541-323-3833Ask the Doctor: Five Ways to Make Water Taste Good
Q: I know I need to drink more water, but it just doesn’t taste good. What are some creative and healthy options? A: Check out this great advice from naturopathic physicians Dr Lyndsey Wareham and Dr Nicholas Anhorn. They’ve got delicious, fresh ideas on how to make water taste good. Yum! A big welcome to Dr. Wareham and Dr Nicholas Anhorn from Moncton Naturopathic Medical Clinic in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada. Thank you for sharing these delicious recipes.
Read MoreAsk the Doctor: Endocrine Disruptors in Personal Care Products
Q: I’ve been reading about endocrine disruptors in personal care products. Can you explain these and suggest safer alternatives? — Danika in San Diego, CA A: Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that imitate or alter the function of normal body hormones. For example, they may mimic estrogen, interfere with thyroid hormone, or bind up testosterone. Estrogen mimics may increase the risk of hormone sensitive cancers such as breast, ovarian, and prostate cancer. Thyroid disruptors increase the risk of hypothyroidism. In hypothyroidism, elevated TSH acts as a growth signal for thyroid...
Read MoreNew Breath Test for Stomach Cancer
Scientists in Britain announced today that a simple outpatient breath test identified stomach cancer with greater than 90% accuracy. The researchers completed a phase I trial of 130 patients with stomach complaints. Larger trials will need to confirm the accuracy of the test before it will become available to the public. An accurate test for early detection could save many lives. Currently, most stomach cancers are found at a more advanced stage. Earlier detection would expand treatment options and make treatment more effective. The test uses nanotechnology to detect proteins released by...
Read MoreWhy Are We Talking About Palliative Care? I’m Not Ready For Hospice!
Q: Why is my oncologist talking about palliative care? I thought my cancer treatment was going well, and I’m certainly not ready for hospice. A: Palliative care is care that is focused on improving quality of life and decreasing suffering. Palliative care includes all kinds of oncology care that are focused on taking care of the person with cancer, rather than just the cancer itself. So, palliative care is at the heart of holistic care. The encouraging thing is that people who get early palliative care actually live longer. So, when your oncologist offers palliative care, know that...
Read MoreAspirin Increases Survival in Prostate Cancer
There is a growing body of research regarding anti-cancer benefits of aspirin, particularly for colorectal and prostate cancer. In this Natural Medicine Journal article, naturopathic oncologist Dr Jacob Schor observes that, “Convincing a man who has been diagnosed and treated for high-risk prostate cancer to take aspirin may increase his chance of surviving for 10 years by a factor of nearly 5. For the average man who has had prostate cancer, taking aspirin will reduce his risk of dying from the cancer by 57%.”
Read MoreGreen Tea Decreases Risk of Gastrointestinal Cancers
In a study of 74,000 Chinese women, drinking 2 cups of green tea daily decreased the risk of developing gastrointestinal cancer by 21%. This applied to cancers of the colon, rectum, stomach, and esophagus. Green tea did not decrease the risk of liver or pancreatic cancer. Naturopathic doctor Dr. Kaycie Grigel provides a helpful commentary on the article in the Natural Medicine Journal.
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