Radio Naturopath

This week, I had an epidural pain injection, so I talked about the experience. Overall: thumbs up! The worse thing for me, as usual, was the pre-procedure anxiety. Otherwise it went very well! Then, I talked about a hot topic: FOOD NOISE. It's a recently coined term and it isn't even in the Oxford Dictionary yet! The first time I heard it, I knew EXACTLY what it meant. The term is popular because those GLP-1 drugs calm it down. Can you calm it without GLP-1s? Yes, but it's not easy. It's a very interesting social term, borne of a society with marked food abundance and the very natural response of wanting to eat when food is available. I finished today talking about supplements that can be helpful after surgical procedures, in honor of Ron. Support the show

This week, we got into modern natural dental care, and why we tend to get more cavities as we age. Some people have none, some a few here and there, and some lose most of their teeth! So we talk about fluoride vs. hydroxyapatite, microbiome and probiotics, and should you do an oral rinse?Ron just had a hernia repair, so we talked about foods that can help hasten recovery. Hint: protein, protein, protein!Support the show

This week, we talked about Ron's unfortunate situation with a bowel blockage, what causes it and how to manage it. When it's very acute, it involves an overnight stay in the hospital. To prevent it, it involves some diet alteration. I also offered some turmeric, which is a great anti-inflammatory. We hope it doesn't happen again!I talked about the health benefits of two great antioxidants, astaxanthin and resveratrol. Great for cardiovascular, genetic, eye health, and more! I then started into foods that can help to keep cholesterol low. Support the show

This week, I talked about foods that can interfere with fat loss. Hazelnuts and kiwi fruit, right??? Shocking stuff. Ultra processed foods, sugar, refined carbohydrates, juice and sweetened drinks, non-organic animal products. We also talked about how early menopause can increase a woman's risk of cardiovascular disease. Less hormones means less resilient blood vessels, more need for repair, and more likelihood of blockage!Support the show

This week, we talked about iron deficiency anemia, because Ron has it! We think it's from the baby aspirin he took for four years as directed by his cardiologist. He stopped, and he's now taking iron. We hope he'll get his energy  back soon! I also gave an update on the surgery I don't need for my back, and I what I AM doing. Ice, ice, baby! We finished with the health reasons it's important to sleep in complete darkness, and how you can do it. Support the show

This week, I talked about local herbs and how they can help, like autumn olive, goldenrod, and chicory. I continued the series on better sleep, with a good mention of yoga nidra, a guided meditation that can really help with good sleep and energy! We also focused on the best temperature for sleep. Support the show

This week, the MRI showed that I have post-surgical epidural fibrosis over my L4 left thecal sac and left L4 nerve root! That is the likely cause of my continuing femoral nerve pain. I will see the neurosurgeon this week to find out next steps. Meanwhile, I've gotten going on a number of natural remedies to help. I went to the CNPA Conference and got smarter! There were all sorts of things to learn. We talked about the circadian cycle, hormones, sleep, and weight management. Yoga Nidra increases alpha and theta brain waves and helps with sleep. Cell salts can be used to help anything, so simple and powerful! We had a great talk about MCAS, mast cell activation, too. Support the show

This week, I talked about monounsaturated fats (MUFAs) and what they can do for you. All good stuff, mostly related to cardiovascular health! Then I talked about two of the best nuts to get MUFAs, macadamia and pistachios. They're good for you in so many ways! Then I talked about sleep: why you don't sleep as well when you age, and then started on many ways to sleep better. Good sleep is key to health!Support the show

This week, I talked about how an electrostim device may be helpful for back pain, nerve pain, and spinal stenosis pain. Just attach electrodes and get an auto-massage! Then, CREATINE, it's all the rage, and probably can be helpful for you too! The Mediterranean diet is studied to be protective against stroke risk in women. And, what's up with that Dubai chocolate craze, and where did all the pistachios go??? We started a series on SLEEP, as in why you should go to bed earlier. Support the show

