Choosing a Holistic Practitioner

In studying natural health, one question comes up over and over again. How does one go about choosing a good alternative medicine physician or holistic health practitioner?


Just as in allopathic medicine, the choice of health care provider is critical to your overall results. If it is a new experience, choosing an alternative health care doctor can be overwhelming. These 10 questions below adopted from the American Holistic Medical Association, can be used to help you find and build a relationship with a practitioner that you can partner with to secure your natural, holistic health.

1. How does this practitioner feel about second opinions or your interest in alternative health care therapies or treatments?


2. How do you react and respond to this practitioner's staff and office? Are you comfortable?


3. Is your personal dignity respected by this practitioner and his staff during examinations and any other interactions?


4. Does this practitioner honor your doubts, anxieties, or fears?


5. Do you feel like a valued partner in managing your health?


6. Does the practitioner himself appear healthy?


7. Are you treated as if this is an important, ongoing relationship?


8. Are you allowed sufficient time between consultation and treatment to allow time to make well informed decisions?


9. Does the practitioner offer you unconditional acceptance and an open mind?


10. Would you recommend this practitioner to another person that you care about?

Use these 10 steps to find a natural health practitioner and lay the groundwork for establishing a healthy relationship with them in securing your holistic health.



To find out more about natural methods of health and healing with alternative medicine, visit

Naturopathic-Medicine.net

To find out about natural health education, visit

Certified Natural Health Professionals - SC Chapter

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Insulin Resistance - The Silent Killer

Insulin resistance, or the body's inability to properly use insulin to burn blood sugar, has become a silent epidemic. It has been labeled Syndrome X. Insulin resistance can be a precursor to diabetes, heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer's disease and a host of other diseases. Signs of insulin resistance can be obesity ( belly fat ), high blood pressure, high cholesterol and high triglyceride levels.

To prevent syndrome X, consider these healthy lifestyle choices:

1. Avoid refined carbohydrates. These are foods that are generally white in color, e.g., white bread, cereals, cakes, pasta, ice cream.
2. Increase your protein intake in your diet. Limit red meat as it would have a tendency to aggravate further accompanying symptoms. Healthy choices would include fish and poultry.
   
3. Exercise daily. Walking, swimming, or cycling are all great choices.
   
4. Include dietary nutritional supplements that assist in metabolizing blood sugar and insulin, i.e., vitamins E and C, zinc, chromium, silymarin, and alpha lipoic acid.

To find out more about diet and nutrition, visit

Herbal Nutrition Systems

To find out more about natural methods of health and healing with alternative medicine, visit

Naturopathic-Medicine.net

To find out about natural health education, visit
Certified Natural Health Professionals - SC Chapter



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Let Them Eat Cake, Nutritionally

Here in the US, we just celebrated a major holiday, July 4th. For many of us this meant not only a day off from work to celebrate our nation's birth, but also a time to gather with friends and relatives for the annual 4th of July Cookout.

Traditional meals for the annual 4th day cookout typically include barbecued chicken, beef, and/or pork, potato salad or pasta salad, baked beans, corn on the cob, grilled vegetable kabobs, hot dogs, and dessert. ( My experience is primarily of the southern cookout, so mileage may vary across the country; but these foods represent a typical holiday feast. ) Desserts vary greatly. This may include ice cream, custards, fruit pies, and/or fresh fruit such as berries, watermelon or canteloupe. But often times, combined with any of these other choices is cake.

For those choosing cake instead of fresh fruit, even the type of cake selected for the meal can make a big difference. For example, an average slice of devil's food cake ( approximately 2.5 ounces with icing ) contains 234 calories, 8.5 grams of fat and 3 grams of protein. However, a 2 ounce slice of angel food cake contains only 137 calories, zero grams of fat and 3 grams of protein. The angel food cake could be combined with fresh fruit for added flare and flavor. While this would add more calories, the fresh fruit would also add antioxidants, vitamins, and enzymes.

If choosing a traditional meal for the annual cookout, careful choices in ingredients and preparation can help make the meal healthier. The types of meats, dairy, and oils or fats selected can make a big difference in the overall caloric and fat intake. Adding fresh fruits and vegetables not only adds great flavor but adds a healthy component to the meal as well. Hopefully these are ideas you can integrate into your next holiday feast.

To find out more about herbs, diet, and nutrition, visit

Herbal Nutrition Systems

To find out more about natural methods of health and healing with alternative medicine, visit

Naturopathic-Medicine.net

To find out about natural health education, visit
Certified Natural Health Professionals - SC Chapter


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