Disclaimer This blog is not in any way treating, diagnosing or recommending anything for anyone specific. It is merely a way to educate, inform and discuss whole health. No entry in this blog should be used in place of a consultation with a health care practitioner. If you are in need of care, please make an appointment with your health care provider or with me so we can speak in person!
|
 Walking out of Reagan National Airport and into the humid warmth of DC, I felt a bit…well…nervous about what I am about to experience. Would I be chased out of Capital Hill or welcomed with open arms? There’s only one way to find out. I take a deep breath and enjoy the beauty of DC from the cab ride. Heading toward the huge, angular buildings between the Capital Building and the Washington Monument, I suddenly feel comforted, remembering the many times I visited this area as a child. My dear great aunt lived just up the river a ways in a striking, colonial home in Bethesda and is now buried with my great uncle in Arlington National Cemetery. I tear up a bit thinking about how much I miss her (I never knew my great uncle as he passed when I was a baby), but then I smile thinking about her amazing laugh and Bacall-like beauty, slappin’ me on the backside with a “go get ‘em” grin.
The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians has been doing the DC Federal Legislative Initiative (DC FLI) for the past nine years. It’s a time for naturopathic students and doctors to flood Capital Hill and educated our legislators on the benefits of our medicine. It’s a great way to bring awareness to what we have to offer, especially to those that can actually do something about our ailing healthcare system. This is my first time attending DC FLI, and now that I’m here and walking down the green grass between the Capital Building and the Washington Monument, gazing up at the Smithsonian Castle, I get a rush of inspiration and awe.
 It’s my first day here in DC and arriving just before rush hour on a Friday afternoon, I decide to check out what I remembered about the National Mall. I walk through the rhododendron gardens of the Capital and make my way down to the long stretch of green that is now speckled with various construction machinery. Children of all ages are out in large groups, tourists are taking photographs and police are everywhere, though they manage to blend into the landscape making you feel safe rather than on guard. I wander down the butterfly garden at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History and stroll in. I make my way through the sea animals and the mammals, feeling the avid science geek inside me bouncing off the walls. I look at my watch and it’s 4pm…I wonder how late the National Aquarium is open and more importantly if they have sharks (an obsession of mine)? I reach the Aquarium at 4:29 and lucky for me tickets are sold until 4:30. I purchase my ticket and wander through the various regional aquariums and finally arrive at the shark tank. I’m sad to see that the only sharks are the smaller leopard, cat and horn sharks, yet I stand there mesmerized until they start rounding people up to leave for closing. After an odd wrong turn meaning to see the White House, I end up halfway back to my hotel on Capital Hill. Hungry and tired, I decide to eat some supper and get to bed early in preparation for the weekend’s festivities.
We train all weekend, going over legislative updates by state, how general bills get passed, it’s lobbying 101. A whirlwind of information over 2 days and suddenly I feel like I’m back in school with the stiff legs and sore behind from sitting in a chair for 10 hours straight. Finally Monday comes, our day on the Hill. It must’ve been comical for tourists, lobbyists and congresspersons seeing all 80 of us in our obviously new power suits, walking in small packs, with our water bottles and various snacks to keep up our energy. Luckily, I’m not alone in this endeavor as I have 2 powerful, young naturopathic students with me, brimming with inspiration and enthusiasm. They both grew up in or near Maine and know how important our mission is.
 The buildings on the Hill are breathtaking. Ornate wood trim around each doorway greets you as you walk along the long, thick marble floors. The smell of history is very present…and slightly musty. You can’t help but feel patriotic standing in these hallways, no matter how you feel about political affairs. The Senators offices are lavish and inviting, each decorated with various characteristics of the states they represent. South Carolina was a cool blue-green color with dark, wooden trim, taking me back to Charleston, sipping iced tea on a big front porch overlooking the Battery. Montana was masculine and natural. Maine was…home. Pictures of Portland Head Light helped calm our minds while we waited for Senator Snowe’s legislative assistant. She’s prompt and lovely, very passionate about learning more about our cause even though Senator Snowe is sadly retiring. The meeting went well and we beamed as we walked back out to the marble floors of the Russell Senate Building, our stage fright weaning and stomachs growling. We all were too nervous to eat or even get coffee, so we take a breath, regroup and prepare for the next visits.
