Naturopathic medicine

1. Naturopathic medicine Andrew Litchy, ND

2. Andrew Litchy, ND • Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (ND) • Registered Naturopathic Doctor in Minnesota • Licensed Naturopathic Physician in Oregon

3. Education • Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine • National College of Natural Medicine Portland, OR • Research focus: designed, conducted several studies on meditation, bodywork with Heart Rate Variability and other outcomes. • Shiatsu Certificate • School of Classical Chinese Medicine Portland, OR • BA, Physiology – University of Minnesota, Twin Cities • Four years as an Emergency Room Technician at Regions Level One Trauma Center.

4. Activities • Private practice in Edina, MN • Meditation instructor • Faculty: University of Minnesota and the National College of Natural Medicine. • Lifestyle medicine, Pathophysiology, Life Cycles Nutrition • Medical Supervisor at Pillsbury house community clinic

5. Why naturopathic medicine? • While at Regions, I was in pre-med at the University of Minnesota with an intention to become a MD. • As an emergency room technician, I saw many aspects of conventional medical care. • The best of western medicine • Poor chronic disease management. • When I discovered naturopathic medicine, I saw that it addressed many of the problems of conventional medicine care.

6. Synthesis • Interest in traditional systems of healing, naturopathic, meditation, Chinese medicine, homeopathy. • Interest in research, evidence-based medicine, modern science. • Frequently, these disciplines are perceived to be in opposition. • It is vital that the strengths and limitations of each discipline be understood, and integrated.

7. What is a naturopathic medicine? • Naturopathic medicine is based on a philosophy of care that emphasizes prevention of illness and the healing capacity of each individual patient.

8. Naturopathic Doctors • Trained in the same diagnosis, pathology, pharmacology etc as conventional doctors (MD, DO). • Order and interpret lab tests. • Utilize cutting edge tests, and provide very careful interpretation of results. • Diagnose disease • Incorporate research and science. • NDs are expects in drug/herb interactions.

9. Naturopathic Principles • First do no Harm • Vis Medicatrix Naturae • Identify and Treat the Cause • Doctor as Teacher • Treat the Whole Person • Prevention • Wellness

10. Therapeutic order • 1. Identify the conditions for health • ID and remove disturbing factors • This is about diet, lifestyle, stressors, food allergens, sleep, infections, and toxins of all kinds. • Institute a more healthful regimen • Diet, lifestyle, stress, sleep.

11. Therapeutic Order • 2. Stimulate the healing power of nature (VMN) • Certain supplements, herbs • Hydrotherapy • Homeopathy • Stress reduction - Mind/Body • Acupuncture • Exercise • Nature Cure – sunlight, being in green spaces, being outside.

12. Therapeutic Order • 3. Address weakened or damaged organs or systems • Strengthen immune system • Decrease toxicity • Normalize inflammatory function • Optimize metabolic function • Balance regulatory systems • Enhance regeneration • Harmonize with YOUR life-force.

13. Therapeutic Order • 4. Correct structural integrity • 5. Address pathology with natural substances, modalities, interventions • 6. Address pathology with pharmaceuticals and synthetic substances • 7. Suppress or surgically remove pathology.

14. Basic approach for ICCC • Specialty testing. • Improve nutrition. • GI healing; infection, leaky gut, functional GI conditions. • Immune system balance. • Detoxification • Potentially heavy metals, but I do not like to chelate. • Better effects by supporting other systems

15. Testing • Specialty testing. • Allergy testing if elimination diet fails or is not desired • Organic acids for nutrient status and screening for other issues: heavy metals, biochemical pathways, genetic problems, GI. • GI testing • Infections, GI function. • Immune system function; cytokine levels, NK cells • Genetic testing • Methylation, detoxification, • Hormones

16. Nutrition • Nutrition is core • Supplements are for healing, food is for living. • Avoid allergens • Elimination diet, specific carbohydrate, allergy testing. • Sugar? Artificial ingredients? • Whole, organic foods. • Avoid processed foods

17. Antioxidents • Oxidative stress is common • Stress • Nutrient def. • Metabolic, genetic issues • Whole foods, brightly colored veggies Simple. • Supplementation • Generic supplementation is not recommended.

18. GI Healing • GI takes several months to heal, however benefits are noticed more quickly • Avoiding stressors • Addressing infection. • Addressing digestive enzymes, stomach acid • Restoring healthy bacteria • Probiotics, prebiotics, whole foods diet

19. Immune system balance • Herbs and other modalities can change the balance of the immune response. • Sublingual desensitization. • The basics. • Addressing nutrient deficiencies • Chronic infections, removing intolerances and allergens. • GI health • Stress

20. Nervous system • Amino acids; based on def. • Calming herbs • Stress reduction • Metabolic support • Other members of ICCC will greatly help this area as well. • Homeopathy, bodywork, movement therapy

21. Detoxification • Methylation, other detox pathways • Reducing exposure • Stimulating organs of elimination • Various levels of chelation • Botanicals, ALA, NAC, modified citrus pectin and more. • DMSA and EDTA are last resorts.

22. Case • J. M. 5 yo boy • Has right sided tick x4 weeks. • Slight hyperactivity, rages, joint pain, difficulty sleeping, multiple colds per year • Multiple specialists, full neuro-workup. • Initial - Positive Lyme by PCR and ELISA. • 3 months later - Food allergies; wheat/gluten, protein, various veggies, dairy.

23. Case • Naturopathic and conventional antimicrobials reduced ticks, but did not fully resolve. • With removal of major food intolerances and GI healing protocol ticks and most other symptoms completely resolved. • 12 months after initial visit, no symptoms.

24. Case • M. M. 7yo boy • Difficulty concentrating, poor digestion, picky eater, multiple mood issues. ADHD? • Initial – food allergy testing

25. Removed major allergens • Whole foods diet • Basic supplementation • Fish oil, multi, probiotics • 3 month follow up • Mood improved, problems resolved at school, happier home life • Noticed definite mood and behavior changes with reintroducing some foods.

26. Case TJ 45 yo woman Eye lid edema, severe abdominal pain/IBS sx. Unknown cause. Testing: GI panel, allergy panel. Removed allergenic foods, remove sulphites from diet enzymes, probiotics, GI healing protocol After three months, no more symptoms.

27. Case • EL 26 yo male • ADHD syx entire life, depression, multiple digestive complaints. • Elimination diet, homeopathy (Agaricus M), botanicals, GI healing protocol. • Over 9 month period, removed and reintroduced most potential allergens. Could not tolerate gluten. • ADHD symptoms, digestion, and mental emotional symptoms were resolved completely.

28. Others • W.T – 50 yo maleright sided abdominal pain: cholesterol went from 240s to 150s in six months. Elimination diet, Go healing. • KL – 56 yo female palpitations x6 years, getting problematic. MD, would not take meds. Tincture, magnesium, EFAs. In two months completely resolved, no recurrence. • MB – 24 yo male. Eczema, depression, indigestion fatigue. Elimination diet, botanicals, GI healing. Occasional eczema, but energy is great, depression is resolved.

29. Sun intolerance • Anything gastrointestinal • Chronic fatigue, fibro, lyme.