This week, I talked about what it's like to get a tooth extraction! No straws, no hot/spicy, no crunchy! Then I talked about LOWER respiratory illnesses, since I talked about UPPER ones last week. Coughs and mucus, supplements and herbs to take, teas to drink, and lots of hydrotherapy! We finished with how to prevent and treat GI bugs naturally. Hint: wash EVERYTHING, a lot!Support the show

This week, I did a review of natural care for colds and flus, since people are gang-housed indoors and spreading the viruses! Neti-pots, nasal sprays, teas, herbs, vitamins, rest, diet, all the things! Your natural primer for your winter immune system.Support the show

This week, I talked about what it was like to get laser iridotomy surgery! As with most things, it wasn't that bad. Still using drops for a few more days and will have the next one later in the month. I then talked about lots of ways to celebrate Valentine's Day when you're single, with the NEXT topic, great ideas for self care! Then I went on to why chocolate is good for you, which bears repeating this time of year. Support the show

This week, I gave the update on my femoral nerve (may be over-exercising) and my narrow angles (going to have the iridotomies!) We talked about narrow angles and how they are treated. Looks like they're more conservative in the UK and China; in the US, you get those iridotomies! We talked about natural ways to keep that intraocular pressure low, including herbs, and things to avoid if you have narrow angles. Then we finished up with the last of those easy New Year's resolutions!Support the show

This week, I talked about getting a PRP (platelet rich plasma) injection in my right knee to treat osteoarthritis. It was a fairly easy experience! I have minor swelling, and Dr. Zach said expect it to improve slowly over a couple of weeks. I also got diagnosed with NARROW ANGLES in my eyes WITHOUT increased eye pressure, but I need to see an ophthalmologist as soon as possible. I am at risk for acute angle closure glaucoma, which is vision-threatening. However, I think because I have normal pressure I'm at less risk. I'd be happier if I were seeing the ophthalmologist TOMORROW.   Then I discussed the new upside food pyramid from the USDA. I am mostly in favor of it! It encourages people to cut way back on processed food, starches and sugars, and to consume more protein and produce, things I have been encouraging my patients to do for years. Nutritionists complain that it encourages more red meat, but that advice is more nuanced and I discuss that. Support the show

This week, I talked about lingering nerve issues for both myself and Ron since our respective surgeries. I have discovered that compression is helpful, specifically compression wear! I have most of my discomfort in my lateral left thigh, and when I wear a sleeve in that area, it significantly calms the discomfort, at least while I'm wearing it. Ron finds leg/foot sleeves helpful for his foot neuropathy. It at least feels better for a while! I also talked about, you guessed it, New Year's Resolutions. They mostly have to do with being kind to yourself, especially around food. More of that next week! Support the show

This week, I gave the wrapup for popular health news and topics in 2025. People were interested in longevity and healthy aging; those notorious GLP-1 and GIP drugs for weight loss; the best vitamins, minerals, and supplements for health. Big stories dealt with when the body starts aging rapidly; protein powders and lead levels; measles outbreaks and vitamin A. We finished with a discuss of a study that shows that most people in the world don't get enough essential fatty acids, and ways to do that. Support the show

This week, I talked about this cold that's going around, that prevented me from making a new show last week! It makes you tired, the mucus goes backwards and gives you a sore throat, and the thing sticks around for 2-4 weeks. Good times! Here's all sorts of natural ways to address it. I also talked about how higher levels of serum Vitamin D can be protective against repeat heart attacks and strokes, and what blood levels are ideal. Support the show

This week, it was a hodgepodge of good stuff! First, we talked about Japanese fitness walking, or interval walking training (IWT). Gentler than high intensity interval training, and so many health benefits! Then we discussed how longer, sustained walks positively affect health. And the five essential Japanese morning exercises! We touched on red light therapy for healing, then went on to how dehydration increases anxiety. Who knew? And sleep: get better sleep to prevent dementia, and power naps for better focus, cognition, and productivity. Support the show

