Category: Naturopathy

Why We Love B12 Shots!

Posted on | by The StoneTree Team

Vitamin B12 plays many essential roles in your body. It’s involved in red blood cell formation, DNA synthesis, energy metabolism, and keeping your nervous system running. Without it, your body can’t work properly!

As we age, however, it’s more common to be B12 deficient. Worse still, it’s sneaky! The symptoms of B12 deficiency range widely from cognitive problems to balance issues or weakness. They can happen very quickly or very slowly. That makes it easy to miss and hard to diagnose.

So we love B12. But we also love questions. We’ve been compiling the most common ones we hear from patients–see below.

If you’re wondering if B12 shots are a fit for you, book a 15-minute complimentary “meet-the-doctor” visit with one of the StoneTree Naturopathic Doctors. We can help.:)

-The StoneTree Team

Why do we recommend a B12 shot over supplements? 

  • Faster, and better impact. B12 shots are injected directly into the muscle. Some people don’t absorb nutrients effectively through their gastrointestinal system, so injections allow us to bypass that and get to your bloodstream faster. 
  • Easier treatment. A monthly B12 shot almost always keeps levels where we want them. Some people find it easier to take a monthly shot than to remember to take an oral supplement every day. 

Why do we recommend monthly B12 shots for people over 50? 

  • Decreased Absorption. As people age, their bodies may become less efficient at absorbing vitamin B12 from food due to changes in stomach acid production or gastrointestinal function. This can increase the risk of B12 deficiency.
  • Increased Risk Factors. Older adults may have higher risk factors for B12 deficiency due to gastrointestinal disorders, dietary factors, or certain medications (like proton pump inhibitors or metformin) that can interfere with B12 absorption.
  • Neurological Health. Vitamin B12 plays a crucial role in maintaining neurological health. Deficiency can lead to symptoms such as memory problems, neuropathy, and mood disturbances. Since older adults are already at risk, ensuring adequate B12 levels can be important for maintaining cognitive function.
  • Prevention of Anemia. B12 deficiency can lead to megaloblastic anemia, which can cause fatigue, weakness, and other symptoms. Regular B12 supplementation can help prevent or manage anemia in older adults.
  • Easier Compliance. Monthly B12 shots provide a consistent and convenient way to ensure adequate B12 intake for older adults who may have difficulty maintaining a regular supplement regimen or who have conditions that affect B12 absorption.

Why is a monthly B12 shot good preventively? 

  • Consistent B12 Levels. A monthly B12 shot helps individuals maintain consistent levels of vitamin B12 in their bodies. This consistency helps ensure that they have an adequate supply of B12 to support various bodily functions, including nerve function, red blood cell production, and DNA synthesis.
  • Supporting Overall Health. Vitamin B12 plays a crucial role in numerous physiological processes, including energy metabolism, cognitive function, and nerve health. By maintaining optimal B12 levels preventively, individuals can support their overall health and well-being, potentially reducing the risk of conditions such as cognitive decline, neuropathy, and anemia.
  • Risk Reduction. Certain factors, such as age, medications, gastrointestinal disorders, and dietary habits, can increase the risk of vitamin B12 deficiency. Regular B12 shots can help mitigate this risk by providing a consistent source of the vitamin, regardless of individual factors that may affect absorption or intake.
  • Convenience and Compliance. Monthly B12 shots are a convenient and straightforward way to keep B12 levels where they should be. They are simply much easier for many patients. Easier means more consistent, and more consistent is better!

How do we measure B12? 

Your vitamin B12 levels are typically measured with an inexpensive blood test. The test specifically looks for the amount of B12 in your blood serum. 

But my doctor says my B12 lab values are too high?  

Testing B12 levels shortly after receiving a B12 shot can lead to artificially elevated results, as the injection introduces exogenous B12 into the bloodstream. 

Waiting several weeks after a B12 shot allows time for any injected B12 to be metabolized and cleared from your system, providing a more accurate reflection of your body’s B12 status.

Does the type of B12 shot matter?  

At StoneTree, we use methylcobalamin (methyl B12), a compounded form of B12. Medical offices generally use cyanocobalamine (cyano B12). 

