By Sarah Axtell, ND onJune 19, 2014
Conventional lab ranges are based on the average of what is found in the general public, not necessarily healthy individuals. We all know that the average American is overweight, sick and tired. It is not optimal to simply be “in range.” As a naturopathic doctor,… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onJune 4, 2014
It is summer-time and you are likely looking forward to backyard barbeques with your family and friends. However, eating grilled meat comes with consequences. This is not to say that you cannot enjoy an occasional grilled burger (grass-fed of course!). It is important to first… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onApril 25, 2014
If you suffer from chronic constipation, diarrhea, gas, bloating, headaches, acne, eczema, psoriasis, anxiety (really, the list could go on and on), you may have an underlying food sensitivity. Most people know if they are allergic to a food, such as peanuts or shellfish. But… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onApril 5, 2014
Hemp hearts are my new favorite plant-based protein source. Hemp contains all 10 essential amino acids. Hemp also provides a nice balance of essential fats. Hemp hearts (or seeds) are a complete protein, providing 10 grams protein per 3 tbsp. Adding hemp hearts… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onMarch 15, 2014
Have you noticed that your allergies have worsened over the years? Maybe you did not have allergies as a kid but now you dread Spring due to the influx of the common allergens in the air. This can be due to poor adaptation to… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onJanuary 21, 2014
IBS is the most common gastrointestinal disorder in the US. In fact, 15% of the population has IBS. IBS is a disorder characterized by abdominal pain, change in bowel function (constipation and.or diarrhea), and bloating. Until recently, the “It’s all in your head approach” to… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onJanuary 1, 2014
If your child wets the bed, you know this can be an embarrassing issue especially if your child is older. Enuresis is tbe medical term for nighttime wetting, and it is defined as the involuntary urination at night in a child after age 5. It… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onDecember 30, 2013
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that by the year 2020, depression will be the second largest cause of suffering (second to heart disease). As a naturopathic doctor, my role is to identify and address the underlying cause of one’s illness. In the case of… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onNovember 29, 2013
During the dry, cool winter months, warm, moist, spiced foods are recommended to ground and replenish the body. Since there is less moisture in the air, your body requires more moisture from food. Eating soups and stews with warming spics, such as ginger and turmeric,… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onOctober 29, 2013
Thanksgiving is approaching, and I have had many people ask, “How do I maintain my (gluten-free-), (anti-inflammatory-), (dairy-free-, etc) diet over the holidays?” You do not have to sabotage your diet and your gains in health during Thanksgiving. Here are some basics for eating well… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onSeptember 22, 2013
This time of year you are likely bombarded with information regarding the flu vaccine. Deciding whether or not to get the vaccine should be a well-informed decision and should not be a fear- or panic-based decision ignited by the media. It is important to weigh… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onJuly 23, 2013
Early Development of ADHD– Addressing the Root Cause Stress management starts in the womb. During pregnancy, if mom is stressed and not managing her stress effectively, her adrenal glands produce excess amounts of cortisol (ie. “stress hormone”). That cortisol can be passed onto her… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onJune 12, 2013
“About 80% of the food on shelves of supermarkets today didn’t exist 100 years ago.”- Larry McCleary As a general rule of thumb, it is healthiest to stick to the perimeter of the grocery store, where you can find real, whole foods. where food is… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onJune 8, 2013
We live in a world of tension. Mentally, emotionally we are tense with anxiety, insomnia, depression and stress ever-so-present. And physically we are tense evidenced by muscle aches, restless legs, tremors, back pain, migraines or headaches, high blood pressure, and constipation. These symptoms may be… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onApril 8, 2013
All disease begins in the gut. -Hippocrates Food allergens in the diet may contribute to the “leaky gut” syndrome. This means that the intestinal lining has become more porous. One of the functions of the gut is to be a barrier to the… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onApril 3, 2013
Top Reasons to See a Naturopathic Doctor You want your support to be the best for YOU as a person, not a disease. You want your doctor to seek other recommendations besides drugs. You want to make informed decisions about your health and not just take… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onMarch 21, 2013
In preparation for allergy season, follow theses guidelines below for a healthy immune response to allergens. Increase your intake of flavonoids. Flavonoids are plant pigments that help to strengthen your mucous membranes and protect your body from oxidative damage. They are found in blueberries, cherries,… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onFebruary 1, 2013
A recent study at the University of Massachusetts medical school evaluated the role of an anti-inflammatory diet and Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis). Results: 100% of the patients had symptom reduction and were able to reduce their medication. Conclusion: Diet change must be… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onJanuary 3, 2013
As a naturopathic doctor, I talk a lot about poop. The status of your bowel movements reveals a lot about the status of your overall health. In fact, according to the International Institute of Nutrition Research, the health of your colon is a major… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onDecember 11, 2012
This review of a meta-analysis study highlights the benefits of the medicinal mushroom, Coriolus versicolor. Cancer patients that took Coriolus had a 9% absolulte reduction in 5-year mortality. The findings were most significant in patients with breast, colorectal and gastric cancers. Coriolus supports the… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onNovember 12, 2012
Elderberry is a must-have herb in your medicine cabinet during cold and flu season! Here are some fun facts regarding Elderberry: Excellent anti-viral Elderberry has been found to reduce the duration of the flu by inactivating flu virus replication. A study published in the Journal… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onNovember 11, 2012
Coping with the holiday hustle and bustle… Feeling anxious, depressed, or stressed during the holidays? Be sure to nourish yourself with these diet and lifestyle tips. Foods: -Kale- high in magnesium, an essential nutrient for the adrenal glands, organs that regulate energy and stress patterns. Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onNovember 11, 2012
