Naturopathic Medicine for Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Powerful Case Study from Pinewood Natural Health Centre, Toronto

This is Dr. Michael Rahman, I am a Naturopathic Doctor in Toronto.

I wanted to share a case study from naturopathic practice regarding a patient who came to see me for irritable bowel syndrome. (IBS)  In case this is a new term to you, IBS is a very uncomfortable bowel condition that typically involves alternating diarrhea and constipation, abdominal pain, bloating, gas and/or various food intolerances.

This patient (I will call her Sherri) came to see me with all of these symptoms and had given up hope that there was a solution.  She had tried Western medications, dietary changes, and even some stress reduction techniques, yet her symptoms were not improving. 

The beauty of my approach is that it can often help even when other modalities or approaches come up short.  This is because naturopathic medicine has a very unique way of diagnosing and treating our chronic health concerns.   In Sherri’s case, I noticed that she was holding onto a lot of stress in her body.  Her shoulders were hunched, her face seemed tense, and even her voice carried the tone of tension.  This all suggested to me that I had to help her liver become regulated, as it’s very common for the liver to be the underlying cause of IBS.

Even after the first session, I noticed a profound change in Sherri’s entire disposition.  Her face looked more youthful and relaxed, her shoulder were down, she was breathing deeper, and it was apparent that her mind was slower and more at peace.  Even Sherri made the comment, “Wow, I haven’t felt this relaxed in years.”  

This was confirmation to me that we were on the right track. Sherri came back the following week saying she was still having the symptoms of IBS, but that they were 25% less severe than normal.  This encouraged her, though still concerned that these symptoms would plague her forever.

I offered Sherri a similar strategy, with a few adjustments  and could tell once again that her body was receiving the work on a very deep level.  She once again expressed astonishment by how peaceful and relaxed she felt, by our mind-boy exercise; we then looked towards identifying food intolerances.

Sherri came in the following week saying that her symptoms were reduced by about 75%, which she was extremely excited about.  Amazingly, after 2 more sessions, her symptoms were completely clear as Sherri experienced healthy digestive function for the first time in years. 

In her words, “I feel like I have my life back.  I can now do the things I have been putting on hold for so long.  It’s amazing to feel this way!”

Sherri now comes in occasionally for maintenance treatments.  She still has to minimize certain foods that can cause an inflammatory reaction in her gut, and she has committed to daily yoga practice to help her stress level and overall health. Sherri made the connection for herself that she had to take responsibility for her health and really listen to what her body was trying to tell her.  Because she was willing to do this, our work together went to a much deeper level and she was able to reap the full benefit of naturopathic medicine

If you struggle with IBS and are looking for natural solutions, feel free to call my office at 416 – 656 -8100 in Toronto or Pickering at 905- 427 - 0057 so we can discuss your situation and create a plan that will help you the most. 

Naturopathic Doctor in Toronto gives Home Remedies for Clear skin, complexion - Get rid of Black spots!

Home Remedies for Clearing up your complexion

Many dark spots or dark patches can be easily lightened or eliminated to restore a glowing facial complexion. Dark spots, patches and other marks on the face may be due to excess secretion of melanin on the skin. Some factors that can lead to this condition include over exposure to the sun, hormone imbalance, pregnancy, certain medications, vitamin deficiencies, lack of sleep and too much stress.

Spots and patches on the face can be embarrassing and even lead to low self-esteem. Luckily, there are many possible treatments, such as acid peels, microdermabrasion, and laser treatments .

Simple, natural homemade remedies also may reduce the appearance of spots and other blemishes on your face.

Here are top 10 home remedies for Dark Spots on Face.

1. Lemon Juice

A quick and easy solution can be found in your kitchen or your nearest grocery store — lemon juice. Lemons have vitamin C that can lighten dark spots on your face. It’s easy to apply.

Put some fresh lemon juice on a cotton ball and rub it directly on the affected skin area.

Allow it to dry and then wash it off with water.

Continue applying this home remedy for at least two weeks to get the desired result.

