Clinic Blog

I recently watched a Ted Talk about an MD who treated herself using diet and lifestyle therapy for her Multiple Sclerosis (MS).  It was so interesting to hear her story of how diet was not only able to stop her MS progression but reverse it.   If diet can create such a profound positive change in MS it can in most other disorders, including fertility.

I was a guest blogger on Dr.Veronica's website, Welnness for the real World. Here is an exceprt from my blog.
 
How does Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) regard aging and fertility?

For all of those soon to be mothers out there who are worried that breastfeeding won't come intuitively, La Leche League has published a great step by step guide on how to position your baby to breastfeed, complete with 5 different feeding positions and proper latching technique. Optimal breastfeeding positioning can help reduce nipple sores, feeding difficulty and digestive upset. How do I position my baby? Happy feedings!

I wanted to dive into the world of genetics today, in particular Epigenetics.  Epigenetics is the way that your genes are expressed through your body and how diet, lifestyle, emotions and environmental exposure can alter them.

Inflammation has bee linked to many different ailments such as a decreased immune function to autoimune disorders.  Inflammatory process leaves a cell unable to have normal responses to regular hormonal regulation. A research team led by Carnegie Mellon University's Sheldon Cohen has come to the finding that individuals under chronic stress will have comprimised inflamatory responses.  Cohen states "inflammation is partly regulated by the hormone cortisol and when cortisol is not allowed to serve this function, inflammation can get out of control".
 

I recently read a article from Mothering Magazine which made me grateful to the women I work with, who allow me to be present throughout their pregnancy journey. When we support women with cervical ripening treatments, we are witnesses to the place of "in between". It is so much more than offering physical support, but offering spiritual support as well.

Spring is starting to finally Spring in Vancouver, and hopefully we will start getting less of those dreary cloudy days and more gloriously sunny ones.  Because we are more sun-deprived here in Vancouver, it is very important to maintain healthy levels of Vitamin D.  Vitamin D is not only known to decrease depression, and boost the immune system, but recent studies have shown that Vitamin D also helps to decrease menstrual cramps and increase fertility.  

A common question brought up by many patients who are just getting used to the Acubalance Fertility Diet is where and how to eat out without sabotaging the healthy diet being implemented. To answer this, I am creating a small directory of fertility diet friendly restaurants that allow you to order more than just a salad.

There are many different reasons why a woman may struggle with fertility. One reason may be premature ovarian aging.  This commonly is caused by the pre mature decrease of a womens follicles during her lifetime.  A women has all the follicles at the time of her birth and will not produce more.  This means that she has a finite supply of follicles.  The diagnosis of premature ovarian aging is often given to women who's Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) levels are elevated and Anti Mullerian Hormone (AMH) are too low.

I thoroughly enjoyed having embryologist and geneticist, Dr. Mara Simopoulou, join me during my clinic rounds on Tuesday.  And it seemed evident that men and women we saw together really appreciated and benefited from having an integrative consult as well.  We ran late as couples kept us busy with all of their questions and desire to understand better their personal fertility challenges and  the science behind the holistic approach we offer at Acubalance.