Sault Naturopath

Again and again I see patients that come to me presenting with symptoms that may be related to thyroid disorders, but upon questioning I find out that they have not been fully assessed by their medical doctor. Often a TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) test is done and they are told that because their TSH value is “normal” their thyroid must be normal. Many people with thyroid conditions go untreated for this reason.  A TSH value alone is not enough, especially if you are experiencing symptoms that indicate hypothyroidism.  Read more...

So far we have examined nutrient depletions caused by antibiotics and antacids. Today let’s continue this series by examining nutrient depletions caused by oral contraceptives.

The following are a list of nutrients known to be depleted by oral contraceptives:

DHEA (a hormone)  Ortho Novum® 1/35 and Ovcon® 35 decreased serum concentrations of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS).  Estrogen-containing oral contraceptives have also resulted in decreased DHEAS.

Folate Long-term use of oral contraceptives can result in folic acid deficiency, including megaloblastic anemia.

Magnesium Women using oral contraceptives have been found to have lower serum magnesium levels.  Read more...

James Colquhoun and Laurentine ten Bosch

Sometimes I feel that it would be infinitely easier to pretend that our world’s healthcare problems do not exist. It would be bliss to trust that our food industry operates with the public’s best interests at heart and that the FDA and the pharmaceutical industry are committed to human health. I suspect however that you already realize that this is currently a fairy tale dream. Or perhaps you’re like many others and understandably feel confronted by criticism of these paradigms. Whatever the case may be, James Colquhoun and Laurentine ten Bosch have learnt the hard way.  Read more...