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Care Beyond the Cure: An Integrative Approach to Palliative Care
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Trending Articles
When Pain Was Where Shame Lived: Abdominal Pain and the Mind-Body Connection
After imaging failed to reveal a significant structural explanation for severe recurrent abdominal pain, attention shifted toward chronic stress, body image, and the mind-body connection. This case explores the patient’s experience with craniosacral therapy and integrative care as her relationship with her body changed and her abdominal pain ultimately resolved.
Medication-Induced Kidney Injury: Mechanisms, Risk Factors, and Prevention
Medications may account for an estimated 20% of community- and hospital-acquired acute kidney injury, with risk amplified by CKD, older age, chronic disease, dehydration, and polypharmacy. This review examines the major mechanisms of drug-induced nephrotoxicity and practical strategies for medication review, hydration, renal monitoring, and prevention.
Low Testosterone and Cardiovascular Disease: Risk Marker, Mediator, or Both?
Low testosterone is consistently associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes, but whether it is a cause of vascular disease or a marker of underlying metabolic and inflammatory dysfunction remains unresolved. This review examines the epidemiology, vascular mechanisms, hypertension and atherosclerosis data, TRAVERSE findings, and the cardiovascular implications of TRT-induced erythrocytosis.
Male Infertility and Pain Medication: When Analgesic Exposure Becomes a Fertility Clue
Could overlooked pain-medication use provide an important clue in male infertility? This case follows a 40-year-old man with oligoasthenoteratozoospermia whose total motile sperm count increased from 2.72 million to 26.5 million over 111 days following analgesic discontinuation and a multicomponent integrative fertility plan.
Cardiovascular Risk Assessment in Men: A Naturopathic Cardiology Perspective
Cardiovascular risk extends beyond LDL cholesterol and the standard lipid panel. This review explores how plaque biology, inflammation, oxidation, metabolic and hormonal health, advanced biomarkers, CGM, and cardiovascular imaging can complement established therapies to create a more individualized approach to cardiovascular risk assessment in men.
Featured Article | Mind/Body
A Naturopathic Approach to Trauma: Engaging the Body’s Vital Force
Melissa Sophia Joy, ND Vitalism is a cornerstone of the naturopathic worldview, underpinning many of its core tenets and healing modalities. Vitalism has been described as “the doctrine that life originates in a vital principle, distinct from chemical and other...
Exclusive Content | Mind/Body
Biofeedback Training for a Young Woman with Anxiety and Chronic Constipation
Samantha Pryor, ND Constipation is defined as having fewer than 3 bowel movements per week, often accompanied by difficulty defecating. As naturopaths, we agree that daily Bristol Type 4 bowel movements that feel complete are the most indicative of a healthy digestive...
We are Nature: Healing People, Healing the Planet
Leslie Solomonian Introduction We are in a crisis of collective psychological distress, with myriad consequences for the physical body. We are also in a planetary health crisis. The two are interlinked, and part of the larger global polycrisis.1 The discipline of...
Psilocybin’s Therapeutic Pathway
Targeting 5-HT2A Receptor: A Case Study Pam Conboy and Leah Linder, ND Background Psilocybin has been used as a ceremonial sacrament for thousands of years. It may offer, along with holistic and community support, a safe, nonpharmaceutical approach to optimizing...
Fight, Flight, or Freeze
Applying Polyvagal Theory to Treat a Traumatized Patient JENNIFER BRUSEWITZ, ND ELIZABETH HOLLOWAY, ND The polyvagal theory, introduced by Stephen Porges, PhD, in 1995, explains how human adaptive responses are modulated through the autonomic nervous system...
Notes from the Field #33
June 2022 JARED L. ZEFF, ND, VNMI, LAC The following is not an article prepared for a medical journal. Not every statement of fact is cited or referenced. This is a commentary on the medicine, a running set of observations about practice in the field. It’s...
Addressing Long COVID
Naturopathic Strategies for Neuropsychiatric Symptoms YASAMAN TASALLOTI, ND Abstract Long COVID presents with persistent neuropsychiatric symptoms such as fatigue, brain fog, sleep disturbances, and depression, largely driven by chronic inflammation,...
