Student Voices - News and opinions from naturopathic students

Student Voices

We believe that the issues and concerns facing students today are central to learning and practicing, and giving voice to these topics is critical. With this in mind, we are pleased to introduce you to, “Student Voices”, our student representative area where students talk to students. 
 
Our goal is to provide an online forum to them to circulate news and opinions about current issues and events at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, the Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine and Bastyr University, as well as general issues and events relevant to the broader professional community. Our student representatives will also serve as a conduit of information for students regarding questions they may have about Bioclinic Naturals products, research and development, and upcoming events.

Student Voices' main objectives are to help promote the civic engagement of students, to provide a platform for discussion and medium of dialogue between students of integrative medicine in various disciplines, and to compel action in support of policies that will benefit many. Student Voices strives to inform people about relevant social and health issues that may concern students, future health care professionals, and those interested in integrative medicine. 
 
Adrian Nasager, Bioclinic Naturals Student Representative at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine: 
 
Adrian Nasager is completing his fourth and final year at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM). He received his undergraduate education in medical radiation science from McMaster University. He is an active participant in CCNM life and the 2009-2010 President of the CCNM Naturopathic Students’ Union. His professional interests are in integrative medicine, cardiometabolic syndromes, endocrinology, Aboriginal populations and constitutional homeopathy.  

Wendy Tao, Bioclinic Naturals Student Representative at the Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine:
 
A University of Alberta Bachelor of Science graduate with studies in food and nutrition, Wendy Tao has a passion for nutrition and health. This has inspired her to continue her education in Naturopathic Medicine at the Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine (BINM). She is fluent in Chinese including Cantonese and Mandarin and has been active in the vitamin and nutrition field since 1996.

Pragati Patel, MA, Bioclinic Naturals Student Representative at the Bastyr University:

Pragati is in her second year at Bastyr University in Seattle. Her undergraduate background in Anthropology coupled with her graduate work in Communications led her to the realm of Naturopathic Medicine and the unique patient centered approach utilized in this field. Her interests include the politics and policies behind medicine, community healthcare and pediatrics. She is an active member of the Bastyr Chapter of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians and Naturopaths without Borders.
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Student Voices

  • Food Addiction – Part 1: The Invisible Prison

    What is a cause of the obesity epidemic that we are seeing in our society? Do overweight or obese people simply like to overeat at every meal? Are they just not concerned about their health? No, rather it is possible that they are addicted to the processed foods that some predominantly consume. And it may not be their fault. There are hidden chemicals and other ingredients, such as sugar, that are helping to cause this addiction.

  • Irish History and Seaweed use through the eyes of Naturopathic Medicine

    Ireland is a country with a rich history of seaweed use. As seaweed becomes increasingly popular, I am setting out to find what it means to the people of Ireland.

  • The Glamorous Life of a Medical Student

    Long days of class and longer nights of studying. The path to becoming a Physician can be treacherous.

  • "There’s no research"

    Tony works to dispel a common myth about alternative medicines

  • 27th Annual AANP Convention and Exposition

    The Annual AANP Convention is upon us, what will this year hold?

  • A Cleansing Experience: First-Hand Experience in Detoxification Programs

    I have begun to get a reputation as someone who recommends a lot of detox programs. Despite my affection for the process until recently I had never done a detox myself. For fear of hypocrisy I thought I had better put my mouth where my money is and try one of them myself. Before beginning I thought I would investigate the various detox programs available.

  • A clinical observational study on PGX® conducted at the Canadian Centre for Functional Medicine

    Significant reductions were observed (p<0.05) in weight (-5.79 ± 3.55 kg), waist circumference (-12.07 ± 5.56 cm), and percentage body fat (-2.43 ± 2.39%) compared to baseline values.

  • A powerful story of finding Nirvana

    A neuroanatomist shared her journey of rediscovering the existence of her right hemisphere

  • A review on the use of NAC in the treatment of PCOS

    A review of three different journal articles, exploring different ways NAC is being tested to treat PCOS cover the use of NAC as a singular treatment, or as an adjunct treatment with other medications or supplements. Not only do we find promising uses for NAC in the treatment of PCOS in these articles, but we see some of the theories behind its effectiveness and the potential causes behind some of PCOS’s sequelae.

