NYANP Newsletter April 2010
Welcome!
The New York Association of Naturopathic Physicians (NYANP) is a not for profit organization representing Naturopathic Medicine in New York State. Our mission is: Healthy Patients, Licensed NDs. We want to make it possible for all New Yorkers to benefit from Naturopathic Medicine, and to pass state legislation to license Naturopathic Doctors.
We'd like to welcome you to our monthly newsletter, intended to inform, heal and unite. Articles are contributed by professional members of the NYANP.
Please direct questions and submissions to Caroline Budhan at caroline@nyanp.org.
Dr. Donielle Wilson
NYANP President and Executive Director
Contents
- Welcome!
- Sun and Vitamin D to Prevent Cancer by Peter Bongiorno ND, LAc
- 'Warming Socks" Instructions by Robert Woodbine, N.D., M.Ac.O.M.
- Spring Cleaning - Gradually by Sean E. Heerey, ND
Sun and Vitamin D to Prevent Cancer by Peter Bongiorno ND, LAc
Nature provides us with what we need to keep our bodies healthy. Along with fresh water, exercise, sleep and good food, adequate sunlight is an important part of nature to help keep our circadian rhythms in healthy motion, as well as help convert vitamin D in our skin.
One study from the National Cancer Institute in 2002 showed that ovarian and prostate cancers occurred less in people who get regular sun. And people who received regular sun as a part of their work day have even greater reductions in breast and colon cancer too (1). The only group that had increased cancer rates was in non-melanoma skin cancer – so people at higher risk for skin cancer may need to limit exposure.
One of the reasons sunlight may be helpful is due to the increased levels of vitamin D in our bodies from sunlight. Very recent and encouraging animal research even shows that tumors can start to disappear when injected with vitamin D (2). Other studies have shown deficiencies in vitamin D will contribute to breast cancer (3) and colo-rectal cancer (4). It seems when there is not enough vitamin D around, the cancer cells keep a signal going that allows them to grow further. Furthermore, the immune tends to remain more balanced with adequate vitamin D, which may be a reason it is helpful in autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis.
To allow nature to heal, remember to go out and get regular sunlight – a reasonable amount is 15 minutes every morning during non-peak hours. Those at higher risk for skin cancer should speak with their doctors first.
1. Freedman DM, Dosemeci M, McGlynn K. Sunlight and mortality from breast, ovarian, colon, prostate, and non-melanoma skin cancer: a composite death certificate based case-control study. Occup Environ Med. 2002 Apr; 59(4):257-62.
2. Clarke S. In Tests, Vitamin D Shrinks Breast Cancer Cells. http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/OnCall/study-vitamin-d-kills-cancer-cells/story?id=9904415accessed March 18, 2010.
3. Li Laine O. et al. Vitamin D Deficiency Promotes Human Breast Cancer Growth in a Murine Model of Bone Metastasis. Cancer Research 70, 1835, March 1, 2010. Published Online First February 16, 2010
4. Bischoff-Ferrari H. Health effects of vitamin D. Dermatol Ther. 2010 Jan; 23(1):23-30.
Peter Bongiorno ND, LAc
Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (WA state licensed), Licensed Acupuncturist (NY licensed)
Vice President, NY Association of Naturopathic Physicians
appointments:
New York City: reception@innersourcehealth.com, 718.354.7339
Long Island: info@innersourcehealth.com, 631.421.1848
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'Warming Socks' Instructions by Robert Woodbine, N.D., M.Ac.O.M.
The ‘Warming Socks’ treatment is a well-known hydrotherapy (water therapy) protocol used in naturopathic medicine. It is safe, inexpensive and quite effective in mobilizing your body’s intrinsic capacity to progress toward optimal health. It may be used preventatively as well as acutely for all age groups and genders and is effective against insomnia, the first signs of a cold, sinus congestion, upper respiratory infection, mental congestion (‘over thinking’; studying), poor circulation (cold feet), stress.
Mechanism of action: This protocol works due to the contrast in temperatures between your feet and the socks. The greater the temperature contrast, the more demand is made of your internal resources to create a balance. Your immune, lymphatic, and circulatory systems are activated and the Relaxation Response (1) promoted resulting in deeper quality sleep and restoration.
Materials needed: One pair of thin, white, cotton gym socks; one pair of heavier cotton or wool socks; a basin; ice, and cold water.
Procedure: The Warming Socks treatment is done when you are ready to go to sleep.
(1) Place the thin, cotton socks in the basin and fill it with cold water and ice cubes.
(2) Leave the heavier socks dry (do not wet or warm these).
(3) Take the basin and the dry socks to your nightstand by your bed.
(4) Warm your feet in comfortably hot water for no less than five (5) minutes! This is the most important part of the procedure. Dry your feet and then walk to your bedside.
(5) Take out one of the cold, wet socks from the basin and partially wring it out. (2) Immediately put one of your feet inside of this sock and then quickly put this same foot with the cold, wet sock inside of the heavier, dry sock. Do the same with the remaining socks and your other foot.
(6) Do not walk about. Instead get right into your bed and go to sleep.
During the course of the night while you are sleeping, your body will marshal its resources to warm up your feet. When you awaken in the morning, the socks will be bone dry and your feet will be nice and toasty. Any congestion you had will be relieved if not eliminated. If this is your first time doing this procedure, please do it for thirty (30) days in a row. Thereafter, you can make it a part of your weekly routine as is appropriate for your schedule and lifestyle.
Remember, you do not have to be ill to do this treatment. Making it a part of your lifestyle and doing it regularly, along with appropriate eating and exercise, can help prevent many common complaints.
1 Read Herbert Benson’s The Relaxation Response. Herbert Benson is a Harvard professor and physician.
2 Do not wring it out completely nor leave it sopping wet. You’ll know just how much to wring it out after you do the socks two or three times. For the first several nights, place a terrycloth towel at the foot of your bed to protect your mattress from any excess water from the socks.
Dr. Robert J. Woodbine, N.D., M.Ac.O.M.
President
San Bao Holistic Care LLC
204 West 140th Street, Suite 1A
New York, New York 10030
(P) 212.234.9125
Spring Cleaning - Gradually by Sean E. Heerey, ND
The transition to spring can be a motivator for many people. As the weather improves and there are more hours of sunlight people desire to do more with their time. Spring is a time of year when change is all around us.
Food is an area where people look to make such changes. Food is something that can have an influence on our overall health whether we are aware of it or not.
One of the keys to making a long term change in diet is to do it gradually. Consider keeping a food journal for 7 days and write down all the foods you eat. It is often surprising to see the lack of variety in our diet or the vast quantities of certain foods that we are consuming on a daily basis.
Based on results of the food journal select one food that you can eat less frequently. Make a commitment to yourself to eat that one food 25% less, i.e., if you are eating bread 4 times a day cut it down to 3 times day. The following week continue to make a 25% change. Being diligent about this can have a profound impact on your health and well-being.
A licensed Naturopathic Doctor (ND) can assist you in making healthy food choices, provide suggestions on food substitutions and support you in a variety of ways through this process.
Make an appointment with a ND to help you get on the path of health. Enjoy the spring!
Sean E. Heerey, ND
Naturopathic Doctor (Oregon Naturopathic Doctor License)
Individualized Nutrition for Chronic Disease
212.239.4544
posted by NYANP at
11:18 AM
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