Do you remember my post last month about seeing a naturopath at Inner Source Health? Well, I wanted to provide you with a little update about how I’ve been incorporating some of my naturopath’s suggestions into my daily routine. As I’ve mentioned, seeing a naturopath was something that was always on my to-do list, but the timing never seemed quite right. But, now that I’ve seen one, let me just say that it is so worth the investment. For me, having felt unheard by the medical community, seeing a naturopath was a game-changer. In my first 90-minute appointment alone, I felt supported, educated, and empowered, something no MD has ever made me feel about my care.
After my first appointment with Dr. Dawn at Inner Source Health, where I had a comprehensive consultation and an acupuncture session, she sent me for a complete blood panel. The blood work included things like a heavy metals profile, amino acid profile, a metabolic panel, and a whole host of other things that I’ve never had run before. But in between my first appointment and awaiting the detailed blood results, I began implementing some of Dr. Dawn’s recommendations. What I appreciated most was that all of her recommendations were completely tailored to me and my needs, and the fact that they all felt attainable certainly helped.
Her treatment plan for me was broken down with detailed nutrition, lifestyle, and supplement instructions. Under nutrition, my plan included moving to a whole food plant-based organic non-GMO diet, which I am working hard to achieve, but know that this will take the longest and be the most significant change that I make. Also under nutrition, but more easily attainable, I was to swap out whole milk for almond milk in my coffee, eat one Brazil nut a day for selenium to help with thyroid function, and take a daily shot of Apple Cider Vinegar. She also recommended eating warm and sautéed foods and avoid eating fruits and vegetables that contain goitrogens, which are substances that disrupt the production of thyroid hormones by interfering with iodine uptake in the thyroid gland.
In the days after my first consultation with Dr. Dawn, I had already started drinking the Apple Cider Vinegar and eating one Brazil nut a day. I swapped out whole milk for almond milk, which tasted fine, but then I decided to eliminate coffee from my diet altogether. It’s been about a month now since I’ve had coffee and I’ve noticed that I actually feel better without it.
The one thing I needed the most help with was figuring out which supplements I was deficient in and what I needed to take. When I first went to see Dr. Dawn, I brought the results of my most recent blood work that my endocrinologist had ordered. It gave us enough of a baseline to work off until she could order her own set of lab work. From the results of my last blood work, she suggested that I start taking Vitamin D and Iron supplements, both of which I was deficient in, and she also recommended that I take a probiotic. Knowing not only what I needed to take, but having a naturopath give me the right kind of supplements, made me feel better about incorporating them into my routine.
In the days and weeks after my appointment, I began to slowly integrate all of my new supplements. I started by taking Vitamin D after breakfast every morning and waited a couple of weeks before starting the probiotic, which I now take after dinner. Then, a few weeks after that, I started taking the Iron supplement.
Overall, I feel better because I know that I’m in control of my health and that I have an ally who will work with me on my wellness journey. Taking this step to see a naturopath was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Dr. Dawn looked at all of my symptoms and issues as a whole and came up with a treatment plan that was specific to me. As a patient, I love that Inner Source Health has an online portal that I have access to and where I can find all of the notes that Dr. Dawn took during my appointment, making it easy to print out my treatment plan for reference.
For the first time in my life, I’m actually looking forward to making the necessary changes to my own health and I know that I am on my way toward feeling better and doing better for my body. Having someone who is accessible, like Dr. Dawn, to work with has made this transition a lot easier and I look forward to continuing my care with her and Inner Source Health.
Thank you, Inner Source Health, for my complimentary session!
*This treatment plan was customized for me. Please consult your doctor prior to starting any supplements.
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