find that you have a difficult time falling asleep, staying asleep or waking early? Do you experience symptoms of inadequate sleep? If so, you may want to consider these top 10 ways to improve your sleep!

Sleep is important for our bodies to function at their best. When we do not get enough sleep, we put our body on over-drive to function. This makes our body work harder, and over time, symptoms set in. Initially we may feel wired or anxious with inadequate sleep, then comes the cognitive decline, ...

There is laboratory testing available to measure the amount of antibodies to gluten that you make and there are several different companies that offer testing. However, most of them offer limited panels that include antibodies to just gliadin and/or gluten. There is more to the picture than these ...

The importance of being 100% gluten free depends on the severity of your sensitivity and/or if you make antibodies (an internal army) to gluten when you are exposed to it.

September 13th is national Celiac Disease awareness day!

If you have Celiac Disease or are gluten sensitive, it takes less than a crumb of something that contains gluten to trigger gastrointestinal inflammation and damage to the cells that line the gastrointestinal tract. The actual amount it takes is 1/10,000 of a particle of gluten to create internal ...

Promoting daily activity or exercise is important for kids to achieve optimal health. There are so many benefits to moving around. It encourages circulation, enhances brain function, creates happy feelings and reduces pain, improves metabolism and bone health, tones/strengthens muscles, and more!

Constipation is unfortunately a very common occurrence among the pediatric population and chronic constipation and digestive problems can lead to several other health concerns such as stomach aches, vomiting, anxiety, and more. Resolving childhood constipation can be done with dietary changes that ...

Chronic sniffles are no fun for children or adults! Sniffles can be from environmental allergies, food sensitivities, poor nutrition, poor gut health, and more. Depending on the cause, there are several options to reduce this congestion naturally. In this class I will cover the most common causes ...

Gut health determines how we feel, how healthy we are, how well we digest and absorb nutrients, if we have food sensitivities, and more! Naturopathic doctors, such as myself, focus on the root cause of health concerns and this always involves supporting gastrointestinal function, especially with ...

This week is national breast feeding awareness week! I love supporting women on their journey through breastfeeding. There are so many benefits and this can be an exciting but challenging time for many women. Here are some benefits for mom and baby:

After sun exposure, our skin could use some support. This all natural after sun skin care oil is easy to make and works wonders. It has essential oils that heal the skin, reduce damage from sun exposure, prevent peeling, and lengthen the tan.

Is a skin care product safe if the label states organic or 100% natural? Not always! Come and learn the nuances of choosing natural skin care products that are truly safe and effective!

Skin health is affected by several nutrients. Nutrients that have been shown to benefit skin health include: vitamins, minerals, flavonoids, peptides, and essential fatty acids (such as those found in fish oil). In this blog, I will be discussing how fish oils are great sources of skin food.

Skin health is affected by several nutrients. Nutrients that have been shown to benefit skin health include: vitamins, minerals, flavonoids, peptides, and essential fatty acids. In this blog, I will be discussing how peptides are great sources for skin health.

Skin health is affected by several nutrients. Nutrients that have been shown to benefit skin health include: vitamins, minerals, flavonoids, peptides, and essential fatty acids. In this blog, I will be discussing how flavonoids are great sources for skin health.

Sun damage can be reduced and skin health can be encouraged by several nutrients. Nutrients that have been shown to benefit skin health include: vitamins, fish oil, flavonoids, zinc and selenium. I will be discussing minerals that can be beneficial for protecting your skin from sun damage in this ...

Is a skin care product safe if the label states organic or 100% natural? Not always! Come and learn the nuances of choosing natural skin care products that are truly safe and effective!

Skin health is affected by several nutrients. Nutrients that have been shown to benefit skin health include: vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin D, fish oil, flavonoids, zinc and selenium. I will be discussing vitamins that can be beneficial for skin health in this blog. However, I will be ...

