It has never been more clear! The connection between our mental health and physical health is finally hitting the mainstream media. This globe and mail article outlines a case of PANDAS that if untreated can result in mind altering consequences. But as the article also suggests, the infection connection can go way beyond PANDAS. And while studies are being published…
As many of you know, it has been a busy year for Westcoast Integrative Health. We have settled into our new location on Lonsdale Avenue in North Vancouver and are now connected to an amazing compounding pharmacy run by Peter Lee. Peter brings a wealth of knowledge, with regards to integrative medicine, and I have no doubt that Balanced Health…
Functional medicine is the incredible practice of determining biochemical individuality. Just as we are all unique, the nutrient demands in our bodies can certainly be the same. And like maintenance on your car or home, blood testing should be done at least on a yearly basis to determine health status. Although our health care system is not designed for the…
As some of you may know, I was invited to give a 1 hour mental health presentation on “A Functional Approach to Common Mental Health Conditions” by the head of psychiatry at Lions Gate Hospital. This was a part of Dr. Chakraborty’s Public Outreach Education Series, which as I found out on the day of the event, is actually open…
More and more research is suggesting that a healthy gut is the key to a healthy life. The process of chronic inflammation has been shown to start in our mouths, as the following article outlines, with bacteria that can cause gum disease. One family that I have a particular interest in assessing for is Provetella. These organisms are called facultative…
This Saturday I will be speaking at the Mind Alive Conference on a topic that I am very passionate about, “The Functional Medicine Approach to Mental Health”. This conference is a one day event dedicated to natural approaches for common mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar and schizophrenia. My topic will focus on the individualized treatment of mental…