3 Steps to Strong Springtime Immunity

It's almost mid-April and winter is finally waving goodbye. Our days are warming up, there are ample puddles to jump in, and we can almost dig our hands into the dirt.

3 Simple ways to keep your family healthy during this seasonal transition:

1. Embrace warmth.

Continue to eat steamy foods like soups & stews, gentle warming spices like cinnamon, ginger, turmeric and hot herbal teas like echinacea, elderberry and chamomile. Dress your kids for unexpected changes in temperature, and unexpected spills in the puddles. Consider low grade fever to be your body's first line of defense against viral and bacterial infections (see earlier post on how to support a fever). 

2. Limit sugar consumption. Halloween, Christmas, Valentine's, then Easter keep our candy larder overflowing all winter long. Limit consumption of refined white & brown sugars, as well as high fructose corn syrup. Encourage naturally sweet fruit, or gently sweetened homemade treats made with (limited) less refined sugars like honey, maple syrup, juices, dates. Sugar directly inhibits our immune response so it's especially important to avoid during the first signs of cough, cold or flu. 

3. (Re)Consider Cod Liver Oil

High in fat soluble vitamins A & D and omega three fatty acids EPA & DHA it's no wonder our grandparents doled this out during long Canadian winters. Natural flavouring and encapsulation have made this wonder supplement somewhat more palatable in modern times. 

Food Sensitivity Testing

I have not eaten an egg in a decade, I've had small amounts of eggs in baked goods, challah bread, waffles and pancakes, but I have not eaten an entire egg since my Carroll food intolerance test indicated that I do not have adequate enzymes to digest them properly. I used to be the queen of the fried egg with mustard on pita in Naturopathic Medical School, then wondered why I'd have a "nervous stomach" midway through the morning. No more eggs, no more nervous stomach! 

I offer the Carroll food intolerance testing as well as other food and nutrition related tests through my clinic. The following is a brief description of each. If you are interested in knowing more, or having a test done, please contact me. 

The Carroll food intolerance test

Tests your enzyme intolerance, this doesn't change over time, it identifies one food or group of foods that your digestive system does not make enough enzymes to break down properly. Soy, potato, dairy, fruit, seafood, meat, honey, eggs, sugar, mine salt, grains are tested for a main intolerance as well as combination intolerance (wherein two groups must be eaten a number of hours apart). 

The test is done through a blood spot, sent to California. 

($125)

IGG food sensitivity test

Tests your immune reaction to 96 different foods. Immune systems are dynamic, so your IGG reaction to foods can change over time, the general recommendation is to eliminate the foods that are identified for 3 months, then attempt to re-introduce them. Oftentimes after the suggested break some of the foods can be re-incorporated into your regular dietary rotation. The test is done through a blood spot, sent to Calgary.

($285)

Nutrigenomix

Tests your blood for genetic variations that can help predict disease development; cardiovascular, diabetic, etc, and introduces preventative suggestions from a nutritional and supplemental stand point. For example if you have the fairly common mutation that makes synthetic folic acid impossible to breakdown, all commercial grain must be eliminated (as it is fortified with folic acid). This test Is not a test I would order of the main or only concern was a digestive disturbance, rather it is geared towards individualized disease prevention. 

$349+

 Clinically each of these tests can take a lot of guess work out of the question "what can I eat"? Which is often times posed when a person seems to be reaction to something they cannot identify or everything they eat. Sometimes our body gives us the sensitivity clues so long after ingestion it's impossible to pinpoint through food journaling or elimination diets. 

Blossom Bitting ND

506.830.6600

Prevent Pollen Problems

 Spring is here, or so the calendar tells us. Warmer temperatures and seeing ALL of this snow melting is very inspiring for most of us. However, the snow's release of mold spores, coupled with upcoming pollen pollution can leave some running for cover. 

