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naturopathic doctor news & review
Table of Contents | 2008 | January
The Writing Side of Your Profession and Practice
Kate Williams, MA If you are a doctor practicing naturopathic medicine, you likely have been faced with multiple and varied occasions to write. For many of you, this may be excruciating and not what you signed up for. Charting patient visits is one thing, but Web site...
Detecting Hypochlorhydria
Dicken Weatherby, ND Hypochlorhydria is a condition of decreased secretions of hydrochloric acid (HCl) and pepsin from the parietal cells in the stomach. Generally associated with aging, it can affect anyone at any age. In my opinion, lack of stomach acid is a...
Colon Reflorastation Therapy
Sharon Stills, ND and Victoria Bowmann, PhD When I completed my formal naturopathic education and training and began private practice, I realized that my education had just begun. As patients presented their cases with many complexities, my journey of expanding...
Turmeric and Alzheimer’s Disease
Jacob Schor, ND We usually think of curcumin in terms of cancer treatment, yet it may play an equally valuable role in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Curcumin is the principal curcuminoid of the Indian curry spice turmeric. A fascinating story of...
Defining our Medicine: A Long and Winding, Necessary Road, or Where Education Meets the State
David Schleich, PhD There is an inevitable need to achieve “social closure” for our medicine, achievable in our time if the necessary conditions can be systematically met. Those include: a permanent naturopathic medical education foundation within higher education...
Proton Pump Inhibitors: For Better or Worse?
Steven Sandberg-Lewis, ND Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are a $13 billion a year industry in the U.S. There were 95 million prescriptions written for these in 2005. Omeprazole, the first PPI to be synthesized, is also available over the counter. These drugs are...
Supporting the Treatment of GI Disease with IV Therapy
Dan Carter, ND and Virginia Osborne, ND The current Merck Manual lists 14 main gastrointestinal disorders, with up to 14 subdivisions within each of the principle groupings (Beers, 2006). Add to this the finding that many other disease states affect the...
Constipation: The Hidden Culprit
Gaia J. Mather, ND Constipation is often treated more like an inconvenience rather than an overwhelming problem until it becomes just that, a serious problem. I view constipation as a life situation that is analogous to the boiling frog anecdote, in which the frog...
The Digestive Tract: Meeting of the Mind, Body and More
Joe Kellerstein, DC, ND The digestive tract is a great testing ground for the ”vision” of a naturopathic doctor. The gut is considered external to the body and yet, strangely enough, I don’t think of mine that way. In many ways it is the meeting point of mind (stress...
Celiac Disease and Beyond: Gluten and the Immune System
Christine Doherty, ND Celiac disease is one of the most commonly misdiagnosed diseases in the country. One in 130 Americans have celiac disease, yet it currently takes a person about nine years of seeking medical care to get a correct diagnosis. It is a chameleon...
Total Digestive Repair: In the Treatment of Rheumatological Disorders
Carrie Louise Daenell, ND Although there are variations along the way, the basic structure of the GI tract is the same throughout its entire length. A good example of this variation is found in the lining of the stomach. This dense layer of cells continually...
Novel Options in GI Diagnostics: DNA Detection of Gut Microbiota
David M. Brady, ND, DC, CCN, DACBN The population of the microbiota of the human gastrointestinal (GI) tract is widely diverse and complex, with a high population density. All major groups of organisms are represented. While predominately bacteria, a variety of...
Turmeric and Alzheimer’s Disease
We usually think of curcumin in terms of cancer treatment, yet it may play an equally valuable role in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Curcumin is the principal curcuminoid of the Indian curry spice turmeric. A fascinating story of theory,...
Supporting the Treatment of GI Disease with IV Therapy
Dan Carter, ND and Virginia Osborne, ND The current Merck Manual lists 14 main gastrointestinal disorders, with up to 14 subdivisions within each of the principle groupings (Beers, 2006). Add to this the finding that many other disease states affect the...