If you have delicate or sensitive skin, you can dilute the lemon juice with plain water, rosewater, or honey. You can also use lime juice to get rid of dark spots, applying it in the same manner as described above.

2. Buttermilk

Buttermilk is also beneficial in getting rid of dark spots. Like lemon juice, it also helps fade blemishes and brown spots but without causing burning sensation.

Take four teaspoons of buttermilk.

Add two teaspoons of fresh tomato juice.

Mix the two ingredients (both have excellent bleaching properties) and then apply.

Wash it off after 15 minutes.

The lactic acid found in the milk too, will gradually reduce skin pigmentation, and brighten and tone your overall skin complexion. So, if you do not have buttermilk, simply apply soak a cotton ball in milk and dab it directly on your spots. Leave it on for about 10 minutes and then wash it off Put milk on a cotton ball and dab it directly on your spots. Repeat this procedure twice daily for four to five weeks.

You can also prepare a solution by mixing milk and honey and apply the solution to your dark spots, leaving it on for 10 minutes.

3. Oats

Oatmeal powder is considered good for skin exfoliation. Hence, you can apply an oatmeal mask on your face and neck to remove dead skin and dark spots.

Grind half a cup of rolled oats.

Add three to four tablespoons of lemon juice to make a paste.

Scrub it on your skin and wash it off with warm water when it dries.

If it becomes messy, use a clean cloth soaked in warm water to remove the mask. Follow this treatment once or twice a week.

4. Almonds

Take 8-10 almonds and soak them in milk overnight.

Peel off the skin and grind the almonds in the morning.

Now, add one teaspoon sandalwood powder(found in the Indian grocery stores) and half a teaspoon honey in it.

Mix them to make a fine paste.

Apply it on your face.

Leave it on for about 30 minutes and then wash it off.

5. Sandalwood

Sandalwood is another effective option.

Make a thick paste of sandalwood powder, glycerin and rose water. (If you don’t have rose water, you can use milk or honey.)

Apply the thick paste to the affected skin area, leaving it on for a few minutes. Wash off the paste with lukewarm water.

Follow this remedy once daily until your spots vanish completely.

6. Potato

Your vegetable drawer is another source of home remedies for spots or dark patches. Potatoes can be applied in one of the two ways:

Slice up a potato and place one slice directly on the spots; leave on for a few minutes and then wash your face with lukewarm water.

You can also make a face mask by combining grated potato with honey.

Some people have also had success using tomatoes to get rid of dark spots  within a few weeks.

7. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera has many healing properties and is a great natural dark spot corrector.

Apply aloe vera juice or gel directly on dark patches and black spots.

Gently massage the area with your fingertips for a few minutes.

Repeat this once or twice daily for a few weeks to fade skin discolorations.

If it becomes messy, use a clean cloth soaked in warm water to remove the mask. Follow this treatment once or twice a week.

Vitamin E oil and castor oil, too, are useful in getting rid of spots.

8. Turmeric

Turmeric is another popular skin-lightening agent that can be used.

 It is also effective for quickly removing sun spots and age spots.

Make a thick paste of turmeric, milk and lemon juice.

Apply it to the skin .

Leave it on for a few minutes and then wash it off with lukewarm water.

Another option is to make a paste of turmeric, honey and olive oil and gently massage it into the affected skin area. Leave it on until it completely dries and then wash the area with water.

9. Papaya

The enzymes in papaya can help even out skin tone and aid in fading pigment. For example, papaya contains papain, an enzyme that exfoliates the skin encouraging production of new, fresher-looking skin. There are two ways that you can use papaya.

Apply the pulp of ripe papaya to the skin and leave it on for about 20 minutes; then rinse it off.

Another option is to grate green papaya and add lime juice to it. Apply this mixture to black spots and allow it to sit for 15 minutes before rinsing it off.

You can also use papaya skin as an excellent scrub for knees and elbows.

10. Onion Juice

Onion juice — made using a juicer, blender or grater – can be applied leave on 20 minutes and rinse off. Much like the papaya the onion contains exfoliating agents and creates a controlled inflammatory reaction that helps in tightening the skin.

