Vancouver Naturopathic Doctor Dr. Krista Moyer
  • Home
  • Meet the Doctor
    • Published Articles Written by Dr. Moyer >
      • Histamine Intolerance
      • Eczema
  • Conditions
    • Women's Health
    • Anxiety/Depression
    • Immune Health
    • Skin Conditions
    • Digestive Health
    • Hormones
    • Pain Management
  • Services
    • Naturopathic Medicine
    • Acupuncture
    • Nutritional Counselling
    • Herbal Prescriptions
    • Clinical Counselling
    • Food Sensitivity Testing
    • Genetic Analysis
  • BOOK ONLINE
  • Resources
    • Diets
    • Diet Diary Chart
    • Patient Handouts
  • Blog
  • Contact

Blog

"Naturopathic medicine supports the 
body's innate ability to heal itself"

Are you in Perimenopause?

10/20/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture

Perimenopause....and all its forms.

​
​I recently had a patient tell me all the symptoms she’s been experiencing, & she had no idea that all of them were related the perimenopause. So public service announcement needed to happen.


Perimenopause can sneak up on you. You think menopause, you think that won’t happen until you’re in your 50’s. Unfortunately not. The 10-15 years leading to menopause - aka peri- (surrounding) - menopause can be the worst parts. The changes are many.

Symptoms of Perimenopause:


  • Hot Flashes
    • We’ve all seen the Hollywood depiction of hot flashes - women rolling down the window in the middle of winter. (that was my mom - while my sister & I froze in the back)
  • Sleep
    • This can also be disturbed from the hot flashes, but just in general - women have a harder time falling asleep &/or staying asleep.
  • Mood
    • Mood can jump up & down like a yo-yo. Irritability, anxiety, sadness? Check check check. That and you might have a child going through their own hormonal transition. There’s all too many changes happening all at once.
  • Sex
    • If you have a partner whose libido hasn’t changed, yours might have. Lubrication becomes an issue as estrogen’s influence is dwindling
  • Weight
    • Noticing a little extra belly fat is quite common. As hormones go down, the weight can go up.
  • Bones
    • Estrogen plays a major role in the building & maintenance of bone integrity, so once estrogen retires, bones weaken
  • Cardiovascular health
    • Estrogen is very protective to our vascular system. That & cholesterol tends to rise as we age. Key to have your lipids tested & consider HRT’s protective effect (earlier rather than later)​

Do you struggle with any & all of these issues?
Book Here
0 Comments

TCM Time Clock & Insomnia

3/8/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), each organ system has a time of day where that organ is considered to be most active, in terms of Qi (Vital Force). During this time, the body is paying a little extra attention to this area, whether it is extra blood flow, or perhaps greater nerve stimulus.

In TCM, each organ has an emotion associated with it. So if you’re angry, it’s an issue with the liver. If you’re often in a state of fear, it’s the kidneys. Where I see the TCM time clock pop up is during sleep. I often hear patients saying they always wake up between the hours of 1-3AM. This is the time of the liver. So if you’re going through something in life where you’re feeling stuck, or irritable, your liver is being disturbed. The other common time I hear people say is between 3-5AM. This is the time of the lungs. The lungs are associated with sadness and grief. I find that it’s not always a current situation, but can be an older time of grief. I find that the awareness of these times & the emotional ties described via TCM time clock can help create a shift. Whether it’s through journaling through those feelings/thoughts, meditation, or counselling, sometimes that is enough to create a shift in the insomnia.

#WhenYouKnowBetterYouDoBetter
0 Comments

Emotional eating. How can you shift this naturally?

7/25/2018

0 Comments

 
When we are eating due to our emotions, we are checking out. We are avoiding the deeper feelings below. Emotional pain hurts! And for some people, emotional pain is far worse than any physical pain. When we check out via food, drugs, alcohol, sex, or even exercise, it is a temporary reprieve from our pain. It creates a temporary dissonance. However, on the other side of that reprieve, remains the reason why you felt you needed to check out. What you are met with, is the feelings of guilt of indulging yet again in your substance of choice.

In some ways food is the worst drug of choice! We can quit smoking, abstain from alcohol, & stop taking drugs, but we can't just stop eating foods. Not for long anyways. So then we must delve into the emotional reasons of why we’re checking out.

Some Questions to ask yourself about your emotions.
Why do you check out? 
How does it serve you?

Questions to ask yourself about your emotions & food.
What happens for you while you’re eating?
What happens when you’re finished eating?
What emotions surface during? after?