Conceptual Competencies for Naturopathic Medical Education Leaders
David Schleich, PhD Naturopathic education program deans have been described more than once as probably the profession’s most enduring visionaries. So many of our profession’s leaders have had or currently have such roles at some point in their careers (Sensenig,...
Archived Case Studies and Featured Content
Childhood Trauma and Mental Health: A Systems Biology Approach to Treatment-Resistant Anxiety and OCD
Childhood adversity may leave lasting physiological effects that extend beyond psychological symptoms. Through a case of a 19-year-old woman with persistent anxiety, OCD, emotional eating, and hyperandrogenic metabolic dysfunction, this article examines how neuroendocrine, metabolic, immune, nutritional, and gut-brain pathways may interact—and how a systems biology approach can complement conventional psychiatric care.
Observation Over Interpretation: A Homeopathic Case of Phosphorus in an 8-Month-Old
When an 8-month-old developed sudden distress whenever his mother left the room, the choice between Phosphorus and Pulsatilla initially appeared uncertain. Through direct observation, a previously overlooked response to physical touch became the defining symptom guiding a Phosphorus prescription, followed by reported improvement within one week.
Listening Beyond Language: A Narrative Medicine Case Study for Neurodivergent Children
For neurodivergent children, communication extends beyond spoken language. Through a composite pediatric case, this article explores how narrative medicine, creative expression, sensory-aware facilitation, and caregiver co-regulation can support emotional communication, self-advocacy, and connection in children with autism, ADHD, and related developmental differences.
First, Do No Harm: Managing Pediatric Klebsiella Dysbiosis Without Delaying Diagnosis
A young child with recurrent abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, sleep disturbances, and behavioral changes experienced repeated symptom improvement during integrative treatment targeting intestinal dysbiosis. This case examines the challenges of managing suspected Klebsiella-associated symptoms while navigating inconsistent treatment across two households, parental hesitation toward additional testing, and the possibility of an underlying inflammatory bowel disorder.
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.
The Role of Hormonal Changes in the Etiology and Treatment of Paternal Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders
Approximately 1 in 10 fathers experience a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder, yet paternal PMADs remain frequently overlooked. This review explores the hormonal and psychosocial changes accompanying fatherhood and their implications for recognizing, screening, and supporting paternal mental health.
Oral Curcumin and Artesunate Protocol in Prostatic Carcinoma: Case Study Series in PSA and Pathology Outcomes
Can curcumin and artesunate play a role in integrative prostate cancer care? This two-patient case series examines PSA trajectories and pathology during an oral botanical protocol incorporating curcumin and artesunate, while highlighting potential mechanisms, iron-related adverse effects, and the need for further clinical investigation.
A New Chapter in Pain Pharmacology: Suzetrigine, NaV1.8 Inhibition, and the Future of Non-Opioid Analgesia
Suzetrigine introduces a novel mechanism for treating moderate to severe acute pain by selectively inhibiting NaV1.8 channels on peripheral nociceptors. This review examines its mechanism, clinical efficacy, safety, and potential role within multimodal naturopathic and integrative pain management.
Beyond the Tumor: A Whole-Person Approach to Prostate Cancer Active Surveillance
Active surveillance does not have to mean simply “watching and waiting.” This case follows a man with localized intermediate-risk prostate cancer over approximately 20 months, integrating conventional oncologic monitoring with serial assessment and individualized management of metabolic health, inflammation, gastrointestinal dysbiosis, environmental exposures, nutrition, and lifestyle.
Breath of Fresh Air for the Profession: Reflections from AANP 2026 in Madison
The 2026 American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP) Convention arrived in Madison, Wisconsin, under unusual skies. Wildfire smoke had drifted across the region, leaving the city enveloped in smoke and fog as naturopathic physicians, students, educators,...