Our next visit was incredible. Senator Susan Collins actually sat in on our meeting and was very receptive to our plight. Since she founded the Senate Diabetes Caucus, she marveled at the idea that naturopathic medicine not only excels in diabetes treatment, but also in the fiscal health of our state and nation by reducing ER visits, pharmaceutical costs and future surgical interventions. We were warned in our training that if a member of Congress actually sits in on a meeting, it would likely be 5 minutes or less. Senator Collins sat for 17.
The House offices are very different from the Senate. They are smaller and almost dorm-like with several people sharing little space. Even so, the pride is palpable. Trinkets on the walls representing each state and the passion coming from the young staff members is like an intoxicating perfume. The same marble floors pave the long hallways and it feels less intimidating and more comfortable. We meet with the Executive Assistant for Congresswoman Chellie Pingree and are greeted with the same enthusiasm and warmth as our previous visits. Again, 20 minutes spent educating on naturopathic medicine and it feels like for once, someone is listening.
After the meetings we throw a reception, inviting all Senators, Congresspersons and their staff. The tables are set with various health concerns and tasty treats to show how we educate our patients on nutrition. Tables included Wild Pacific Salmon, fresh beets, crudité and greens, blueberries and, of course…dark chocolate. Anyone knows, where you find naturopathic students, you will find an endless supply of dark chocolate. It’s perfect timing because Congress is voting this afternoon, so the hallways are buzzing with hungry staff members. I mingle and speak with more students about their day, talk to a Congressman or two and oddly end up in a conversation with a pharmacist from the FDA. All in all, a perfect day.
 The next morning I sit back at Reagan National, looking across the runway to the Hill and the Washington Monument. Rainstorms are making their way across the horizon and I feel sated. Almost wishing I could stay just a day or two more, but also excited to get home and share my experience. I am proud to be a naturopathic doctor. We are a solution to our healthcare crisis. We are trained as primary care physicians and just want to be given the opportunity do our part in this primary care shortage. Our medicine saves lives and money, and we will continue to flood the Capital until we are licensed as primary care physicians in every state.
In this political upheaval in healthcare, the “us versus them” mentality is getting out of hand. I don’t know who said it first and frankly, I don’t care. In my medical community, I want MDs and DOs to know that it’s not us versus them, but us working together in our own specialties to make our patients better.
There are a lot of misconceptions about naturopathic doctors. Much of this comes from the frustration that we are not licensed in all states. Because of this, there are “unlicensable” naturopaths in unlicensed states who did not go to an accredited naturopathic medical school yet are allowed to call themselves naturopaths or even naturopathic doctors because there is no regulation. We licensed naturopathic doctors however did go to an accredited, 4-year, post-graduate, naturopathic medical school. These medical schools are accredited by the same agencies as Harvard Medical School and any other medical school in the US. We take multi-step national board exams similar to the USMLE, the first focusing on basic sciences and the second and third on clinical practice. We get a minimum of 72 in-class hours in pharmacology, where many allopathic schools learn pharmacology in about 24 hours or in the field. Once we are licensed, we are required to get annual continuing education, often more than other types of physicians. So what’s the difference? Well, a lot. Our average patient visit is 30 minutes and up to 2 hours for a new patient. Obviously, we focus on diet and lifestyle as much as possible and we often prescribe supplements and other naturopathic treatments. We also prescribe pharmaceuticals when they are needed. Again, a common misconception is that we are anti-pharmaceutical. This is not true as we are pro-patient and whatever treatment is best for our patient is what we give them. If we can make nutritional changes to avoid them going on a statin, then we will. If their hypercholesterolemia is genetic and no diet in the world can bring their numbers down, then we prescribe what is needed.
