The theme for National Naturopathic Medicine Week April 28^th to May 6^th 2007  is “Building Blocks To Better Health”. As I see it there are seven of them:

Preventing and Treating Deficiencies; Healthy Environment; Fresh Air and Sunshine; Rest and Rejuvenation; Social Balance; Work/Play Balance and Spirituality Balance.

1. Preventing and Treating Deficiencies: Due to the state of our food industry it is no longer possible to get all our nutrition from food. For instance the mineral selenium is not found in the soils on Vancouver Island, so food grown here will not contain it. Knowing that certain nutrients will lower the incidence of heart disease and cancer by up to 60% it behoves us to take these nutrients in supplement form on a regular basis. Selenium, B complex, EPA/DHA essential fatty acids, vitamin D and added minerals containing calcium and magnesium are the basics. I think they are so critical they should be in the water supply but this will never be practical or feasible. Naturopathic medicine is about prevention.
2. A Healthy Environment includes the external as well as the internal environment that we live in. The external environment includes making choices not to use chemicals in our household cleaning supplies, nor use toxic pesticides and herbicides on our lawns. It might also mean installing a UV air purification system to help control a very severe asthmatic in the household. Controlling the internal environment of the body includes avoiding recreational as well as prescription drugs, alcohol, food additives and chemicals found in most processed packaged food and trying to eat organically as much as possible. In naturopathic medicine it also means to put the body through a detoxification or “tune up” several times per year for optimal functioning of the elimination organs: the kidneys, liver, bowel, lungs and skin. Naturopathic medicine is about detoxification and the healing power of the body.
3. Fresh Air and Sunshine are the basics of “Nature Cure” established over one hundred years ago in our profession. This implies that getting outside to exercise and oxygenate the body and expose the body to the vitamin D activating rays of the sun are crucial for health. Naturopathic medicine is about connecting with nature.
4. Rest and Rejuvenation are critical for healing. Getting at least 8 hours of restful sleep at night allows the liver to rejuvenate itself and taking holidays and retreats from the every day stressors of cell phones, deadlines and the internet are critical for health. Many of the electronic gadgets available to us now are addicting and not until the service is not available do we realize how addicted we are. Not to mention the harmful radiation exposure the body receives from a lot of these electronic devices! Naturopathic medicine is about doing no harm.
5. Social Balance implies that our friends and families are important components of our health. If they are out of balance, then so is our health. Sometimes this is what needs fixing, not the body! Spend quality time with your friends and family and make appointments if necessary to schedule time with them! Naturopathic medicine is about treating the cause of disease.
6. Work/Play Balance is driven by passion. Are you following yours? If not check out the 2007 version of “What Colour is Your Parachute?” and if you are not playing enough check out “The Artists Way” to rekindle what it is that you love to do! Naturopathic medicine is about balance.
7. Spirituality Balance does not mean that you have to have a religion, but that you are at least listening to your “knowingness”. In the March 2007 issue of the Oprah magazine an article on “Trust Your Gut” speaks to the wisdom of following your gut and according to the book “The Second Brain” really is one of your brains which secretes more serotonin than your cranial brain does! I suggest daily meditations of sitting still and “listening” and/or “chanting” will bring a level of health and balance to the body. A chance to problem solve and according to Deepak Chopra the physiology of chanting out loud slows the aging process. Naturopathic medicine is about listening to the wisdom of the body.

Celebrate naturopathic medicine week with us by addressing these Seven Building Blocks For Better Health. If you need help pop by the office and at least get started with the first one by getting a taste of the Carlson’s cod liver oil, Greens First and the Verry Berry. They will help prevent the common deficiencies that plague most of us. Be well!