Radio Naturopath Episode 176: Doctor as Teacher. Macadamia Nuts, Gamma Linolenic Acid

I talked about the health benefits of macadamia nuts, and they are surprisingly healthy! Bioflavonoids, antioxidants, high levels of heart-healthy monounsaturated fat, and they help with weight loss too! And they are, of course, VEGAN. And the oil is great for sauteeing! The Doctor as Teacher is a really important concept, educating patients about their health as well directing them as to what to do. And how that great essential fat, gamma linolenic acid, can help you! 

Radio Naturopath Episode 175: Walnuts, The Keto Diet, Knee Bursitis, and Kidney Stones

You OMEGA-3, you! You reduce inflammation and help people think more clearly! You're also found in WALNUTS, which look like little brains, and therefore are good brain food! Monounsaturated fats in general are great. We also wander over to look at how the popular Keto Diet works, with all that fat. I also have a little bursitis in my knee so you should know how to help that too. And how to treat and prevent KIDNEY STONES, ow! DRINK MORE WATER. 

Radio Naturopath Episode 174: Look For the Cause, Soaking Nuts, Protein Drinks for the Elderly, Are Beans Good For You?

Naturopathic principle #3: Look For the Cause! Treat the underlying reason for a condition, not just the condition. Why it's better to soak nuts! Also, BEANS: the pros and cons. Vegetarians rely on them for a protein source, and Paleo folks think they're just not that nutritious and have too many anti-nutrients. Who's right? Also, alternative ideas for those protein/vitamin drinks often given to the elderly!

Radio Naturopath Episode 173: First Do No Harm, Sacha Inchi Helps You Lose Weight, Everyday Supplements, Sprouting is Good For You

Today in the Basic Principles department, we talked about First Do No Harm, using the least harmful and invasive thing possible to help with healing. Then we moved on to the MYRIAD benefits of the Sacha Inchi seed, the Peruvian Peanut! Omega 3's, complete protein, lots of fiber, you can't beat it! Great for VEGANS! I also answered the perennial question, Should I take a supplement if I'm healthy? The answer, of course, is MAYBE. Plus, why it's good to sprout, or just to eat sprouted grains, nuts, beans and seeds!

Radio Naturopath Episode 172: Interview with Gerald Berkowitz, Ph.D: Cannabinoids in Horticulture

Enter the very wise Gerry Berkowitz, PhD, horticultural molecular biologist! He told us all about the complex legality of cannabis in the United States, but that nobody's likely to get prosecuted for selling CBD. He talked about hybridizing cannabis plants to maximize CBD content, and also growing CBD from yeast. Lots of very interesting stuff about cannabis!

Radio Naturopath Episode 171: Naturopathic Principles: The Healing Power of Nature, Chia Seeds, Flax Seeds

It's time to get back to basics! Let's review naturopathic medicine, and the six basic  principles. We'll start this week with The Healing Power of Nature, Vis Medacatrix Naturae. I realize I like food, so I've been talking about it lately. I had no idea that chia seeds were SO high in antioxidants, but there you have it! They are energizing, help with regularity, and have omega-3 fatty acids, mostly alpha-linolenic acid. Flax seeds on the other hand, are high in lignans so they're the ones to help with women's hormonal issues. Unlike chia, they need to be ground, and are not as high in antioxidants. BOTH seeds are very beneficial for health, and you get somewhat different benefits from each! 

Radio Naturopath Episode 170: Naturopathic Medicine is Great, Antioxidants in Cocoa, Berries, Cherries and Weight Loss

Berries really can save lives. Eat more berries, live longer! They help clear your mind and make it work better, prevent diabetes, help with weight loss, give you energy, and improve circulation. Cocoa flavanols too! Also, a reminder of why naturopathic medicine is so great.

Radio Naturopath Episode 169: Protect Yourself: Rest, Natural Sunscreen and Bug Spray; ORAC, Elderberry, STILL The Flu?, and Yogurt Parfaits!

It's suddenly summer! You CAN overdo it with the SUDDEN arrival of summer-like weather, that too much yard work or exercise can be too much of a good thing. Take good breaks in between! Stretch, drink water, tea, and fizzy stuff, relax. Also remember to break out the sunscreen and bug spray! I've got some ideas for some good natural ingredients. Plus, antioxidants and that ORAC value, elderberry and the Late Flu Season, and how to make a yummy yogurt parfait! HINT: VEGAN yogurt is AWESOME, especially coconut and my new fave, CASHEW! 

Radio Naturopath Episode 168: Stress Drinking In the Gray Zone, Green Tea, Acai, and Antioxidants

This week it's about the antioxidants, but also about the wine. Some people are in the gray zone with drinking. We focus on stressed out moms who use a little too much wine as a coping mechanism. It's a MEME, but if you're drinking 2-3-4 drinks most nights of the week, even if you're functioning, it's probably affecting your health. It affects energy, sleep, thyroid function, weight, and sex drive. We explore how! Also, part of a series on antioxidants. Why tea (white, green, black) is good for you, and why acai berry, that great fruit from the Amazon, is also good for you!

acai, alcohol, alcoholism, antioxidants, drinking, energy, Fran Storch, gray zone, green tea, Megyn Kelly, mommy burnout, ORAC, Ron Manizza, Sex Drive, Sleep, thyroid, wine

Radio Naturopath Episode 167: Interview with Jessica Tracy: The Michael J. Fox Foundation, Parkinson's Disease, and Running Rock the Ridge

Today we had Jessica Tracy, who's the recreation director at the Mansfield Community Center on, and is a  Certified Athletic Trainer and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. Her dad has Parkinson's disease, so finding a cure has become a passionate cause for her. She is working to support the Michael J. Fox Foundation's work in finding a cure. This organization uses 100% of its funds to do research. We talked about the disease itself, symptoms, existing treatments, and some naturopathic adjunctive therapy.  We also talked about Rock the Ridge, a 50 mile adventure run that Jessica is doing for the fourth time this year, with her family running as a team, and how people can support them. They can use this link: https://fundraise.michaeljfox.org/rock-the-ridge-2018/todandthekits. It's a great organization and a great cause, and I was thrilled to have Jessica on to talk about helping to heal Parkinson's disease!