Natural Solutions for a happy, healthy gut during the holidays Maybe you’ve overindulged in a rich food or you’ve eaten something that you are intolerant to or you’ve helped yourself to seconds or thirds at a holiday party. If any of these scenarios sound all… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onSeptember 30, 2012
Do you ever wonder why some people always tend to get sick but others who are exposed to the same microbes can successfully ward off illness? This is because those individuals who do not get sick have a healthy terrain. An alternative view of illness… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onSeptember 11, 2012
Collard greens belong to the cruciferous vegetable family. Cruciferous vegetable consumption has been implicated in the prevention of many different cancers, including lymphoma, breast, prostate, bladder, and lung cancer. Cruciferous vegetables contain the anti-cancer substances, sulforophane and indole-3-carbinol. Sources of cruciferous vegetables include broccoli, broccoli… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onSeptember 11, 2012
When was the last time you had a gut-wrenching laugh? Surround yourself with people that make you laugh to reap all the healthy benefits… Laughter relaxes the whole body Laughter boosts the immune system, decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells, thus improving your resistance… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onMay 16, 2012
Hypothyroidism is on the rise, and conventional management of the condition is typically Synthroid or other thyroid hormone replacement therapy. For some, this may make you feel better in the short term; however, you may notice that your doctor continues to increase your dose each… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onMay 7, 2012
The majority of people associate high cholesterol with high fat diets and an increased risk of heart disease. This has given eggs and saturated fat a bad reputation. Lipitor and other cholesterol-lowering medications are routinely prescribed, and some researchers even joke that they should be… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onApril 14, 2012
Apple cider vinegar is one of the oldest foods used as medicines. It is formed from the fermentation of apple juice to hard apple cider, followed by a second fermentation to apple cider vinegar. It retains all the nutritional benefits of the apples from which… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onApril 1, 2012
Debunking the Myths about Dairy… Milk is good for me… right? The dairy industry, with its “Got Milk?” public education campaign, touts the importance of consuming three to four servings of dairy per day. This is reinforced by the USDA’s most recently… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onApril 1, 2012
We all know the numerous benefits of mama’s milk, such as protection against infections, prevention of allergies, and boosting your child’s intelligence to name a few. Ideally, children should be breastfed for 2 years. But at some point (preferably after 12 months), you will likely… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onMarch 21, 2012
Migraines are one of the most common causes of recurrent headaches. It is estimated that 10-20% of the population is affected by migraines. Migraines are a symptom, or a sign that something deeper is going on with the body. Many people are left without… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onMarch 13, 2012
The Importance of Childhood Nutrition Development of a good diet and nutrition regimen for children or for anyone for that matter can present challenges. This is because if you ask 10 different people what is the best diet plan to follow you will get 10… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onMarch 3, 2012
The skin acts as a window into our internal environment. Many of the common chronic skin conditions, such as eczema, psoriasis and acne are signs of poor elimination. In a healthy state, the body eliminates through the liver, gastrointestinal tract, lungs and kidney. If these organs… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onFebruary 14, 2012
As a naturopathic doctor, I am often asked, “Do I (or my kids) need to take nutritional supplements?” It all depends on how adequate your diet is. If you eat a diet rich in colorful, organic fruits and vegetables (totaling between 8-9 servings a day), you can likely… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onFebruary 6, 2012
My husband is doing a 21-day cleanse right now, consisting of a daily smoothie with a couple scoops of professional-grade detox protein powder and an Anti-Inflammatory diet (essentially gluten-free, dairy-free, alcohol-free, caffeine-free and sugar-free). I am breastfeeding right now so the last thing I want… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onJanuary 15, 2012
The Anti- Cancer Diet by Dr. Sarah Axtell. ND Cancer is a disease that is commonly believed to be preventable. All cancers are a result of multiple mutations. These mutations are due to interaction with the environment. Genes, on the other hand, have… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onJanuary 14, 2012
Naturopathic doctors have historically recognized inflammation as the root cause of most chronic diseases, such as heart disease and cancer. Today, doctors in the allopathic or conventional paradigm now also recognize inflammation as an underlying cause of cardiovascular disease. The therapeutic benefits of fish… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onDecember 26, 2011
After a lot of traveling and the usual hustle-and-bustle of the holidays, my family is feeling a bit under the weather. My 3-year-old daughter and husband have a cough and a cold, and I am feeling a tickle in my throat on the verge of… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onDecember 11, 2011
Difficulty conceiving is becoming increasingly more common. According to the CDC and Prevention 2002 data, approx. 12% of women between 15 and 44 have impaired fertility. And according to the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, one in seven couples have difficulty conceiving. Infertility is defined… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onNovember 6, 2011
In general, a fever is beneficial; it is the body’s way of fighting an infection. In most cases, you should not suppress a fever with fever-reducing medications. An elevated temperature is not considered a “fever” until it is 100.4 F. The optimal temperature to… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onNovember 1, 2011
Coconut is a true super-food. It is not only delicious, but it also has many health benefits. Here are 5 reasons to indulge in the tropical fruit. 1. In the past, coconut has gotten a bad rap due to its saturated fat intake. Saturated fat… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onOctober 20, 2011
We all hear that we are supposed to avoid high fructose corn syrup, but do you know why? There is a great article highlighting the rationale of avoiding the sweet stuff published on the Weston A. Price foundation website. Here are the basics:… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onOctober 5, 2011
Fall is here! This means that many of our favorite berries, tomatoes, and fresh herbs are no longer available. However, fall’s greatest bounties are now showing up in brightly colored fashion at farmer’s market. Pumpkins, squash, sweet potatoes, kale, and parsnips are some of the… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onAugust 27, 2011
Ever wonder how healthy you currently are or how healthy you could be? When the body is off balance, it lets us know through symptoms. We must pay attention to these symptoms and value the wisdom that the body is offering us. As a naturopathic… Read More