To determine if you are a candidate for peeling or microdermabrasion or to design a unique treatment program that is based on your unique and special needs, please do not hesitate to give us a call in Toronto at 416 656 8100 or visit us on line at www.pinewoodhealth.ca

Make sure that you check out our special packages on line, to find how we approach skin and natural beauty with success in mind!

Toronto Naturopathic Doctor shares 3 Secret Nutrition tips help Weight loss and burn fat

CONSUME FOODS THAT BURN FAT

Fat creation can be caused by all foods; but specific foods can actually assist in burning fat. Some of the foods we consume contain vitamins and minerals that increases metabolism and perform as virtual fat burners. We have foods with bad calorie that burn off excess calories during digestion process. Some other foods, when eaten in little amount gives a feeling of satisfaction with a very minute calories. Holding on to the ideal complete foods will gradually remove your body fat profile.

When fat burning foods are eaten in the correct quantity and right time, the fat profile of the body starts to depreciate. Eat foods that inhibit fat deposition in your body for an added boost. The lists of secret fat burners which are daily foods are as follows:

Organic Poultry 

Chicken, an example of poultry possesses the ability to accelerate metabolic rate of the body which consequently lead to burning off extra fat. It is also low fat, carbohydrate and the protein content is excellent. The body needs a great amount of energy to digest proteins, and needed more to store the proteins as fat. Poultry chicken is also a perfect source of iron, zinc, and niacin. To get the excellence results, de-skin poultry before consumption to prevent extra fat.

Wild caught Salmon & Tuna

Another good protein sources are Salmon and Tuna. They supply the body with healthy fats derived from the omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Salmon and tuna have low unhealthy saturated fat and energy. Consuming salmon positively induces production of leptin, which is the hormone that functions in calories storage and burning. The body stores fat under high levels of leptin. Salmon and tuna functions as leptin reducer, giving boost to your body metabolism to burn calories.

Other Lean Proteins

Like other proteins, scientific finding has confirmed that proteins of all macronutrients have the highest thermic effect. For digestion and processing, protein needs nearly 30% of its calories. Lean proteins also act as appetite suppressor which decreases the propensity to overeat. Though poultry has a lesser fat profile, lean red meats like lean sirloin, game, top round and other white meat possess a position in a fat burning diet.

Citrus Fruits

Citrus fruits while providing a big dose of vitamin C, a chemical utilized in fat burning process raises metabolism. Citrus fruits are positioned as the best fat burning foods you can consume. Apples, oranges, grapefruit and likewise tomatoes have these qualities fat burning qualities. You can mix several varieties out of the large varieties to get different flavors and taste. Citrus fruits efficiently deplete fat deposited around the waist and hips.

Apples

One apple a day holds away the fat. Apples have a substance known as pectin which limits the cells from taking in fat and helps in absorbing water from food. Pectin also helps in pushing deposits of fat from the body. Antioxidants present in apples may also decrease excess belly fat caused as a result of metabolic syndrome. There is also a high level soluble fiber in apples which assist you manipulates hunger pain.

Berries

Blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, cherries - choose any. Fruits generally contain vitamins and minerals. Fruits have low calories and high water unlike refined foods. Berries are great sources of fiber and they increase metabolism, thereby disintegrating food and fats. Sweet and delicious even with adding nothing, a significant quantity of berries will keep you feeling satisfied longer and assist in eliminating the thirst for sugar-full glasses of unnaturally flavored, empty calories            .

Oatmeal

A greater part of oats calorie profile is soluble fiber. Soluble fiber aid blood sugar control and assists you feel satiated longer. Oatmeal also reduces the chance of heart disease plus lowering cholesterol. Select from the obsolete or steel cut oatmeal and consume with fresh fruit. During diet phases, carefully watch your serving sizes.