Choose what you’re eating.
Ask yourself in the 30 seconds before eating a food…
How does this food nourish my body? 
Will eating this food give to me? Or take from me?
Will this food cause inflammation & require an increased detox reaction?
Will this food encourage growth & healing?

Choose to eat foods that nourish your body.
When you CHOOSE something, you’ve assessed the pros & cons & then made a decision that is best for you. This doesn’t mean that you never eat a hamburger & fries again, but it does means that 80-90% of the time, you choose to nourish your body with food that gives your body the right information. In essence, that’s what food is - information for your machinery to function.

#WhenYouKnowBetterYouDoBetter 
0 Comments

Generational healing of emotional eating

6/27/2018

0 Comments

 
We all have these strong emotional connections w food. Our associations with food start from our parents. They tell us what to eat, how much to eat, how & when to eat it. The emotional connections they have attained with food are inevitably being passed along to us - whether they realize it or not. 
 
We tend to categorize food as either "good" or "bad". We often say things like - I'm being “good" when eating kale. Or, I'm being “bad" when eating a burger. We've somehow adopted these beliefs that we are being good or bad based on the food we eat. Further still, if we've been on a trend of being "good", we feel we deserve a "treat", or to be "bad". 
 
Food is nourishment. 
At its core, that's all it is. We need it for life. But then throw in taste buds, & we can run into some tricky navigation. Healthy food can be delicious! Trust me, I do it all the time in my kitchen. In Vancouver, we are lucky to have so many restaurants filled with healthy options. We have tastes buds for a reason, thus we’re meant to enjoy our food! If you don’t enjoy brussel sprouts, then you don’t have to consume them! :)
 
Trying avoiding GOOD vs BAD
Try looking at food as an exchange. If I eat this, what do I get out of it? You don’t need to have a background in nutrition to know that vegetables are good for you. Vegetables are the powerhouses of nutritional density. Ideally 50% of your plate should be non-starchy vegetables. The more information in your meal, the more your body can utilize those nutrients to heal, repair, & grow.
 
How do I feel after I eat food?
If you’re craving to have a food that you don’t feel good after, ask yourself before you eat that food…
 
How will I feel while I’m eating this food?
How will I feel after I’ve eaten this food?
What will this food give me nutritionally?
Now, knowing this, do I choose to eat this food? Maybe not? Maybe yes? You decide.
 
#WhenYouKnowBetterYouDoBetter <3
0 Comments

​When we speak negatively about ourselves, it encourages others to speak negatively about themselves.

5/10/2018

0 Comments

 
 Your words matter. 
 
How many times have you said, "I'm so fat, I need to lose weight" & your friend joins in by saying, "oh me too, I'm so fat, I hate (fill in the blank body part)." Or "I'm so stupid, I can't believe I did that again" & your friend goes along w the theme of how they were stupid in some way. 
 
Thoughts are just these floating abstract words. They can be truthful, or they can be false. Have you ever heard the phrase, "don't believe every thought you have"? Our own thoughts run rampant in our heads, and they can often speak lie after lie. For someone with depression or anxiety, their thoughts are down right pathological liars. These people are often told "oh you should meditate, that'll fix your problems."  The issue lies in the fact that when left with their thoughts to wonder, it can be a scary & dangerous place. 
 
How can I help this myself?
When we have a thought that is negative, 1st ask yourself, wait, is this true? Has someone that knows me & loves me told me this about myself? 2nd, ask yourself, if I were to say this thought out loud to someone who loves me, would they agree w this thought? 3rd. If you were told this same thought by someone you love & adore, what would your reaction be to them?
 
We are so highly critical of ourselves. Yet, far less of the ones we love. 
​
If we were our own mothers, fathers, caretakers, how would we choose & want to nourish them? How could we support them? Love them?  Now go do that for yourself! <3
 
#WhenYouKnowBetterYouDoBetter
0 Comments

Should I be Supplementing with Collagen?

3/26/2018

0 Comments

 
Since the flood of collagen supplements on the market today, I get asked quite often about the reported, vs actual benefits/results of taking collagen as a supplement.

Firstly, there are different TYPES of collagen. Five types. Each type is involved in slightly different functions in the body, which also have many overlapping functions. When taking collagen, it needs to be in an absorbable form. Without being hydrolyzed into a small enough molecule, it will not be absorb.

When it comes to joint support, there are many studies showing the benefits of taking oral collagen. When it comes to skin health, there is only a modest sampling of studies.