“Hysterical” Chest Spasm
Suspected Conversion Disorder Treated by Homeopathy IAN SPOHN, ND Conversion disorder is a conventional psychiatric diagnosis, a rare example where Western medicine acknowledges the mind-body link. Also known as functional neurological symptom disorder,...
A Hard Day’s Night
Circadian Disruption & Medical School FRASER SMITH, MATD, ND It’s been a hard day’s night, and I’ve been working like a dog. It’s been a hard day’s night; I should be sleeping like a log.” So sang John Lennon on the title song to the Beatles...
Archived Case Studies and Featured Content
5-MTHF and Autism: From Nonverbal to First Words in a Pediatric Case Report
After years of speech-language and occupational therapy without functional spoken language, an 8-year-old boy with autism began vocalizing and spontaneously spoke a meaningful word approximately two weeks after starting 5-MTHF supplementation. This case examines the temporal association, potential relevance of folate-dependent pathways, and the need for further research into communication outcomes in minimally verbal autistic children.
The “Possessed” Child: Celiac Disease, PANS/PANDAS, and the Gut-Brain Connection
An 11-year-old boy with celiac disease experienced recurrent hallucinations, night terrors, aggression, and profound behavioral changes requiring multiple hospitalizations. This case explores the suspected relationship between infections, gastrointestinal disturbances, immune responses, and neuropsychiatric symptoms, including reported improvements following dietary modifications and microbiome-directed interventions.
The Developmental Terrain: How Gut Health, Nutrition, Sleep, and Stress Shape Child Development
Healthy child development depends on more than genetics alone. This review examines how gastrointestinal health, nutritional adequacy, sleep quality, and stress physiology contribute to the developing nervous system, offering naturopathic clinicians a practical framework for identifying modifiable factors that support growth, learning, and emotional well-being.
From Constipation to Language Regression: A Longitudinal Case of Recurrent Behavioral and Communication Changes in an Autistic Child
In a child with autism, recurrent constipation consistently preceded episodes of behavioral dysregulation or loss of previously functional language. Through years of symptom tracking, laboratory assessment, and individualized treatment, this case explores two distinct clinical patterns potentially involving the gut-brain axis, with reported improvements following antifungal and antibacterial interventions.
Advanced Inflammatory Breast Cancer: Complete Response with Naturopathic and Immuno-Oncology Treatment
This case follows a 44-year-old woman with inflammatory breast cancer that progressed to osseous metastatic disease and was managed through a multimodal naturopathic, immune-directed, and conventional oncology strategy. Serial imaging and molecular surveillance ultimately demonstrated complete metabolic response, zero circulating tumor cells, and repeatedly undetectable ctDNA, highlighting the potential value of adaptive, interdisciplinary integrative oncology care.
Ketogenic Diet in Metastatic Breast Cancer: An Integrative Oncology Case Study
Can a ketogenic diet play a supportive role during treatment for advanced breast cancer? This case follows a 34-year-old woman with metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer who adopted a ketogenic diet and broader lifestyle changes alongside chemotherapy and HER2-targeted therapy, while examining the evolving evidence, potential metabolic benefits, and limitations of ketogenic diets in cancer care.
How to Get the Most from Your Cancer Doctor Visits: A Guide for Patients and Survivors
Cancer care can be complex and overwhelming, but preparation can make medical appointments more productive and less stressful. This practical checklist offers 18 strategies to help patients communicate effectively with providers, organize their care, explore treatment options, and build a collaborative medical “dream team.”
Botanical Immunomodulation for Pancreatic Neoplasia: An Integrative Medicine Case Report
Can botanical immunomodulation play a supportive role in patients with pancreatic neoplasia? This case report describes the clinical course of a patient who declined surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation and pursued a physician-directed botanical regimen alongside nutrition, exercise, meditation, and other lifestyle measures, with subsequent imaging reportedly demonstrating stabilization followed by reduction in lesion size.
