Timeline PhotosGinseng (Panax ginseng) is a popular adaptogenic herb. Ginseng is indicated for people who feel burnt out, exhausted, nervous, and run-down. This herb supports our ability to respond to stress, bolsters the nervous system, and improves the function of our immune system. It has also been shown to improve insulin sensitivity, cognitive function, and erectile function.
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There are two types of ginseng on the market - Asian (P. ginseng) and American (P. quinquefolius). These herbs have slightly different energetics and properties, so make sure you know which is included in any formulas you may take. And as always, consult a naturopathic doctor before starting any herbs or supplements because they’re not safe or useful for everyone.
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Feeling anxious about some upcoming events, the latest in COVID statistics, and the state of the world? Yeah, we are too. There is some good in all of this chaos: the opportunity to self-reflect, to stretch our resilience, and to find effective support systems.
There are many ways that we can support ourselves through anxiety, and many of our patients like to know that they have something in their back pocket—literally or figuratively—to use to combat their most anxious moments. Check out our blog post for a brief breakdown of what we like to offer our people to get through the #COVIDstress (or just life in general):
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Facebook Twitter Google+ Pinterest 2020: the chillest, easiest year ever, right? Yeah, okay, we at NWIM understand this has been a challenging year for everyone. We’re also aware that as the year comes to a close, it’s unlikely that we’ll get a respite in the face some of significant milestone...Being in the Pacific Northwest, most people are aware that sun exposure in this region is not optimal. The low exposure to sunshine we experience often leads to lower levels of Vitamin D.
Bright Light Therapy is being studied to treat an array of mood disorders including Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Bipolar Disorder (BD), Postpartum Depression, and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD).
Read more in our blog post ⬇️
Bright Light Therapy for Bipolar Disorder - Northwest Integrative Medicine
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Facebook Twitter Google+ Pinterest Being in the Pacific Northwest, most people are aware that sun exposure in this region is not optimal, and as such, Vitamin D levels trend on the lower side. It has been established that Vitamin D has links to mood (1,2), but recent studies have found that it’s m...Infertility affects millions of couples. In about a third of cases, issues with sperm are at the root of infertility. There are several ways diet and nutrition can help improve the quality of sperm.
Zinc is essential for male fertility. A deficiency in zinc can cause lower sperm count and misshapen sperm. Zinc deficiency may also be related to low testosterone, which is needed for proper sperm development.
Antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E, and folate may help improve the shape, motility, and number of sperm. Amino acids like carnitine have also been shown to improve sperm count, shape, and motility.
Want to learn more about how nutrients and diet can improve fertility in men? Schedule an appointment with Dr. Josh Corn, our resident men’s health expert, or Dr. Oni Gilmor to discuss family planning and fertility.
🍊Vitamin C🍊
Did you know?
🍊Vitamin C is the 4th leading nutrient deficiency in the US 😳
🍋It can’t be synthesized by the body, meaning it’s essential we get it from diet!
🥝It doesn’t store very well, so you need a steady intake to maintain adequate levels.
Some functions:
🦠Supports our skin’s barrier function against pathogens.
🔥Protects against environmental oxidative stress (much needed with these wildfires!)
🤧Helps prevents tissue damage in areas of infection.
🌲Appears to support healing in respiratory and systemic infections.
🌟All-around super support to both the innate and adaptive immune systems.
Sure you can supplement it, but it’s much more fun to eat! Vitamin C is found in a variety of foods such as citrus fruits, broccoli, cauliflower, kiwi, guava, and cantaloupe. Just 100-200mg per day is enough to contribute to chronic disease risk reduction. Make sure you get your serving today😋
PMID: 29099763
Do you think you could benefit from Vitamin C IV therapy? Call us at 503-855-4341 to schedule a consult!
- Dr. M, @serpent_and_staff
Today we're celebrating the newest addition to our team of providers, Dr. Katie Pickworth, ND, MS! The daughter of a chiropractor and a naturopath, she has been studying and living in the way of naturopathic medicine for her entire life.
Dr. Pickworth is a second year resident who provides naturopathic primary care services in addition to focusing on:
-Mental health & trauma processing
-Musculoskeletal health, including chronic pain and athlete care
-Hormone health, especially thyroid and reproductive wellness
She has a particular interest in working with highly sensitive or neurodivergent individuals, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and people living in bigger bodies looking for body positive care.
Committed to excellence and to shared decision-making with patients, Dr. Pickworth meets every patient with a smile and an open heart. Schedule a visit with her at (503)855-4341 or at NWIM.org to start walking the healing path together.
Dr. Josh Corn, one of our providers, wrote a blog post for his website focusing on explaining the relationship between stress, hormones, gut health, and mental health. It's a tangled web that involves physical, mental, and emotional effects!
If you're struggling with stress, make an appointment with one of our providers to discuss ways to support your mental and physical health.
A Tangled Web: Stress, Gut Health, Hormones, and Mental Health — Josh Corn, ND, MS
www.drjoshcorn.com
Stress can be a major contributor to depression. This seems obvious, right? You get stressed out and then your mood drops. How many of us have been through a stressful life event over the past six months? Spoiler alert: it’s all of us. The impacts of stress aren’t all in our minds. Stress impact...October 10th was World Mental Health Day!
Fostering an internal sense of mental wellness is an admirable goal and something that several of our providers love to participate in. Mental health is more important now than ever - and it's about a lot more than how quarantine and isolation impacts us.
A new study published in JAMA Network Open highlighted that having a psychiatric illness increased some patients' risk of mortality from COVID-19. The study looked at a sample of COVID patients hospitalized in the Yale University hospital system between February and April 2020, and results showed that patients with a psychiatric illness had increased risk of mortality compared to those without a psychiatric diagnosis. The authors of the study didn't look at which types of conditions presented the most risk, how long the patients had that diagnosis, or why people with psychiatric illnesses might increase risk.
What do we do with this information? A few thoughts:
1. Don't freak out! Science is imperfect and doesn't look at each individual but rather looks at trends in big samples.
2. Acknowledge to yourself, family/friends, and your doctor if you feel like you have an undiagnosed or uncontrolled mental illness. We're here to support you.
3. Prevention is the best medicine! Continue to follow state guidelines about mask wearing to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
If you need more support around your mental health this month or any month, schedule an appointment with one of our specialists at NWIM! We can work together toward mental wellness even in this trying time.
With hope and love,
Dr. Katie
Katie Pickworth, ND, MS
Not getting enough sleep can have a huge impact on your health. But did you know that not getting enough sleep is also associated with lower testosterone levels in men?
According to the NHANES dataset, for every hour of sleep less than 7 hours per night, testosterone decreased by almost 6 ng/dL or about 1.5% of the median testosterone level in this study. Considering that each year of age is associated with a 0.49 ng/dL decrease, the decline due to lack of sleep is pretty huge.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Other research suggests that men with lower testosterone have poorer sleep. In one study of older men, participants with low testosterone had lower sleep efficiency and more nighttime awakenings.
Want to optimize your sleep and hormones? Schedule an appointment with Dr. Josh Corn, our resident men’s health expert, or Dr. Jordan McLendon to discuss how to improve your sleep.