The following are a few quick naturopathic home care tips to help you prepare for allergy season. Better control over your allergies can leave you with more energy, better focus and a better mood. I usually recommend anyone who suffers from allergies to start a prevention plan around the time of the spring equinox. In other words, the time is now. 
Support your immune system- foods high in omega 3 fatty acids (fish,flax seeds,walnuts & hemp seeds) and pro-biotics (yogurt, keffir, kimchee, sauerkraut) help to balance the immune system, making it less reactive to allergens. Taking  a vitamin C supplement (at least 3000 mg per day, no more than 1500mg at a time) can act as a natural anti-histamine, helping to reduce the itchiness, redness and inflammation that comes along with allergies.
Take some honey in your tea- adding a teaspoon of local unpasteurized honey (I usually get mine from la fleur du pommier at the Moncton or Dieppe farmers market) to your diet can expose you to small quantities of local pollen which may help desensitize you to the spring time flood of pollen from trees and plants. Nettles is a mineral rich herb that has been used traditionally for allergy symptoms for centuries, it mixes well with peppermint to make a flavorful tisane appropriate for any age. I make and sell a tea blend called "132 Weldon" it deliciously combines these herbs with red raspberry leaves. 
Use a neti pot- an ancient yogic practice which has become mainstream in recent western culture,  partially due to Oprah promoting it about a decade ago, a neti pot is used to bathe your nasal passages with warm saline. It washes away any potential air born allergens that you've inhaled throughout the day or previous night.

See your ND- The above steps are basic and somewhat universal steps to help you to start to control your "spring fever". As always, you will get better results if you consult with a naturopathic doctor like myself, one on one, as we can address the specifics of what has perpetuated your individual imbalance.  We can also add tailored in office solutions such as acupuncture, specific herbal solutions, homeopathy, adrenal gland support, sleep aids, etc. 

NATUROPATHIC INDUCTION- GENTLE ENCOURAGEMENT EARTHSIDE

In the early morning hours of a snowy January day, after 17 minutes at the hospital and two very satisfying pushes, my husband and I welcomed a tiny, perfect daughter into the world. My heart filled with love, pride and an overwhelming sense of relief.
At 32 weeks gestation we had a scheduled growth ultrasound to check our daughter's progress in the womb, and to double check a foot that appeared to be turned in, earlier at our 20 week ultrasound. What we found, was that our daughter was small for gestational age. What cannot be determined in these cases is why? Was my placenta not functioning optimally as the neonatologist suggested as a cause, was there a knot in the cord? I knew it wasn't from the other three common causes; smoking, drinking or malnutrition. Perhaps,  suggested my non-medical sister, it's a little girl who is "just nipped in at the waist", as it turns out, my sister spears to have been right!
The neonatologist told me not to be alarmed, chances were the baby was fine, but she didn't want me to gestate past 38 weeks. My heart sank. I'm a big advocate of natural childbirth. I believe birth should follow a natural progression, allowing for nature to take its course unless the well being of babe or mama is at a measurable risk. I went home and researched everything I could do as a naturopathic doctor to help my baby grow; I enlisted the help, support and advice of friends and colleagues. Over the next two weeks she grew twice as much as "expected", and continued to show that trend at the 37 week check up as well. At our 37 week check up the neonatologist said she didn't need to see us again, and she no longer suggested induction before the baby reached term.
From 38 weeks gestation until she was born on her own timeline at 40 weeks and three days I was given a lot of pressure at weekly visits with my obstetrician gynecologist to induce labor, just in case. Just in case me being of advanced maternal age put the fetus at risk, just in case her small size made her more susceptible to fetal death, just in case a protein in my serum indicated an unknown issue with her physiology. Wouldn't I rather have her now,  when we knew everything was fine, versus waiting for something to go wrong? I resisted. Instead I wanted her to be born when the incredibly intricate interplay of hormones and physiology brought her earth side naturally. Throughout these weeks we continued to follow her growth, fetal blood flow and do ultrasound profiles to determine her well being. I also started using naturopathic means to gently encourage her earth side.
"Naturopathic induction", unlike medical induction will not mechanically or hormonally start labor; rather it will encourage nature to take its course.
The following is a discussion of possible methods I would use when helping to encourage a labor to begin. During weeks 38 through to my babe’s birth, I employed them all.
Acupuncture is usually my first tool of choice when working with mothers who are ready to birth. I choose points according to the individual aspects of the case presenting, as well as a classic combination of points used traditionally to move energy downwards, calm the nervous system and help to "open” the musculature in the pelvic floor. I try to do acupuncture for about thirty minutes for three days in a row.
Prostaglandins are tiny fatty compounds in our bodies that have hormone like action. We know that prostaglandins help to ready the cervix for effacement (opening and thinning); semen is high in prostaglandins, as is evening primrose oil. I recommend lots of intimacy, as well as oral and topical application of evening primrose oil to help support the action of the bodies own prostaglandin synthesis .
Many natural childbirth educators also advocate intimacy for its promotion of relaxation, and feelings of security, which can also help to release any extra tension in the pelvic floor. I should also mention nipple stimulation here, which can be done manually or with a great pump, continuous stimulation for 20 minutes at a time several times per day may start contractions due to oxytocin release.
Homeopathy can also be used to help encourage the baby to move into a position of optimal engagement; head down, back to moms belly, chin to its chest, arms at side. The right remedy can also help mom stay relaxed and ready.
Castor oil is a laxative herb that really stimulates the bowels to start moving. This technique is the most often referred to "home remedy" for labor induction. It is thought that by stimulating the bowels into action, the uterus may also be stimulated into action, causing contractions to start with hours of drinking a castor oil "milkshake".
Herbal medicines such as black cohosh, blue cohosh and partridge berry also have a long history traditional use. There is some research that shows these herbs can cause harm if not used sparingly and correctly, so I do not recommend their use outside of professional supervision. Red raspberry leaf tea, on the other hand should be taken as often as possible from week 34 onward to help support the uterus for effective contractions.
Walking and other physical modalities are also very helpful for relaxation and proper positioning. I had a fantastic osteopathic treatment by Annabelle Gaudet from the Clinic Jaune in Shediac

