these causes would then have to be dissect- ed to detail if it is thyroid-related: is it iodine deficiency, gluten causing Hashimotos, is it stress and adrenal fatigue draining the thy- roid? I always recommend a consult with a Naturopathic Doctor to evaluate for the root of the problem.
People often shop for supplements
for various musculoskeletal pains. There are certainly supplements to help with pain, however you need to have a working diagnosis to properly and safely use supple- ments. Back pain can be a result of a num- ber of problems including nerve, skeletal, or muscle pathology, but not excluding serious issues such as vascular disease or cancer. To blindly put all your trust in turmeric capsules is neither smart nor therapeutic supplemen- tation. It would be advised to get orthopedic testing and perhaps imaging to further define what the problem is. From here you can manufacture a therapeutic supplementation protocol that may involve anti-inflammatory herbs, connective tissue tonics, or pain modulators.
I was once told there is no such thing as an aspirin deficiency headache; mean- ing, the headache is a symptom of a deeper problem. Ginger root, a botanical medicine supplement, has similar anti-inflammatory actions as aspirin (blocking cyclooxy- genase-2 from creating pro-inflammatory agents known as prostaglandins). Ethically speaking, what are the differences between treating a headache with aspirin vs. ginger? We know aspirin is associated with stomach ulcers when used in excess, whereas ginger acts as an anti-inflammatory agent for diges- tion. However, there is no such thing as a ginger deficiency headache either. Finding the true cause of the headache is empirical: is it a food sensitivity, nutrient deficiency (magnesium, riboflavin), environmental toxicity (molds, detergents), or Lyme disease. If it is a nutrient deficiency or Lyme disease, then use smart therapeutic supplementation.
Therapeutic supplementation with sci-
entifically proven products can be beneficial when trying to produce a physiological shift in one’s system. For example, alpha lipoic acid has repetitively been shown to reduce neuropathy symptoms. Fish oil supplementa- tion has been shown to benefit heart disease and reduce blood triglycerides. Just this year, another study showed Echinacea extract is just as successful as Tamiflu® in reducing symptoms of influenza. This list can continue for pages. I stress that this information is of- fered not as treatment, but for inspiration to consult with a qualified practitioner. Doses
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will vary per person, and supplements are only one aspect of the complete treatment protocol.
In review, supplementation is not absolutely necessary if you are eating a whole-food based diet. When treating specific disharmonies, supplementation may be necessary and can be beneficial. Always consult a credentialed practitioner so close attention can be made towards symptoms and regular bloodwork can be done. Supple- mentation is not an outright answer to any problems; rather it is a part of a larger, holis- tic intervention. The purpose of this article
is to guide and educate the consumer when considering supplementation. No material in this article is designed to diagnose or treat any conditions; rather, the material is to inspire the reader to work with a creden- tialed health care practitioner.
Dr. Nicholas J. Edgerton, ND, MS-Acu, is a naturopathic physician at Connecticut Natural Health Specialists, LLC. He is an in network provider for most insurance compa- nies and is accepting new patients. For more information, please call (860) 533-0179 or visit
ctnaturalhealth.com. See ad below.
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