Our medicine does work and there is a TON of research to back it up. It always confuses me when people say there is no research to back it up when there are always hundreds, sometimes thousands and tens of thousands of results on most of my PubMed searches. We help reduce ER visits and help reduce medical costs in general by teaching people how to live healthier lives within their own means. While we don’t perform major surgeries, naturopaths have and will continue saving many lives. I have specialists and GPs referring complex patients to me, yet they won’t meet me for lunch. Why is this? When a patient gets better with both of our help it’s good medicine. When a patient who’s been to 15 doctors with no improvement finds relief from my therapies, it’s just an anomaly or a placebo-effect, it’s not my medicine.
I chose a different type of medicine, but it is still medicine. It’s what I’m good at. DOs were in the same situation a mere 20 years ago, yet DOs are more resistant to accepting me as a medical colleague than many MDs. Now DOs are considered primary care physicians and are employed in hospitals, clinics and health care facilities all over the US. We all have something special to offer and it’s not about what the better medicine is. We all need every type of medicine at some point. So can’t we just all get along and get people healthy?
It’s been beautiful here in Maine, other then the 7 days of straight rain  The trees are leafing out, flowers are blooming, birds are singing, bees are buzzing…wait…what’s that on my leg?
Yup. They’re back. And hungrier than ever it seems. So what do you do when you live in a beautiful place and don’t dare stay indoors for the rest of your life? You prepare yourself for the day when you do get a tick bite, and unfortunately here in Maine, that day will come if it hasn’t already. Not to fear, however. Lyme Disease is serious and complicated, but you can be proactive and protective when it comes to this condition. So what can you do?
Recent Tick Bite (within 72 hours)
- Remove the tick carefully by pulling it straight out with tweezers getting as close to the skin as you can. Try not to squish the tick. Be patient and use steady force to pull it out, head and all.
- Identify the tick. Mainely Ticks has great resources on tick identification (as seen above), including a ProTickME kit that includes identification cards, tweezers, magnifying glass and containers to store the ticks for testing.
- Don’t just look for the rash. Up to 70% of people in Maine may not get the infamous “bull’s eye rash” and can still get infected with Lyme. Also, the rash can take 2-4 weeks to appear, after which you’ve already missed your window for the most preventative treatment.
- If you were in fact bitten by a deer tick, the tick that carries the bacteria that causes Lyme and other co-infections, try to save the tick in a plastic bag or small container so you can send it off for testing. It’s a LOT cheaper to test the ticks than to go through the testing yourself, and even so it can take up to a month for your body to make antibodies that would show up on a test, again thereby missing your preventative treatment window. You can have your tick tested at several different places here in New England, though I recommend IGeneX. This company focuses on Lyme and its co-infections, so even their tick tests are more reliable in my personal opinion.
- Call your doctor. I know I’m a naturopath, but even I recommend antibiotic treatment when it comes to preventing Lyme Disease. You need to start antibiotics preferably within 72 hours of the bite. You could be on antibiotics for up to 3 months, depending on how long the testing takes to see if your tick was indeed carrying the bacteria.
- Follow up with your doctor if the test was positive for Lyme or its co-infections. Your doctor will need to monitor you and may keep you on antibiotics if you start manifesting symptoms such as flu-like symptoms, fever or muscle/joint pain.
Past Tick Bite (after 1 week) or Unknown Tick Bite
- If you are experiencing any of the MANY symptoms of Lyme, get tested as soon as possible preferably for Lyme and its co-infections (Babesia, Ehrlichia, Bartonella) as they are present in about 20% of Lyme patients. Again, I highly recommend IGeneX as the basic ELISA done by most doctors is not specific enough to reach a true diagnosis. It is better to test for your antibodies to specific bands (via Western Blot) and for the DNA of the bug itself (via PCR).
- According to the International Lyme and Associated Diseases (ILADS) “fewer than 50% of patients with Lyme Disease recall a tick bite.” So even if you don’t remember a bite, but are experiencing symptoms that aren’t justified by another illness, get tested.
- Breathe. There is hope! There are a LOT more “Lyme literate” doctors than there used to be out there, many of whom have had wonderful success in treating Lyme Disease in even the most complex of cases. Just sit down and have a conversation with your doctor, and if it’s not something they treat often (or if they don’t know who ILADS is), ask for a referral.
