Dr. Masha, ND

Naturopathy

Articles

Natural Approach to Coronavirus

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SARS-CoV2 is the virus that causes the viral infection COVID-19 or Coronavirus.
Since it is a novel virus, we are learning every month new information about its action on the body and how it is best to protect from its complications. It might be that the conventional medicine treatments that we are employing at the moment
can be obsolete in a few months – that is how quickly we need to react to improve the methods we use to save those who are afflicted the most. Natural approach to coronavirus can be added along with treatments at home and in the hospital. The world is in physical distancing and isolation. We have never been in such a large pandemic since 1918 Spanish Flu.
What can naturopathic medicine do for patients to prevent COVID-19 and its consequences?
Naturopathic medicine can achieve two goals:
– Focus on improving IMMUNITY and addressing chronic conditions (hypertension, diabetes, autoimmune). It appears to be that the virus can affect profoundly those who have concurrent chronic issues.
– If a person is afflicted with the virus, then shortening the duration of the illness and lessening the severity, and, most importantly, trying to prevent virus from binding to hemoglobin which can lower the oxygen supply, causing lack of oxygen in various tissues. The virus can also cause acute respiratory syndrome and lung necrosis (bilateral pneumonia)
Natural medicine is not a panacea nor a promised cure but it is an attempt to help the body fight better. Naturopaths gather their protocols through an accumulated information and research on similar viruses, clinical experience with natural treatment for influenza and common colds, notes from the physicians successfully treating patients during Spanish Flu (may seem outdated but lessons from the past should not be ignored).
There are some experts saying that Coronavirus will eventually become seasonal like flu and common colds. Thus, we do need to know how to address it naturally too. Without any doubt, the world is expecting a vaccine but vaccines may not be always an answer and key to good health of the people all over the world.
What does natural approach to Coronavirus include?
– Herbal formulations that show anti-viral properties and anti-inflammatory affects (to lessen inflammation in the lungs and other tissues)
– Vitamins and minerals (such as vitamin D, C, A, zinc and others). Zinc is especially is singled out as to help Hydrochloroquine (the anti-malaria medicine found effective in anectodal cases of the virus) work more efficiently, it was helpful to add high doses of zinc as Hydrochloroquine transports zinc from extracellular space
into intracellular space.
– The use of high dose intravenous vitamin C
–Individualized homeopathy along with homeopathic remedies used for this particular epidemic
-Life Style Changes
One recommendation I give all my patients is to get at least 8 hours of sleep. Sleep is free! Research shows that sleep by itself can increase the immune system and prepare the body to better fight viruses. The best sleep is before 12 am. So going to sleep at 10 pm can be optimal.
If sleep is something you need to work on, let me know too! There are herbs, minerals and vitamins that can help improve sleep along with working on sleep schedule and sleep routine.
If you have any questions about how to approach the viruses with natural medicine, do not hesitate to let me know!

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Improving Fertility Naturally For Women and Men

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In my practice, I see women and men, couples (heterosexual and same sex couples) for natural treatments to improve fertility. I work with couples who would like to conceive naturally as well as with those who are seeking assisted reproductive technology to help them achieve their dream of having a family.
The best approach is to prepare for conception, healthy pregnancy and delivery. We call it in naturopathic medicine –Pre-Conception. Pre-Conception should be initiated a few months before intended conception or Assisted Reproductive Procedures (such as IVF, IUIs, etc).
What does Pre-Conception include?
-Identifying possible causes of fertility challenges in both partners (hormonal testing, general health testing, thorough history during extended visits)
-Implementing treatment after identifying the causes to improve fertility naturally for women and men (it can include herbal formulations to balance hormones, antioxidant/nutrient dense formulation to address sperm quality, nourishing and improving the quality of the female egg reserve, etc)
Low ovarian reserve and low sperm count and quality can be improved through the diet, exercise, correctly formulated botanical, vitamins, minerals, and finding emotional balance. And many other fertility challenges (thyroid imbalances, low progesterone/high estrogen state, PCOS, anovulatory cycles, just to name a few) can be improved through naturopathic protocols.
I have been through fertility struggles myself with my partner. It took us 7 years to conceive our first baby. We ended up doing IVF in Vancouver, Canada. The first course of IVF worked for us. We started preparing for IVF 6 months before the procedure. My husband was taking high quality supplements to improve his sperm quality and count, I was taking herbal/mineral/vitamin supplements to improve my endocrine system (hormones), take care of my follicle health (there are nutrients that follicles use as food), weekly session of acupuncture. Our diet was anti-inflammatory, we both had a routine for exercise.
I see it so often that families who are pursuing assisted reproductive technologies are not informed by their physicians or fertility specialists about the importance of caring for their bodies, their hormones, their reproductive health (including health of the sperm, ovaries, follicles, uterus, etc) before the IVF is initiated, thus, IVF may not have a high success rate and couples end up going through more in-vitro fertilizations many times spending a large amount of money and getting frustrated.
Couples who try to conceive naturally can benefit tremendously from adding natural medicine as part of pre-conception care.
As you can see this topic is vast and very individualized. Improving fertility naturally for women and men is what natural medicine is very good at.
If you have questions about natural approach to fertility, please do not hesitate to schedule a 15 Minute free Phone Consultation.