Both are effective in addressing B12 deficiencies, but there are some differences between them:

  • Bioavailability: Methylcobalamin is considered to have higher bioavailability than cyanocobalamin. This means that methyl B12 is more readily absorbed and utilized by the body. Some research suggests that methyl B12 may be better retained in the body and may lead to higher B12 levels in tissues over time compared to cyano B12.
  • Methylation Support: Methylcobalamin is involved in the methylation process, which is essential for numerous biochemical reactions in the body, including DNA synthesis, neurotransmitter production, and detoxification. Some individuals may prefer methyl B12 supplementation, believing that it provides additional support for methylation processes.
  • Detoxification of Cyanide: Cyanocobalamin contains a cyanide molecule, which is naturally occurring and generally considered safe at the low doses found in supplements. However, some individuals may prefer to avoid cyanide exposure altogether. Methylcobalamin does not contain cyanide, making it a preferable option for those patients.

Can I do this type through my doctor?  

Most medical offices use cyano B12, which has more preservatives and lasts longer on a shelf. The methyl B12 we use needs to be compounded by a compounding pharmacy and as a result, has a shorter shelf life.  

Book a 15-minute complimentary “meet-the-doctor” visit with one of the StoneTree Naturopathic Doctors to find out if B12 shots are right for you!

Isn’t it time someone cared about your health like you do?

Learn how StoneTree is different

Will Natural Desiccated Thyroid (NDT) Work for You?

Posted on | by The StoneTree Team

Your thyroid gland is a big deal. It acts on almost every cell in your body. And when it isn’t working properly, you tend to notice.

Just look at the symptoms of low thyroid:

  • Exhaustion, weakness, and fatigue
  • Sensitivity to cold and reduced sweating
  • Shortness of breath when exercising
  • Slight to moderate weight gain
  • Problems with concentration or memory, slow thoughts or speech
  • Hair thinning and falling out
  • Crappy nails
  • Dry skin

No one wants those!

Dealing with an underactive thyroid, however, is complicated by two things:

  1. Testing thyroid function accurately might mean doing thyroid tests your medical doctor hasn’t told you about. 
  2. Conventional thyroid medications don’t work well for everyone. 

Our answer to the first challenge is to test more robustly–you can read about those tests here.

The solution to the second challenge for some people is to use natural desiccated thyroid (NDT).

One of the advantages of this thyroid treatment is that it contains both T3 and T4 hormones, which are naturally produced by the thyroid gland. Conventional thyroid therapy typically only contains T4, so NDT can provide a more balanced hormone profile.

Some studies have suggested that desiccated thyroid treatment may be more effective than synthetic hormones for improving symptoms, particularly in individuals who have difficulty converting T4 to T3.

Note that desiccated thyroid treatment isn’t appropriate for everyone! Proper testing and monitoring by a naturopathic doctor with prescribing authority can determine whether it’s a good choice for you. 

Sources:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34185829/

Isn’t it time someone cared about your health like you do?

Learn how StoneTree is different

Stress, Chronic Inflammation, and Long COVID

Posted on | by The StoneTree Team

A recent study in JAMA Psychiatry suggests that there’s a link between psychological distress—things like depression, anxiety, and loneliness—and long COVID. 

From a naturopathic perspective, there’s a pretty solid argument for why this makes sense (and why long COVID isn’t “all in your head”).

The reasoning looks like this:

  • Depression, anxiety, worry, and loneliness create stress
  • Prolonged stress can cause imbalances in your stress hormones—what we call adrenal dysregulation
  • This imbalance can lead to chronic immune dysregulation
  • This, in turn, can lead to chronic inflammation
  • Chronic inflammation is a risk factor for long COVID

This matters because it changes how we might prevent long-COVID. We can focus on stress, inflammation, and hormones, which is something NDs understand very well.

 Adrenal dysregulation and chronic inflammation are at the root of many symptoms we see in our patients.  It’s no surprise that this could be a root cause of long COVID as well.  

What can you do? Reduce your inflammation in the best ways we know of:

  • Eat right. Plenty of high-quality whole foods, like fiber, protein, fruits, and veggies.  These foods are anti-inflammatory in nature and help balance blood sugar, which is very good for our stress response.   
  • Exercise daily, especially outside in nature. Connection to nature is an instant stress reliever. Couple that with moving the body and the blood, and you have a panacea for the immune system and hormones 
  • Connect to others. Humans are pack animals. We do better when we are meaningfully connected to others.  Grab a green smoothie and go for a walk with a friend, and you’ve got a trifecta of movement, whole food, and connection!
  • Rest. No, for real, rest. Turn off the screens, put down the phone, go to bed early. Almost all of us need more sleep than we get—sleep helps recharge the hormones and resolve inflammation.

