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ADULT Intake      PEDIATRIC Intake

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"Ionizing Foot Spas"      Ann's 'Fertility' Article

"What is Constitutional Hydrotherapy?"

Newsletters

Spring 2000      Winter 2004

Below is a sample of some of the material found above.

Ann’s Fertility Article
Printed in: “Awareness: The Canadian Journal of Infertility”
By Ann Lawrence, ND

Naturopathic Medicine & Infertility
The inability to conceive after at least a year of regular sexual intercourse without the use of contraceptives can be due to causes that lie either in the man or the woman or both. There are many approaches that can be taken to treat infertility with Naturopathic Medicine, and since each patient is unique this allows for an approach and a program tailored specifically to each person.

I. Nutrition

The nutritional status of the person(s) trying to conceive is very important. The basic building blocks of the body such as vitamins, minerals, proteins, fats and carbohydrates are necessary in a well-balanced diet for a healthy conception and pregnancy. Studies have shown that women who have trouble conceiving have deficiencies in folic acid, vitamins B6, B12, zinc, magnesium and iron. There is also a correlation between heavy metal toxicity as well as long-term use of birth control pills and infertility. The importance of healthy organic food cannot be stressed enough! Our main agricultural systems are no longer producing food of the same quality as just 20 years ago. The food may look good, but the nutritional value leaves something to be desired! Not only has the nutritional content of food deteriorated, but the level of chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, exogenous estrogens, etc. has increased exponentially as well, creating quite a burden on our livers. The increase in toxic chemicals that we are all being exposed to has been partly to blame for infertility in modern society. This just accentuates the fact that having your liver working optimally in neutralizing these compounds is of the utmost importance. For men, increasing foods that contain zinc can be helpful as well as vitamin E, vitamin C, and magnesium . For women, looking at supporting the adrenal glands and the liver as well as checking the functioning of the thyroid (hypothyroidism can affect the ability to conceive) can be helpful in an infertility situation. Essential fatty acids such as flax seed oil can be beneficial to both sexes and deficiencies have been shown to cause a thickening of cervical mucous and a decrease in sperm survival. Both men and women should look at improving their cardiovascular system, decreasing their cholesterol levels, improving their lipid profiles and decreasing their intake of animal products (especially if not organic) since they may contain diethylstilbestrol (DES) residues. DES increases the risk of infertility and was used quite extensively in pregnant woman between 1938 and 1971 and is now affecting the children of these women.

II. Some Basic Lifestyle Changes That You Can Do Yourself

Cigarette smoke has been shown to decrease fertility in both men and women whether inhaled directly or as secondhand smoke. Researchers in England report that smoking diminishes fertilization in women by two-thirds. Cigarette smoke has been shown to decrease the number of eggs a woman produces each month which may be partially due to the higher levels of male hormones such as androgen and testosterone found in smoking women. Smoking also interferes with reproduction due to its effect on nutrients such as vitamin C whose levels decrease by 20 to 40 percent in men who smoke one pack of cigarettes per day. When vitamin C drops, a man’s sperm are more sluggish and have a tendency to clump together and there are more abnormally formed sperm with fewer sperm overall. Alcohol reduces fertility and can lead to a cessation of menstruation. It also increases the rate of miscarriages. Marijuana disrupts the ovarian cycle while antihistamines dry up cervical fluid and interfere with sperm survival. Caffeine has been shown to increase the amount of time it takes to conceive a child. The probability of requiring more than 12 months to conceive was 80% higher for high coffee consumers (>4 cups / day) than non-consumers

2. Stop dieting!
Research in Germany on the effects of dieting on women’s menstrual cycles showed disturbances in the luteal (second) half of the cycle of women who lost more than 2 pounds per week. These changes could possibly be explained by the decrease in prolactin that occurred while these women were dieting. Lower prolactin was correlated with decreased estrogen levels. All of these reproductive disturbances could compromise fertility. It should be noted though that a woman of normal weight is more fertile than one who is either too fat or too thin.