Here is a great article very clearly explaining the differences in collagen, & their actions in the body, along with suggested brands.
https://www.organicnewsroom.com/collagen/
Picture
0 Comments

Top Xenoestrogen Exposures

2/28/2018

0 Comments

 
What are Xenoestrogens?
Xeno means foreign. So xenoestrogens are foreign estrogens. We are exposed to them in our environment - via the WATER we drink, the FOOD we eat, the AIR we breath, & what we put on our SKIN. 

Why should we care about Xenoestrogens?
They have the ability to bind & cause estrogen activity in the body. Estrogen dominance is a common occurrence in women. Symptoms of estrogen dominance include; 
  • PMS
  • Menstrual cramps
  • Heavy menstrual flow
  • Irregular periods
  • Acne
  • Fibroids
  • PCOS
  • Anxiety
  • Depression

What can we do?
There are many ways to avoid exposure of xenoestrogens. Look to the infographic below for helpful options. If you are concerned about your current exposure, love your liver. Your liver is your main filter in your body. What you breath, eat, inhale, or apply to your skin all gets filtered through your liver.

Bitter foods will be helpful to your liver/gallbladder filter. FLAX seeds contain lignans, which are specific for binding excess estrogens. 2 TBSP/d is generally a good dose for most people. Make sure you're drinking an appropriate amount of water.

Final thoughts...
The hormonal cascade is a delicate & very intricate system in women. This hormonal cascade can be addressed beautifully via naturopathic medicine. Know you have so many options available to you to detoxify from excess xenoestrogens.

In health,
Dr. Krista Moyer 
❤️
Picture
0 Comments

Magnesium Rich Foods!

11/23/2017

0 Comments

 
Magnesium is my favourite mineral! It has so many functions in the body, & I find that people are so often showing signs of deficiency. Magnesium is the main mineral used by your adrenal glands. In a hectic life, your adrenal glands require a lot of magnesium. Your muscles also love magnesium, and when deficient, your muscles will easily feel tight, sore, and some people often experience insomnia, cramps & headaches.  Supplementing with sufficient, and highly absorbable forms of magnesium can be a great addition to your overall health.

If you're not sure if you're eating enough of magnesium rich foods, here's a great little infographic on healthy foods high in magnesium. 

#WhenYouKnowBetterYouDoBetter <3

Picture
0 Comments

7 things Doctors don't tell new moms

3/6/2014

0 Comments

 
There's so much information out there on what you should be doing, and not doing during pregnancy. But what about after?

Here are some great tips from Dr. Julie Durnan, Naturopathic doctor, on some of the crucial things you can do so that you and your baby are on the right track.

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-12864/7-things-doctors-dont-tell-new-moms.html

Vancouver Naturopathic Doctor Krista Moyer
0 Comments

Treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Naturally!

10/26/2013

0 Comments

 
What is IBS?
IBS is essentially a diagnosis of exclusion.  Meaning, that when you have a myriad of symptoms, it could be a number of different gastrointestinal conditions.  After diagnostic labs and imaging have been done, and nothing pathological is found, your collection of symptoms are stamped Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or IBS.  Within the conventional medical system, there is little to offer in terms of treatments, so many people are left feeling frustrated and unsure of what to do with their new diagnosis of IBS.  People may go on to suffer with IBS for years with no relief.

Symptoms of IBS
The symptoms of IBS are varied, and the list can be quite lengthy.  Some people have only a few symptoms at any one time, and others suffer with multiple symptoms, occurring all at once.  Symptoms often wax and wane, and it can be difficult to determine what the cause(s) were for each and every exacerbation.  Symptoms can include:
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Gas
  • Bloating
  • Abdominal
    pain
  • Vomiting
  • Fatigue
  • Insomnia
  • Stuffed Sinuses
  • Acne
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Irregular
    or difficult periods

Natural treatments for IBS
I have treated IBS in my practice countless times.  Naturopathic medicine offers so many treatment options for IBS, which have a very high rate of success.  With little to offer from conventional medicine system, naturopathic medicine offers a tremendous amount of treatment options for those willing to make the necessary changes for their health.


