Category: Immune Health

COVID-19, Immune Health, Preventive Medicine, Vaccinations

Looking to Learn More About the COVID Vaccine?

Dr. Sunita Iyer ND, LM

If you are genuinely interested in learning about the vaccine because you are #undecided or #vaccinehesitant, the linked article is for you. If you have decided that the vaccine is a vehicle for government surveillance, but are reading this on a discoverable device that connects to the Internet, you will likely not find what you are looking for here or in the article. As Naturopathic Physicians we honor Preventive Medicine; vaccines are part of the prevention of community and individual disease that could cause more harm than the intervention itself. Additionally we honor Wholism, and in that vein, we take … Continue reading Looking to Learn More About the COVID Vaccine?

Immune Health, Parenting, Postpartum, Pregnancy

Community Midwives Tending to Low-Risk Families and Adapting to Changes in Hospital Resources

Dr. Sunita Iyer ND, LM

In this time of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is so much that feels uncertain for families, especially families that are expecting a child in the coming weeks and month(s) and planning to birth in hospitals. Some of the questions that families are coming to me and my colleagues with are: Is it safe for me to birth in the hospital if there are potentially infected or exposed people in the same environment? Does this put me and my baby at risk? Will there be enough beds, space, and medical personnel to attend my birth? What if my OB, CNM, or … Continue reading Community Midwives Tending to Low-Risk Families and Adapting to Changes in Hospital Resources

Adolescent Health, Immune Health, Nutrition, Pediatrics, Postpartum, Pregnancy, Self Care

Happy Acupuncture Week 2019!

Dr. Sunita Iyer ND, LM

I love talking about how acupuncture has been part of my life for 16 years, even before @jp.boisvert brought it full circle to our clinic and home We have used acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, tui na, gua sha, and cupping for years to treat fevers, stave off colds, deal with whiplash and sticky shoulders, vanquish back pain and migraines, and generally manage our health for a long time It’s true that we also take care to move our bodies and sleep, but I definitely credit acupuncture and Chinese medicine with our family’s pretty rocking health. And I credit @jp.boisvert for … Continue reading Happy Acupuncture Week 2019!

Healthy Eating, Immune Health, Nutrition, Pediatrics1 Comment

Cleaning House: Are Chemicals Impacting Your Kids’ Health?

Dr. Sunita Iyer ND, LM

Over a week ago I posted on Instagram about cleaning chemicals and that they can negatively impact our kids’ microbiome. The way that the microbiome was being assessed and studied was through the lens of childhood obesity.  Ultimately, kiddos who were exposed to more of the conventional cleaning chemicals (even a few times a week), had microbiome changes that seemed to also result in more obesity in those same kiddos. Additionally, it seemed like kids who grew up in households with ‘greener’ cleaning products had less of these issues: fewer microbiome changes and lower incidences of obesity. Some of the … Continue reading Cleaning House: Are Chemicals Impacting Your Kids’ Health?

Adulting, Fitness, Healthy Eating, Immune Health, Parenting, Self CareLeave a comment

Flossing…not just a dance move

Dr. Sunita Iyer ND, LM

You have probably been reprimanded, just as I have, by your hygienist and dentist to floss more.  The reasoning that we are often given is that it helps agitate and dislodge the tartar and plaque buildup, reduces the resulting and/or ongoing inflammation in your gums, and reduces the chances of gum disease.  All seems pretty true to me.  If you leave crusty crap bumping up against soft tissue, the tissue is going to get angry. What might not be part of the discussion is that flossing is also preventive for some downstream effects that we might not associate with it.  … Continue reading Flossing…not just a dance move

Healthy Eating, Immune Health, Women's HealthLeave a comment

What’s D got to do with me?

Dr. Sunita Iyer ND, LM

Vitamin D: why do we talk about it so much and what does it have to do with your winter time health? The way that our bodies make Vitamin D endogenously (on our own & without supplements) is through sun or UV exposure. If you can get outside for 15-60 minutes a day for some fresh air and sunshine, your body can start to make its own. However at the latitude of the PNW, we get next to nothing in the way of UV exposure in our winter months. And if you happen to be darker skinned and/or advanced in … Continue reading What’s D got to do with me?

Immune Health, Parenting, PediatricsLeave a comment

Pineapple doctor says…

Dr. Sunita Iyer ND, LM

On the heels of my cold and flu remedy ideas, I thought I would also share some of my favorite cough remedies. When I get sick, it goes right to my lungs. And I don’t really get the opportunity to slow down or take sick days, so having remedies that keep me from coughing all over everyone is essential in my life. I do try to avoid the over-the-counter syrups as they are mostly corn syrup and dye, and the ‘nighttime’ ones leave me feeling unfit for much of anything. Keep in mind, I am sharing adult doses and that … Continue reading Pineapple doctor says…

Immune Health, Parenting, PediatricsLeave a comment

Felled by the Fall?

Dr. Sunita Iyer ND, LM

Over the past few weeks cold and flu season has kicked into full gear, as it generally does. Between the darkness, kids back to school, being indoors more and getting less fresh air, and sugar-filled holiday season, our immune systems have a tough time warding off illness. Even though it is inconvenient and uncomfortable, getting sick is part of our immune systems’ strength training process. Adult and kids alike need to keep our immune systems exposed, educated, and resilient without getting knocked down too hard. As a family, we use supplements like probiotics and Vitamin D pretty regularly, but we … Continue reading Felled by the Fall?

Healthy Eating, Immune Health, PediatricsLeave a comment

My top 5 ‘get well’ tricks…

Dr. Sunita Iyer ND, LM

Many people ask me what I do with my own family, whether it comes to vaccinations, diet and nutrition, or managing illnesses.  I will confess that we have stayed incredibly healthy for the last 7 years, until now….these last two months have knocked us down and dragged us out. Since we have a veritable natural pharmacy in our kitchen and many years of practical knowledge, it makes it easy for us to whip up remedies at the first sign of runny noses or congested sinuses.  This isn’t always true or practical for every household.  In light of this, I thought … Continue reading My top 5 ‘get well’ tricks…