Book review: Fundamentals of Naturopathic Endocrinology

 In Botanical Medicine, Endocrinology

Stacie Deyglio, ND

endocrinologyFundamentals of Naturopathic Endocrinology is a textbook and clinical resource that applies the philosophy of naturopathic medicine to a wide range of endocrine system-related disorders. The book is divided into three sections: a student textbook of naturopathic endocrinology, a clinical handbook of naturopathic protocols, and a selection of key clinical studies and research reports written by leaders in the alternative medicine field.

The first section of the text, entitled Basics of Naturopathic Endocrinology, is a complete course resource composed of a superb quality and quantity of information. This includes quick reference tables, clinical studies, allopathic medical treatments, naturopathic medical treatments and comprehensive monographs on nutritional and botanical medicines, as well as an extensive list of references that confirm the credibility of information. Specifically, the review on blood sugar metabolism disorders contains a comprehensible diagrammatic overview of diabetes biochemistry that includes case studies. This aspect of the book best aids all practitioners (from budding to seasoned doctors) to actualize the naturopathic principle of Tolle Causam. By drawing on the information found in this text, any practitioner will be more equipped to identify and remove the underlying causes of illness, rather than to eliminate or suppress symptoms.

In covering such a spectrum of scientific detail, this book is a clear necessity for the naturopathic endocrinology classroom. In fact, the book was created with the intent of saving students from having to recreate the wheel of naturopathic understanding: “Instead of starting from scratch with each new condition, the student can draw upon the substantial knowledge and clinical experience accumulated in these pages, as well as quickly call the many scientific references provided from recent literature in medical journals, naturopathic and botanical medicine publications and endocrinology textbooks” (Friedman, p. 9).

Screen Shot 2015-10-15 at 3.14.23 PMThe second section of Fundamentals of Naturopathic Endocrinology is a clinical handbook of naturopathic protocols. It is distinguished as a quick-reference text by a gray border that makes it easy to locate and search within. This section is designed for efficient clinical diagnosis, treatment and prognosis. In doing so, it includes multiple components to the treatment picture that address physical exam, lab tests, naturopathic medical algorithms, health questionnaires, medical history highlights and naturopathic therapeutics. This section ends with a piece discussing endocrine drug and herb interactions.

The final section of the book is a selection of clinical studies, research papers, literature reviews and scientific articles authored by medical doctors and scientists. These works include a wide variety of subjects, from different medical traditions such as ayurvedic medicine to traditional Chinese medicine to naturopathic medicine, that all share a focus on the naturopathic perspective to endocrinology.


deyglioStacie Deyglio, ND received her baccalaureate degree in biology with a minor in chemistry from the College of Mt. St. Vincent in NY. Personal health issues paved her way to discover naturopathic medicine in 1999. Resonating with the philosophy and principles of naturopathic medicine, Deyglio graduated from the University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine in 2003. As a medical student, she was actively involved in student government, fundraising and the generation of two successful student run health fairs. Currently residing in Ariz., Deyglio is an avid bookworm who is actively creating her practice after a 3-year sabbatical taken to raise her son.

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