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

  • "There’s no research"

    Tony works to dispel a common myth about alternative medicines

  • 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 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.

  • 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.

  • Best Medicine

    Tony comments on the naturopath/allopath rivalry.

  • Boucher Students Rise Up at the ZRT Cup

    This week I was at the 25th AANP conference in Portland, Oregon and attended the ZRT Cup. My peers, and fellow students, went on to win their way to an historic 2nd place. Read this inpiring article by Mark Williams, the Director of Admissions and Alumni Relations at the Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine.

  • Canada alters energy drink regulations

    The Canadian government altered energy drink regulations recently. Most Canadians think of energy drinks as a food, not as a health product. Under these regulations they will now be subject to a review process for their quality and safety and have to display recommended conditions for use as well as cautions.

  • Certain imported food items from Taiwan may contain toxic DEHP

    Some of you might have heard of the news about the recent scandal of di-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) found in beverages, food items and natural health products. Here are a few items to consider when picking up that beverage or food.

  • Cold remedies – the good, the bad and the awful tasting

    Tony discusses the efficacy of various cold remedies

  • Contrast Hydrotherapy for Aches and Pain

    Hydrotherapy can be used therapeutically to treat a variety of health complaints, including minor aches and pain, which is the focus of this article.

  • Debate on naturopathic medicine: Should naturopathic medicine be regulated as a primary care service

    A debate was held about whether naturopathic medicine should be regulated as a primary care service in Québec and whether naturopathic doctors should have a full scope of practice. This was held in Montréal during naturopathic medicine week (May 7-13) between André Saine ND and Joe Schwarcz PhD.

  • Do airport full-body scanners pose any health risks?

    Wendy takes a look into the potential health risks of airport full-body scanners.

  • Do you know the fish oil that you currently take?

    The gist on fish oil supplements

  • 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.

  • Education, or lack thereof

    Tony recounts his experience telling medical students about naturopathic medicines

  • 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, behavioral, 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 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.

  • 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.

  • Saltwater Cures Everything

    Seaweed baths are a traditional marine cure therapy, indigenous to Ireland. The practice has existed for many years and gaining fame once again as bathers travel from all parts of the world to soak in an Irish seaweed bath.

  • Sedentary Lifestyle and Your Health

    A lack of regular physical activity can lead to a variety of preventable lifestyle related diseases.

  • Simple Medicine: A Difficult Pill to Swallow

    In this article I would like to relate an experience I had in clinic when prescribing herbal medicines. I thought this would be a simple task; however it didn’t turn out to be as simple as I expected. The experience taught me a valuable lesson about natural medicine.

  • Social Media: How the Doctor Patient Relationship is Evolving

    Social media is practically inescapable in society today and can be a useful tool in marketing oneself as a Physician.

  • Spring Cleansing

    My spring cleansing journey utilizing Bioclinic Naturals 7-Day ReduceX Total Body Cleansing Program

  • Student Life at the Boucher Institute

    What is it like to be enrolled in the only six-year ND program in North America?

  • Student Life at the CCNM

    Ever wonder what it might be like to be a naturopathic student? Tony shares his insights as a student at the CCNM.

  • Student Voices

    Introducing a new area for Bioclinic Naturals - Student Voices

  • Summer Weight Loss: Three Phases to Lasting Success

    So you’re overweight and you want to be healthier and look sexier but you are discouraged. You have tried to lose weight in the past and while you have had some success in the beginning, the results never seem to last. So why do people have such a hard time losing weight? While the specific answer is different for everyone, chances are you are stuck in one of the following three phases.

  • The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP)

    Every year the AANP hosts an annual convention drawing a diverse crowd of Physicians and Medical Practitioners.

  • The Burden of Technology

    As technological advances turn into medical advances, we are forgetting that it is the responsibility of the Physician to protect the patient.

  • The Cancer and Cosmetics Connection

    The incidence of cancer in young women is rising. Is the culprit our cosmetics industry?

  • The founding history of BINM

    Celebrate with us a decade of Naturopathic Medicine as BINM marks the beginning of a second decade as a leader in naturopathic medical education.

  • 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.

  • 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.

 

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