Success Story: Fertility Case

A woman in her 30’s came to see me for fertility problems; she had been trying to conceive for 4 years prior to coming to see me. She had previously tried in vitro fertilization with no success. After 2 months of treatment at our clinic, she got pregnant and she recently gave birth to a healthy baby boy. Initially we did a thorough health history intake to determine possible reasons why this couple was having difficulties conceiving and then together we came up with a treatment plan that was suitable for them. Treatment involved simple diet changes, high quality herbal and nutritional supplements and weekly acupuncture sessions.

Answers to some of your Detoxification Questions

What are the Benefits of detoxing?
Detoxing helps the four detoxification organs in eliminating toxins – the liver, colon, kidneys and skin. Toxins build up in our bodies through eating the wrong foods, our environment and living an unhealthy lifestyle. Sometimes our bodies need assistance in getting rid of these toxins and this is the purpose of a detox.

When is it a good time to do a detox?
Detoxes can be done at anytime during the year if you want to address a certain condition. However, if you are looking to do a general cleanse, then the optimal times are spring and fall.

What are the side effects?
Everyone responds differently to detoxing. Some people who are more sensitive and/or have a lot of toxicity may experience headaches, low energy and moodiness but these symptoms usually clear up within the first week or two.

What detox is right for me?
There are many different detoxes available. General liver/colon cleanses, digestive cleanses, Candida diets and heavy metal detoxes are some examples of detoxes that are available.

What’s involved in a detox?
A detox usually involves necessary dietary modifications along with 1 or 2 nutritional and/or herbal supplements. They usually last about 3-6 weeks.

Keep Those Bones Strong

Did you know that the highest rates of osteoporosis are in developed countries and that 1 in 4 women and 1 in 8 mean over the age of 50 are diagnosed with osteoporosis? Did you also know that it is possible to reverse osteoporosis and even though aging and menopause are risk factors, diet and lifestyle play a huge role in optimal bone health. It is never too early (or too late) to start taking calcium, both from food sources and supplements. When choosing a calcium supplement it is important to choose one of good quality as these contain the highest amount of elemental calcium (the calcium that your body absorbs). Make sure your calcium supplement also contains Vitamin D as calcium will not be absorbed without it. Keeping active is extremely valuable in keeping your bones strong as well.

Success Story - Hypothyroidism

A 27-year-old woman came to see me for symptoms of hypothyroidism. She suffered from low energy, weight gain, constipation and dry skin. As well, her lab values showed high TSH and low T4 and free T3, which confirmed the diagnosis of hypothyroidism. When she initially came to see me her family doctor recommended that she start taking Synthroid, but she decided that she wanted to try a natural approach first.

When she came in for the initial visit, she was already a very healthy eater and had started some supplements that were recommended to her from the health food store. She was off to a great start but there was still a lot that needed to be done. I began by taking her off some of the supplements. Even though they were helpful, I wanted to focus on the essential nutrients that she needed at that time and I didn’t want her to be taking endless amounts of pills. I also had her do a liver detox that was tailored for her situation specifically. She was a great patient; she followed all my recommendations perfectly.

After treating her for 6 months, it was remarkable, her blood tests became normal and all her symptoms cleared. Then 3 months later she came to my office telling me that she was pregnant!

Some New Research in Alternative Medicine

-Mediterranean Diet May Reduce the Risk of Breast Cancer in Postmenopausal Women
-Acupuncture Reduces Pain and Need for Medication After Coronary Bypass Surgery
-Potential Protective Effect of Turmeric Intake Against Cancer
Treatment with Omega-3 Fatty Acids Benefits Patients with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
-Eating Almonds May Benefit Subjects With Type 2 Diabetes and Mild Hyperlipidemia
-High Plasma Total Homocysteine and Low Plasma Vitamin B12 May Increase the Risk of Osteoporosis in Postmenopausal Women
-Maternal DHA Supplementation During Lactation May Improve Sustained Attention in Breast-Fed Infants
-Substituting Brown Rice for White Rice May Reduce Risk of Type 2 Diabetes

Spring Cleanse

It has been great starting work again at Sage Clinic after all these years. As the winter season comes to an end, now is the perfect time to think about setting some new health goals. Doing a spring cleanse is a perfect way to getting a kick start. There are many different cleanses out there and as a Naturopath, I feel that it is important to come up with one that is suitable for each individual’s needs. For more information, please call 604-697-0397 to set up an appointment with Marni.

Back To Work!

I am happy to announce that I will be returning to work in early March. I am joining a fabulous clinic in Downtown Vancouver. Sage Clinic is located in the Yaletown district at 487 Davie Street (Davie and Richards). Please contact (604) 697-0397 to schedule an appointment.