Long COVID may be relatively new, but inflammation isn’t. And after 20 years and more than 10,000 patients, we know inflammation! Connect with your ND to find out if your stress hormones and/or inflammatory markers are out of balance—we have tools that work.  

Isn’t it time someone cared about your health like you do?

Learn how StoneTree is different

Feed Your Mind

Posted on | by The StoneTree Team

As naturopathic doctors, we love food. For us, food is medicine. It’s a tool to make your body stronger, more resilient. Food, it turns out, helps you feel better. 

Of course, that’s more true of some foods than others. Whole foods beat highly processed ones. Home cooking beats restaurants. Vegetables beat sugar.

In short, a big part of our philosophy is that if you feed your body well, it will give you back better health in return.

The same is true of your mind. The things you watch, hear, read, and dwell on are the food of the mind. And as with the food you eat, some mental foods are better than others. When it comes to mental health, books beat newspapers. A great movie beats the news. A positive quote beats a fearful tweet.

Feed your mind properly, and it will give you a happier, healthier mind in return. 

This is a big week for many. It’s back to school after a long absence. It’s a chance to pack healthy lunches for kids, and maybe revisit your own lunch. For many of us, back to school is a New Year of sorts. A new beginning that comes every September.

So while you’re working on feeding the body, why not give a little thought to how you feed your mind? 

What’s one ingredient in your mental diet that you’d be better off without?

(And if all else fails, this video of a baby wolf howling is guaranteed to cleanse your mental palette…)

Isn’t it time someone cared about your health like you do?

Learn how StoneTree is different

Are Your Vitamin D Levels Too Low?

Posted on | by The StoneTree Team | Leave a Comment on Are Your Vitamin D Levels Too Low?

It’s the time of year when we often look to vitamin D levels in our patients, and for good reason–low levels of the “sunshine vitamin” have been linked to a host of conditions, including seasonal affective disorder and osteoporosis.

We wrote about the interesting history and importance of vitamin D before, but new research is showing vitamin D matters for more than just building strong bones and keeping your winter blues away.

Why should you care?

Because you’re Canadian! And as awesome as you are, the dark northern days and indoor lifestyle can mess with your D levels.

According to Stats Canada, only 65% of Canadians have vitamin D levels that are likely sufficient to fulfill the body’s requirements for optimal bone health. Not to mention all that other stuff like infections and depression and thyroid conditions and fatigue and more.

The strategy in conventional medicine to deal with this has been to supplement everyone with vitamin D–the recommendation is 2000 IU/day.  

The challenge is that for some people, that’s enough, for others it isn’t. Taking too much vitamin D for too long is not a good thing either. The best solution is to test your levels so that you know exactly what steps, if any, to take.

The good news is that it’s easy to test your vitamin D levels. Better yet, we have a new Vitamin D shot that can make a big difference to your levels.

To test your vitamin D levels and find the optimal approach for you, just contact us, or book online. 

Isn’t it time someone cared about your health like you do?

Learn how StoneTree is different

The Collaborative Approach to Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Posted on | by The StoneTree Team | Leave a Comment on The Collaborative Approach to Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

IBD, or Inflammatory Bowel Disease, is completely different from its mild-mannered cousin IBS, or Irritable Bowel Syndrome. 

IBD is a disease process, as opposed to a functional issue. The term captures both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, both of which involve a chronic, and often severe, inflammation of the digestive tract.

Symptoms of IBD usually involve severe diarrhea, abdominal pain, fatigue, and weight loss.

Causes of IBD are not fully known, but it is thought to be due to a malfunction of the immune system where the inflammatory response does not shut off. 

There are some common risk factors for IBD, like genetics, family history, smoking, and the use of NSAIDs. Interestingly, if you live in an industrialized country, are Caucasian, and live in more northern climates, you are more likely to develop IBD. It may be that some environmental factors, including diet, lifestyle or even vitamin D deficiency, play a role.

IBD can be debilitating and sometimes leads to life-threatening complications like: 

  • Colon cancer
  • Skin, eye, and joint inflammation
  • Primary sclerosing cholangitis
  • Bowel obstruction
  • Malnutrition
  • Ulcers
  • Fistulas
  • Anal fissure
  • Toxic megacolon
  • Perforated colon
  • Severe dehydration

A Combined Conventional and Complementary Approach

Unlike IBS, where a naturopathic approach alone can often have excellent results, IBD presents a different challenge. Because symptoms can be severe, and lead to serious health problems, it can be important with IBD to use conventional medications to manage symptoms and keep things from getting worse.