3. Timing
It is well documented that men’s semen quality and count varies throughout the year reaching its peak as winter ends and spring begins (Feb to Mar). There is a similar trend in women, showing conception using insemination more common from early winter to early spring (Oct to Mar with November being the most fruitful). A woman’s fertility also peaks at a specific time each month and the use of natural family planning methods such as observing and charting cervical mucus, basal body temperature and other fertility signs can help pinpoint when conception will most likely occur.

4. Exercise/Relaxation
Getting regular exercise is also very important, as well as using some relaxation tools such as meditation, yoga, Tai Chi, prayer, or deep breathing

III. Herbal Medicine

There is much that herbs can contribute to in supporting fertility. Hormonal problems, in either partner, are readily treated herbally. A very important herb is Vitex agnus castus (Chaste Tree Berry) which, although it does not contain the hormone progesterone, affects the pituitary gland in such a way that it corrects and regulates the secretion of progesterone from the ovaries. It also corrects any hormone deficiency of either estrogen or progesterone.

Chamaelirium luteum (False unicorn root) is used in Britain most frequently for female infertility as well as impotence. It is regarded as a powerful and effective tonic for the uterus and ovaries and has the effect of correcting hormonal imbalances. Two herbs that are great for nourishing the body in preparation for conception are Trifolium pratense (Red Clover) and Urtica dioica (Stinging Nettle). They both have high protein, mineral and vitamin content. Red Clover also contains high amounts of absorbable calcium and magnesium, while Nettle has a high chlorophyll content. Botanicals that can be used to support the liver are Taraxacum officinalis (Dandelion Root) and Silybum marianum (Milk Thistle). These are just a few of the herbs that could be beneficial in an infertility situation. There are many more useful herbs and as each person is unique, each herbal formula will be unique and reflect the state of that person.

Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine
Chinese herbs and acupuncture can be very helpful when trying to conceive. When looking at infertility from a Chinese Medicine perspective, there are many different syndromes and causes that could be determined. The basic causes for infertility in a woman, according to Chinese medicine, are: constitutional weakness, overwork, excessive physical work, excessive sexual activity at an early age, invasion of cold (common in young women especially in Britain) and diet. The acupuncture and herbal treatment would correspond with the diagnosis and would be very different for each person depending on the cause.  

Homeopathy is another approach that can successfully be used to help a couple or a woman conceive. An in-depth case is taken and analyzed for the correct homeopathic remedy to be identified. Sepia is one of the many possible remedies that may be used in an infertility situation. Some of the keynotes for this remedy are worn-out, indifferent, weeping, overwhelmed and irritable people with premenstrual depression and who are better from vigorous exercise.

This shows the diversity of approaches that can be taken when treating an infertility case with Naturopathic Medicine. As previously stated, each case is unique and therefore Naturopathic Medicine allows for an approach specifically designed for that case.

References:
- Dawson EB, Harris WA, Teter MC, Powell, LC. Effect of ascorbic acid supplementation on the sperm quality of smokers. Fertility and Sterility 1992; 58(5):1034-39
- Herbal Research Publications. Naturopathic Handbook of Herbal Formulas. Ayer, Massachusetts: Herbal Research Publications, 1995
- Hoffman DL. Therapeutic Herbalism
- Jensen B, Anderson M. Empty Harvest. New York: Avery Publishing Group Inc., 1990.
- Maciocia G. Obstetrics and Gynecology in Chinese Medicine. New York: Churchill Livingstone, 1998.
- Marz RB. Medical Nutrition. Portland, Oregon: Omni-Press, 1997.
- Morrison R. Desktop Guide to Keynotes and Confirmatory Symptoms. California: Hahnemann Clinic Publishing, 1993
- Murray MT. Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplements. California: Prima Publishing, 1996
- Paraskevaides EC, Pennington GW, Naik S. Seasonal distribution in conceptions achieved by artificial insemination by donor. British Medical Journal 1988; 297: 1309-10
- Pirke KM, Tuschl RJ. Prolactin concentrations during menstrual cycles disturbed by weight reducing diets or exercise. Infertility 1988; 11: 185-192
- Rosevear SK et al. Smoking and decreased fertilization rates in vitro. The Lancet 1992; 340:1195-96.
- Weed SS. Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Years. New York: Ash Tree Publishing, 1986.
- Zavos PM. Cigarette smoking and human reproduction: effects on female and male fecundity. Infertility 1989; 12:35-46.