This week, I talked about the removal of the black box warning on hormone replacement therapy. Evidence shows that supplemental hormones overall provide more benefit than harm, for cardiovascular, sexual, and mental health. There is still a general warning about the risk of endometrial cancer. But it will be left to pharmaceutical companies to provide information, such as on package inserts, about possible risks of taking these medicines. The idea is that the risks that were stated after the Women's Health Initiative Study were overblown, and millions of women since then have been denied information and opportunity to benefit from supplemental hormones during menopause. However, herbalist Susun Weed doesn't agree with this, and believes it's not necessary to use exogenous hormones during menopause. There are definitely many non-hormonal, helpful lifestyle changes to make that can mitigate menopausal symptoms. Where do I fall? Somewhere in the middle. I have definitely seen patients' lives change for the better while using supplemental hormones. I have also seen patients do very well with non-hormonal menopause therapies. Let's sort this out!Support the show

This week, I talked about PRP, and how it's a solution for joint pain that can make it so that you can hold off having a joint replaced, if it works. I'm definitely interested, so I'll return to my orthopedic doctor and see what he thinks. Then I gave a big reminder about winter hydration, since people tend to suddenly hydrate less with the sharp turn from early October shorts weather to mid-November fleece and woolies! Then, in keeping with day-before-Thankgiving show tradition, we talked about yummy, healthy things to eat on Thanksgiving. Support the show

This week, I talked about a number of timely subjects! We started with why bioflavonoids are good for you. It's the antioxidants! We talked about the specific, precious herb saffron, which is turns out is good for mood, PMS, cardiovascular disease, and much more! Then we finished off menorrhagia, heavy menstrual bleeding, which affects so many women from early to late child-bearing age. We ended with something sweet: the health benefits of honey! You can even have some if you have Type 2 diabetes!Support the show

This week, I talked about the pros and cons of fasted vs. fueled exercise. They both have their pros and cons, but if you want to perform, you gotta eat. Especially women. Studies on fasted exercise were mostly done on men! Here's some ideas of what to eat, or how and when to NOT eat.I also talked about a popular natural medicine topic, senolytics. Stuff that slows aging! Mostly they're bioflavonoids and antioxidants, and they help prevent cellular damage and help with the excretion of built-up, used cells. We talk about some senolytics foods and supplements too!Support the show

This week, I talked about remembering the 5th of November, all about Guy Fawkes Day! Bonfires, burning Guy Fawkes in effigy, and a reason to get together and get warm around a celebratory fire when it's cold and dark outside!I then talked about the main topic, heavy menstrual bleeding, which is alarmingly common. There's lots of natural help that can be tried before resorting to pharmaceuticals and surgery. Natural medicine can be a great help for this common and difficult condition!Support the show

This week, of course we had to discuss healthier versions of Halloween candy, and also how to preserve the health of your teeth when indulging in sweets. Hint: drink water, brush your teeth and preserve your enamel! I didn't know what sugar skulls were made of, but traditionally, they're made of sugar! Surprise! You can also get edible ones. I talked about the tradition of the sugar skull and generally about Day of the Dead and Halloween. We got started with how menorrhagia, excessive menstrual bleeding, is treated conventionally, and next week we'll move on to naturopathic treatments.Support the show

This week, we talked about the big news about how there could be too much lead in your protein powder, because Consumer Reports put out the results of their studies on brand names. My ultimate thought is it's still possible to use these powders safely if you generally eat a healthy diet and don't overdo the powders. Also, some types of powders have less lead than others. It's right here!We then discussed more health benefits of monounsaturated fats, and whether seed oils are good for you. For seed oils, the problem is they degrade more easily, get oxidative damage when heated, and then incorporate into your cell membranes making them less functional. Avocados!Support the show

This week, I talked about HUSK CHERRIES, also known as golden berries, which are grown in tropical areas, and also Mansfield. We have been scarfing them at our house! Turns out, they have a lot of great health benefits. I also talked about alternative therapies and breast cancer, since this is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Should you take supplements? MAYBE. I finished by starting to discuss MUFAs, monounsaturated fatty acids and why they're good for you. Fancy some olive oil?Support the show