The trouble is that conventional medications come with their own issues. Many meds have side-effects that range from sleep issues with corticosteroid use to certain cancers with the more serious immuno-suppressive drugs.  

As a result, CAM use (complementary and alternative medicine) in patients with IBD is high, ranging between 21% and 60%

Sick and Tired of IBD

Even with “controlled disease”, patients with IBD often feel sick and tired because they simply aren’t getting enough nutrients. Why?

  • The intestines are inflamed and/or damaged and are not absorbing nutrients effectively.  
  • Chronic diarrhea and pain cause changes in taste and anxiety about eating, so patients just don’t want to eat
  • Some drugs for the treatment of IBD, like the anti-inflammatories, make it harder to absorb nutrients
  • The intestines are sometimes so inflamed that they are bleeding, resulting in blood loss over time, which can lower iron levels and lead to anemia

What Can You Do?

The multiple nutrient deficiencies in patients with Crohn’s or Ulcerative Colitis is well documented. There is less research on the roll of repletion of these nutrients in the IBD literature, although we have seen anecdotal evidence of increased energy, decreased symptoms and longer remissions in our IBD patients who receive regular IV infusions of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.  

There is also a growing body of evidence for the use of some complementary therapies, including probiotics, curcumin and fish oils. All of these substances help to modulate immune function and decrease inflammation.  

To learn more about naturopathic approaches, including IV therapy, for IBD, contact the clinic at 705-444-5331, or book online.

Isn’t it time someone cared about your health like you do?

Learn how StoneTree is different

SIBO: What Is It and Could You Have It?

Posted on | by The StoneTree Team | Leave a Comment on SIBO: What Is It and Could You Have It?

Tummy troubles are one of the most common complaints that naturopathic doctors deal with. Usually, we have great success–if we can help a patient get to the bottom of food intolerances, rebalance their flora, or deal with stress, then tummy troubles like IBS can become a thing of the past. 

But when our usual magic doesn’t clear things up in 8-12 weeks, we start to think that a patient might be dealing with SIBO.

What is SIBO? 

SIBO is the acronym for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. In this syndrome, bacteria that normally grows in other parts of the gut start growing in the small intestine where they shouldn’t be. The result is symptoms such as pain in the stomach, especially after eating, bloating, cramps, diarrhea, constipation, a regular feeling of fullness, gas and weight loss.

If the SIBO is long-standing, the bacteria can start to use up the body’s nutrients, leading to malnutrition and more global symptoms of fatigue and malaise.  

What causes SIBO? 

In some cases, SIBO it the result of the bowel’s anatomy and physiology not working probably. There could be an adhesion or stricture in the bowel, so the muscular activity of the intestines breaks down and the food and bacteria aren’t moving through properly. The pH of the intestine could be off resulting in the wrong bacteria growing in the wrong place. The immune system can be out of balance causing bacteria to grow where they shouldn’t.  

How do you know you have SIBO?

The wrong bacteria in the small intestine release hydrogen and methane gas. This can be measured by a breath test, where breath samples are taken over a period of time to measure the gasses.

If SIBO is indicated, we then use a three-pronged treatment plan designed to eradicate the bad bacteria, heal the gut lining, and feed the good bacteria!

If you’d like to learn more about SIBO or other digestive challenges, or get more information on SIBO testing, contact us or book a complimentary meet-the-doctor visit online.

Isn’t it time someone cared about your health like you do?

Learn how StoneTree is different

Naturopathic Medicine Month – Week 4: Cancer Care & Connection

Posted on | by The StoneTree Team | Leave a Comment on Naturopathic Medicine Month – Week 4: Cancer Care & Connection

It’s our last week of Naturopathic Medicine Month–we’ve had a great time answering your questions and busting myths!

Just because the month is over doesn’t mean we don’t want to continue to answer your questions. We’re always open to hearing from you. If you have a question or are wondering if Naturopathic Medicine has a solution for you, drop us a line or book a 15-minute complimentary “meet-the-doctor” visit.  

Myth: “Naturopathic doctors undergo little training”

Many people believe that becoming a Naturopathic Doctor requires little to no training, especially compared with conventional Medical Doctors. The belief that you can take an online course, or read a few books and call yourself a Naturopathic Doctor couldn’t be farther from the truth. As one of the 25 regulated health professions in Ontario, Naturopathic Doctors have access to seven “controlled acts”. Only four regulated health professions have more.  