Perspiration has several benefits to the health of our skin. It opens up pores to rid them of stored bacteria. Perspiration is antibacterial and it reduces the production of pimples and white heads. However, since sweat carries with it the grime from those pores, it is necessary to wash it off as ...

Sweat contains antimicrobial peptides against viruses, bacteria and fungi. One of these substances excreted when we perspire is called dermcidin. Sweat spreads highly effective natural antibacterial substances on our skin. A benefit to letting our bodies fight off infections with these substances ...

Sweating can encourage a multitude of health benefits including improved energy, mentality, sleep, flexibility, clearing out stored chemicals and more! This month’s class will be taught by Dr. Stephani Waldron-Trapp, ND and Dr. Diane K. Smith, DC, CCSP.

Exercise is most often associated with improved muscle tone and mass along with cardiovascular health but it also increases the release of endorphins and neurotransmitters which are natural chemicals that our bodies make to help reduce pain and feel happy. Endorphins are structurally similar to ...

Sweating has several health benefits; one of them is clearing the body of toxins. Our skin is our largest excretory organ, meaning it is the system in our body that provides the most excretion or elimination. Recent research suggests that supporting this process can aid the body in clearing several ...

Carbohydrates (carbs) are the sugars, starches, and fibers found in food. There are complex carbohydrates and simple carbohydrates. Complex carbs offer several health benefits and are obtained from fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, seeds, beans, legumes, and other whole foods. Simple carbs are from ...

While counting calories may work for some, this is typically not a long term solution. Making healthy food choices is the first step to achieving optimal health. Come and learn which foods to place on your grocery list to improve your health.

Fats are very healthy for you, as long as you choose healthy fats to indulge in and are mindful of how much you are eating. Fats are the core fuel for our energy reserves, keeping us feeling stable for long periods of times and minimizing spikes in blood sugar. Fats provide us with the material ...

Protein is a macronutrient that, when fully digested, breaks down into amino acids. Amino acids are micronutrients that our bodies use for several functions in our bodies. Amino acids are essential for our bodies to make enzymes and to fuel the Krebs Cycle so that we can make ATP or energy. These ...

There are several types of vitamin D supplements available on the market. So how do you choose the best one for you? Determining individualized needs is my goal. I have worked with people on optimizing their vitamin D levels, among other nutrients, for years. What I have learned is that one ...

We live in a state in which vitamin D deficiency is an epidemic. Come and learn about vitamin D so you feel great all year round!

I know it’s a little early to be talking about sun screen here in Minnesota. However, since I am focusing on vitamin D awareness this month, it’s perfect! Like I mentioned in last weeks blog, vitamin D deficiency is one of the most common deficiencies in this area and it is certainly linked to the ...

Vitamin D is a very important nutrient for several functions in our body. It is necessary for bone development and strength, immune function, emotional balance, and the list goes on. If our vitamin D levels are low, we can experience low bone density (osteoporosis), frequent or prolonged illnesses, ...

Heating the body is a great way to enhance immune function. It can be used as a detoxification procedure to rid the body of impurities as well. The effects of stimulating the immune system and enhancing detoxification can last several hours, depending on the type of treatment. I like to recommend ...

The chemicals found in the food we eat and our exposures to environmental toxins accumulate in our body and affect how we feel. Yearly detoxification programs, if done right, can improve your health.

It’s time to jumpstart your health, so why not get started? Does it seem overwhelming with all of the things you may need to do? Start simple and create a routine that will work and write it out so you can be successful.

This is the time of year to finalize that New Year’s resolution and having a goal to become healthier is a great one! The beginning of a new year is the best time to start or get back on track with taking care of you. Here are some ideas to make it a healthy year!

The flowers and berries of Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) have been traditional remedies for supporting overall immune health, especially in the winter months. This herb is very effective for the treatment of viral infections, especially the flu. It is sold in a syrup form and has a flavor that is ...

