Y’all know I am a huge believer in prevention when it comes to changing our approach to health care. A dollar spent on prevention really is worth thousands in treatment. Not only is a prevention approach more financially responsible, but also creates better quality of life and treatment outcomes for patients, as once illness develops it is so much harder to treat (if at all). Trust me, being sick in the hospital is NOT FUN, so let’s be at the forefronts of preventing some of the most common preventable chronic diseases in order to ensure a healthier future for ourselves and our loved ones.
How do we go about doing this? See a well educated doctor annually BEFORE you get sick. Your physician will then have accurate baseline data for comparison in the future. Unfortunately, western medicine practice has not caught up with current research and prevention methods and continue to treat symptoms, not the underlying issues. My suggestion is to see a naturopathic doctor or functional medicine doctor, especially if you are experiencing any of the following: irregular bowel movements, bloating, IBS symptoms, chronic fatigue, issues sleeping, hormone imbalance, irritable moods, food sensitivities, chronic inflammation, or issues with your menstrual cycle. They can also provide information on how to optimize your current heath and give quality advice on supplements. In western medicine, a lot of the “normal” values are based on averages for a certain population and doesn’t necessarily mean it is going to be “normal” for you. This is especially important for women, as the majority of peer-reviewed research that these “normal” values are based on do not include women in their studies. A naturopathic doctor will be able to tailor your treatment specifically for you, as opposed to simply prescribing medication they are obligated to based on the averages, as seen with western practice. Thankfully, the majority of extended medical coverage in Canada now includes a visit to a naturopathic doctor, yahoo!
To help give you a better idea of what a naturopathic doctor is and why their skills are so unique, I have interview my good friend Dr. Jenny Cundari, ND to give you some answers to any questions you might be having about health and wellness. Jenny and I grew up in the same hometown of Kamloops, BC and I absolutely love that we have this special connection to our home roots. Check it out below
Dr. Jenny Cundari is a Naturopathic Physician who loves to help people feel more magic in their lives. Her personal and patient philosophy is grounded in connection and balance. She believes the human body and mind functions optimally when connected to self, to others, and to nature. Her approach extends into a particular passion for women’s health, mental health, and mind-body medicine.
Jenny’s office is located in the heart of Gastown in Vancouver, BC at 55 Water St. You can find her on facebook under Dr. Jenny Cundari, ND or on instagram @drjennycundari
To learn more about Dr. Cundari, visit her website at www.drjennycundari.com
What are the most common reasons people come to see an ND?
I usually see people who are either frustrated with the current medical system and are looking for alternatives, or people who are looking to optimize their health.
The most common health concerns that I see in practice are: exhaustion & burn out, hormonal imbalance, anxiety & depression, insomnia, physical pain and digestive issues.
What are the benefits of seeing an ND vs and MD?
As an ND, we have the ability to spend lots of time with our patients and can really get to know them on all levels (mental/emotional, physical and spiritual), developing a deeper therapeutic relationship.
What are some common treatment methods you use in your clinic?
I do a lot of counselling/coaching, body-work & somatic therapy, herbal medicine and IV therapy.
How do you feel about supplements? Are there a few “must haves” in your daily regimen?
Supplements can be helpful depending on the person and situation. They can also be over-prescribed though. I do think it is important to get a professional opinion when self-prescribing nutraceuticals.
Some “must haves” that I usually swear by for my daily routine are: liquid vitamin D, fish oils, magnesium, a B-complex, medicinal mushroom powder, and a herbal adrenal tincture.
What is a herbal adrenal tincture?
A tincture is a liquid herbal extraction usually using alcohol as the solvent to extract the medicinal components of the plant. A formulation specific for the adrenal glands usually contains herbs that are classified as adaptogens. Adaptogens help you to “adapt” to stress. Adaptogens can have an overall tonifying effect on the body or can provide benefit within specific organ systems such as the digestive system, immune system, reproductive system or nervous system depending on the desired outcome. I love to custom formulate tincture blends with my patients during clinic visits.
@LoLoHealthCo we are super passionate about gut health. What’s your take on the gut microbiome and how important is a health gut for overall health?
In my opinion, gut health is extremely important for overall health. The gut is essentially “the second brain”. It produces majority of the body’s serotonin (feel good chemical) and contains over 100 million neurons. If our gut health is out of balance, this can affect our mental health and vice versa, our mental health can affect our gut health. The gut is also responsible for a large portion of the immune system. Again, if our gut health is out of balance, this can affect how often we are getting sick, how well we can fight off infections and also has an effect on our energy levels. There is a lot of exciting research being done on the microbiome and just how important certain bacteria are in our digestive tract for our overall health. If you are having issues with digestion, this is not something to just ignore.
What’s your opinion on gluten?
Despite growing up Italian, I have Celiac disease, so gluten and I are not very good friends. However, I have watched many patients without Celiac disease struggle with the effects gluten has on their bodies. Gluten tends to be more pro-inflammatory in the body. It has become one of those foods, like dairy, where a lot of people tend to have a sensitivity to it and it creates inflammation when consumed. This could be due to the way that grains are processed, or it could be due to the fact that the integrity of our digestive systems are just not what they used to be like back in the day due to the quality of the foods we eat today and the environment we live in. I have theories, but I cannot say for sure. I just know that some people can tolerate it, but most people I see in practice, cannot.
What do you feel most passionate about in the work you do?
My passion is in helping people reconnect back with themselves, each other and nature. I love connecting deeply with patients and guiding them along the healing process, assisting them in getting back in alignment with what their mind, body and spirit needs to function optimally.
What are the top 3 most important things you feel people can be doing to improve their health?
1.) Eat good quality, fresh, real food & exercise regularly
2.) Practice daily mental hygiene
3.) Do things that light you up and that ignite the passion within on a regular basis
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So glad to hear you are enjoying our content, welcome to our community!