​Hypertension can be successfully treated with natural medicine. Creating ease in the cardiovascular system can be achieved through herbal support, nutritional supplementation, and treating the underlying cause. Evaluating the state of the central nervous system can often reveal a state of imbalance. Understanding a patient’s four point salivary cortisol level, their life stressors and their lifestyle is essential in creating a treatment plan. 

I have successfully managed many patient’s blood pressure concerns. A multi pronged approach is necessary. Working with optimal nutritional choices is vital, along with a supportive lifestyle and exercise plan. Liver and kidney function need to be assessed. Adrenal function tests and heavy metal analysis are beneficial.

For hypertension one particular herbal medicine called, African snake root, has profound effects. It was used a lot in the last century, and is still effective today for the majority of my patients. It is  known as Rauwolfia serpentina, and it calms the central nervous system and leads to a reduction in blood pressure readings. Ghandi, in India, used it on a regular basis.

Rauwolfia works best with other herbal medicines and nutrients. I have been impressed that it has worked well with the majority of my patients. Thus, Rauwolfia is my first line of therapy. 
If it is ineffective I will prescribe other anti-hypertensive medications judiciously.

Please refer to the following link for an in depth perspective:

Rauwolfia in the Treatment of Hypertension, NCBI, U.S. National Library of Medicine

Stool testing for parasites, candida, abnormal bacteria and gastrointestinal functional markers has intrigued me for many years. I have used numerous labs over the years and have had mixed to unsatisfactory results. 

This year I have finally found a lab that is providing my patients and I relevant results! The lab is called Diagnostic Solutions. They offer PCR (polymerase chain reaction) testing which is sort of DNA testing that can identify the specific DNA signature of 63 different organisms and 7 digestive health markers. Leaky gut can also be assessed with an add-on test called zonulin.

Chronic parasite and bacterial infections within the gut can occur without dramatic symptoms. However, they can cause ongoing inflammation and can an increase in allergic reactions to foods. I work with food allergies a lot and this test is an important part of a comprehensive work up.

Ultimately these chronic gastrointestinal imbalances can contribute to the manifestation of Irritable Bowel Disease. This includes: Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. 

This disturbed microbial equilibrium, also known as dysbiosis, within the gut can have far reaching effects upon the body. It can impact the immune system, the neuroendocrine metabolism and the liver and brain function. 

Here at the Eastside Natural Health Clinic Dr. Knorr offers complementary consultations if you have concerns about your gastrointestinal health.

To learn more about Diagnostic Solutions:

http://diagnosticsolutionslab.com
​

I am enthusiastic about helping patients find their path towards health and healing. I like to combine an analytical and intuitive approach. For me, intuitive means what I feel and pick up energetically from the patient. Gathering data and combining it with a sensing approach is often effective in addressing the needs of my patients.

I understand that educating my patients is essential. Acknowledging and listening to patients is powerful in its own right. Education helps patients understand why certain dietary and lifestyle choices will serve them better. It does not cease to amaze me how powerful dietary shifts such as eliminating certain food groups has affected many of my patients overall health status.

I like to assist my patients in expanding their awareness about their relationships they have with themselves, their loved ones, and their own thought patterns. Developing an understanding about these dynamics can often be quite helpful, educational, and lead to greater ease in one’s life.

It is my conviction that there are three pillars of health. The first two are created by daily healthy choices in your diet and lifestyle. The third pillar is creating awareness and compassion about how your mind operates and about how your heart feels. Creating balance in these three areas: diet, lifestyle, and harmony of the mind & heart create a solid foundation for your health and vitality. 

Hey Everyone,

This is a guest post from Kathy Hoggan, the receptionist at the Eastside Natural Health Clinic. I have been working with Dr. Knorr since February of 2014.  I am working part-time while I go to graduate school at the University of Utah in the Department of Health Promotion and Education.  I appreciate and enjoy the opportunity of working at the clinic and going to school!

Approximately 10 years ago I wanted to find a new doctor.  A Naturopathic Physician was what I was looking for, but I didn’t know it at the time.  I wanted a doctor that would look for the causes of disease instead of just treating my symptoms with pharmaceutical drugs.  I wanted medical treatment that looked at how my body systems worked together as a whole, which I found out later is a holistic approach.  I wanted to use herbs and supplements to help my body heal itself more naturally.

I found the following information about Naturopathic Medicine on The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians website:  http://www.naturopathic.org/content.asp?contentid=59

Definition of Naturopathic Medicine

“Naturopathic medicine is a distinct primary health care profession, emphasizing prevention, treatment, and optimal health through the use of therapeutic methods and substances that encourage individuals’ inherent self-healing process.  The practice of naturopathic medicine includes modern and traditional, scientific, and empirical methods.”