When winter comes around, it’s good to have some resources at home to prevent and treat the common cold, sinus infections, ear infections, chest colds and the flu. Come to this class to learn about the most effective ways to support your immune system.

Now is the time of year to have effective treatments at hand for those winter colds and the flu. There are several options for prevention and treatment that I will be discussing in more detail at this month’s WellnesSeries class. However, there are two specific homeopathic remedies that work ...

Are you looking for a gift that can improve the health of a loved one? Consider giving a gift certificate for my services. I offer a wide variety of services that can meet anyone’s needs. Someone who receives a gift certificate to come in to meet with me will benefit from a comprehensive health ...

There are several foods that can benefit vascular health and improve blood pressure. Foods that are rich in fiber, flavonoids, antioxidants and other beneficial nutrients all play a role in cardiovascular protection.

Cardiovascular health is more important now than ever with all of the associated risk factors for heart disease. Risk is often associated with the likelihood of having a heart attack or a stroke. This likelihood does not occur over night. It is a process that takes time to develop. This is why ...

The majority of people diagnosed with high blood pressure (hypertension) and treated conventionally will be given medication to lower it. Yet, there was over a 13% increase in hypertension related deaths from 2001 to 2011. So what is missing? The underlying core cause of high blood pressure and ...

Co-Q-10 is a molecule essential for energy production in the mitochondria or “power houses” of our cells. Since our heart muscle has a high need for energy because it never stops pumping, Co-Q-10 can be a beneficial supportive nutrient for this metabolic demand. Co-Q-10 has been shown to lower ...

Naturopathic medicine focuses on utilizing natural, safe and effective treatment options along with lifestyle recommendations to improve health. There are several different types of natural treatment options available that are safe and effective. Utilizing these options helps to restore function ...

Functional medicine tests are laboratory assessments to help determine underlying issues in the body that may be contributing to health concerns. Naturopathic doctors, like myself, utilize these tests in conjunction with a comprehensive health history intake to determine core causes of health ...

Natural and safe products can be used and are very effective for several different ailments. Come and learn how herbal remedies, teas, homeopathics, aromatherapy and kitchen spices can be used as your natural medicine cabinet to replace potentially toxic and harmful chemical-based products.

This year marks the first year for naturopathic medicine awareness week, designed by the United States senate bill. This is an exciting time to celebrate naturopathic medicine and all that it has to offer for improving our health and lifestyle so that we can feel our best.

Packing a healthy school lunch for your kids will help them get the nutrients they need to function in school at their best, nourish growth, and feel emotionally and energetically balanced throughout the day. Healthy school lunch ideas focus on whole foods and minimize processed foods. Lunches ...

If you came to the WellnesSeries class last week, you learned all about how too much sugar leads to bad things… so how do we keep our total sugar load down? Experiment with healthy snacks.

Sugar, sugar and more sugar! It may sound yummy, but it comes with a serious cost to health. Sugar may contribute to frequent illnesses, anxiety, depression, insomnia, dental issues, gum disease, cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and more! Come and learn the truth ...

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. If we don’t eat a good breakfast, our bodies will not have the proper nutrients required to function optimally which results in adrenal stress, fatigue, blood sugar imbalances and weight gain. But not just any breakfast will prevent this from ...

Now is the time to boost the immune system to avoid getting sick! Here are some helpful tips to keep you and your family well during this time of the year!

Are you wondering if inflammation is contributing to how you feel? If so, you are probably on the right track. It is amazing what inflammation does to our bodies. It is one of the leading causes of several chronic health conditions:

Inflammation is the most common cause of autoimmune diseases, chronic pain, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and several other health conditions. You can control inflammation with food choices! Come and learn how!

Joint pain can be reduced by incorporating some simple steps into your daily routine. Here are some tips on supporting joints and managing joint pain naturally:

Millions of people suffer from pain on a daily basis. Pain can be from an injury, a health condition or from general inflammation in the body. Regardless of the cause, reducing inflammation may offer relief.

