On Feb 14th Health Canada stated that Cold FX did what the company said it does: it strengthens the immune system and treats and prevents the common cold and flu". This is a patented American Ginseng product that naturopathic physicians have known about since the early 90's and I recommend it stating that it works for many but not all. It is not a wonder drug but it can certainly prevent many people from missing work due to a cold or flu and some take a small amount daily for prevention. Prevention being the operative word here.

But then there was a circulation around that same time that warned people about Cold FX and its use by people with cancer. This turned out to be a hoax, as in fact American and Korean ginseng have been linked to reduced incidences of cancer. So is the population confused? You bet they are yet, according to an Ipsos Reid poll in 2004, 71% of Canadians are taking vitamins, herbs or homeopathic remedies to treat or prevent illnesses. So all this bad press is not discouraging them!

The word doctor comes from the latin "docere" to teach, so the role of a naturopathic doctor is to teach and present the information in order that people can make informed choices. The lengthy visits enable this process to start and to continue.

Another thing that is not new to the naturopathic physician are the evils of "trans fats". During my education in the early eighties we were taught that these were carcinogenic and, finally, in 2006 we began to see many labels of packaged foods stating "zero trans fats". What they may fail to say on the label is that now the fat is a GM (genetically modified) one, and that experiment with human physiology continues.

Folic acid deficiency, as the main cause of birth defects, was also taught to us during those years while no one else was taking notice. Now it is mainstream medicine and very easy to obtain 1 mg of folic acid tablets that all women of child bearing years should be taking in order to prevent these devastating defects.

When your naturopathic physician encourages you to find out what your homocysteine levels are and keep them at 5-6 in order to prevent many diseases of aging such as Alzheimer's, osteoporosis, diabetes, schizophrenia, heart disease, please take note because in about 5-10 years the concept will become mainstream and recognized but why wait for the rest of health care to catch up when prevention of disease could have begun 5-10 years previously!

Make your opinions about health care known! Through out BC until this fall the provincial government is asking your opinion about health care in BC and what you would like to see. We are encouraging everyone to go to www.conversationonhealth.ca and let the liberal government know that: 

  1. ND's need to be able to refer to specialists to save MSP money 

  2. ND's need to be able to send you to a local lab in BC for diagnostic services 

  3. ND's need to be able to visit their patients in the hospital if the patient requests it.