the week before my labor, as well as my first rebozo treatment by traditional birth attendant Lisa Leblanc the night before I went into labor.
In retrospect, it is impossible to know if any of these treatments helped to hasten my labor. I birthed my son at almost the exact same point in gestation without any medical or naturopathic induction. Her birth was faster, less painful, and "smoother", but again, that could be because it was my second child and she was so tiny. In the end I'll never know. I can remain happy and confident that I made the right decisions for my family. Once babe is in our arms, none of us really need to focus on anything else, do we?

HAPPY NEW YEAR

HAPPY NEW YEAR & WISHING YOU EPIC ENERGY IN 2015!

Happy New Year! As many of you know I am expecting my second child any day now. I will be taking some time off to be with my family in early 2015, and plan to return to 360 Health Centre by early April. Wishing you & your families the absolute best in 2015! Dr.Renee Purdy ND I'd like to welcome Dr. Purdy to 360 Health Centre. Dr. Purdy will be providing care for my patients during my short maternity leave. She will be in the office on Wednesdays and Thursdays until early April. If you would like to book an appointment with her, or if you need a refill on your existing naturopathic prescriptions,  please contact 360 Health Centre at 506.830.6600

Hope for Endometriosis

Endometriosis is one of the most common complaints I come across with my female patients seeking fertility support. Typically it occurs in ten percent of women but for those with fertility challenges endometriosis is thought to be the culprit almost fifty percent of the

