I would like everyone to know that we have a new Naturopathic Physician in MC. If you are interested in alternative treatment, her number is 234-5656. She is located in the VA building.

Among available treatments are Botanical Medicine, Clinical Nutrition and Physical Medicine.

FINALLY!!!

Can she honestly call herself Doctor? Or is it Doctor like my PhD in religion from the Internet?

I am glad to hear that she is town. Naturopathy has a lot to offer people with health care. Their education is at least four years of post graduate learning that is equal to medical training. The premise is that nature heals. My own profession of Chiropractic teaches the same ideas. Unfortunately bigotry and ignorance about both our professions still exist. Give her a try, and give her a welcome.

Quack quack quack

Bob, you need a veterinarian, not a holistic doctor!

Oh, sorry.

I briefly thought I was a duck.

I feel much better now.

If it sounds like a duck and smells like a duck and quacks like a duck, etc, etc, etc......

Colleen does none of the above. She has interned under a highly respected Naturopath in Billings and we are lucky to have her.

After several years of prescribed medication (statins), with not much change, I have managed to get off of them by lowering my LDL by 102 points. I ate oatmeal, walnuts and flax for breakfast. None of the aforementioned will wreck your liver or deteriorate your muscles. Wow! diet and exercise, who would have thunk it? Uh, I don't know, Maybe a naturopath.

Recently a family member of mine had some health problems that conventional medicine couldn't seem to solve. So I asked the doctor if we should try some alternative remedies, naturopathic etc. His response, we have tons of peer reviewed research that backs up conventional medicine, but alternatives are based almost solely on testimonial. In other words, while it works sometimes, results are not predictable within any range of confidence. We did continue with the conventional means and finally found a solution.

So, I think Tucker's comment about his change in diet is interesting. A solution that I think most conventional doctors would welcome - changing to a healthier diet/lifestyle. If we all did that, we would all be much healthier and rely less on medicine. Alas we are human and that is not likely, so conventional medicine is left all too often to only treat the symptoms.

My sense is that most people who benefit from alternative medicines have bought in to the system and believe in it. By doing so, they have almost assuredly adopted a healthier lifestyle which should lead to less need for medicine. My guess is that there is plenty of research out there that quantifies the benefits of healthier diet and lifestyle that is a product of conventional medicine.

Maybe naturopathic and conventional medicine are not that far apart, but I am going to keep my regular doctor.

As one who endured two heart caths this past week, the installation of two more stents, and angioplasty of one of the three stents from last May, I am very interested how Tucker lowered his LDL 102 points eating oatmeal and flax?

I have been eating oatmeal for about three years. I have made a conscious effort over the last few years to eat heart friendly foods. I was on statins for several years and they did little good other than giving me a LOT of muscle pain. The cardiologist has talked me into trying one more statin drug which is supposed to be much gentler.

If there is a legitimate way to deal with cholesterol through diet, I would be interested in learning more (as long as it doesn't require giving up steak and dark beer. ). To date, I have had very poor results with just diet and exercise.

Personally, I am beginning to doubt the importance of the relationship between a low LDL and heart disease. Statins don't prevent heart disease, so in many ways the inferences about their "success" is purely statistical.

Please enlighten me.

Richard:

Good luck, hope everything works out!

I think that in this day of "take a pill to cure you," when doctors are so willing to just offer you something that, sure, probably will work, I appreciate having another option, and locally. I don't always like the pill remedy, and I have a completely open mind to treatments or even suggestions that aren't drug-related. I think that a more natural approach to our lifestyles can't hurt.

Just my 2 cents.

Hi guys,

I was reading this thread on your forum and thought I could add some good information:
(Please note the wide ranges of these statistics-they vary a LOT)

Statins (as a class of drugs) are reportedly capable of dropping LDL by 18-55%; increasing HDL (the good cholesterol) by 5-15%; and decreasing triglycerides by 7-30%.
Common side effects of statins include overtaxing the liver, muscle pain, and a less common condition called rhabdomyolysis (rapid muscle breakdown).

There is another class of drug called the Resins (cholestyramine, colestepol) that actually combines with bile acids in the gut to lower cholesterol, this may make you constipated or upset your stomach, but really has few other side effects. However, it can bind with your other medications so you have to time the use of these drugs appropriately. Resins reportedly lower your LDL by about 15-30%; they can raise your HDL by about 3-5%.

Niacin (Vitamin B3) is known to have beneficial effects on hyperlipidemia. It is reported to increase HDL 15-35%, Decrease triglycerides 20-50%, and lower LDL 5-25%. Because niacin is a vitamin and not regulated by the FDA, doses vary, and a prescription is not necessary. However, keep in mind that niacin can raise blood sugar (if you are diabetic) and it causes flushing in many people.

There is yet another class of drugs worth mentioning. The Fibric Acid Derivatives (Lopid and Tricor) which lowers LDL 5-20%, lowers triglycerides 20-50%, and raises HDL about 10-20%. These drugs are not without side effects: stomach ache, gallstones, and all of the problems involved with the Statins, especially if taken with the Statins.

Zetia is a newer drug on the market, it has few side effects, and is usually prescribed with one of the Statins as an adjunct to further drop LDL. It has little effect on HDL or triglycerides.

Of course, all of this has to be taken with a grain of salt (not literally, especially if you have hypertension). Always talk to your healthcare provider before starting on anything, even herbs (most of the time you could just call them-you don't have to pay for an appointment). Naturopathic medicine definitely has a place in our lives-but I would suggest it should be balanced with western medicine.

Using herbs is definitely not out of the question. Tucker has a great point, lifestyle modification is the first step in changing your lipid profile. Exercise, diet, herbs, and sometimes drugs will help to reduce chances of a heart attack or stroke. Some people just have a genetic predisposition for high Lipids, and are going to need more treatment if they want to avoid clogged arteries. (kind of like those people who smoke two packs a day and live to 95 years, and then someone who never smokes dies of lung cancer)

Hope this helps.

Great information, thanks. I guess I didn't give a complete rundown of what all I changed. In addition to the oatmeal, flax and walnuts I started taking a good multi vitamin, fish oil capsules and garlic. The Diet had lowered my LDL considerably but my HDL was low so my MD (yep, I said MD) suggested the addition of the 3-6-9 omegas found in fish oil.

I started this course of action on my own through research and what I consider educated sources. I did not start with a Naturopath but the Naturopathic actions that I adopted have been more successful than the traditional treatments. I realize that everyones physiology differs and what works for me will not work for everyone.

I really just wanted to welcome Colleen to town and certainly hope that we will not cheapen her ability, skill or knowledge off hand.

Richard

Switch the dark beer to red wine and make the steaks halibut, salmon, tuna rather than just beef - grilled or baked.

You can't do much about genetics, unfortunately.

Bill,

Maybe I'm dense, but what does Bigotry have to do with it?

Jeremy, the definition of "bigotry" is:

1. stubborn and complete intolerance of any creed, belief, or opinion that differs from one's own.

http://dictionary.referen...se/bigotry

So, I believe that Dr. Wallick is using the term correctly.

- Dave