8 ways a naturopath can improve your health

The final week of January is almost behind us, which means that, statistically, many New Years resolutions have already been ditched. Studies show that, after just one month, less than a quarter of people stay committed to their resolutions, and only eight percent accomplish them.

Perhaps setting resolutions simply does not work. Some experts say that a better approach is to set goals – goals that are specific, measurable, and realistic. But goals are not meaningful unless they include a purpose and reflect priorities. For example, a goal to “spend more time with family” has more meaning when it is rephrased as “spend more time with family to foster good family values, a sense of trust, and a strong bond.”

If prioritizing your health is a goal for 2020 but you are unsure of where to start, then working with a naturopathic doctor such as myself may be the right approach to reset your health.

Below are eight ways that a naturopath can help you achieve your health goals, address your health concerns, and get you back on track:

Preventive medicine.

Naturopathic doctors focus on optimizing health in order to prevent chronic disease. Specifically, I work with my patients to foster good dietary, sleep, and exercise habits, and implement stress-management strategies into their daily lives. Many studies conclude that reducing modifiable dietary and lifestyle risk factors could prevent most cases of coronary artery disease, stroke, diabetes, and other chronic health conditions among high-income populations.[1] However, preventing disease often requires changes in behaviours related to, for example, smoking, physical activity, and diet – and this is exactly the scope in which naturopathic doctors have extensive training and knowledge.

Accountability.

Appointments keep patients accountable to their health, goals, and treatment plan. Commitment and consistency are powerful motivators that lead to long-term success and ultimately positive health outcomes.

Customization.

Every treatment plan is individualized and customized for my patients. For example, some patients prefer to implement only a few changes at a time, whereas others wish to tackle many. I work with each patient’s individual needs and goals to determine the best treatment plan and course of action.

Targeted treatment.

There is a lot of misinformation online about supplements and nutrition. Indeed, many supplements are adulterated, contain fillers and binders, or use too low a dose. When I recommend supplements, I ensure they are professional-grade that have been third party tested for purity and potency. I use evidence-based, targeted nutraceutical supplementation to achieve a specific health outcome. For example, if a patient has elevated triglycerides (cholesterol), I may recommend an omega-3 fish oil at 2 grams twice a day for at least three months to reflect the research (click here to read the full blog article on Omega 3 fatty acids).

Champion success.

I regularly write letters to my patients’ family doctors or specialists that update them on patient treatment plans. It is my duty to champion success for my patients, not only in regard to improving their health but also to their circle of health care practitioners.

Testing.

Naturopaths in Ontario can requisition blood tests and several other tests, such as urine, saliva, and breath tests. Testing is of utmost importance because it provides objective data and may help identify the root cause of the health concern. In fact, it is estimated that naturopathic doctors can save the Ontario government $20 million per year by directly ordering laboratory tests and avoiding unnecessary visits to physician offices.[2]

Holistic.

Holism is the idea that all systems should be viewed as a whole, not merely a collection of their parts. As the body is inter-connected in many ways, identifying the root cause of the problem may have impacts on other systems that are seemingly unrelated.

Manual therapy.

Manual therapies, such as acupuncture, are often incorporated into treatment plans. Whether for relaxation or other reasons, acupuncture and manual therapies can be helpful for patients who have musculoskeletal complaints.

As the old adage goes, past behaviour is a great predictor of future behaviour. Will it be one day, or day one? You decide when you want to regain control of your health.

- Dr. Dominique Vanier is a registered naturopath in Burlington with a clinical focus on digestion and women’s hormones. Naturopath Burlington. This article is for information purposes only. It is not intended to treat or diagnose any health conditions.

References:

[1] Willett WC, Koplan JP, Nugent R, et al. Prevention of Chronic Disease by Means of Diet and Lifestyle Changes. In: Jamison DT, Breman JG, Measham AR, et al., editors. Disease Control Priorities in Developing Countries. 2nd edition. Washington (DC): The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank; 2006. Chapter 44. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK11795/ Co-published by Oxford University Press, New York.

[2] The Pulse. Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors (OAND). January 2020 edition. Economic analysis commissioned by the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine.