The Best Natural Medicine

The best natural medicine is always preventative medicine, but no matter how careful you are, sometimes things get out of balance and you get sick. In order to restore that balance and restore health, naturopathic doctors evaluate not only your symptoms but also your overall health, diet, lifestyle and a number of other factors in order to determine the best natural medicine therapy for you.

There are natural treatments for practically any medical condition known to man. We sometimes feel it is just easier to take a “pill”. However, doctors and patients looking for the “easy” way to overall good health are often disappointed. Let’s just look at a few examples.

ADHD (Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder)

The “pill” of choice is Ritalin, but there are many unwanted side effects and the drug is not effective in many cases. Some children experience depression, mood swings, trouble sleeping, bouts of crying, etc. Natural medicine therapy can provide an alternative to prescription drugs.

New studies have shown that common food additives and colorings increase hyperactive behavior in children. Numerous studies have demonstrated the importance of omega-3 fatty acids in the diet, but the nutrient is particularly important in children, since their brains are still in the developmental stage.

One study in particular, completed at Oxford University, showed a definite reduction in symptoms commonly associated with ADHD after an omega-3 supplement was added to the children’s diet.

So, along with reducing the number of additives and preservatives in your child’s diet, one of the best natural medicine for ADHD may very well be omega-3 fatty acids.

Depression

Over 23.1 million prescriptions for Prozac were filled in the United States in 2006 and it is not even the most commonly prescribed antidepressant medication. Taken all together, there are enough pills out there to treat the entire US population.

Despite this fact, more people die by suicide than homicide in the US. The rate is particularly high among the youth of our country. It is the third leading cause of death for people between the ages of 10 and 24. The rate is so high that the situation has been addressed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They referred to it as a “suicide epidemic”.

There are many different things in a person’s life that can cause depression. With natural medicine therapy, provided by qualified naturopathic doctors, the “cause” of the depression is often identified and treated. Prescription antidepressants address the symptoms, but do nothing to address the underlying cause.

The best natural medicine for depression could be as simple as vitamin therapy. A symptom of B-complex deficiency is depression. But, that is not to say that everyone who suffers from depression has a B-complex deficiency. That is why thorough evaluation of the individual is so important by a Naturopathic physician.

Celiac Disease

This is a condition that is often misdiagnosed and often overlooked, because physicians attempt to treat the symptoms rather than looking for the cause. The symptoms of celiac disease range from anxiety and depression to neurological symptoms resembling multiple sclerosis.

Even conventional medical practitioners must turn to natural medicine therapy if celiac disease is finally diagnosed. People who suffer from the condition must eat a gluten-free diet, in order to get well. A gluten-free diet is not only the best natural medicine for the condition. It is the only effective treatment.

Obesity

The CDC estimates that 32.9 percent of the population is obese, even more are overweight, probably more than half. Being overweight or obese is a contributing factor in conditions such as high blood pressure, arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, gallbladder disease, sleep disturbances, respiratory problems and even some types of cancer.

When conventional medical doctors find that low calorie diets and exercise programs are ineffective, they turn to dangerous drugs and even more dangerous surgeries. Once again, they are treating the symptoms, without finding the cause. There are a number of factors that can cause or contribute to obesity. Using natural medicine therapy, a naturopathic doctor may be able to find the cause or causes and address them.

ADHD, depression, celiac disease and obesity are not the only conditions in which naturopathic medicine is the best medicine. They are just some of the most common. Any condition can benefit from natural medicine therapy, provided by a qualified naturopathic doctor.

In fact, the best time to consult an ND is when you are in good health. He or she can help you maintain your health for the rest of your life. NDs are becoming an increasingly popular choice for primary care and “well-visits”. They can also educate you about preventative medicine, the best natural medicine of all.

As a Naturopathic Doctor myself, I personally take on clients one-on-one to help them improve their health through education. I currently practice in East Lansing, MI and Ann Arbor, MI.

Please contact me below if you are interested in my services and I will contact you back ASAP.

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