 Indications for Laser Therapy I finally got my laser! I am so excited and what perfect timing as everyone is suffering from “snow-shoveling shoulder” and “plow-truck arm” from this incredible winter we’ve had!
Laser therapy is a great therapy for drug-free pain management! Laser therapy is the use of light that penetrates through the skin and into the joint or muscle where inflammation is present. It calms inflammation and actually provides the cells with the energy they need to heal themselves. How natural is that!? Another great thing about laser therapy is that it does not cause heat, so it is ok to use in those who have metal implants, IUDs or pacemakers.
I used this therapy as a primary modality when I practiced in Oregon and I am so excited to incorporate it into my practice here in Maine. I was able to help so many difficult cases ranging from uterine fibroids and endometriosis to chronic pain and neuralgia.
Check out my website for more information on low level laser therapy and give me a call to set up your appointment today!
207-206-6238
If you are, you are not alone. The devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan has affected millions around the world. Not only from the casualties and injuries from the natural disasters, but the damage done to the Fukushima nuclear reactor which has released small amounts of radioactive iodine and cesium into the environment.
I have been flooded with calls and emails from people wanting to know what they can do to help protect themselves from the radiation, should it reach their area. I thought it best to write a blog on the issue in hopes it would calm some worries out there. Here are some tips and information to help educate on the situation:
- Step 1 – Put the Iodine & Potassium DOWN – this is one of the biggest mistakes people are making. Yes, radioactive iodine is taken up by the thyroid and can cause thyroid cancer later in life, therefore those who are deficient in iodine have a greater risk of absorbing more radioactive iodine than those who are sufficient in the mineral. HOWEVER, I have seen several people cause thyroid disease in themselves by self-prescribing iodine before getting their levels checked. It is necessary to check your levels before taking this mineral because you can overdo it, and therefore cause hyper- or hypo-thyroid conditions that can even cause a trip to the ER. So, do the simple test. See if you’re deficient. THEN, get a prescription from a naturopathic physician to make sure you’re getting the correct dosage that’s safe for you. The same goes for cesium, which acts similarly to potassium in the body. Potassium levels directly affect the heart and can even cause heart attacks if overdosed. Also, some medications affect potassium levels. So again, do the simple test, see and ND and get a dose that’s right for you if you need it.
- Step 2 – Get the Facts – don’t just trust the media especially in disasters. There’s a lot of fear out there so take some time and do your own research so you can educate yourself and your family on what’s really going on. Here’s a great explanation on what happened at Fukushima. As this article states, the half-life of radioactive iodine is 8 days, which means half of it has disintegrated in 8 days, then half again in 8 days, etc. Cesium however has a half-life of 30 years, so this radioisotope is far more likely to be an issue than the iodine as it will take over 100 years to fully disintegrate.
- Step 3 – It’s Still All About the Terrain – as an ND, I talk about the terrain a lot. Those with a healthy terrain (mind & body) are less likely to fall vulnerable to viruses, bacteria and disease in general. This remains true even when it comes to radiation. Those who are not deficient in essential minerals, especially iodine and potassium in this case, will be less likely to absorb radioactive forms. Those who get plenty of antioxidants through diet and lifestyle are more likely to prevent radiation damage. So how can you improve your terrain?
- Eat plenty of dark, leafy greens daily for plenty of vitamins and minerals
- Try to eat every color of the rainbow in fruits and veggies each day to load up on those free-radical-fighting antioxidants
- Get regular physicals, screening exams and bloodwork done yearly to make sure you’re on the right track, preferably with an ND
- Don’t overindulge, whether it be alcohol, cigarettes, food, etc. Moderation is key to everything.
- Exercise, breathe, laugh & play…doctor’s orders…
I hope these tips cleared some things up for you. I did a bit of research for this blog post as I wasn’t as familiar with cesium other than its use for cancer radiation therapy, so I thought I’d share some of the more interesting articles with you:
 Meat Sauce Packed with Veggies Looks like a typical meat sauce and spaghetti, right? Well here’s a perfect example on how you can pack some of your favorite recipes with more veggies, whether it’s for you or your kids.
This recipe was loosely taken from Rachael Ray’s Pappardelle and Lamb Meat Sauce.