Daraxonrasib and Pancreatic Cancer: A Breakthrough for Precision and Integrative and Naturopathic Oncology
Daraxonrasib is reshaping the therapeutic landscape of RAS-driven pancreatic cancer and raising new considerations for integrative clinicians. This article explores pan-RAS inhibition alongside practical strategies for nutrition, exercise, symptom management, and careful evaluation of botanical and nutrient interactions within a precision integrative oncology framework.
Oral Curcumin and Artesunate Protocol in Prostatic Carcinoma: Case Study Series in PSA and Pathology Outcomes
Can curcumin and artesunate play a role in integrative prostate cancer care? This two-patient case series examines PSA trajectories and pathology during an oral botanical protocol incorporating curcumin and artesunate, while highlighting potential mechanisms, iron-related adverse effects, and the need for further clinical investigation.
A New Chapter in Pain Pharmacology: Suzetrigine, NaV1.8 Inhibition, and the Future of Non-Opioid Analgesia
Suzetrigine introduces a novel mechanism for treating moderate to severe acute pain by selectively inhibiting NaV1.8 channels on peripheral nociceptors. This review examines its mechanism, clinical efficacy, safety, and potential role within multimodal naturopathic and integrative pain management.
Beyond the Tumor: A Whole-Person Approach to Prostate Cancer Active Surveillance
Active surveillance does not have to mean simply “watching and waiting.” This case follows a man with localized intermediate-risk prostate cancer over approximately 20 months, integrating conventional oncologic monitoring with serial assessment and individualized management of metabolic health, inflammation, gastrointestinal dysbiosis, environmental exposures, nutrition, and lifestyle.
Breath of Fresh Air for the Profession: Reflections from AANP 2026 in Madison
The 2026 American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP) Convention arrived in Madison, Wisconsin, under unusual skies. Wildfire smoke had drifted across the region, leaving the city enveloped in smoke and fog as naturopathic physicians, students, educators,...
Daraxonrasib and Pancreatic Cancer: A Breakthrough for Precision and Integrative and Naturopathic Oncology
Daraxonrasib is reshaping the therapeutic landscape of RAS-driven pancreatic cancer and raising new considerations for integrative clinicians. This article explores pan-RAS inhibition alongside practical strategies for nutrition, exercise, symptom management, and careful evaluation of botanical and nutrient interactions within a precision integrative oncology framework.
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.
Custom Publishing
From Chemistry to Clinical Application: Essential Oils as Multitarget Therapeutics for Microbiome Balance Across Three Mucosal Systems
Essential oils contain complex compounds with antimicrobial, antibiofilm, anti-inflammatory, and other biological activities. Dr. Sarah LoBisco explores how essential oil chemistry, formulation, and route of administration inform targeted applications for microbiome balance across the gastrointestinal, respiratory, and urinary systems.
Co-Prescribing Probiotics with Antibiotics: The Case for Omni-Biotic AB 10
Omni-Biotic Human clinical trials demonstrate that functionally targeted Omni-Biotic AB 10 prevents diarrhea, reduces C. difficile risk, and eliminates multidrug resistant organism colonization in the gut. Introduction Antibiotics are among the most...
Quantum Energy Effects on Cell Recovery Rates
Robert Sheaff, PhD, and Ian Mitchell This study investigated whether quantum field exposure generated by Leela Quantum Bloc Technology influences cell recovery rates in human cell lines. A series of double-blind experiments were conducted using Human Dermal...
Featured News
ClarityTx Launches Clinical Decision-Support Platform for Integrative Medicine
ClarityTx, a healthcare technology company, announced the launch of its clinical decision-support platform designed specifically for integrative and functional medicine practitioners. Created by a multidisciplinary team of clinicians, the platform helps practitioners...
Naturopathic Medical Education: A Comprehensive Curriculum
Colleen Huber, NMD April 9 2026 The following is a comparison of my conventional medical education and subsequent naturopathic medical education. I wrote this in 2015, and now update it in April 2026, only with updated curriculum links and screenshots from the various...

