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Are you deficient in B12 vitamin?

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Deficiency of vitamin B12 is quite common in the USA. Results of ongoing Framingham Offspring Study of 3,000 men and women found that 39 percent of them had  plasma B12 levels in the “low normal” range–below 258 picomoles per liter.

Though the level may be normal,  it is not optimal for all the many functions vitamin B12 takes part in the body.

Vitamin B12 is an essential water-soluble vitamin. It is predominantly found in eggs, milk, cheese, milk products, meat, fish, shellfish and poultry. Some soy and rice products can be fortified with vitamin B12. Vegetarian or vegan population can be potentially deficient in it.

Vitamin B12 is unique among other B vitamins due to how body processes it. Vitamin B12, coming from food sources, has an attached protein that should be removed by gastric acid and enzyme pepsin. Then it gets transported to the small intestine where intrinsic factor attached to B12 vitamin allows it to be absorbed into the blood. Thus, for optimal absorption of this vitamin, digestive system should be working well. It is natural that with age stomach acid level decreases, and, thus, can make aging population at risk for B12 deficiency.

Vitamin B12 takes part in many reactions in the body. Just to name a few:

  • Keeps nerve and blood cells healthy and helps make DNA, the genetic material in all cells
  • Helps prevent megaloblastic anemia
  • Assists with conversion of protein and fats
  • Participates in many neurotransmitter functions
  • Helps convert amino acids
  • Produces coating of the nerves
  • Is essential in fetal development during pregnancy

Symptoms of deficiency can including the following: muscle weakness, burning and tingling of the feet, lack of energy, difficulty walking and nausea.

B12 injections have benefits for the following conditions:

-heart disease

-neurocognitive disorders

– coordination problems

– fatigue

-peripheral neuropathy

-during and after stomach acid reducing medications

-after gastric bypass surgery

-for vision loss

–fertility challenges

And many others..

If you experience symptoms of B12 deficiency or feel that you have a lack of bio-available B12 in your diet, B12 supplementation and B12 muscular injections can help restore your levels.

This is something that I offer patients in my office – quick, easy, safe B12 injections.

If you are interested in receiving one, please call 714-924-5592 for a B12 injection appointment.

Alternative Cancer Treatments

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Naturopathic Doctors and Cancer Care

Cancer has been one of the deadliest diseases known to man. In the year 2017, there are an estimated 1,688,780 new cancer cases diagnosed, and 600,920 deaths caused by Cancer in the United States alone. Cancer patients range from young to adult, and the deadly disease has many sub-categories that can be breast, colon, bones, brain, and many more. In fact, there are more than 200 different types of cancer inexistent and continually affecting millions and millions of people all over the world. Naturopathy offers alternative cancer treatments to help strengthen the immune system and assist in healing.

 

We’ve all heard about Cancer, and probably know someone who has suffered or has succumbed to the disease but what is it really? Well, Cancer is a class of diseases that are characterized by “out-of-control cell growth”.

It usually starts to harm the body when cells that are altered divided uncontrollably to form lumps or masses of tissue that are commonly known as “tumors”. When the tumors grow, it can affect the digestive, nervous, and circulatory symptoms to malfunction.