This week, I updated about my postsurgical progress. Then we talked some more about whether acetaminophen can actually cause autism. Hint: probably not, and there's some interesting points, such as the condition that caused the pregnant person to choose acetaminophen can be suspect for leading to developmental issues. That would be correlation, not causation. Many issues to discuss! We then went on to a tried and true topic, why omega 3 fats and fish oil is good for you. It does so many great things! Skin, brain, bones, inflammation, pain. Support the show

Well, RFK Jr. and President Trump are trying to make sure that pregnant folks don't take acetaminophen while they're pregnant. Is that necessary? My feeling is that it's probably OK if not done in excess. Is it a CAUSE of autism? Of course not! Autism has a lot of genetic components. It's possible that the increase in oxidation of the metabolites by glutathione can flip on some genes, but it would NOT be a primary cause. Autism has so many factors, genes involved, and presentations, and it requires treating each person as you see them for whatever specifics are going on with them. Support the show

This week, I talked about the controversy of whole vs. skim milk, the pros and cons of each, which there are a few. Is the fat good for you or not? It depends on who you ask, but mostly whole milk is OK! I also discuss the problems of consuming dairy from non-humans at all. Some people, based on their specific health issues, really shouldn't be having dairy at all! Then I compared a few of the non-dairy milk substitutes for health and general benefits. Hint: they're really not high in protein, and rice milk is WAY too high in carbs!Support the show

This week, we talked about a few supplements to stop before surgery. Then we moved on to Ehlers-Danlos syndromes, a group of conditions that involve faulty ability to produce collagen in various parts of the body. Most commonly, people with EDS have hypermobile joints, but may also have dysfunction in the skin, heart, and blood vessels. Each person presents differently, so as always in naturopathic medicine, we treat the whole person!We moved on to plantar fasciitis (ouch), a painful condition of dysfunction of the covering of the sole of the foot. We discussed stretching, massage, acupuncture, and ways to soothe pain and get that circulation back into the soles of the feet. Support the show

This week, I talked about my upcoming surgery, and why you have to stop your nutritional supplements beforehand. It has to do with whether the supplement causes blood thinning, as they're concerned that you won't heal as well. So, I have to go through my myriad supplements and decide which ones are anti-platelet aggregators, meaning they make those blood clotting cells less sticky!Then, I did a review of Hashimoto's thyroiditis, the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the USA. We talked about diagnosis and treatment, both conventional and natural. We finished with an interesting study: it was found that a simple gait change could help people with pain from osteoarthritis in their knees! Since I have that, I'm going to try it!Support the show

This week, I talked about my experience getting that dreaded mammogram callback! Thank goodness the spot they viewed is likely benign. It's important to get those screenings so that you can treat anything early.We went on to finish out why eating Mediterranean style is so good for you. Fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds, legumes, clean protein, whole foods in general. Surprise!Forest bathing is good for the soul and honeydew melon is good for your body. We talk about why!I uploaded the show to File Station and created a blogpost at whus.org. Support the show

This week, I talked with Ron about our advancing health situations. I'm likely going to have a laminectomy (short procedure spinal repair) for my spinal stenosis. Ron is healing more and more every day, still getting sore but managing it, riding the bike mostly indoors! I also talked about how women get mammograms, have a finding that needs another look, and have the follow-up several weeks into the future while they wait and worry, and how that's of questionable ethics, especially when often the result is normal. Of course, it's necessary to investigate findings that could not be definitively noted on first look, but I think every effort should be made to not have the woman wait for further diagnosis an inordinate amount of time. We also talked about some fun stuff: a few more stress reduction items including deep breathing, why watermelon is good for you, why nightshades are probably ALSO good for you, and why the Mediterranean diet is good for you. Eat those plant foods, healthy fats, and protein!Support the show