The Following Principles are the Foundation of Naturopathic Medical Practice

The Healing Power of Nature (Vis Medicatrix Naturae)
Naturopathic medicine recognizes an inherent self-healing process in people that is ordered and intelligent. Naturopathic physicians act to identify and remove obstacles to healing and recovery, and to facilitate and augment this inherent self-healing process.

Identify and Treat the Causes (ToIle Causam)
The naturopathic physician seeks to identify and remove the underlying causes of illness rather than to merely eliminate or suppress symptoms. 

First Do No Harm (Primum Non Nocere)
Naturopathic physicians follow three guidelines to avoid harming the patient:

• Utilize methods and medicinal substances which minimize the risk of harmful side effects, using the least force necessary to diagnose and treat; 
  
• Avoid when possible the harmful suppression of symptoms; and
  
• Acknowledge, respect, and work with individuals’ self-healing process. 
  

Doctor as Teacher (Docere)
Naturopathic physicians educate their patients and encourage self-responsibility for health. They also recognize and employ the therapeutic potential of the doctor-patient relationship. 
Treat the Whole Person: Naturopathic physicians treat each patient by taking into account individual physical, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental, social, and other factors. Since total health also includes spiritual health, naturopathic physicians encourage individuals to pursue their personal spiritual development. 

Prevention
Naturopathic physicians emphasize the prevention of disease by assessing risk factors, heredity and susceptibility to disease, and by making appropriate interventions in partnership with their patients to prevent illness.”

Naturopathic Physician’s Oath

I dedicate myself to the service of humanity as a practitioner of the art and science of Naturopathic medicine.

I will honor my teachers and all who have preserved and developed this knowledge, and dedicate myself to supporting the growth and evolution of Naturopathic medicine.

I will endeavor to continually improve my abilities as a healer through study, reflection, and genuine concern for humanity.

I will impart knowledge of the advanced healing arts to dedicated colleagues and students.

Through precept, lecture, and example, I will assist and encourage others to strengthen their health, reduce risks for disease, and preserve the health of our planet for ourselves, our families, and future generations.

According to my best ability and judgment, I will use methods of treatment, which follow the principles of Naturopathic medicine:

• First of all, to do no harm.
  
• To act in cooperation with the Healing Power of Nature.
  
• To address the fundamental causes of disease.
  
• To heal the whole person through individualized treatment.
  
• To teach the principles of healthy living and preventive medicine.
  

I will conduct my life and the practice of Naturopathic health care with vigilance, integrity, and freedom from prejudice.

I will abstain from voluntary acts of injustice and corruption.

I will keep confidential whatever I am privileged to witness, whether professionally or privately, that should not be divulged.

With my whole heart, before this gathering of witnesses, as a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine, I pledge to remain true to this oath.

This is a daily conversation for me:

"Are you taking some Vitamin D? How much? Is it Vitamin D 3?

"My recommendation is to take 5,000 IU per day for adults. For children 1,000 IU per every 60 pounds of body weight. Take this average dose for the next six months.”

My patients tell me the following after taking Vitamin D regularly in the winter months:

• I am not depressed in the winter time; taking Vitamin D helps my mood. 
  
• My skin is less dry and itchy
  
• Everyone else at work got sick, except me
  
• My muscles are less achy
  

Sounds good doesn't it? 

Why do I recommend Vitamin D supplementation for everyone?

Vitamin D is made with the help of sunlight exposure on your bare skin; it is thereby converted into its active form. In the winter time there is less sun exposure, which translates into deficient Vitamin D levels. Even if you get lots of sun on your face, it is not enough. Every cell has receptors to Vitamin D so it is important!

Most notably, Vitamin D has a significant impact upon your immune system. Many cancers have been associated with low Vitamin D levels. It is thought, that Vitamin D may decrease your chance of getting influenza. Vitamin D is known to up-regulate the immune system’s innate defensive actions. One strategy that has been proposed, is to significantly increase your Vitamin D intake, if you are feeling under the weather. A dose up to 100,000 IU everyday, for up to four days, can be effective to boost your immunity.

Vitamin D favorably effects calcium metabolism. All my patients with osteopenia and osteoporosis take it all year around. Vitamin D promotes thyroid metabolism, and when deficient, can cause low thyroid function. It helps with neurotransmitter function, therefore balancing moods.

