Stress, fatigue and structural issues are an obvious and often visible source of headaches, but at the clinic we regularly tackle many other causes that tend to fly under the radar. Here are four you may not have considered.

1. Nutrient Deficiency
Deficiencies in many nutrients can cause headaches. With StoneTree patients, the biggest culprits are B12 and magnesium, but low levels of other nutrients can also cause problems.

We recently had a patient in the clinic who had a headache every day for 25 years. One Myers cocktail (IV treatment) to boost magnesium and the headaches vanished. Now, the patient can keep the headaches at bay with oral supplements, and an IV every six weeks.

2. Food Intolerance/Sensitivity
This is surprisingly common, and there’s much evidence to suggest that immune responses to the food you’re eating may be causing your pain.

We recently treated a mother and daughter who both had food intolerances, and both had chronic headaches. After four weeks of an elimination diet (removing the foods they were sensitive to), the mother’s headaches were 80% better and the daughter’s were gone completely.

3. Hormone Imbalance
Hormone imbalances are a frequent cause in women. Menstrual cycle fluctuations, menopause, and birth control pills can all affect estrogen and progesterone levels, which in turn can affect headache related chemicals in your brain.

Our clinical approach is generally to try to re-balance hormones using supplementation and herbs, and to assess for other underlying causes such as toxicity.

4. Toxicity
Toxicity can often cause or worse headaches. Your body has a remarkable ability to rid itself of toxins, but as toxins stack up – from our diet, our environment, or medications–the process of mobilizing those toxins and moving them out of the body can create headaches.

Ironically, many things that seem to help headaches in the short term, like caffeine or over the counter pain-killers, can actually make them worse in the long run by making you toxic.

If you’re struggling with unexplained headaches or migraines, you can book a complimentary meet-the-doctor visit here to find out if we can help.

Some inspiration for your lunch menu next week.

 - Tara

Kendra:

• Wild Salmon Burger (Costco), quinoa, broccoli and edamame

Shelby:

• Baked beets, Caesar salad with homemade dressing, and cauliflower soup (Suzie’s farm website recipe)

Tara:

• Organic ground chicken, PC butter chicken sauce, peas – poured over 4 cups raw organic spinach

Often, these patients have had a conventional thyroid test and have been told by their medical doctor that everything is fine. They arrive at our office unconvinced, however, because when they look up the list of symptoms of low thyroid function, they seem to have them all.

When we test further, we often find that the thyroid really isn’t working optimally. Why is that? Why does the story differ from your MD’s office to ours?

The discrepancy arises because of the difference in what is tested, and when.

• Conventional medicine measures one thing: TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone). Your medical doctor uses that number as a way of assessing how well the thyroid is doing it’s job. If that test is normal, your MD won’t test any further. You’ll be told your thyroid is not the problem. End of story.
• Naturopathic doctors measure more initially. Like your MD, we test TSH, but we also look at T4 (the inactive form of thyroid hormone), T3 (the active form) and TPO (a thyroid antibody).

Why? Because some people can have normal TSH levels, but still have thyroid issues which are only revealed by looking at the other numbers. Those people get the “all clear” on the first test, and their MD doesn’t look any further.

Why the difference in testing? It’s a difference in philosophy. Your MD is really trying to determine if your thyroid is diseased. As ND’s, we want to know if it’s working optimally, and those are not the same thing.

Curious about your thyroid? You can book an appointment online, or call the clinic at 705-444-5331.

All of this can seem impossible to tackle in our day-to-day routine.

I had the fortunate experience of stumbling upon a local treasure that helps people do just that – Grail Springs Spa, in beautiful Bancroft, about three hours north east of Collingwood.

At Grail Springs you are lovingly and gently guided on your road to healing. Set on a beautiful mineral lake in the Kawarthas, this magical place truly recharges the body and soul. Packages include all food, which is vegetarian and organic, and there is no sugar, gluten, dairy, alcohol or coffee.

There are yoga classes everyday, along with meditation, inspirational talks, films and forest hikes. Guests stay in beautiful rooms with the comfiest sheets you have ever felt, and enjoy the most healing and detoxifying spa treatments I have experienced.

I was there for three nights and it felt like I was gone for a week. I can home fully nourished, fully detoxified and fully rested.

I already have a relationship with healthy eating and exercise, so I knew how well I would feel after this experience. For others who are not as far down the path, this lovely spa takes care of all the details. You simply show up at the table, show up at the classes and show up at your treatments. You allow them to hold your hand through the first part of the journey – the really bumpy part. Once you get through it and realize how well you feel, it becomes much easier to incorporate the difficult changes into your day-to-day life.

Thanks, Grail Springs!