Vegetables

Majority of vegetables (excluding yams, potatoes and sweet potatoes) hold low calories, but still have necessary vitamins and minerals which are important in the body’s metabolism improvement. Vegetables like spinach, cabbage, broccoli, artichokes and carrots do contain very low carbohydrate levels and have no fat. In fact, fat burning is aided because the body uses more calories for vegetables digestion than the calories they produce. So the additional calories needed to disintegrate food are gotten from the fat reserves of the body. For instance, a serving of Brussels sprouts contain 50 calories but the body requires 75 calories to digest. This means that the body burned 25 calories of body fat because of a serving of Brussels sprouts.

Beans

Beans are rich in amino acids, minerals and are low in calories. Lentils contains amino acids that functions in body fat reduction, building muscles, and also regulation of blood sugar. They are rich sources of dietary fiber making you feel full longer, and reducing the feel to overeat.

Eggs

Eggs are natural super-food, and they densely contain most of the important nutrients like other foods. Their high protein levels boost metabolism and assist you to burn fat. Eggs are no doubt one of the best fat burning foods. Amidst other protein-rich foods, egg contains mix essential amino acids the most. Even with the low calories they have, vitamin D, vitamin B12, selenium and choline can still be found in them. Proofs have shown that eggs don’t add to bad cholesterol, but they improve the good cholesterol which is needed for a healthy body. Eggs contain all nutrients necessary for good health.

Almonds & Walnuts

Almonds and walnuts are great sources of the healthy fats that the body’s cell structure need to function smoothly. An ounce of almonds can provide 12% of daily protein allowance and has folic acid and calcium. Additionally, vitamin E form in walnuts is healthful. A reasonable quantity of nuts is a crunchy and tasty to quench your hunger pains.

Pine Nuts

Based on the findings of scientists, pine nuts have many healthy fatty acids. They help in the removal of fat deposition in the abdominal regions. Pine nuts increase hormones of satiety with the gains of reducing fat.

SECRET #2: ADD FAT BOOSTERS TO YOUR DIET

Consuming the correct food will boost your metabolism and will also aid in burning your undesired fat. Join fat burning foods with those that boost fat to accelerate your metabolism.

Mustard

Very small mustard seeds are endowed with nutrition which includes: the omega-3 fatty acid, tryptophan, selenium, manganese, phosphorus, calcium, iron, zinc and niacin. Little protein and fiber can also been found in them. Spicy Asian and Mexican varieties of mustard for a short time speed up metabolism such as the ephedrine or caffeine in a harmless and natural means. Spicy mustard gives flavor to your food when added and also improve fat loss.

Onions

Onions have flavor and aroma, and they are low in calories. Onions also can help in losing of weight. Chromium, also a nutrient can be found in onions. Chromium is known to improve insulin to regulate stable blood sugar. Therefore, onions assist in stopping crashes of blood sugar and the consequences of the munchies.

Coconut Oil

Coconuts increase the energy of the body. Unlike shortening and margarine, coconut oil has greater quantity of medium-chain fatty acids which are also useful in immediate fuel supply. Apply coconut oil to your cooking to accelerate metabolism, improve thyroid functioning and intensify fat burning.

Hot Peppers

The spice-giving chemicals in hot peppers safely accelerate the heart rate. There are some people who are able to burn more than 1000 calories daily from pepper consumption. Chillies and peppers for example activate your body to burn fat. Hot peppers as diet food are one of the best when it comes to flavor and fat burning attributes.

Green Tea

Green tea decreases the total fat in the waist and skin regions significantly. Green tea contains the antioxidant catechins which are known to increase rate of metabolism. This now signifies that fat burning activity in your body will be longer and it will be continuous. Catechins have been shown to interact with green tea caffeine. Green tea which has high levels of antioxidants is the best substitute for coffee.

SECRET #3: INCREASE INTAKE OF WATER

There is reduction of body fat deposits when more water is taken. The kidneys will function inefficiently when enough water is not taken. When the kidneys are not functioning well, the liver takes up some of work load of the kidney. This will reduce the fat metabolizing function of the liver and consequently lead to the increased fat accumulation and burning of fat standstill. Therefore, drinking the ideal quantity of water improves metabolism and maximally perform fat burning. Water also flushes out poisons and also increases the ability of the body to stay healthy.