Transcript Naturopathic Medicine Week

Naturopathic Medicine
for Epilepsy
June 4, 2011
Nora Jane Pope,N.D.
416-969-9181
[email protected]
www.fertilitycare.ca
Naturopathic Medicine
How to treat
neurological &
emotional conditions
with safe, natural
therapies
Presentation Outline
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Overview of Naturopathic Medicine &
training of Naturopathic Doctors (N.D.)
Discuss treatment strategies including
Nutrition, Herbal Medicine, Acupuncture
and Homeopathy
Discuss role of N.D. in patient care
What is Naturopathic
Medicine?
Naturopathic Medicine is Western
medicine which diagnoses, treats
& prevents disease using natural
therapies
What is a Naturopathic
Doctor?
N.D.’s are general practitioners of
natural medicine, whose medical
training includes Western
medicine with the integration of
clinical nutrition, herbal medicine,
homeopathy, acupuncture,
lifestyle counseling
What is the N.D.’s role?
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Work with M.D. as complementary care
givers: support the processes of pre- &
post-surgery healing, augment the
efficacy of Rx, increase quality of life
(improve sleep, BM’s, reduce/eliminate
seizures), restore fertility
Complementary: not a fork in the road
but a two-lane highway
Entrance requirements for
Naturopathic Medical School
3 years of university. Must
include: Biology, Chemistry,
Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry,
Psychology
Training requirements for
N.D.’s
2 years Medical Sciences:
Anatomy, Physiology,
Microbiology, Pathology,
Histology, Immunology,
Biochemistry, Pharmacology,
Research
Training cont’d
2 years Diagnostic Sciences:
Physical Exam, Physical & Clinical
Diagnosis, Lab Diagnosis,
Radiology & Diagnostic Imaging
Training cont’d
4.5 years of Medical Systems:
Herbal Medicine &
Pharmacognosy, Homeopathy,
Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine,
Clinical Nutrition, Physical
Medicine
NDs Are Licensed since 1925
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Standardized Board Exams for
Naturopathic Physicians across North
America
Regulatory College of Naturopaths
report to Ontario’s Ministry of Health
Compulsory Annual Continuing
Education requirements
Naturopathic Philosophy
N.D.’s adhere to 6 guiding
principles
#1: First do no harm
Primum non nocere: this is based
on the Hippocratic Oath. N.D.’s
use non-invasive treatments,
taking into account side effects
and drug interactions
#2: Harness the healing
power of nature
Vis medicatrix naturae: through
the healing power of nature, the
body has intrinsic healing
mechanisms to achieve balance &
homeostasis
#3: Address the cause
Tolle causum: N.D.’s are trained
to treat the cause, remove
obstacles to cure to ensure & do
not just the symptoms
#4: Doctor as teacher
Docere: N.D.’s strive to teach
their patients how to achieve
better health so they can make
independent decisions
#5: Treat the whole person
Tolle totum: with an individualized
treatment plan for each client,
address all aspects of a person’s
health & not just one body part
#6: Promote healthy living &
preventive medicine
Prevenio et Evito Aegresco: The
goal of naturopathic medicine is
to prevent disease now in order to
enjoy optimal health for years to
come
Treat the cause: uncover the
cause through physiological
relationships
Allergies (low cyclic AMP), heart
disease (low amino acids),
parasites (Gu syndrome),
hormonal imbalances all share a
common intersection with epilepsy
Treat the cause: making the
connection between nervous and
immune systems
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The following mediators are
“bilingual”: the neurotransmitters
norepinephrine, (noradrenaline),
epinephrine, Nitric Oxide (NO),
histamine, and the second
messengers cyclic-GMP and
cyclic-AMP
Treatment Outline
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Nutrition
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Herbal Medicine
Nutrition: address drug-induced
deficiencies
Anti-epileptic drugs (AED’s) such
as phenobarbital, valproic acid,
phenytoin & carbamazepine can
deplete vitamins from the body
Nutrition: address physiology-
induced deficiencies
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Children with autism (& seizures) have low
blood levels of vitamin B6 (pyridoxal 5
phosphate - PLP)
This is due to impaired function of pyridoxal
kinase which would normally convert
inactive B6 into the active form of B6
 magnesium-vit B6 (Mg-B6) regimen
(6 mg/kg/d Mg and 0.6 mg/kg/d vit
B6).