With most conditions, inflammation is both a contributor and cause.  Treating chronic inflammation can be addressed to a great degree with food, or the elimination of certain foods.  When it comes to IBS, diet is absolutely essential.  The foods you eat can either be your greatest asset, or the greatest detriment to your health.  With IBS, there are no particular foods that cause a problem for everyone.  However, there are common allergenic, inflammatory foods, most notably wheat and dairy, that are most likely contributing.  There are often many other, less common food allergens, which could also be contributing to the inflammation in the intestinal tract.  In order to discover which foods are an issue, an elimination diet can be done, whereby all major allergenic foods are eliminated, and then slowly one by one, are brought back into the diet, and you monitor to see if you experience any return of symptoms.  This can be difficult, as it requires a close examination of what your body's normal is.  Generally, people suffering from IBS have had the symptoms for so long, that they haven't experienced what a 'normal' healthy body feels like in years.  The other option is food sensitivity testing, which most people prefer, as it is black and white in terms of what foods are causing an issue for them.  Then, just those specific foods can be eliminated, as opposed to a more generic overall elimination diet.

Beyond diet modification, certain aspects of the body need to be supported to return the body to its intended normalcy.  Enterocytes are the cells that line the majority of the intestinal system.  These cells are injured during the insult of IBS.  Helping them heal can include L-glutamine, probiotics, demulcent herbs, digestive enzymes, and fish oil. 

Liver Detoxification
Liver support is also important, as IBS creates a leaky gut picture.  Our intestinal tract is meant to have tight cell junctions, allowing only essential nutrients to be absorbed via carrier transport proteins.  With a leaky gut, various larger particles are absorbed into the blood, creating inflammation, the liver must filter these foreign molecules.  The liver sends these to the digestive tract to be eliminated via stool.  Thus a perpetual feedback loop exists where the liver is filtering the same toxins repeatedly.  Herbs are a great way to help the liver detoxify.  Some herbs to consider include; burdock, dandelion, artichoke, and milk thistle.

Stress
Stress is a major contributor to IBS flare ups.  Ways to combat stress include; a proper sleep schedule (bed by 10:30pm), regular eating habits, balancing blood sugar throughout the day, social activities, exercise, and meditation.  You can also support your adrenals with vitamins (ie vitamin C), minerals (ie magnesium), and/or herbs (ie rhodiola, ashwagandha, avena sativa, ginseng, etc).

Who Can Help?
IBS can be a complex multifaceted condition, and treatments differ for everyone.  Consistency wins the race.  Talk to your Naturopathic Doctor how IBS is best treated for you.

When you know better, you do better!

Vancouver Naturopathic Doctor Krista Moyer
0 Comments
<<Previous

    Dr. Moyer Naturopath Vancouver

    Archives

    October 2022
    March 2021
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    November 2017
    March 2014
    October 2013
    September 2013
    April 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011

    Categories

    All
    Acne
    Allergies
    Antibiotics
    Antimicrobials
    Anxiety
    Bone Health
    Breast Cancer
    Children
    Cold
    Cold Remedy
    Cosmetics
    David Suzki
    Depression
    Digestion
    Digestive Aid
    Digestive Issues
    Dry Skin
    Eczema
    Estrogen
    Estrogen Dominance
    Fatigue
    Fiber
    Fibroids
    Flax Seeds
    Flu
    Flu Shot
    Food
    Food Allergies
    Food Sensitivities
    Garlic
    Gmos
    Greens
    Healthy
    Healthy Eating
    Herbal Teas
    Homeopathics
    Homeopathy
    Hormone Disruptors
    Hormones
    Infrared Sauna
    Lignans
    Liver
    Lunch
    Magnesium
    Menstrual Cramps
    Migraines
    Natural Treatments
    Naturopath
    Naturopathic Doctor
    Naturopathic Flu Shot
    Naturopathic Medicine
    Nutrition
    Nutritional Supplements
    Osteoporosis
    PMS
    Protein
    Quinoa
    Skin
    Snacks
    Stress
    Supplements
    The Dirty Dozen
    Toxic
    Traditional Chinese Medicine
    Vancouver
    Vancouver Naturopath
    Vegetarian
    Vitamin D
    Weight Loss
    Wheat
    Women's Health
    Xenoestrogen

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • Meet the Doctor
    • Published Articles Written by Dr. Moyer >
      • Histamine Intolerance
      • Eczema
  • Conditions
    • Women's Health
    • Anxiety/Depression
    • Immune Health
    • Skin Conditions
    • Digestive Health
    • Hormones
    • Pain Management
  • Services
    • Naturopathic Medicine
    • Acupuncture
    • Nutritional Counselling
    • Herbal Prescriptions
    • Clinical Counselling
    • Food Sensitivity Testing
    • Genetic Analysis
  • BOOK ONLINE
  • Resources
    • Diets
    • Diet Diary Chart
    • Patient Handouts
  • Blog
  • Contact