A recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition followed 14,807 women over a decade and found that following a Mediterranean Diet* was associated with a statistically significant inverse association with breast cancer among postmenopausal women. The authors of this study conclude that this could in part explain the lower incidence of breast cancer in Mediterranean countries.

To find out more about reducing risk factors for breast cancer, see your Naturopathic Doctor. A Naturopath can help put together an individualized treatment and prevention plan that meets your health goals.

A recently published study (July 2010) following over 35,000 postmenopausal women living in the USA found that the use of daily fish oil supplementation reduced the risk of ductal breast cancer (not lobular). Women who had been using fish oil for over 10 years experienced the greatest benefit. The authors concluded that fish oil may be inversely related to breast cancer risk, but they say additional research is required to further investigate the mechanism by which fish oil may protect against breast cancer.

To find out more about reducing your breast cancer risk, visit your Naturopath.  They can put together a comprehensive prevention plan that meets your specific health goals.

Yours in Health,

Dr. Tara Andresen is a licensed naturopathic doctor practicing in Toronto, Ontario. She follows an evidence-based approach to naturopathic medicine, incorporating the latest scientific research into effective treatment plans for a wide variety of health concerns.

A recent study soon to be published in Psychiatry Research (2010) involving 42 people with Major Depressive Disorder, found that 1000mg of EPA (found in fish oil) exerted beneficial effects on mood equal to that of 20mg of a well known anti-depressant medication, Prozac. This study built on a 2008 study that also found 1000mg of EPA had equal therapeutic effects to 20mg of Prozac. Interestingly,  the 2008 study also found that EPA from fish oil, in combination with Prozac had a superior effect to either EPA or Prozac alone.

Treatment of depression often requires an integrated approach involving both naturopathic and allopathic treatment modalities.  Naturopathic Doctors often work with MDs to provide a more comprehensive model of care for those with mood disorders like depression. Contact your ND to find out more about how naturopathic medicine can help you.

Yours in Health,

Dr. Tara Andresen, ND 

Dr. Tara Andresen is a licensed naturopathic doctor practicing in Toronto, Ontario. She follows an evidence-based approach to naturopathic medicine, incorporating the latest scientific research into effective individualized treatment plans for a wide variety of health conditions.

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (April 2010) published a study last month that showed supplementing your diet with zinc can help protect you from atherosclerosis.  Atherosclerosis is the thickening and hardening of arteries that can occur in some individuals and lead to a heart attack, a stroke or angina. The authors of the study concluded that zinc may have a protective effect because of its antiinflammatory and antioxidant functions.

It is important to note that while zinc can offer some protection, additional steps are required to minimize the risk of heart disease. There are many risk factors for atherosclerosis, including high blood pressure, diabetes, genetics, high levels of LDL ("bad") cholesterol and smoking.  All of these factors need to be addressed in order to effectively prevent atherosclerosis. Your Naturopathic Doctor can work with you to put together an individualized risk prevention plan to meet your specific health needs.

Yours in heath,

Dr. Tara Andresen, ND

Dr. Tara Andresen is a licensed naturopathic doctor practicing in Toronto, Ontario. She follows an evidence-based approach to naturopathic medicine, incorporating the latest scientific research into effective individualized treatment plans for a wide variety of health conditions.

Folic acid supplementation has been commonly known to reduce the incidence of neural tube defects in the first 22-28 days of pregancy.  This means that women should be taking folic acid prior to conceiving since neural tube defects can occur in a fetus before a woman may know that she is pregnant.

In addition to preventing neural tube defects, a new study in the February issue of the European Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology suggests that it may be important to continue supplementing with folic acid through to the end of pregnancy. This study followed 14,000 women and found that taking folic acid significantly reduced the risk of preterm births in those who continued to supplement with folic acid in their third trimester. 

To find out more about folic acid supplementation and natural fertility support, contact a licensed naturopathic doctor.  They can put together an individualized treatment program to help you improve your health both before and during pregnancy.

Yours in health,

Dr. Tara Andresen, ND

Dr. Tara Andresen is a licensed naturopathic doctor practicing in Toronto, Ontario. She follows an evidence-based approach to naturopathic medicine, incorporating the latest scientific research into effective individualized treatment plans for a wide variety of health conditions.

Yes, it's true. A study published earlier this month in  the Journal of Nutrition found that supplementation with whey protein powder for 12 weeks in overweight individuals significantly decreased LDL (the bad cholesterol), total cholesterol and triglycerides (fat). In addition, whey protein also decreased insulin levels. Cool! Another reason to start the day with a tasty protein shake!

To find out more, contact a licensed naturopathic doctor.  They can put together an individualized treatment program to help lower cholesterol and improve weight management.

Yours in health,

Dr. Tara Andresen, ND

Dr. Tara Andresen is a licensed naturopathic doctor practicing in Toronto, Ontario. She follows an evidence-based approach to naturopathic medicine, incorporating the latest scientific research into effective individualized treatment plans for a wide variety of health conditions.

