Heart disease, diabetes and obesity are an epidemic. Fortunately, these conditions are treatable and curable with Naturopathic dietary and lifestyle modifications.
Everyday people suffering from heart disease and diabetes are told to lose weight. Unfortunately, it’s not always that easy. Genetic factors, environmental toxins, and slowed metabolism can complicate the situation. For example, suppose a patient is diagnosed with high cholesterol. Conventional medicine would prescribe a medication to lower cholesterol (typically a statin) and tell the patient to eat a better. As a naturopathic physician, Dr. Branson takes a deeper dive in to the situation. Is the patient an over producer or an over absorber of cholesterol? What is their diet and how is their digestion? What are their blood sugar levels and has the patient been screened for insulin resistance? The list of questions continues and bit by bit, Dr. Branson learns more about her patient, what is going on in their body as a whole, and not just managing the symptom at hand. Only with a complete patient history, symptom review and full lab panel can effective treatment begin. Chronic diseases like high cholesterol and Type II Diabetes can often be reversed using a holistic approach to overall health and wellness. Patients are educated and empowered to look past what was previously a life sentence of prescription medications and disease complications.
Integrative health care can address:
High CholesterolCholesterol levels have an ideal range, and there are multiple variables that are relevant to cholesterol that can be (but often aren’t) measured. Too much cholesterol can contribute to heart disease but too little cholesterol can also be harmful as cholesterol is the building block for our hormones. Specific diet and lifestyle changes can correct high cholesterol but statin medications are frequently prescribed as first line management for cholesterol issues. Unfortunately, this medication depletes precious antioxidants levels and many patients experience significant side effects from it. Dr. Branson utilizes diet, supplements, and specific nutrients to maintain healthy cholesterol levels and get patients feeling their best.
High Blood PressureHypertension puts undue stress on the heart and the vessels. A healthy cardiovascular system relies on choice minerals to assist in proper function. Supplements like magnesium can relax vessel walls, lessen muscle tension and help to manage high blood pressure. Stress and genetics can predispose someone to high blood pressure but it can be very effectively prevented and treated with diet and lifestyle modifications.
Insulin ResistanceThis is a popular term, but what does it really mean? Knock! Knock! Who’s there? Insulin. The ever-important insulin hormone is the figurative key that allows circulating blood sugar to enter the door of the cell and make energy. Insulin resistance occurs when insulin is blocked from getting into the cell. The body responds to this blockade by secreting more insulin which magnifies the problem. Insulin Resistance is present in pre-diabetics, diabetics, and is associated with hormonal conditions such as PCOS. There is limited screening for insulin resistance and while many patients have heard of insulin and the potential to become resistant to it, they’re unsure how to address it or if it’s a relevant issue for them.
DiabetesIn this country, diabetes has become an epidemic and it doesn’t have to be the life sentence that many people are told it is. In a non-diabetic person a meal is digested and converted to blood sugar (aka glucose) and the increase in blood sugar triggers the pancreas to secrete insulin. Insulin delivers glucose to the cell where the cell converts glucose to energy. When there’s a break in this process, a person can develop diabetes. While diabetes is a disease related to improper blood sugar management, the dysfunction causes a variety of issues: with digestion, cell receptor function, inflammation, cholesterol and many other disease processes. In order to treat this multifactorial condition, each patient requires a comprehensive individualized work-up and treatment plan. The best news about diabetes that no one is talking about is that is responds extremely well to diet and lifestyle changes.