Flu Vaccinations: A Detailed Review

The question about whether or not flu vaccinations are beneficial and whether or not there are any natural alternatives is very common, especially at this time of year.

The attached link http://denvernaturopathic.com/flutreatmentreview2011.htm is a detailed review (about 38 pages) composed by Dr. Jacob Schor, ND, FABNO a well known research-based writer and naturopathic physician in the United States.  

For further information on the flu vaccine or to discuss natural alternatives talk to one of our naturopathic doctors at http://www.naturopathicfoundations.ca/

Protect Yourself Against Cold Sores by Dr. Iva Lloyd, ND

This is the time of year that cold sores tend to show up.  Cold sores are due to a herpes virus that is typically dormant, yet under the right circumstances it becomes reactivated with the result being annoying and irritating cold sores. 
The factors that tend to reactivate the herpes virus include:

• decreased immune function which is common with a change in seasons
• increased consumption of alcohol, caffeine, sugar, nuts and chocolate
• decreased consumption of fruits and vegetables, especially those in season.
• lack of water or dehydration
• stressful situations or an increase in stress level

To prevent cold sores it is recommended that you:

• Eat warm food with seasonal vegetables. Choose to have more soups, stews, casseroles and stir frys versus cold salads and sandwiches.
• Avoid high arginine-containing foods (chocolate, peanuts, almonds, other nuts and seeds).
• Eliminate alcohol, caffeine, and sugar.
• Identify and control food allergies and intolerances.
• Ensure adequate water intake.
• Get regular exercise.
• Engage in relaxation exercises.
• Find ways to decrease and manage your stress.

If you tend to suffer from cold sores on a regular basis this is a great time to consider the following supplements:

• L-lysine as the herpes virus tends to be triggered when there is an imbalance in the amino acids arginine and lysine.
• Immune support such as Astragalus, Echinacae or Goldenseal
• Vitamins such as Vitamin C or Vitamin E.
• Lip-balms that contain l-lysine or other natural herbs.

Check out other blogs that may be of benefit:

• Prevention and Management of Colds & Flus

For further information talk to your naturopathic doctor.  

Enjoy the Sun - It Is Good For You!

Spending time outside is necessary for health. From a naturopathic perspective, the "healing power of nature" is viewed as one of our highest ideas. There is a deep belief that nature itself provides a healing wisdom in and of itself. There is a growing body of research that is now proving that time in nature supports healing and is required for optimal health.

The health benefits of being outside are not just about increased exposure to vitamin D, but sunlight and time in nature improve mood, sleep, eyesight, immune status and overall health. Sunlight is also an effective treatment for many skin disorders, in preventing chronic disorders and in decreasing stress. To learn more information http://www.ndhealthfacts.org/index.php?title=Time_Spent_Outside

The fear of sun exposure has been taken too far.  Frequent sunburns at a young age can increase your risk for some skin cancers when you're older. But the lack of sun exposure is linked to an increased risk of many other cancers including colon, prostate, lung and kidney.  Many of these other cancers are more difficult to treat and have a higher mortality rate. It is not about avoiding the sun, it is about avoiding getting burnt.

Tips to enjoying the sun:

• Spend time outside between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. as that is when there is optimal UVB/UVA ratio.
• 20 minutes a day is ideal. If spending greater periods of time outside, spend more time in shaded areas.
• Stay well hydrated
• The more exposed your skin, the greater the Vitamin D absorption.
• Dark skinned individuals and the elderly require greater time outside.
• Avoid toxic sunscreens. Not only do they often cause more harm than help, but chemicals in sunscreens or any personal care products often increase the likelihood that you will burn more easily when in the sun.
• Choose chemical-free sunscreens. For support on how to do that, check out our handout on chemicals to avoid in personal care products and the website:  http://www.ewg.org/newsrelease/whichsunscreenssafest 
• Supplementing with Vitamin D3 is beneficial, but it does not replace spending time in nature.

Enjoy your time outside!

Is Cure of Cancer Really The Goal? by Dr. Iva Lloyd, ND

“Cure” is a popular slogan when it comes to fundraising for different cancers. Don’t get me wrong, anyone who has had a loved one or friend touched by cancer wants them to find a cure, wants them to live and to enjoy life. The concern with the primary focus of fundraising being on “curing” cancer is that over 90% of fundraising dollars are being spent on researching new drugs versus looking for ways of preventing cancer in the first place.

Recently the emphasis has been on detecting cancer sooner, to increase the chance of a cure, which is honourable, but the medical system is still missing the boat. If cancer rates are ever going to decrease there needs to be much greater focus on prevention.

It is only by recognizing that health and disease are logical and that there are reasons why cancer and other diseases develop that any headway is going to be made. Less than 10% of cancers are due to genetic factors, which mean that 90% or more are preventable. Even when there is a genetic predisposition it is often lifestyle and environmental factors that determine whether or not the genes are turned on or not.


There are many factors that contribute to rising rates of cancer including lifestyle, mental-emotional stress and some medications. There is also a growing concern about the impact of water and environment on health.

Don’t wait until you need a cure. There is a lot that you can do to stay healthy today and in the future.  To get on the path of disease prevention, talk to your naturopathic doctor.

What Gets in the Way of Health?

We have become a society inundated with How To information.  For many people their health desires elude them because they are asking the wrong question. Most people already know that they need to drink water, exercise daily, eat healthy food, have a good sleep regimen, spend time outside, etc. The problem is bigger than How To and the answer does not lie in finding the right supplements to take. It is about getting a handle on all the things that get in the way – such irrational beliefs, misplaced priorities and the sense of not enough time.

Health, to a large degree, is a state of mind. If you believe that pain and discomfort are common as you age, than that is what you will likely experience. There are many factors that impact health (causal factors of disease), but more than anything it is a result of the choices that we make every day. Health is an intention, a state of mind. When you make your decisions based on what is healthy you are more likely to experience health.

One irrational belief is that disease is random – that it is not possible to determine the cause. We have the science to explain how an earthquake in one country can cause a tsunami in another; how animals are able to communicate even though they are thousands of miles apart and we use science to show how thoughts change cellular functions; yet we still propagate the belief that disease is often random, that the cause is elusive. As long as medicine and advertising claim that disease “just happens” or that it is all about genetics there is little reason to actually look for the various causal factors. The focus is on identifying different treatments versus looking to prevent disease.

If we are ever going to get a handle on health care we need to start by putting logic back into health care – which means identifying and treating the causes of diseases.  To learn more . . .

By Dr. Iva Lloyd, ND