I simply adapted it to what I had available and “hid” a bunch of extra veggies in there. I used buffalo instead of lamb, thanks to a recent sale at my local store where I bought about 4 one-pound packages of ground buffalo and stored them in the freezer. Buffalo is more lean than beef, yet tastes about the same.
I also added finely chopped celery, fennel bulb and about 1 cup of pureed greens for extra veggies. Not only that, but instead of adding the milk to give that creamy texture, I added a cup of pureed butternut squash. Since I wasn’t using lamb, I opted for the traditional Italian spices, basil and oregano, instead of the orange zest and rosemary.
This is a great way to add nutritional value to your foods. The little steps really do add up! Whether you want to incorporate more vegetables and fiber into your diet, or you have some picky eaters in your household, purees can be essential! I use them all the time, and I like veggies! Once you start experimenting with different flavors and textures, you’ll realize how easy it is to create cheesy or milky textures with pureed squash or avocado, or add depth of flavor with pureed greens. Your getting the added nutrition and fiber, reducing you need for a multivitamin or added supplements.
Combine that with using a whole grain, high-protein pasta and you’ve got a much healthier meal, packed with flavor and antioxidants!
Cooking is medicine! It’s just a matter of making good decisions on making your favorite recipes more nutritionally sound.
Dear Mr. President,
I felt very empowered by the State of the Union last night and felt compelled to write. I am a naturopathic doctor in rural Maine and we naturopathic physicians are imperative in health care reform. We are educated in post-graduate medical institutions as primary care physicians, yet we are not licensed in every state. Even here in Maine, I am not even able to call myself a physician, but only a naturopathic doctor. I am also not able to use my DEA number or prescribe any and all medications as I was in Oregon, which prevents me from truly filling a primary care role for my patients. Similarly, not all insurance companies cover our care, specifically Medicaid and Medicare programs as well as some private insurances. I do the best I can, giving thousands of dollars of free care to my low-income and underinsured patients, but I too struggle with my own finances and overwhelming student loans. Naturopathic physicians need to be included in loan repayment programs for both primary care and rural service. We are here, we are educated and we are happy to take on the task of helping fulfill this nation’s lack of primary care physicians. Our roles as physicians are greatly needed as we work with patients to fully understand and prevent illness and treat people naturally whenever possible, thus reducing their need for expensive healthcare and prescriptions. Please take advantage of our talents and give us the recognition we deserve as primary care physicians in every state. Our American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP) has been lobbying hard in Washington for years and I hope you will see what we have to offer for all Americans.
Sincerely,
Dr Kristen McElveen
Join us for a free introduction of all the tools you need to lose those holiday pounds and avoid them in the future!
Saturday, January 8, 2011
10am – 12pm
Gate of Hope Holistic Center
554 Main St, Springvale, ME 04083
Reservations are required as seating is limited.
We are offering personalized packages and will help you choose one that works for you. Our packages include:
- 20 Day rejuvenation weight loss kit (including food lists, food/exercise logs, sample menus and exercise schedules) QTY 1 $250
- Weekly weigh-in and follow up visits to review progress QTY 4 $120
- Group EFT sessions (to overcome and control emotional eating and cravings) QTY 3 $90
- Individual EFT Sessions QTY 3 $180
- Auricular Therapy (to reduce cravings and facilitate weight loss) QTY 4 $120
- Infrared Saunas (to speed weight loss and detoxification – includes free consult to see if sauna therapy is safe for you) QTY 3 $150
- Weight loss massages (to detoxify and rid cellulite) QTY 3 $180
For reservations, call Dr K at Bare Medicine at 207-206-6238!
Visa/Mastercard accepted.
 Don't Let Stress Get You Down! Thanksgiving was the first hurdle…sure it’s spent seeing family members you may not have seen in a while, hopefully around a bunch of yummy food and in warm houses…but more often than not it can lead to reaching for that drink, or taking that little “worry pill” in order to get through the day. Well, let me give you a few tips on how to deal with the stress of the holiday season!
- Breathe! Take time out each day to do some deep breathing, using your diaphragm. This literally switches your nervous system from that “fight or flight” sympathetic dominance to a parasympathetic “rest and digest.” Try it in the car, before eating, while listening to that winded family member or any other time. Just try to do it at least 10 times a day.
