Tag Archives: seattle naturopath

Health Benefits of Smiling

Did you know that the United States spends trillions of dollars annually on healthcare? We spend more than any other country in the world, yet our life expectancy falls far behind those of countries that spend significantly less money on their healthcare systems. Here at Seattle Naturopathic and Acupuncture Center we like to focus on prevention of diseases and on finding more affordable and effective ways to improve our patients’ overall health and well-being. As healthcare providers we’ve seen that our patients’ health is impacted not only by their diets and lifestyle choices, but also by the way they interact with those around them. We would like to emphasize the importance of fostering positive relationships that bring happiness to your life. A strong, genuine indicator of happiness is laughter!

A recent clinical study looked closely at the overall impact of laughter on cancer patients undergoing surgery and chemotherapy. Cancer patients generally have significantly compromised immune systems and unfortunately both surgical procedures to remove tumors as well as chemotherapy tend to further compromise their immunology. This particular clinical study focused specifically on the immunological measurements (white bloods cells, t-cells, ect.) of 41 patients between the ages of 65 and 70 suffering from gastric or colorectal cancer. Half of the patients were treated with chemotherapy and the other half with surgery. All Initial blood cells counts were taken to compare their immunological responses throughout the study. Twelve randomly selected patients from both the chemotherapy and the surgical treatment groups were subjected to laughter therapy. After receiving laughter therapy for a period of 30 days, the immunity counts for the surgical treatment group either decreased or remained constant while the counts for the surgical control group decreased significantly. On the other hand, the immunological counts for the chemotherapy treatment group increased compared to the control group, whose counts decreased. The results of this study suggest that patients with gastric or colorectal cancer, who undergo surgery or chemotherapy, benefit from a formal program of psychotherapeutic laughter therapy during the in-patient hospital stay in terms of immunological measurements. Other research studies indicate that laughter can also be beneficial for stress relief, muscle relaxion, pain relief, and sleep patterns.

We are collecting unsold flowers that will otherwise be disposed of and delivering them to assisted living facilities and nursing homes. Why? To simply bring a smile to others. If you have flowers to donate, please contact us at Seattle Naturopathic And Acupuncture Center.


  1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23984543
  2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25107703
  3. https://www.cancercenter.com/treatments/laughter-therapy/

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Filed under Acupuncture, Antiaging, decrease pain, seattle naturopath

Basic summary on MTFHR mutation detrimental health effects




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Probiotics may help with IBS

Irritable bowel symptom, or IBS,  is a common functional disorder of the gastrointestinal tract characterized by abdominal symptoms such as abdominal pain and discomfort, bloating and change of bowel habits leading to either diarrhea or constipation. The exact cause of IBS is not clear, but stress, gastrointerstinal infections or antibiotics use are often triggers of the onset of IBS symptoms. One theory gaining ground is that it may be due to a shift in the balance of billions of bacteria which normally inhabit our intestine, towards those bacteria that produce excess gas and could possibly initiate an inflammatory response. The treatments of IBS include anti-diarrheals for diarrhea predominant IBS, stool softeners for constipation-predominant IBS, and antispasmodics for pain relief. However, these medications seem to only be able to provide temporary relief.

In one study, 52 people diagnosed with IBS were divided into two groups. One group was supplemented daily for 8 weeks with probiotic containing 25 billion live bacteria per daily dose. The second group received a placebo capsule. None of the participants knew if they were taking the probiotic or the placebo capsule. The following IBS symptoms were assessed every two weeks during the study period an again at 10 weeks. Two weeks after taking the probiotics, participants noticed decreased in days with pain, decreased in abdominal pain, decreased bloating, and improved quality of life.

The study suggested that supplementing large number of these beneficial bacteria may have the effect of “crowding” out the bad bacteria in the gut thereby helping to reduce gas production and pain.

Williams E.A., et al. Clinical trial: a multi-strain probiotic preparation significantly reduces symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome in a double-blind placebo-controlled study. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2009:29:27-103

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Filed under Digestion, Food allergy, IBD, IBS, Inflammation, Leaky gut syndrome

How can probiotics benefit you?

Years of antibacterical overuse, in everything from soup to toothpaste, have left our “good” gut bacteria severely compromised. The thriving population of these bacteria helps not only our digestion, but overall immunity as well. By reinforcing these strong gut soldiers, called probiotics, we strengthen from the inside our defenses against bad bugs, yeast, and other intestinal infections.

Many delicious foods have high levels of these beneficial bacteria, including yogurt, miso, and fermented and unfermented milk. Unfortunately, many of these foods are an acquired taste, and if you don’t appreciate the sour tang, you might not get their health benefits.

A recent meta-analysis of 31 randomized, placebo-controlled studies, published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology, found the probiotic S. boulardii could be “strongly recommended for the prevention of antibiotic-assoicated diarrhea and traveler’s diarrhea. Plenty of promising research suggests that probiotics can:

  • keep harmful pathogens from implanting in the intestinal wall
  • improve the function of the mucous lining of the intestinal tract
  • help manage symptoms of IBS
  • help recover from intestinal, vaginal, urinary tract infections
  • help prevent and reduce severity of colds and flu

With the various benefits of probiotics, one should definitely try to incorporate more foods that are high in beneficial bacteria into the diet, or simply spend 5 minutes and picking out a bottle at the store. High-quality probiotics supplements are generally available in the refrigerated sections of your health food store.