Over the years, there have been tons of studies made in order to help cancer patients. Thanks to Science, we have developed new treatments, systems, and instruments that can help lessen, and sometimes cure cancer. However, hospital treatments today does not guarantee a cure. Even up to this day, millions of people around the world succumb to the illness.

Orange County Naturopathic Cancer Doctor

Naturopathic Supportive care can be a good adjunctive therapy to patients who want alternative cancer treatment and are going through conventional cancer treatments. When we say Naturopathic medicine, it is a type of a health care approach that utilizes non-toxic therapies to treat the whole of a person, and “encourage” the self-healing process.

While Naturopathic cancer care is the utilization of naturopathic medicine to oncology and cancer treatment. Just like any other doctors, Naturopathic Doctors bring their innovative knowledge, perspective, and different kind of training to both cancer research and treatment to help the patients have the best possible outcome for their sickness.

 

Naturopathic cancer care is gaining its popularity among patients due to its reduced side effects, it helps increase their quality of life, change their perspective into something more positive and hopeful, and reportedly improve outcomes in overall cancer treatment.

If you or anyone one you know decides to seek naturopathic help, then expect that as a part of the intake process, some patients may be required to meet with a naturopath in order to know the different treatment options available for the patient and his/her case. The patient’s health history will also be reviewed and taken into consideration in order to come up with various recommendations for a variety of natural therapies according to your specific situation.

Many Types of  Alternative Cancer Treatments

The treatment consists of many methods. It utilizes a number of therapies such as fasting, meditation, acupuncture, herbal and nutritional supplementation, holistic practices, and homeopathic treatment. Keep in mind that the goal of naturopathic therapies is to not only help overcome cancer but to also help the patient as a whole person. This comprehensive approach to healing cancer includes a minimum of eight factors:

 

  1. Proper nutrition and clean water
  2. Detoxification
  3. Immune building
  4. Oxygen therapy
  5. Natural chemotherapies
  6. Lifestyle changes: adequate sleep, sunlight & exercise
  7. A positive attitude
  8. Spiritual Cleansing

Overall, naturopathic doctors observe and study the patient’s environment and situation that creates susceptibility to cancer and use treatments and recommend lifestyle changes that will reduce the potential growth of cancer.

Patients, themselves, are encouraged to work with naturopaths to determine the best-individualized treatment method according to their specific condition.

 

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/info/cancer-oncology

https://www.cancer.org/research/cancer-facts-statistics/all-cancer-facts-figures/cancer-facts-figures-2017.html

https://www.cancercenter.com/treatments/naturopathic-medicine/

https://heartspringhealth.com/services/naturopathic-cancer/

http://www.foodmatters.com/article/healing-cancer-naturally-a-holistic-approach

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fertility Through Natural Medicine

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Challenges with fertility have been increasing around the world. Couple who are trying to conceive sometimes feel that they are very alone in their journey. Females who are pregnant can be noticed easily due to their adorable bellies but nobody sees females who are trying to get pregnant. By some estimates 1 in 7 couples are affected by fertility issues.[1]  Although female and male factors can usually be identified through testing and imaging techniques,  sometime the cause of difficulty remains unknown.

 

Male factors can include low sperm count, low sperm motility, morphology and diminished testosterone production. Female factors may include anovulatory cycles (cycles that do not have an ovulation time when ovaries release a follicle to be fertilized) and other disorders of menstrual cycles (prolonged menses, short cycles, and others). Some of the other conditions can also contribute to the issue with successful conception, such as endometriosis, blockage of Fallopian tubes (uterine tubes), diminished ovarian reserve, history of STIs in both partners, surgeries and procedures done on pelvic organs (ovaries, uterus, testis, penis). Difficulty conceiving can be due to low or high thyroid function, MTHFR mutations (lack of active folate available) and other hormonal dysregulations (PCOS, for instance).

 

Naturopathic medicine has a large toolbox to offer patients trying to conceive naturally and through assisted reproductive technologies (IVF, IUI).