After completing pre-medical sciences in university, Naturopathic  Doctors, attend a four-year, full-time accredited naturopathic medical school. During those four years, they gain a thorough knowledge of biomedical sciences by taking anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pathology, physical clinical diagnosis, and pharmacology courses, as well as learning the naturopathic modalities such as herbal medicine, nutrition, acupuncture, and physical medicine. Students also complete supervised internships, gaining practical experience with patients.  

In Ontario, an ND must then also obtain a license by first passing board exams, both written and practical and acquiring malpractice insurance.  

The College of Naturopaths of Ontario registers eligible naturopathic doctors, and ensures they maintain continuing education requirements and adhere to professional standards of practice.  

FAQ: “Can I see a Medical Doctor AND a Naturopathic Doctor at the same time?”

You bet! 

In fact, research has shown that those patients receiving naturopathic care alongside conventional care do better than those receiving conventional care only.  

For best outcomes, patients want both MDs and NDs on their teams. MDs are experts in how to diagnose and manage disease and pathology. NDs are experts in the healthy function of your body. When a patient has a plan to optimize their health along with managing their disease they can’t help but win. 

Solution: Caring for Patients with Cancer

A cancer diagnosis can be one of the most frightening events in life. Naturopathic Doctors who work with cancer patients help them navigate through this very stressful and confusing time, and empower them to make an overall plan for their health as they engage with their conventional treatment plan.  

With these patients, the focus is on helping to:

  1. Decrease the side-effects of conventional cancer treatments
  2. Improve the nutritional status of patients before, during, and after conventional treatment
  3. Support the patient’s immune system to avoid additional illness
  4. Increase the effectiveness of conventional treatments
  5. Improve overall health in an attempt to prevent the spread or recurrence of cancer
  6. Support the body’s ability to better heal itself

Dr. Ehab Mohammad, ND practiced oncology as a medical doctor for over 20 years before becoming a naturopathic doctor. Here at StoneTree, he works exclusively with patients who have received a cancer diagnosis. By applying the best evidence and understanding how conventional and complementary therapies work together he helps patients come up for the best plan of management.  

Healthy Living Tip: Connection 

Humans are pack animals. We need social connection to thrive, not just air, food, and water.   

Recent studies on loneliness suggest that being lonely for a prolonged period is more harmful to your health than smoking 15 cigarettes per day! Beyond causing heightened rates of depression, anxiety, and irritability, loneliness is now being associated with potentially life-shortening health issues such as higher blood pressure, heart disease, and obesity.

More and more Canadians are now living alone–some 28 percent of households, according to recent numbers by Statistics Canada, which also reports that one in five Canadians identifies as being lonely. 

Living along and being lonely also means eating alone too, and that’s unfortunate–eating together is one of the great secrets of health and wellness. Eating together usually results in eating better food, eating it more slowly, which usually means eating less of it, too!

Eat together!

Isn’t it time someone cared about your health like you do?

Learn how StoneTree is different

Naturopathic Medicine Month Continues! Lab Tests, and Healthy Eating Made Simple

Posted on | by The StoneTree Team | 1 Comment on Naturopathic Medicine Month Continues! Lab Tests, and Healthy Eating Made Simple

Naturopathic Medicine Month – Week #3

Here we are in our third of four weeks spreading the word about Naturopathic Medicine. As with our last two posts, we have a myth, an FAQ, a solution, and a tip!

Myth Buster: “Naturopathic Doctors put everyone on a restrictive diet.”

It’s true that all Naturopathic Doctors believe that food matters when it comes to your health.  

Most modern, chronic disease is strongly linked to poor diet, sedentary lifestyles, and smoking.  The evidence in the medical literature is overwhelming. So, with that in mind, just about every visit you have with an ND is likely to touch on what you eat. 

That can take a number of different forms. It might be dealing with inflammatory foods through food intolerance testing, or simply changing a diet high in “food-like substances” to one high in actual food.  

That doesn’t, however, mean that everyone needs to be gluten-free, or dairy-free, or vegan, or paleo, or keto, or whatever the latest sexy diet plan is.  

Each individual is different, and the diet that works for each person is also different. Getting to the root of that for each person is a cornerstone of naturopathic medicine.  

We have written many blog posts about nutrition that touch on our philosophy–here are a couple from the archives:

FAQ: “Can Naturopathic Doctors order lab tests?”  