Serial ctDNA in High-Grade Serous Ovarian Carcinoma: Bridging Naturopathic and Conventional Oncology Care
Serial ctDNA testing provided an evolving molecular picture of advanced ovarian cancer, helping inform treatment decisions as the patient moved between naturopathic and conventional care. This case illustrates how multiple liquid-biopsy platforms can complement CA-125 while adding molecular detail relevant to treatment response and progression.
The Future of Precision Oncology: Molecular Profiling and Personalized Treatment in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
How can precision oncology move beyond simply matching a mutation to a drug? Through a case of KRAS G13D metastatic colorectal cancer, this article demonstrates how serial molecular profiling can help clinicians interpret tumor evolution and integrate genomics with metabolism, nutrition, immune-directed strategies, natural medicines, repurposed pharmaceuticals, and conventional oncology.
The Naturopathic Therapeutic Order in Cancer Care: A Framework for Integrative Oncology
How can naturopathic therapies be thoughtfully integrated across the continuum of cancer care? This article applies the Naturopathic Therapeutic Order to oncology, illustrating through a breast cancer case how foundational care, self-healing strategies, system support, symptom management, and conventional treatments can be organized within a comprehensive integrative approach.
Topical Calendula Oil for Cancer Pain: An Opioid-Sparing Analgesic Approach in Recurrent Anal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Can topical calendula help manage severe cancer-related anal pain? This case report describes a rapid, sustained reduction in pain following topical Calendula officinalis oil in a patient with recurrent anal squamous cell carcinoma, highlighting its potential as a well-tolerated, opioid-sparing adjunct worthy of further clinical investigation.
Viscum album for High-Grade Cervical Dysplasia: A Novel Direct-Application Protocol
This case report describes a novel protocol using direct cervical application of Viscum album in a patient with persistent high-grade cervical dysplasia who was awaiting LEEP. Although causality cannot be established, treatment was well tolerated and was followed by an unexpected absence of residual dysplasia on the excised specimen, supporting further investigation of localized Viscum album therapy as a potential adjunctive approach.
Micronized Progesterone in Advanced Endometrial Cancer: Two Integrative Naturopathic Oncology Case Reports
Could micronized progesterone have a broader role in supportive care for advanced endometrial cancer? These two case reports describe its integration primarily for sleep support in women with high-risk disease, alongside naturopathic and conventional oncology therapies, and discuss its potential hormonal and anticancer relevance as an area for further investigation.
The Future of Precision Oncology: Molecular Profiling and Personalized Treatment in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
How can precision oncology move beyond simply matching a mutation to a drug? Through a case of KRAS G13D metastatic colorectal cancer, this article demonstrates how serial molecular profiling can help clinicians interpret tumor evolution and integrate genomics with metabolism, nutrition, immune-directed strategies, natural medicines, repurposed pharmaceuticals, and conventional oncology.
The Naturopathic Therapeutic Order in Cancer Care: A Framework for Integrative Oncology
How can naturopathic therapies be thoughtfully integrated across the continuum of cancer care? This article applies the Naturopathic Therapeutic Order to oncology, illustrating through a breast cancer case how foundational care, self-healing strategies, system support, symptom management, and conventional treatments can be organized within a comprehensive integrative approach.
Topical Calendula Oil for Cancer Pain: An Opioid-Sparing Analgesic Approach in Recurrent Anal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Can topical calendula help manage severe cancer-related anal pain? This case report describes a rapid, sustained reduction in pain following topical Calendula officinalis oil in a patient with recurrent anal squamous cell carcinoma, highlighting its potential as a well-tolerated, opioid-sparing adjunct worthy of further clinical investigation.
Viscum album for High-Grade Cervical Dysplasia: A Novel Direct-Application Protocol
This case report describes a novel protocol using direct cervical application of Viscum album in a patient with persistent high-grade cervical dysplasia who was awaiting LEEP. Although causality cannot be established, treatment was well tolerated and was followed by an unexpected absence of residual dysplasia on the excised specimen, supporting further investigation of localized Viscum album therapy as a potential adjunctive approach.