 Improved social interactions &
communication, reduced
stereotyped restricted behavior &
Nutrition: manage the triggers of
seizures or anxiety
Stress: oats, vitamins B & C
High Estrogen: fermented soy
(tempeh, miso, tamari soy sauce),
probiotics, vegetables, vit B6
Low Progesterone: beta-carotene
(carrots, sweet potato, cinnamon)
Aspartame: avoid diet soft drinks
Nutrition: Epilepsy & Asthma
Eliminate Sulfites: found in
bottled lemon juice, salad
dressing, hummus, dried apricots,
white grape juice, wine less than
5 years old – read labels!!
Consider Molybdenum
Food additives: tartrazine dye
found in orange-coloured cheese,
cheesies – increases asthma
attacks due to lypooxygenase
Nutrition: manage side effects
of Rx
Fatigue (high protein),
constipation (water, fibre),
headaches (potatoes, tomatoes),
insomnia (turkey, avocado,
sheep’s milk), liver damage (Lcarnitine)
Nutrition: ensure safety – avoid
side effects
Vitamin B3 interacts with
carbamazepine; black pepper
interacts with phenytoin;
phenytoin increases copper blood
levels; EPO in schizophrenics will
bring on seizures
Nutrition: reduce oxidative
stress
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Autism research points to the role of
oxidative stress: children with autism have
low blood levels of anti-oxidants which are
molecules which help prevent ageing and
stress on the body due to unstable oxygencontaining chemicals
 studies shows that in children with
autism there are higher levels of
tHcy, which is negatively correlated
with GPx activity; sub-optimal levels
of vitamin B(12).
Anti-oxidants include: selenium
Nutrition: Orthomolecular
medicine
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Pioneered by Pauling & Abram Hoffer
Adrenochrome is unprocessed adrenaline:
becomes toxic & hallucinagenic
Adrenochrome causes agitation, irritability,
prevents the creation of GABA, the
breakdown of Acetylcholine, prevents
diabetes & cancer
Treatment: Higher doses of vitamin C and B3
Nutrition: Stabilize allergies
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Quercetin inhibits c-AMP breakdown
(Wu) & also inhibits histamine release
from mast cells
Nutrition: Nora’s smoothie
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High antioxidants: apple juice, dark
berry juice and dark berries
Omega-3 fatty acids: flax seeds,
pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds,
Immune: plain probiotic yogurt
Hydrate: water
Liver detox: almond milk
Herbal Med: Support liver
metabolism
Drugs are processed or “detoxified” by the liver by converting
drugs into water-soluble
compounds
Herbal Medicine: Liver
metabolism cont’d
Eg: Chionanthus virginicus,
gentian, leptandra, cynara
scolymus.
Milk thistle prevents liver damage
yet can induce seizures for people
with Cerebral Palsy
Herbal Med: support kidney
excretion
Rx:some are hard on the kidneys.