We recently had a Ruben, a fourth year naturopathic student, in the clinic, so we’ve got an extra name on the roster for our behind-the-scenes lunch coverage.   -Tara

Shelby:

• “Big colourful salad” – kale, spinach, red lettuce, red pepper, broc, sunflower sprouts, sunflower seeds.  Topped with “Gil’s dressing”. (vegan, gluten-free)
• Grilled veggies and azuki beans with sea salt and Indian spices. (vegan, gluten-free)

Kendra:

• Roasted root vegetables, beets and turkey (gluten-free, dairy-free)

Ruben:

• Homemade hummus and carrots.  Roasted potato and leftover roast beef. (gluten-free, dairy-free)

Tara:

• Lentil, feta cheese and sun-dried tomato salad with short grain brown rice. Topped with roasted seeds and avocado.  Served over a bed of greens. (gluten-free, vegetarian)

Most of those years have been an uphill battle, with the treatment, which has been in use for decades, being marginalized and dismissed.

Recently, a 10-year, $31-million clinical trial found that chelation therapy does indeed help heart attack patients slightly reduce their risk of serious heart problems, possibly on par or better than statin drugs like Lipitor. Good news!

Statin/Cholesterol Resources:
http://chriskresser.com/the-truth-about-statin-drugs
http://www.businessweek.com/stories/2008-01-16/do-cholesterol-drugs-do-any-good

Chelation Study Coverage:
www.latimes.com/news/science/la-sci-chelation-heart-attacks-20130327,0,5208499.story
http://healthland.time.com/2012/11/05/chelation-for-heart-disease-study-shows-promise-but-experts-are-divided/

Enjoy – if you’ve got any ideas to add, leave them in the comments!

-Tara

1. Organic blue corn chips – kids love the colour!
2. Sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds. Plain, salted or in sweet clusters at the Bulk Barn.
3. Sliced apple with cinnamon. (So the apple doesn’t brown.)
4. Kiwi. Cut one in half and let your kids scoop out the flesh with a spoon.
5. Black bean dip.
6. Hummus. (SummerFresh makes individual containers.)
7. Popcorn with nutritional yeast.
8. Quinoa chicken nuggets.
9. Meatballs with dipping sauce.
10. Lentil crackers (or other bean crackers).
11. Black bean corn chips.
12. Stir fried rice or rice and beans (Thermos).
13. Wraps with avocado and other vegetables.
14. Quiche or frittata.
15. Hard boiled eggs.
16. Cold pancakes – especially a protein pancake.
17. Baked beans (homemade or Eden organics canned).
18. Roast your own turkey breast and cut into slices for sandwich, wraps or to eat on its own.
19. Quesadillas (make them with corn tortillas and they’re gluten-free)

2.  Emphasize dark green leafy and other colourful vegetables. Ideally raw or lightly steamed.

3.  Maintain a healthy body composition. Measure and track your percentage body fat and lean mass.

4.  Maintain a healthy waist to hip ratio. You should look like a pear, not an apple.

5.  Maintain a healthy blood pressure. Normal is 120/80.

6.  Exercise at least 5 times per week.  Ideally once per day – just a simple walk can make a difference.

7.  Engage in something you LOVE to do at least once per week.

8.  Use virgin olive oil and flaxseed oil on your foods.

9.  Have a blood test done. Monitor your levels of Homocysteine, C-reactive protein and cholesterol.

10.  Personalize your health care.  Every heart is different. Discuss other diagnostic tools and health recommendations with your ND.

Your naturopathic doctor can help with all of these. For bloodwork, lab tests, blood pressure and body composition testing, and other personalized medicine needs, contact the Collingwood clinic at 705-444-5331.

If you feel like the dry, cold winter weather is taking its toll on your skin, we’ve got a solution for you. Join us for a free interactive & informative session with Dr. Kendra Smith, ND, where you’ll learn how to safely and effectively:

• Reduce lines, wrinkles & sagging
• Tighten pores, reduce puffiness & bags
• Improve colour & radiance
• Slow the aging process

Dr. Smith leads our clinical anti-aging protocol, and will be sharing her experience and answering questions. The event is free and open to the public – all are welcome. To book your spot or for more information, call 705-444-5331 or email feelbetter@stonetreeclinic.com.

Event: Aging Gracefully
Date: Monday, March 4th, 2013 – 7-8 PM
Location: StoneTree Naturopathic Clinic – 200-115 Hurontario Street, Collingwood, ON

-Tara

Kendra:

• Curried lentil & veggie stir fry, with quinoa and wild rice combo from Costco

Shelby:

• Roasted beets with garlic and ginger and butternut squash frites from suziesfarm.com
• Chick Pea and root vegetable tagine from Crazy Sexy Kitchen: 150 Plant-Empowered Recipes to Ignite a Mouthwatering Revolution

Tara:

• Organic greens with tuna, avocado, and roasted seeds