Just some helpful hints for home care of colds & flus:

• Colds – eat warming foods – ginger, garlic, onions, peppers, soups, herb teas (avoid cold, refined, high sugar foods : drink lots of fluids– water, herb teas, broths– no juice or dairy
• Flu with fever – drink only water (or breast milk)  and no food because this will potentially raise the temperature – have constitutional hydrotherapy treatments by your naturopathic doctor as soon as symptoms start to appear
• Steam inhalations – cover head with towel over a bowl of steaming water; add a few drops of Olbas Oil (essential oil blend) to water
• Wet sock treatment – go to bed with cotton socks that are wet with cold water (not dripping – wrung out) and put wool socks on overtop – this is especially useful when you first feel the symptoms coming on – the socks (and your feet) will be warm and dry when you wake
• Avoid food sensitivities and sugar – sugar immediately depresses immune function

Remember: Colds &  flus are primarily from viruses
- antibiotics (which kill bacteria) will not help!

“Feed a cold; starve a fever!”  - an old but valid statement!

Immune-Boosting Soup:
For ages 2 years and up – Yields 6-8 servings
Use this basic recipe as an immune-building base (add what’s in your pantry whole grains, nuts, etc)

1 large onion chopped                       2 large potatoes chopped
2 cloves garlic minced                       4 dried or 2 fresh shiitake mushrooms
2 tablespoons olive oil                       Basil, parsley, tarragon, or other culinary herbs to taste
1 cup celery chopped                        1 pound tofu, cut into small cubes or organic chicken
1 cup green beans chopped               1-2 tbsp white miso
2 cups carrots or other root               1 cup of whole grain pasta
vegetables chopped                          8 cups   water
4 –5 astragalus sticks (Chinese immune-boosting herb)

Sauté onion and garlic in oil in large stockpot till softened. Add water and bring to a boil. Add vegetables and astragalus. Simmer, covered, 30 minutes. Add tofu & simmer 20 more minutes; add herbs & pasta & simmer 10 more minutes. Remove from heat . Remove astragalus sticks, stir in miso to taste.

Do YOU Want The Flu Shot?  Inform Yourself!

• Infection with the influenza (flu) virus is not very common; it only causes about 10% of all illnesses with flu-like symptoms
• The influenza vaccine (the flu shot) is largely ineffective and can have some serious risks
• There is no evidence that the flu shot effectively prevents or reduces the severity of a flu attack
• The flu shot is much less effective for people with weakened immune systems; it can even cause the flu in these cases
• It takes more effort for your immune system to cope with having the flu shot than it does  to actually recover from the flu
• The risks include  a potential for allergic reaction  to the viral component of the vaccine, or to its toxic, carcinogenic  additives and preservatives (formaldehyde, phenol, thimerosal (mercury), organic solvents and antibiotics); Guillaine-Barre paralysis; and the development of flu symptoms within 24 hours which occurs in up to 37% of recipients.
• The mercury alone makes it  UNSAFE FOR PREGNANT WOMEN and some brands have up to 25 mcg of mercury per dose = 5 times the maximum amount judged safe by the US CDC for 110 lb person ---- how much does your child weigh???
• For more information you can contact the Vaccination Risk Awareness Network Inc. (VRAN) at  info@vran.org or  (250)355-2525

In Conclusion:
Creating and maintaining a healthy immune system capable of effectively eliminating the influenza virus before it can cause flu symptoms is a more balanced approach to this issue. The immune system’s response to disease can be weakened by chronic stress, adrenal fatigue, sugar and sweets, insufficient water and a diet poorly balanced in protein, complex carbohydrates and the right kinds of fats. Your Naturopathic Doctor has the information you need to help you help yourself to a healthy, flu-free winter!