Micronized Progesterone in Advanced Endometrial Cancer: Two Integrative Naturopathic Oncology Case Reports
Could micronized progesterone have a broader role in supportive care for advanced endometrial cancer? These two case reports describe its integration primarily for sleep support in women with high-risk disease, alongside naturopathic and conventional oncology therapies, and discuss its potential hormonal and anticancer relevance as an area for further investigation.
Optimizing Preoperative Nutrition in Cancer Surgery: The Role of Tumor Type, Glycemic Load, and Hydration
Preoperative nutrition in cancer surgery is not a one-size-fits-all intervention. This article examines how tumor metabolism and malnutrition risk can guide protein intake, carbohydrate selection, immuno-nutrition, pancreatic enzyme support, and hydration strategies to better prepare oncology patients for surgery and recovery.
Mebendazole and Fenbendazole for Cancer: Examining the Evidence, Risks, and Potential Harms
Mebendazole and fenbendazole have attracted attention as unconventional cancer therapies, but how strong is the clinical evidence supporting their use? This critical review examines proposed anticancer mechanisms, reported outcomes, potential neurotoxicity and drug resistance, and the importance of informed risk-benefit discussions with cancer patients.
Integrative Supportive Quality of Life Care in Classic Hodgkin Lymphoma Following COVID-19 Infection: A Case Report
This case report describes the treatment and recovery of a 45-year-old woman with Stage II Classic Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosed following COVID-19 infection. Alongside standard chemotherapy and immunotherapy, a structured integrative supportive care plan—including intravenous nutrient therapy, nutritional optimization, and restorative modalities—was implemented to reduce treatment-related toxicities, support immune resilience, and enhance long-term quality of life.
The Infection Nobody Thought to Look For: Post-Infection Autoimmune Conditions
Jaquel Patterson, ND, MBA, FMCP-M Emerging research links pathogens such as Epstein-Barr virus, SARS-CoV-2, Lyme disease, and other infections to autoimmune disease through molecular mimicry, chronic inflammation, and immune...
Paresthesias, White Matter Hyperintensities, and Possible Preclinical Multiple Sclerosis: The Emerging Role of Environmental Mycotoxin Screening
Saied Mushtagh, ND Patients with paresthesias and nonspecific white matter hyperintensities often present diagnostic challenges when imaging is inconclusive for multiple sclerosis. This review examines differential diagnosis, neurologic risk stratification, and...
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Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Sports Medicine: Clinical Applications in Concussion and Musculoskeletal Injury
Joseph Thomas, MD, MBA, Fellow of Metabolic and Nutritional Medicine In collaboration with Oxygen Health Systems Abstract Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has gained traction as an adjunct in sports medicine, particularly in concussion management and musculoskeletal injury....
Quantum Fields and Frequency Medicine
Quantum Fields and Frequency Medicine A Conversation with Philipp Samor von Holtzendorff Fehling on Remote Quantum Technology and Human Performance Interest in frequency medicine and subtle energy technologies continues to grow within integrative and naturopathic...
Increased Intracellular NAD+ Levels via Oral Supplementation With a Novel Liposomal Delivery Method: A Non-Randomized Crossover Study
Blair E, Miller A, McDonald R. Introduction: NAD+ is a critical coenzyme for cellular energy production, DNA repair, and sirtuin activity, with levels known to decline with age. While oral NAD+ supplementation is proposed for healthy aging benefits, its efficacy in...
Featured News
The 2026 AzureWellness Summit
Building a Community of Practitioners to Inspire Healthier Families June 22–26 Five Day Virtual Event of Education, Insight, and Whole-Person Wellness AzureWell is pleased to announce the Azure Wellness Summit, a free five-day virtual event taking place June...
NWHSU Launches New Doctor of Clinical Nutrition in Functional & Integrative Nutrition
Northwestern Health Sciences University (NWHSU) is proud to announce the launch of its new Doctor of Clinical Nutrition (DCN) in Functional and Integrative Nutrition– a practice-focused doctoral degree designed for nutrition and healthcare professionals ready to...
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