This week, I talked specifically about how to lower triglycerides, since I have a number of patients who struggle with that. It's the boring stuff: eating fiber, high quality fatty acids, reducing carbs, and getting regular cardio exercise. There's not a lot of supplements that work better than lifestyle stuff for this, and the drugs have side effects. So eat healthy and get healthy and they'll go down!I also talked about specific ways to lower stress. Everything from self care, taking yoga, and, you guessed it, eating a healthy diet! By the way, eating a healthy diet is actually more important than whatever you actually wind up weighing. Support the show

This week, I talked about how ultraprocessed foods really aren't good for you, and ow and why. Surprise. A:so, why whole, unprocessed foods ARE good for you. Your health will be a lot better if you eat less chemicals, more produce, fiber, clean protein, legumes, nuts and seeds! I also have a bit about some life habits that can keep you healthier. I started talking about blood triglycerides, why it's important to keep them low, and how to do that. Support the show

This week, I talked about yummy taro root, which can be used like a potato in soups and salads, or as a powder for part of your favorite latte. It has resistant starch and fiber which are great for gut health! I also talked about electrolyte drinks and their pros and cons. Mostly, I think drinking some is a good idea! I also talked about the bumper crop of ticks and how to make some natural insect repellent. Support the show

This week, I talked about the heatlh benefits of ube, the purple yam, and how it's NOT taro. They're similar, but ube is ALWAYS purple and taro is not. We'll discuss taro next week! Then we talked about the benefits of carbohydrates and protein for peri- and post-menopausal athletes, taking from Selene Yeager and Stacy Sims, two terrific researchers. We started with supplements for fat loss. Hint: it's the LEAST important thing to do. This week, we discussed conjugated linoleic acid, CLA. Support the show

This week, I talked about my experience with having a lumbar spinal cortisone shot at UConn. Spoiler alert: it was a great experience! Just waiting for it to take full effect, but I already have a lot less overall nerve pain. It's exciting! Maybe I'll be back on the bike next weekend!  I talked about the health benefits of acetyl-l-carnitine, an amino acid that can help with nerve pain and function. I'm taking it for my nerve pain, and I'll see if it helps! I started to discuss peri- and postmenopausal women and nutrition. Low energy availability and relative energy deficit are totally a thing, and women tend to arrive their because they undereat due to a fear of gaining weight! We get some expert opinions on why older women, especially athletes, should eat more. Support the show

This week I talked about my spinal stenosis, how I'm managing, what the MRI said, and how it'll be treated. Let's hope for the best! I also talked about the loneliness epidemic, how and who it's affecting, and how to help. We finished with natural progesterone and other things to help with menopause symptoms. Support the show

This week, we talked about two essential amino acids that are harder to obtain in a vegan diet, but not impossible: leucine and lysine. They can be found in beans, nuts, seeds, and pseudograins like quinoa and amaranth. They're both important for building muscle and collagen. Lysine is also important for immune function. We also got started on whether it's really necessary to take estrogen as part of a natural hormone replacement protocol. Hint: maybe not! We continue to make estrogen into our menopausal years, even if you can't see it in  blood work. It's in the organs!Support the show

This week we talked about WHY we're all seeing those massive clouds of yellow blowing off trees. There is more pollen! Blame climate change, warmer temperatures, longer warm season, more light. Did you know that the wind blowing pollen is much less efficient for pollinating trees and plants then animal pollinators? Pollen in the air is much less likely to land on the specific plant for which it's intended. However, a bee or dragonfly or butterfly will hop from flower to flower, carrying pollen to other flowers within a species. SAVE THE POLLINATORS! We also talked about how people on a vegan diet may not be getting enough protein, and how they can improve that. Support the show

This week we talked about how THE OTHER SHOE DROPPED for me. I am having a femoral neuralgia/spondylolisthesis flare! If you have nerve pain in your back and leg, like sciatica or femoral neuralgia, you'll want to hear what I'm doing. Supplements, pharmaceuticals, chiropractic, acupuncture, even a visit to the spinal surgeon! Plus how weight training can delay or halt cognitive decline, even Alzheimer's.Support the show