Vitamin D deficiency has been implicated as a important factor in a the following health concerns including:

• Heart disease 
  
• Hypertension
  
• Depression
  
• Inflammatory bowel disorders
  
• Cancer (breast, prostate and others)
  
• Colds & Flu 
  
• Immune deficiency conditions
  
• Autoimmune conditions 
  
• Diabetes
  
• Rheumatoid arthritis
  
• Multiple Sclerosis
  
• Rickets and Osteoporosis
  
• Muscle pain including Fibromyalgia
  
• Low back pain
  
• Migraine headaches
  
• Insulin resistance
  
• Polycystic ovary disease
  

For more information about Vitamin D follow these links:

• The Vitamin D Council
  
• DoctorMurray.com
  
• Denver Naturopathic Clinic
  

Every day in my clinical practice I speak with patients who are not feeling well and do not know why. They experience fatigue and lack of motivation and endurance. They often feel wired and tired. They get conventional blood tests and are told everything looks okay. However, their sleep is disturbed, they think they may have hypothyroidism, they crave salt and caffeine, experience hypoglycemia, trouble concentrating, and feel fragile and shaky. In their recent health history they have experienced long term stress. For instance: may have been a caretaker for a loved, finished a graduate degree program, have endured the rigors of a divorce, or have strained family relations. They have experienced the metaphorical perception of consistently seeing “lions, tigers and bears.” The above listed symptoms are typical for a patient experiencing adrenal fatigue.

Carefully assessing the adrenal function is important. The ad-renals sit on top of the kidneys and help the body deal with stressful situations. The stress can be physical, mental-emotional or spiritual. When the stress has become long term the adrenal function eventually becomes compromised. It is “fatigued” and its function becomes deficient. Fatigued adrenals have far reaching effects. They can influence thyroid, testicular and ovarian function, result in unchecked inflammation (joint pain, allergies) and impact immune function. I always marvel how the systems in the body are so connected.

The adrenals are multifaceted in their function. Here is a summary. There are two main components of the adrenals: the cortex and the medulla. The adrenal cortex secretes cortisol and dhea (dehydroepiandrosterone). The adrenal medulla secretes catecholamines (epinephrine and norepinephrine). The focus of treatment is primarily on the cortex and restoring cortisol and dhea to a normal level.  The secretion of epinephrine and norepinephrine are mediated by the sympathetic nervous system. The adrenals are linked to the hypothalamic and pituitary system. This is known as the HPA axis which, when in balance, is a regulatory feedback system. Often the whole HPA axis needs to be rebalanced.

The brain is connected to the glandular secretion of the body. Appropriate signaling takes place and the individual can adapt to his or her environment. However, often the stress, and-or the perception thereof, is prolonged and the system can no longer maintain an appropriate reaction. The HPA axis can no longer keep up and the symptoms of adrenal fatigue emerge.

Cortisol is secreted to help the individual metaphorically jump over the multiple hurdles in life. Cortisol secretion is the “gas” after the accelerator is pushed on. It is the second wind that some people experience in the evening hours. It helps students get through finals week. It supports a person’s energy level and sense of alertness. It has a diurnal rhythm, meaning it fluctuates with the night and day cycle. Normally it is elevated in the morning and then tapers down towards the evening.

Assessing cortisol function with four evenly spaced salivary samples on a typical day is an easy way to measure levels. In eighty percent of lab results I see sub optimal levels. The other twenty percent have excess cortisol levels. Hyper cortisol function needs a different treatment strategy – namely to down regular the hyper excitation. The goal with treatment of low cortisol levels is elevate them into a normal range. Treatment strategies vary. Usually there is a component of glandular support along with herbal and nutritional medicines. Occasionally cortisol is prescribed.

Dhea is an important adrenal hormone that balances cortisol’s function. Levels of dhea are often deficient along with cortisol. Supplementation is also required. The majority of dhea is secreted by the adrenal glands though the ovaries also secrete it. Dhea supports energy production, immune function, and has general restorative function. It is a weaker androgen and needs to be used with caution in women.

I wish I could offer a simple remedy for adrenal support. However, each patient has unique needs. In clinical practice I consider glandular adrenal extracts foundational to treatment. Herbal extracts and specific nutrients are close seconds. Herbs such as: Siberian ginseng, holy basil, licorice, and rhodiola and at the top of my list. Nutrients such as B vitamins, especially pantothenic acid, and Vitamin C are paramount.

Usually I recommend three to six months of adrenal treatment. Ideally supportive lifestyle changes can be implemented too. These would include eight hours of sound sleep, routine exercise as tolerated and creating harmonious relationships with family and friends. In addition, I recommend eating real whole foods and have a regular meditative practice to restore the mind-body-nervous system function.