 

 

During their visits, naturopaths consider the following aspects:

 –Detailed nutrition of the couple

-Their exposure to modern day toxins (BPAs in plastic and aluminum cans, phthalates, xenoestrogens, heavy metals)

 -Life style (high stress, lack of sleep, lack of exercise, being overweight or underweight)

– Any other chronic conditions (thyroid imbalances, autoimmune disorders)

– What testing and imaging have been completed in order to identify the cause of the challenge to conceive

In this article, I am not using the word “infertility” on purpose.  I personally believe it is a very negative and derogatory term that puts a mark on couples by its mere semantics.

 

In my practice, I encourage partners who are trying to conceive to think more positively about their chances to have a baby and to be open minded and patient when using naturopathic therapies to achieve desired parenthood.

 

When the diagnosis of the challenges with conception has been established, a naturopath develops a protocol. For instance, if a female has anovulatory cycles, there are a number of herbal combination and homeopathics (organotherapy + seed cycling) that over the course of several months can balance out the hormones in the body to stimulate regular monthly ovulation for optimal conception.

 

If the issue is low progesterone and estrogen ratio, then using herbal tinctures can restore a natural production of these important hormones. Possibly the issue can be connected with ovarian health, then glandulars, homeopathic combination, homeopathic drainage therapies (UNDA numbers) and specific herbal formulas can be used to help stimulate ovaries to produce healthy follicles on monthly basis.

 

Visits with naturopaths are usually longer which allows to always look at the whole person not just health of uterus, ovaries, Fallopian tubes, sperm and testes. Pelvic floor therapy (gentle way to restore the muscular tone and healthy energy to the pelvic organs) can be utilized to help couples get pregnant and stay pregnant.

 

Working together with acupuncturist, chiropractors, endocrinologists, gynecologist and other specialists unites care for the sake of the patients and their goal to become parents.

 

If you have any questions about how naturopathic medicine can help with fertility, you can contact Dr. Masha, at drmashand@gmail.com.

[1] John A Robinson, NMD. Male Health in Trouble? The Global Decline in Testosterone and Sperm Count. NDNR, Nov 2017,  p.20

Children and Naturopathic Medicine

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Natural medicine, in particular naturopathic medicine, has safe and effective options for children of different ages. Starting from birth to adolescence. For the most part, each age has more or less predictable health concerns (with some exceptions). For example, children starting at age 6 months or earlier are at risk of frequent upper respiratory infections due to exposure to new unfamiliar viruses and bacteria while building their immune system.  This risk peaks for children ages 2-4 years. Other conditions include:  digestive discomfort, skin conditions, growth pains, and many others.

Natural medicine can deliver immediate results in some cases with little to no side effects. As a naturopathic doctor, I encourage patients to add naturopathic medicine to child’s health care.

Having naturopathic medicine as part of children’s well-being could reduce the use of potent pharmaceuticals, unnecessary hospitalizations, complications of common childhood infections, and many waking nights with a sick child.

In my practice, I offer families, Healthy Family Saturdays, where a whole family can come for one-hour visits. Families of different sizes and composition (LGBTQ community, single parents, grandparents with grandchildren or families without children) are welcome. During those visits, we discuss the diet of the whole family, sleep, family time together as well as natural remedies for acute health conditions and the best supplements to use for children of different ages.

Nutrition plays an important role in the health of the whole family.  For example, consuming sugary processed snacks instead of fresh vegetables and fruit can lead to higher infection rates and prolonged infection time. Bacteria and viruses that cause infections feed on sugar and, thus, increase in numbers. Sugars also diminish the quality of immune cells slowing down the recovery from an infection. Another concern is common food allergens which have detrimental effects on the skin. Skin eczemas require thorough investigation into the diet of the child and the whole family.

I also encourage families to have a well organized natural medicinary right in their homes with commonly used homeopathic remedies, safe for children essential oils, specific herbal combinations for children (herbal cough and digestive syrups, ear drops), a few vitamin and minerals complexes, and high-quality probiotics.

When a child gets sick, parents will be ready to help her/him recover from the illness faster and more effectively without any potential side effects.

If you have questions about how naturopathic medicine can help your child, you are always welcome to contact me at drmashand@gmail.com and I will be glad to answer your concerns.

As parents, we strive to make sure our children have safe effective options when they are not feeling well.