This week, I talked about how you see this studies about how eating 2 cups of mango or 1 cup of blueberries or 1/2 cup pistachios EVERY DAY can affect this, that, or the other health parameter. I calmed the fire by letting you know that if the study says this, it might be a good idea to incorporate this food into your diet, but you don't have to worry about eating specific portions every day! But it's nice to know that certain foods have been studied to have specific health benefits. Then I went into how it's not really healthy for peri- and post-menopausal women to eat a low carbohydrate and/or ketogenic diet. It can result in short term weight gain, but lowering carbs too much leads to increased stress, increased cortisol, increased weight gain, and increased symptoms! This doesn't mean eat donuts and candy bars. It DOES mean eat healthy carbs, like root vegetables, quinoa, whole grains, and fruits and vegetables. We also touch on some info about hormone replacement. Hint: estrogen is not ideal!Support the show

This week, I was back on with Ron after a while so got to catch up with him on the air. He is VERY proud of his son who just got married in Chicago to a lovely woman! We talked about the joy of the wedding. Then he updated us on his cervical spinal stenosis diagnosis, and the likelihood that he will have surgery. He'll find out just what that entails before the next show! Then some fun topics, like a great recipe for chia pudding, and how to make your morning coffee creamer healthier. We finished with the reduced calorie Mediterranean diet, a largely plant based diet (not vegetarian) that promotes both fat loss and healthy bone density!Support the show

This week I discussed how sucralose, the artificial sweetener, has been studied to INCREASE hunger even though it is basically non-caloric. It fools the brain into thinking it's going to get calories so sets up hormones to receive food. Better to use other alternative sweeteners, or small amounts of sugar! We then discussed how poor sleep can increase risk of dementia and Alzheimer's, and made suggestions on how to fix this. We finished with the Galveston diet, a lower carbohydrate diet that incorporates intermittent fasting for women in peri- and post-menopause. Support the show

This week, I talked a little about how important it is to drink water, especially with electrolytes if you're feeling even a  LITTLE off. Of course, if that doesn't work, and you can't figure out what's going on, it's time to access medical professionals! But electrolytes should be as natural as possible, and no artificial sweeteners like sucralose or acesulfame-K. We also talked about how secretary RFK Jr. is advising to remove fluoride from water supplies, and the state of Utah has done it. Pros and cons! Then we talked about sugar, nutrition and its effects on ADHD. Support the show

This week, we talked about ADHD and food dyes, since RFK Jr. has been pressing for getting them generally banned. There are bills on the floor of a number of states, including West Virginia, Oklahoma, and New York. Interestingly, the studies aren't definitive about whether food dyes aggravate ADHD or worsen behavior, but that may be because of biochemical individuality or the ethics of study design. What do I think? They're not good for you! Eating whole, unprocessed, chemical free foods is common sense!Support the show

This week, we reviewed healing from a cold, and then went on to more information about how menopausal weight gain happens. It's possible to mitigate it but it's not the most important thing. The most important thing is that YOU FEEL GOOD, get your rest, do things that make you happy, and not worry so much about the numbers on the scale! The best diet is going to be one that suits you, that includes a lot of whole foods like veggies and fruits, nuts and seeds, legumes, whole grains, and clean animal protein; adjust these to your tolerances and preferences. We'll get to some more specific information in the coming weeks!Support the show

The past week I had the DREADED COMMON COLD, along with sinking into misery, lots of symptoms, wondering if I'd ever be well again, then after three days of that, feeling much better! The key is rest, rest, rest. We talk about good things like water, neti pots, things to break up mucus, spicy food, and more. Then we start on menopause and weight loss (and why you shouldn't make yourself crazy). There's a lot to unpack so we'll have more for you!Support the show

This week, we wrapped up osteoarthritis for a while, doing a deeper dive into green-lipped mussel extract. We also worked through a number of knee-strengthening exercises, great if you have osteoarthritis there and are trying to avoid surgery. Acupuncture can certainly be helpful! We also started in on some more weight loss issues, since there is a newer way of evaluating obesity. Support the show