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Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy: An Evidence-Based Guide for Naturopathic Physicians
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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
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.
Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy: An Evidence-Based Guide for Naturopathic Physicians
Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy can persist long after cancer treatment, affecting pain, balance, function, and quality of life. This review examines evidence-informed strategies for CIPN, including Mediterranean-style nutrition, exercise, acupuncture, duloxetine, cryotherapy and compression, while identifying commonly used supplements that lack benefit or may worsen neuropathy.
Care Beyond the Cure: An Integrative Approach to Palliative Care
Palliative care is not about abandoning treatment or losing hope—it is about adding another layer of support. This article explores an integrative, interdisciplinary approach that introduces symptom management, quality-of-life support, advance care planning, and emotional and spiritual care early in the course of serious illness.
When Rib Pain Comes from the Spine: Thoracic Radiculopathy and Targeted Platelet-Based Treatment
After 2 years of persistent right costal-margin pain, negative visceral evaluations, and unsuccessful conservative treatment, neurodynamic testing and targeted examination localized a suspected T10 radicular source with additional thoracic articular and peripheral neural involvement. A single image-guided, multi-structure platelet-based intervention was followed by substantial and durable improvement in pain and function.
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.
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.
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...
Rethinking the Thyroid Panel: Thyroid Antibodies, T3, and Brain Fog
Andrea Sulyok, ND Can patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis experience persistent cognitive symptoms despite normal thyroid hormone levels? This article examines the potential roles of thyroid antibodies, tissue-level T3 activity, and objective brain...
Low-Dose Naltrexone (LDN) as an Adjunctive Therapy for Autoimmunity and Chronic Inflammation: A Collaborative Case Report
Fatima Hamade, PharmD, BCACP This case report explores the use of compounded low-dose naltrexone (LDN) as an adjunctive therapy for persistent autoimmune symptoms, highlighting its proposed immunomodulatory mechanisms, individualized dosing strategies, and the...
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...
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...
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