Cholesterol has a bad reputation because it is associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. However, it has many functions in the body, several of which are good! Cholesterol is a fat soluble substance found in several tissues in our bodies. It is needed in order for us to make ...

Homocysteine is an amino acid that is made from the dietary amino acid methionine. Ideal blood levels are below 6.2. Levels above this increase risk for Alzheimer’s Disease and cardiovascular disease (atherosclerosis, heart attack, stroke, and blood vessel blockage). Homocysteine is inflammatory ...

Cardiovascular health is more important now than ever with all of the associated risk factors for heart disease. Risk is often associated with the likelihood of having a heart attack or a stroke. This likelihood does not occur over night. It is a process that takes time to develop. This is why ...

There are several health related issues that increase the risk for heart disease. Reducing modifiable risk factors through prevention or working actively to reverse them is essential for cardiovascular health. If you’ve ever wondered what these risk factors are, well… read on for a list that you ...

Nuts are a healthy addition to your food list to promote heart health. They are packed with healthy fats, protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals. Like nuts, seeds are little powerhouses full of these nutrients as well. Studies show that consumption of nuts and seeds can improve cholesterol, blood ...

Everyday we are faced with choices. Spending extra time and money now on healthy foods and green products and utilizing naturopathic services for prevention can save you money later in medical bills. So take some time to make healthy choices for you and your family, before your health changes from ...

The chemicals found in the food we eat and our exposures to environmental toxins accumulate in our body and affect how we feel. Yearly detoxification programs, if done right, can improve your health by supporting how your body functions. Most people feel more energy, loose weight, have better focus ...

What Genetically Modified Food Is

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) are organic compounds used in pesticides and found in industrial chemicals. “Approximately 5.1 billion pounds of pesticides are used each year in the United States.” We are exposed to industrial chemicals in the air we breathe, the food we eat, and in our water.

Warmer weather is here and brings the growth of trees, grass, blooming flowers and pollen circulating in the air. While it is nice to have a break in cold weather, it is estimated that 50 million Americans will suffer from seasonal allergies due to these exposures. Allergies in general are on the ...

May’s WellnesSeries Class Details:

Regardless of the cause of sinus congestion, foods can make a difference. If you have the common cold, a sinus infection, or allergies, avoiding foods that negatively affect our immune system and that are mucous producing can help alleviate symptoms. There are also food groups that can help ...

There are several reasons why we may feel sinus congestion. It occurs most commonly from colds, sinus infections, and allergies. It is less commonly from structural anomalies within the sinuses. Here are some common reasons we may feel the sniffles and natural therapies to help:

Despite all of our daily efforts to improve digestion and absorption, our bodies may still be struggling in certain areas. There are ways to assess digestive function, food sensitivities, microbial overgrowth, and more. Functional lab tests can assess all of these gastrointestinal concerns, giving ...

Last week’s WellnesSeries class on digestion was fantastic! Thank you to all of those that took the time out of their schedule to learn ways to improve digestion and become one step closer to optimal health!

Have you ever asked yourself any of these questions? Are the foods I eat healthy for me? What are the symptoms of food sensitivities? How can I create optimal digestion? What is leaky gut and how do I tell if I have it? How can I maximize absorption of nutrients from my food? Am I consuming ...

Digestive problems can cause several symptoms. Most people have suffered from some sort of gastrointestinal dysfunction such as diarrhea, constipation, reflux, bloating, excess gas, sensitivities to foods, and many more. Health concerns of any kind can be rooted in the gut, however.

The philosophy behind naturopathic medicine is that the body has an inherent ability to heal itself when given the right support, which means anyone can benefit from this type of medicine.

An initial appointment with me at Natural Family Medicine’s office, located in Osseo, typically takes 1.5-2 hours. This allows the time necessary for me to understand your health concerns, your health goals, your medical history, your family’s medical history, and to discuss a variety of treatment ...