Author: jeannie

Do you ever wonder why you feel sluggish and lethargic after eating meals? Do you experience digestive difficulties such as bloating, flatulence and acid reflux, or have you been diagnosed with a digestive disorder? Do you experience a ‘foggy head’ sensation with difficulty concentrating? Or, do you crave sweets and can’t seem to lose weight? If you answered “yes” to any of the above questions, you may have a food sensitivity. This can cause a variety of health related conditions, which are treatable with diet modifications.
A food sensitivity occurs when there is an adverse reaction in the body to a type of food being ingested. Most food sensitivities are triggered by the immune system and reactions can occur up to 72 hours after eating. Symptoms may include nasal/sinus congestion, excessive mucus production, acne, excema or hives, inflammation and pain, bloating and weight gain, diarrhea, fatigue, headaches, and a spaciness feeling with an inability to concentrate.

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The natural transition from the reproductive years to the postmenopausal years is not necessarily a smooth one, even though it is a normal process of aging. No two women’s menopause transition is alike. Some women begin to experience symptoms long before menopause has occurred. This is called “perimenopause” and usually occurs around age 47 and can last for 4-5 years before menopause occurs. Symptoms of perimenopause include menstrual irregularities, hot flashes, vaginal dryness and thinning, decreased libido, mood swings, depression, changes in memory and cognition, sleep disturbances, hair loss on the head, hair growth and acne on the face, fatigue, nausea, palpitations, headaches, urinary tract infections, joint pains.

Continue reading “Balancing Hormones to Ease Through Menopause”

Flu season is upon us. If you are frequently sick with allergies, colds, and flu, there are many natural ways to support the body to prevent illness.
One of the best ways to prevent yourself from getting sick is to get proper nutrition and avoid foods that suppress your immune system. Foods such as sugar, coffee, alcohol, and refined carbohydrates (bread, pasta, and pastries) all have a negative effect on your immune system. They make your body work harder and weaken the body’s natural defense mechanism. It is important to consume foods with a greater nutritional value including raw or lightly steamed vegetables, fresh fruit (especially berries), low fat protein (beans, fish, chicken), and whole grains (millet, quinoa, brown rice, oatmeal, spelt, kamut), as they support the immune system, balance blood sugar levels, and facilitate the digestive system. It is also important to drink plenty of fluids. Drinking at least eight glasses of water a day is important since viruses and bacteria have a harder time surviving in moist environments. However, be sure to avoid fruit juices which are packed with sugars and food preservatives, since these will actually lower your immune response.

Continue reading “Naturopathic Ways to Prevent Flu this Season!”

Candida: A Factor in Depression and Mental Health
Jessica Bonovich RN, BSN
One of the first psychiatrists to publish findings about the connection between Candida and depression is Dr. Orian Truss. His compelling work has been cited in numerous books and helped countless patients to date. Interestingly, his discovery in 1981 did not generate much interest from the psychiatric community who had just begun to see the effects of MAO inhibitors. While these and other modern antidepressants remain an important tool for treating psychiatric patients, studies have demonstrated that their efficacy rate is only about 20-30 percent (Kroenke, Hansen). Clearly, we do not have sufficient understanding of the complex spectrum of mental disorders that plague millions of individuals. To this end, we should leave no stone unturned. Especially if that stone has already shown to provide helpful information.

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I am happy to return to work in Tofino one Saturday a month, starting May 30th, 2015.  Call  250-522-0033 to book an appointment!

I will be returning to work in Port Alberni from my maternity leave October 1st.  However, I will not return to Tofino until next spring, 2015.  I am looking forward to seeing patients again soon!

I would like to take this opportunity to personally recount what I have learned this year from my experience of being pregnant and giving birth in June to my beautiful baby boy, Peter Benjamin! When I discovered I was pregnant with twins in November, 2013, I was a mix of emotions!  I was grateful for this opportunity to experience the joy of motherhood!  As well, I was overwhelmed with this huge, unexpected change in life.  However, as a whole, the experience has been fantastic, and I am loving every moment of being a mother!

Continue reading “A personal account: Naturopathic perspective on Pregnancy and Childbirth”

Come celebrate Naturopathic Medicine Week at Alberni Natural Health Group, 4711 Elizabeth St., Port Alberni, BC!

Offering FREE 15 minute consults to the public to learn about the benefits of naturopathic medicine!

Offering 20% discounts on supplements for existing patients!

Refreshments included.

Call 250-723-9888 to book your FREE consult!!

A Naturopathic Approach to Multiple Sclerosis

By:  Dr. Jeannie Doig, ND

Multiple sclerosis is believed to be an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system.  It is caused by the gradual loss of the myelin sheath that surrounds the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.  This process is called demyelination. Without the myelin sheath, nerve function is lost.  This disease affects one in one thousand people in North America and Northern Europe and is much more common in women than men.  It is significantly more common in geographic areas of higher latitudes (likely due to vitamin D deficiency).

Continue reading “A Naturopathic Approach to Multiple Sclerosis”