Filed under Digestion, Eczema, Food allergy, IBS, Leaky gut syndrome

Fiber as a natural weight loss promoter

The best fiber to use for weight loss is water-soluble fiber. Examples of water-soluble are psyllium, gluconmannan, guar gum, and pectin. When taken with water before meals or with meals, these fiber sources bind to the water in the stomach to form a gelatinous mass that makes you feel full. As a result, you will be less likely to overeat.

The benefits of fiber go well beyond this mechanical effect. Fiber supplements have been shown to enhance blood sugar control and insulin effects, as well as reduce the number of calories absorbed by the body. In clinical studies demonstrating weight loss, fiber supplements were shown to reduce the number of calories absorbed by 30-180 calories/day. This reduction in calories may not seem like much, but over the course of a year it would add up to three to eighteen pounds.
In addition to weight loss, fiber supplementation promotes good health. Studies have shown these very same water soluble fiber sources to reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering cholesterol levels and lowering blood pressure, reduce the risk for various cancer including colon, rectal, and pancreatic cancer, reduce blood sugar levels in diabetes, promote proper bowel movement function, and help with peptic ulcers.

There are many fiber supplements to choose from. I recommend one that is rich in water-soluble fiber and avoid products containing added sugar or other sweeteners. One other very important recommendation is to be sure to drink adequate amount of water when taking and fiber supplement.

Remember to start with a small dosage and increase gradually. Water soluble fibers are fermented by intestinal flora. As a result, gas and bloating can be a problem. If you are not used to a high fiber diet, an increase in dietary fiber can lead to increased flatulence and abdominal pain. Start out with a dosage of 1-2 grams before or with meals and gradually increase the dosage. How much weight will you loose? It really depends on how much you weigh, you should lose 50-100% more weight by supplementing you diet with fiber than by dietary restriction alone.

Caution: individuals with a disorder of esophagus should not take fiber in pill as it can expand in the esophagus and create obstruction in the gastrointestinal tract.

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Filed under Weight Loss

What temperature water do you drink?

We all know that water is good for us, but often most of us don’t give it too much thought of what temperature water is best for our health.

The temperature of water you drink matters. It matters more to those who experiences digestive complaints including indigestion, gas/bloating, constipation, diarrhea. Most would agree that our stomach/small intestine take on the responsibilities of breaking foods into smaller particles and ensuring proper digestion of food and absorption of various crucial nutrients. Their actions are similar to what a stove does for us (yes, a stove from you kitchen). A stove provides energy to cook food to ensure foods are properly digested. The cooking process essentially helps to break down the fibers of meat and vegetables. Now, imaging pouring some ice cold water into a pot of food you have been heating for a while, it will admittedly takes longer and more energy for the pot to heat up again and continue to cook. Similar to our digestive system, the body spends so much energy in heating (digesting) the food we eat. By drinking icy cold water, it immediately slows down the digestive system, preventing proper digestion and absorption. Without proper digestion and absorption of vital nutrients, the body does not have of the resources and building blocks to regenerate, rejuvenate and heal. In the long run, it will put a burden on the other parts of the body. If you are experiencing digestive complaint, consider trying to switching to warm temperature or warm water. Avoid cold or ice water when possible.

On a side note, there are many very powerful reasons to drink lots of water every day. There’s a quick reminder:


2. Energy. Being dehydrated can sap your energy and make you feel tired. If you’re thirsty, you’re already dehydrated — and this can lead to fatigue, muscle weakness, dizziness and other symptoms.




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Filed under Digestion, Eczema, fatigue, IBS, Skin Conditions

Natural treatments for Psoriasis

Psoriasis occurs when the skin cells reproduce up to a hundred times faster than normal. The result? Skin cells age quickly and can’t be sloughed off fast enough, leaving one with crusty skin patches that become sore and itch.

More recently researchers have regarded psoriasis as an immune-mediated disease. This view is supported by novel therapies that target leukocytes and related cytokines. It appears that psoriasis is a complex immune-mediated disease in which T-lymphocytes and dendritic cells play a central role. Although drugs and infections may trigger psoriasis, the primary insult that initiates psoriasis is not always clear. The typical clinical findings of redness and scaling are the result of hyperproliferation and abnormal differentiation of the skin cells, together with inflammatory cell infiltrates and vascular changes.

The diet that is important in the treatment of psoriasis includes lots of vegetable, fruits, nuts, whole grains, legumes, beans, fish, and chicken. Avoid saturated fats and refined foods such as pork, beef, and baked goods. Also, avoid alcohol, smoking, coffee, and sugar.

Naturopathic psoriasis treatments:

-Minimize triggers. Cold weather, an infection, stress, and certain medication, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, can cause flare-ups.

-Let the sun shine. Small does of ultraviolet light make a huge difference. The trick is determining the proper amount—too much UV exposure can cause flare-ups. Use sunscreen on the nonpsorasis areas to prevent sun damage in those parts.

-One supplement that helps this condition is zinc, which is depleted by the excessive cell production.

-Decrease inflammation with Omega 3’s. These essential fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties and can alleviate dryness of the skin.

-Address the underlying problems such as candidiasis or allergies. They are often the root causes to many skin conditions


Filed under Skin Conditions