time. Symptoms are typically related to pelvic pain; pain with periods, pain with intercourse, vague abdominal pain, and pain with bowel movements. Although it has a hereditary trend, some women do not know they have the condition until faced with challenges when trying
to conceive.
Endometriosis is thought to occur during fetal development when cells from the inner lining of the uterus migrate, or are misplaced, elsewhere
in the body. Most often these cells end up in the pelvic cavity between the uterus and the rectum, but they have been discovered in other location such as the lungs, brain, and nasal passages. Many women start the birth control pill at a young age due to the
symptoms related to endometriosis, such as the aforementioned pain, and irregular, unpredictable cycles.  More often than not, these women's cycles are "regulated" on the pill and are then faced with the
return of symptoms when they discontinue the birth control pills in an
attempt to conceive.
As a naturopathic doctor my treatment goal is to help relieve symptoms
while seeking to address the underlying cause of disease. With
endometriosis this involves addressing the pain caused by
inflammation. Usually the most effective way to reduce overall
inflammation in a person’s entire system to identify and remove food
sensitivities, and to switch foods high in arachadonic acid with those
high in omega three fatty acids.  The most common denominator in the
above food equation is the moderation or complete removal of foods made
from cow's dairy. Approximately fifty percent of adults have at least
some degree of dairy intolerance, and dairy foods are also high in
pro-inflammatory fats; aracahadonic acid. Replacing some dairy foods
with hemp milk, flax oil, and chia seeds is one way to tip the
inflammation scales in your favor. 
Another common treatment goal with endometriosis is to balance the
immune system. Endometriosis does have an autoimmune component as many
women who are tested have self versus self antibodies.  Coincidently
removal of food sensitive’s can help with immune system balance, as
can my three all around favorite supplements; probiotics, fish oil,
and vitamin D. Another important component of immune regulation is
stress management. The physical pain of endometriosis can cause
depression and anxiety, combined with the disappointment of fertility
challenges, it can be challenging for women to move through without
some periods of high tension. Breathing techniques, mind-body
awareness and gentle exercises can help with stress management, and thus balance of the stress hormone cortisol.
As pain relents, stress relents, and the immune system
appears to be more balanced we may also have to employ natural
hormone support to regain regular monthly cycles. Here, the brassica family of foods such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts can help to balance female reproductive hormones.  Herbal medicines such as chaste tree berry, dong qaui and false unicorn root
can also be very helpful. Acupuncture and traditional Chinese herbal blends
are an effective choice for regulating hormones, relieving pain, and
increasing blood circulation to the pelvic region.
All of these natural approaches to endometriosis treatment can be used
on their own or in combination with conventional treatments such as
surgery, clomid, IUI and In vitro fertilization. I would suggest
arranging a consult with myself (or another naturopathic doctor) before starting any of the nutritional or herbal treatments described above, to ensure safety and efficacy. Women are so often times doubtful when I tell them their periods do not have to be painful, and amazed when this becomes their actuality. 

Shoo Flu!

I’ve been getting a fair number of inquiries lately into what people can do to avoid this winter’s potential influenza epidemic. The media craze, once again, has us locked in fear of what this winter’s viral onslaught will bring our way.

Like any other time, as with any other microbe, hand washing is crucial. Simple right? This also involves teaching our little ones to keep our “mouths to ourselves”, sneeze into our arm and wash our hands before and after nose picking. All this hand washing leaving your hands dry and cracking? Pure coconut oil is a fantastic moisturizer and it also has anti-bacterial properties. I poured some melted coconut oil into a small glass jar and now carry it in my diaper bag (incidentally, it makes a great diaper cream too).

Like any other time, as with any other microbe, keeping our resistance up through healthy eating is crucial. Refined sugar has a direct immune suppressing effect, while local raw honey has immune supporting and any anti-microbial properties, choose your “sweet” accordingly. I always find myself preaching about eating tons of natural colors and this time of the year is no expectation. If you like to eat “seasonally” and locally choose beta carotene rich carrots, mineral rich beets and flavenoid laden frozen blueberries. If your culinary desires reach past the confines of our local yield; go for those rich yellows and oranges; sweet potatoes, mangoes, bells peppers and many other fruits and vegetables are all high in beta carotene the precursor to vitamin A, the vitamin which is so crucial for keeping the linings of our noses, throats and lungs ready to “fight”. Garlic, onion, and ginger are also fantastic fare for winter immune health. A quick home remedy for the beginning of cold or flu symptoms is a grated clove of garlic and a “finger” of fresh ginger steeped in hot water with honey.

There are many botanical medicines in the Naturopathic Doctors tool chest to help support the immune system all winter long, as well as those that have specific ant viral and anti-influenza properties. The Chinese herb astragalus is an excellent herb that can be used safely all winter long to keep the immune system strong in kids and adults alike. Echineacea is another well known herb, well know because of its immune supportive and direct anti-viral actions. Elderberry is a wild herb that grows locally here in New Brunswick, it has garnered a lot of attention due to a study that demonstrated it’s ability to prevent H1N1 infection of cells in vitro with effectiveness comparable to the pharmaceutical Tamiflu (Phytochemistry. 2009 Jul;70(10):1255-61).

Naturopathic Medicines and home hygiene practices may reduce your chances of contracting the flu, and the aforementioned Naturopathic protocols should help your flu experience to be more brief and mild, should you be one of this winter’s viral hosts. Please visit your Naturopathic Doctor for a more personalized approach to keeping your immune system healthy during this winters battle with the flu.