Just like MD’s, Naturopathic Doctors can and do order labs tests.  There are, however, a couple of key differences: 

  • OHIP does NOT cover lab tests ordered by ND’s. The upside is that patients pay for their own labs, they get to have more control of their testing which keeps them in the driver’s seat for their health.    
  • ND’s look at labs differently. Although ND’s are trained to recognize abnormal labs, we are most interested in determining if there is a functional problem or pre-disease marker in lab results. Diabetes, for example, shows up as PRE-diabetes long before diabetes shows up. Staying on top of labs and dealing with problems ahead of time is true preventative medicine. 

Solution: Hormones!

Imbalances in hormones might be the single biggest root cause of the symptoms that bring patients to StoneTree Clinic. 

Symptoms like: 

  • persistent weight gain 
  • fatigue 
  • mood issues 
  • poor sleep 
  • brain fog
  • headaches 
  • menstrual issues 
  • PMS
  • Menopausal symptoms.  

The root cause of hormone imbalances are different for every patient, and we use specialized testing to figure out what the imbalance is.  We then use our awesome toolbox of herbal medicines, nutritional supplements, and diet and lifestyle changes to get things back where they belong. 

Tip: Healthy Eating Made Simple

This hilarious video really captures the confusion that most people feel about what they eat:

  • Eggs are good for you, then they are bad for you, then they are good for you again. 
  • Fats are bad, now they are good. 
  • Carbs are good for you, then they are not. 
  • You should eat meat, not eat meat, avoid gluten, eat more fiber….

It’s hard to keep it straight!

The best advice we can give holds true no matter what the new fad diet is:

Eat foods that nature makes, mostly plants, not too much. 
(Thanks, Michael Pollan)

It really is that simple.  

Isn’t it time someone cared about your health like you do?

Learn how StoneTree is different

Nat Med Month 2: Low Energy and Being Tortoise Healthy

Posted on | by The StoneTree Team | Leave a Comment on Nat Med Month 2: Low Energy and Being Tortoise Healthy

Our celebration of naturopathic medicine continues with another myth, a question, and a tip!

Myth: “Naturopathic Doctors are anti-medicine.”

Naturopathic Doctors work with patients to rebalance their bodies toward health and healing.  That rebalancing, which often includes a healthy diet and lifestyle, can reduce the need for some medications–and that’s a good thing!

However, there are MANY instances when conventional medications are needed. Naturopathic doctors are trained to recognize those situations and refer patients back to their family doctors to access those important treatments–it happens here all the time!

Best results don’t come from “one-or-the-other” thinking. Best results come when a patient feels in control and empowered to access the health care they need most.   

FAQ: “Is Naturopathic Medicine covered by OHIP?”  

Naturopathic Medicine is not covered by OHIP, and with all the changes that are being proposed, it’s unlikely to ever be included in our publicly-funded system.  

Naturopathic Medicine is, however, covered by most extended health benefit packages, and through the years this coverage has continued to expand.   

At StoneTree we do our best to direct bill insurance companies to make access to care even easier!

Solution: Getting To the Root Cause of Low energy 

Unexplained fatigue is the single most common reason people walk through our door.

Often, a patient has gone to their MD complaining of tiredness, but their blood work comes up “within normal limits”. It’s a frustrating thing to hear when you’re experiencing a symptom that’s interfering with your life.   

What “within normal limits” really means is that there is no diagnosable reason for the fatigue; it does NOT mean your biochemistry is functioning optimally and that there’s nothing wrong.  

One common cause of unexplained fatigue is functional hypothyroidism, but there are many more. Sub-clinical nutrient deficiencies, food intolerances and leaky gut, toxic exposures or chronic infections can all be culprits. Book a free “meet-the-doctor” visit to learn how we can help.

Healthy Living Tip: Be Tortoise Healthy

It’s all about the tortoise, not the hare….

In our “microwave culture” of wanting things instantly, we are often looking for that magic pill or the easy way out. But chronic health problems are frequently the result of an accumulation of small actions over time, and regaining good health is no different.

If you want lasting health, you need to focus on being the tortoise, not the hare!

  • The hare diets. The turtle slowly shifts to eating habits that can last a lifetime.
  • The hare is a weekend warrior. The turtle is active every day in some way.
  • The hare binge sleeps on the weekend. The turtle builds good sleep habits.
  • The hare makes time for others on rare holidays. The turtle tries to connect every day.

Be a tortoise this week!

Want to learn more about how naturopathic medicine can help? Book a 15-minute complimentary “meet-the-doctor” visit here.

Isn’t it time someone cared about your health like you do?

Learn how StoneTree is different