- Eat well – It’s common to forget to eat when you’re bustling around, but you won’t be very productive if you forget breakfast. Breakfast sets you up for the entire day, so make sure you get plenty of protein to help you fuel your fire! Try a hard boiled egg and some oatmeal with nuts and fruit for a well-balanced, high protein, high fiber meal.
- Rescue Remedy – reach for this instead of that pill or drink. This flower essence has been used for many years and is great at general calming and reducing anxiety. Keep a bottle, spray or pack of pastilles handy at all times! Most drug stores and grocery stores with health food sections carry this nowadays. Also a great stocking stuffer!
- Keep your boundaries – ’tis the season for giving, but if your exhausted, you can’t give much to anyone! So don’t feel bad if you need to set some boundaries with friends or family if you’re feeling overwhelmed. They don’t want to stress you out either, so telling them the truth in a kind way will go better than you think. Also, never forget to ask for help!
- Sleep – sleep well and often. Now that the days are darker, our bodies naturally want to go to bed earlier. And each hour you get to bed before midnight is like getting 2 hours extra of sleep to the body. So try not to be sitting in front of a computer, tv or other bright lights too long after 9pm so your body can realize it’s time to sleep soon. Check out my blog on sleep hygiene as well for other options.
- Have fun! While you’re planning for kids, family and friends to have a great holiday, make sure it’s fun for you too. Schedule some “me time” in the hustle and bustle of it all and maybe even consider a few days off for some ultimate relaxation after the holidays are over.
Hopefully these tips will allow you to enjoy your holiday more this year – we all could use a little more joy!
Bare Medicine wishes you a happy and healthy holiday season!
I’ve been getting a lot of questions lately regarding how to choose a quality probiotic. Not only that, but what type of probiotic one should take. Here is an older post about one of my favorite gut bugs, Sacchromyces. That’s a great bug for most people while you’re taking antibiotics (it won’t die because it’s actually a yeast, not a bacterium). It’s also great for those suffering from loose stools, or diarrhea.
For the most part, for basic maintenance, pretty much any probiotic will do. The thing you want to look out for is quality. Many of the probiotics getting big commercials and being prescribed by MDs aren’t even refrigerated. Refrigeration is a big clue on whether it is a quality product or not. But again, not always, as there are some probiotics made to withstand room temperatures so that they can be easily packed for a camping trip. Here are some tips you can keep in mind when looking for a quality product:
- What are the ingredients?
- If the ingredients contain more than the bacteria and the capsule, take note of what’s used as a filler. If you can’t pronounce it, it’s likely not very good for you. Be wary of anything in tablet form, as they are mechanically pressed and usually heated, thereby killing the bacteria. Some products are enterically coated, which means it has a special gel-like coating made to withstand the acidity of the stomach and therefore make it through to the small intestine where you want the bacteria to thrive. These can be good products if you do your homework.
- Are the strains certified?
- If so, it should say on the bottle. Certification is usually done by a third-party testing facility to make sure what is on the label is in fact what’s in the bottle. This is extremely important for any supplement since there are so many out there, which is why it’s important to check with a naturopath before buying a random brand of supplement (that you might not even need!).
- What is the number of live cells at the “Sell by” date?
- This may not be on the bottle, but it should be available if you call or check their website. Some companies test their products only at the time of manufacturing, which is before it’s been sitting on a truck, possibly not refrigerated, then sitting under fluorescent lights at a grocery store, etc. You want to go with a company that actually guarantees the strains are alive AFTER the “sell by” or expiration date. That way you know they are properly testing their products for quality assurance.
Fortunately and unfortunately, the supplement biz has become a muti-billion dollar enterprise, which means anyone can market a product (sometimes very well) and put it on the shelf at your local biggy mart. Just ask yourself – do you really need that product? And if so, know the questions to ask to make sure your getting a quality product. If you call up a company and the person doesn’t know who the quality assurance rep is, or they say “that’s me!” …you might want to recheck your product choice!
…or just come see me
|
|