Naturopathic Medicine can help with Anxiety

Anxiety is one of the more common complaints that I see clinically, the underlying cause of anxiety can be from a myriad of sources; biochemical or genetic predisposition, long term or acute life stressors, relationship stress, physical illness, insomnia, poor diet, hormonal imbalances, etc. It becomes the job of the naturopathic doctor to uncover the underlying cause of a person’s anxiety, while simultaneously treating the current symptoms to bring balance to the patient’s life experience. Fortunately anxiety is a complaint that typically responds well to naturopathic therapeutics; on their own, as well as in conjunction with pharmaceutical approaches.

I love to combine our gentle effective medicines and modalities with mindfulness based practices. Yoga, meditation, breathing exercises and cognitive behavioral therapy are all effective ways to teach the practice of letting go and letting be. Many people with anxiety disorders have never learned how to effectively help themselves through periods of intense stress and anxiety, the aforementioned mindfulness techniques are invaluable to learn, or re-learn internal coping strategies.

There are many herbal medicines in several different classes that we consider when a patient presents with anxiety. Some of these herbs work similarly to benzodiazepines, causing mild sedation as they modulate the GABA receptors in the brain; valerian and passionflower are examples of sedative herbs. Others are even more gentle in their sedative effects, but are helpful in calming and settling the mind, we call these  herbs nerviness; lemon balm and chamomile are examples of nervines. Other herbals help to support the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands help to stabilize stress response, blood sugar and reproductive hormones, this class of herbs are called adaptogens; rhodiola and ashwaghanda are examples of adaptogen herbs that help us to recover from long periods of physical or emotional stress.

Acupuncture is another fantastic tool to use for acute or chronic anxiety states, oftentimes people experiencing anxiety need support in their heart and pericardium  channels’ to soothe mental and spiritual agitation, improve sleep and restore calm. It is also helpful to stimulate the kidney energies to assuage fears and restore physical and mental energy. The beauty of acupuncture is the ability to customize each individual’s treatment protocol, and easily make minor adjustments to the protocol with each visit based on symptom feedback, as well as traditional Chinese medicine tongue and pulse readings.

Nutrition and nutriceutical supplementation are the back bone of many naturopathic treatment protocols. “Clean” protein with every meal ensures the presence of amino acid building blocks used by our body to make neurotransmitters like serotonin, gaba, and dopamine.  Protein if often swapped out of breakfast in exchange for a caffeinated beverage, in the long run this nutritional bargain may be more anxiety promoting than our original plan of getting “extra energy” from a coffee or tea. Eating meals at regular times is important for our mental health and feeling of well being by keeping our blood sugar levels more stable throughout the day. There are many nutritional supplements that help people manage their anxiety, b vitamins, theanine, gaba, and inositol have become favorite supportive additions to my treatment protocols over the years.

If you are not certain if the symptoms that  you are experiencing are related to anxiety, bring it up at your next visit with your ND, we will certainly work with you to help you to get a better understanding of your symptom presentation.

STEP THREE: Inner Body Bright, Detoxify in 2013!

Adding plenty of water and extra fiber to your daily intake should be helping with " smoother" elimination. The third step towards basic bowel detoxification is adding a daily dose of probiotics. Probiotics are bacteria from fermented foods that lend benefit to human health. One of the benefits probiotics provide is helping with bowel regularity. I have seen many cases of patients with "IBS" have their symptoms resolve once probiotics are introduced. If dairy products pose no threat to your bowel health and function yogurt is probably the easiest way to have daily beneficial bacteria. All yogurt should have active culture so do not be fooled into thinking you need one specific yogurt brand. If dairy is not an option choose another healthy fermented food like kimchee, miso, or raw sauerkraut  or take a probiotic supplement that is labelled dairy free. y favorite probiotics are HMF forte by genestra, a well researched line which contain human specific strains of beneficial bacteria.

Khalsa Way Prenatal Yoga

with Blossom Bitting ND

Dance     Breathe    Practice     Meditate

Tuesdays 5 pm

 9 sessions October 2nd -November 27^th

Pre-conception & pregnancy yoga for all levels of practice.

Learn techniques that will help to bring comfort through all stages of the prenatal period; conception, pregnancy, birth and beyond.

Pre-registration $90     Drop-Ins $13/session

857-1300

The Pear Tree Clinic & Yoga Loft 1067 Champlain St Dieppe