Typical presenting symptoms of people who are “stressed out” include: insomnia, depression, fatigue, headaches, upset stomach, digestive disturbances, irritability. 

While stress is useful to a certain degree to motivate us and help us achieve our goals, chronic elevated stress levels adversely affect us on a physical and emotional level.

The stress response in the body is well documented and involves the release of a hormone called cortisol from the adrenal glands that sit on top of our kidneys. With long term stress, excess cortisol is regularly released into the bloodstream by overworked adrenal glands.

Naturopathic medicine offers a multitude of effective treatment options to help you manage stress and support your adrenal glands, including:

1. Changing the diet to balance blood sugar and support energy building in the body.
2. Supporting the adrenal glands and balancing cortisol with botanical and dietary supplements.
3. Counseling on lifestyle changes to mitigate the stress response.
4. Counseling on techniques to calm the mind and promote positive thinking.
5. Exercise to balance blood sugar and improve energy.
6. Acupuncture to calm the mind and mitigate the stress response.

Your naturopathic doctor can put together an effective stress management treatment program to meet your individual needs.

Yours in health,

Dr. Tara Andresen, ND

Dr. Tara Andresen is a licensed naturopathic doctor practicing in Toronto, Ontario. She follows an evidence-based approach to naturopathic medicine, incorporating the latest scientific research into effective individualized treatment plans for a wide variety of health conditions.

Often we hear about the perils of eating fat – and don’t get me wrong – there is certainly no shortage of artery-clogging saturated fats available to eat. There are, however, some healthy fats that improve heart health. 

In particular, research has shown that moderate amounts of daily olive oil consumption supports heart health by lowering blood pressure, lowering bad cholesterol (LDL and triglycerides) and increasing good cholesterol (HDL). 

The dosage of olive oil is 2 tablespoons per day, but the oil must be raw, not heated, to obtain health benefits.  Heating oils changes the composition and generates free radicals (oxidants) that harm cells in the body.  Also, make sure you choose an extra virgin, cold pressed olive oil that is stored in a dark bottle to prevent fermentation, and if possible, keep it in the refrigerator once opened.

Olive oil is only one of many natural therapies available to treat and prevent heart disease. You naturopathic doctor can help you understand which options are best for you.

Yours in health,

Dr. Tara Andresen, ND

Dr. Tara Andresen is a licensed naturopathic doctor practicing in Toronto, Ontario. She follows an evidence-based approach to naturopathic medicine, incorporating the latest scientific research into effective individualized treatment plans for a wide variety of health conditions.

Did you know that taking Vitamin D3 on a regular basis can help improve your body’s ability to ward off influenza?

First things first - What is Vitamin D?

Vitamin D is actually not a vitamin – it’s a precursor to steroid hormones.  Vitamin D is made by our skin from exposure to UV light from the sun. Decreased exposure to sunlight in the fall and winter months in Toronto means that our bodies are producing less Vitamin D naturally. There are multiple forms of Vitamin D, but the one that is best used in the body is Vitamin D3 (aka. Cholecalciferol)

Getting healthy - How can Vitamin D help with the flu?

Recent resarch supports the theory that low sunlight exposure and secondary deficiencies of vitamin D underlie susuceptibility to colds and influenza. It turns out that the anti-microbial cells that line the respiratory tract are dependent on Vitamin D.  As a result, by acting on these immune cells, Vitamin D prevents lung infections associated with influenza.  

What’s next – How much should I take?

Individual Vitamin D3 requirements can vary considerably so it’s best to have your Vitamin D levels tested through a simple blood test done by either your Naturopathic or Medical Doctor.  The best lab test is 25-hydroxy-Vitamin D.  Based on your blood testing and medical history, your Naturopathic Doctor can assess and make recommendations to meet your individual Vitamin D3 needs. Those people who are on high levels of calcium supplementation need to be monitored and have their D3 dosing adjusted accordingly to prevent excessive calcium deposits in the body. Additionally, any digestive concerns need to be taken into account (ie. problems with breaking down fats), so that Vitamin D3 absorption can be optimized.

Vitamin D3 is only one of many natural therapies available for flu prevention. Your naturopathic doctor can help you understand which options are best for you.

Yours in health,

Dr. Tara Andresen, ND

Dr. Tara Andresen is a licensed naturopathic doctor in Toronto, Ontario. She follows an evidence-based approach to naturopathic medicine, incorporating the latest scientific research into effective individualized treatment plans for a wide variety of health conditions.

I am thrilled to introduce a new website as part of my naturopathic medical practice in Toronto. I hope you will feel free to email me with ideas for additional content. I will do my best to keep adding relevant information and links related to naturopathic medicine. In addition to a regular blog, I will be creating a quarterly newsletter that I hope you will find useful.

Yours in health,

Dr. Tara Andresen, ND

Dr. Tara Andresen is a licensed naturopathic doctor in Toronto, Ontario. She follows an evidence-based approach to naturopathic medicine, incorporating the latest scientific research into effective individualized treatment plans for a wide variety of health conditions.