  • A Sense of Community

    The value Americans place on community differs greatly from other places of the world and this has affected our lives in more ways than we realize.

  • A Spoonful of Sugar Helps the Medicine Go Down

    Research is suggesting that sugar can help eradicate persistent bacteria that lead to chronic and recurrent infections.

  • Abnormal Pap Test

    Have you ever had an abnormal PAP smear? Want to know how naturopathic approach can help to prevent it from happening again?

  • Advice from Practicing NDs

    Questions such as where to practice, how to practice and what are the steps one needs to take after graduation to become a successful naturopathic doctor are all questions to think about every once in a while. Fortunately, a panel of currently practicing NDs was able to shed some light on this and give their advice on some of these questions.

  • An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure

    Recently the World Health Organization acknowledged the four major risk factors in non-communicable diseases. The results will not surprise you.

  • An update on my infected tooth

    My right bottom molar is officially out. I feel great about it. The next step is a waiting game.

  • Dr Joe Pizzorno ND: The Godfather of Natural Medicine Reminds Us to Respect the Traditions

    I recently had the opportunity to hear Dr. Joe Pizzorno ND, speak on the topic intestinal permeability. Despite his extensive clinical experience and familiarity with the literature, it was Dr. Pizzorno’s respect for traditional wisdom that got me thinking.

  • Dr. Pizzorno’s insightful lecture on the mercury burden in Canada

    Boucher students once again had the fortune of having Dr. Pizzorno to speak to us at BINM. His focus this time was on the clinical effects of mercury exposure, current mercury level assessment methods and treatment options available based on the data his team collected on 1,500 oil field workers in Alberta, Canada.

  • Drs. Pizzorno and Katzinger’s latest textbook, Clinical Pathophysiology-A Functional Perspective

    If you haven’t had a chance to pick up a copy of Dr. Pizzorno’s latest textbook, Clinical Pathophysiology-A Functional Perspective, you need to get a hold of the copy and start reading.

  • Echinacea for immunity

    Echinacea, the purple coneflower has long been a favourite for its immune-boosting capacity. So don’t let a nasty cold get you down this season, get immune support with Echinacea.

  • Education, or lack thereof

    Tony recounts his experience telling medical students about naturopathic medicines

  • EFAs and Infancy

    A look at why EFA levels are important in neonates, and means for supplementing them.

  • Elective Courses in the ND Program?

    What would you do if you could choose some of the courses you took at CCNM?

  • Everyone has a Story

    I had the great privilege of attending the Gathering a few weeks ago at my school, the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM). It was a weekend filled with many great talks between elders and students alike, regarding the meaning and interpretation of the vis medicatrix naturae or the healing power of nature.

  • Exam jitteriness and anxiety

    How many of you have gotten exam anxiety before, during, or after an exam? Symptoms of anxiety can be classified into emotional, behavioural, physiological and/or cognitive. Here are some of the coping strategies for exam anxiety.

  • Exploring the multi functional uses of Stinging Nettle

    Stinging Nettle is a plant with emerging research that shows it has a wealth of benefits.

  • Fertility and acupuncture

    Tony explores in vitro fertilization and the use of acupuncture as an adjunctive therapy

  • Fever: Our body’s natural defense mechanism

    Fevers are often the cause of great concern amongst parents, but are we doing more harm than good when we ‘treat’ a fever?

  • First wave of NDs in Canada to have the authority to prescribe medications

    174 NDs in British Columbia were able to prescribe staring September 7, 2010

  • Food Addiction – Part 2: Fat storage, a protection mechanism

    In part one of this series I discussed food addiction and how it is one of the contributing causes to the obesity epidemic that we see in society. In part two, I will explore one successful approach to losing weight and keeping it off. These are simple and basic principles that are very much aligned with one of the naturopathic principles: Treat the root cause.

  • Food Addiction – Part 3: A Truly Natural Weight Loss Solution

    In part one of this series I talked about food addiction and how it contributes to the obesity epidemic. In part two, I discussed how fat storage is a protection mechanism used by the body to surround and sequester harmful toxins and chemicals to prevent damage elsewhere in the body. In this third and final article, I will talk about some of the foods that can be incorporated into your diet to detoxify and eliminate the GI system from accumulated and stored toxins.

 

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