Diuretic or aquaretic herbs help
the body excrete drugs more
quickly without losing minerals
Herbal Med: Kidney excretion
Eg: Equisetum, taraxacum,
parsley, blueberries encourage
increased urination
Herbal Medicine: manage side
effects
Fatigue (Ginseng), constipation
(Senna), headaches (feverfew),
insomnia (lemon balm)
Herbal Medicine: manage
triggers of seizures or anxiety
Stress: orange peel, lavender
High estrogen:fenugreek,
dandelion
Low progesterone: vitex, licorice,
dong quai
Herbal med: ensure safety &
avoid negative herb-drug
interactions
St. John’s Wort “interacts” with
phenobarbital, phenytoin,
carbamazepine;
Herbal Medicine: treat the
cause
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Reduce oxidative damage &
amyloid pathology: curry spice
Curcumin
 Grape seed extract & ginkgo
Herbal Medicine: harness
positive Drug-Herb relationshp
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Pharmacokinetic interactions:
Absorption (black pepper),
Displacement, Metabolism (grapefruit
juice)
Pharmacodynamic interactions: Additive
effects (Valerian), Antagonistic effects
Herbal Med: GABAa receptor
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Valerian
Passionflower: prevents GABA reuptake; does not bind to
benzodiazepine site on GABA receptor
Cinnamon
Ashwaghanda
Skullcap
Herbal Med: manage
hormones & restore fertility
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Hormonal triggers for seizures can include
low progesterone, especially in the second
half of the menstrual cycle
PCOS: elevated testosterone & ovulation
dysfunction can occur as a result of Valproic
acid use (Epival, Depakote)
Saw palmetto, Nettle root, Smilax,
Sanguinaria (reduces VEGF)
Chromium, Vaccinium, Oplopanax, Gymnema
Herbal Med: Ginseng (Panax)
– Tonifies Qi
Properties: Sweet, bitter,
warm
Actions: nourishes blood,
calms spirit
Helps anxiety, insomnia,
immunity
Herbal Med: Ginseng (Panax) –
Tonifies Qi
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Reduces Nitric Oxide (Chen)
Inhibits phosphodiesterase
(Kakkar)
Herbal Med: Cinnamon (C.
cortex cassiae) – Warms the
Interior
Properties: sweet, sharp, hot
Actions: fortifies yang (appetite)
Delays convulsions from
strychnine
Enhances phenobarbital
Herbal Med: Red Peony
(Paeoniae) – clears heat
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Properties: bitter, cold
Actions: clear liver fire
Anti-inflammatory, sedative, lowers
blood pressure, increases stomach
acidity, helps M.S.
Counteracts convulsions induced from
strychnine
Lifestyle Counseling: balance
hormones
Proper sleep in a dark room
increases melatonin, regular
exercise reduces estrogen, taking
the time for relaxation help you
achieve balance in your life on all
levels!
Lifestyle counseling: care giver
needs
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Care for the care giver: support is
required for new challenges – financial,
psychological, medical
Supportive network needs to be created
Coping skills need to be developed
Refer to social workers, home care
Clinical role of N.D.
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Identify nutritional deficiencies
Identify physiological barriers to success
Harness anxiolytic mechanisms in the body
Optimize Drug-Herb interactions
Support Fertility & Natural Family Planning
Set achievable goals, support, coach, get
relief & maintain results
Epilepsy & Neurology: require
a multi-specialists’ approach
Naturopathic doctors, Family
Physicians, Social Workers,
Neurologists, Immunologists,
Gastro-enterologists,
Dermatologists, Microbiologists,
Biochemists, Endocrinologists,
Cardiologists, Pharmacologists
Summary
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Treat the cause
Support the healing power of the body
(physiology, biochemistry, vital force)
Manage triggers
Alleviate side effects
Ensure safety
Who is NJP: educator since
1999
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Epilepsy lectures: Ontario, Alberta, New York:
Faces NYU
Restoring Fertility
Pre- & post-surgery support and Drug-Herb
interactions: surgeons at North York General
Alzheimer’s Society & M.S. Society
Breast Cancer, Gilda’s Club
Natural Family Planning, Naturopathic College
Co-produced sold-out conference, Assn.
Perinatal Naturopathic Doctors
Who is NJP: clinician since
2001
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Treats patients with chronic conditions
High success rate with homeopathy,
botanical medicine (Western, Chinese,
Ayurvedic)
Published in NYU’s “Complementary &
Alternative Therapies for Epilepsy”
(www.demosmedpub.com)
Naturopathic Medicine
for Epilepsy
June 4, 2011
Nora Jane Pope,N.D.
416-969-9181
[email protected]
www.fertilitycare.ca