News Release
Naturopath Dow treats the whole you
January 4, 2012
Kerri Dow is a licenced naturopathic doctor with a family practice in downtown Fredericton.
Her job includes not only the treatment of illness and disease, but the prevention.
Her work also includes acupuncture, herbal medicine and counselling her patients to lead healthier, happier lives.
Recently, she took time to talk with reporter Megan MacKay about alternative medicine and helping others and gave some tips on how to live healthy in the new year.
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Q: Did you grow up in Fredericton? Where did you go to school? What did you study?
A: I was born and raised in Fredericton. I completed my undergraduate degree at UNB Fredericton in 2002.
Upon graduation, I took some time to travel and work. In 2004, I moved to Guelph, Ont. to attend the University of Guelph where I took my pre-medical courses to qualify for entry into the Naturopathic Medicine program which I began in 2006.
At that time, I re-located to Toronto to attend the four-year program at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine.
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Q: Do you have any hobbies or activities outside of your work?
A: I find there is always work to do, but aside from interests relating to my practice and/or health care, I enjoy cooking immensely. It is definitely one of my biggest passions.
Of course, listening to great music is integral to the activity of cooking. I also took up running in 2006 and have since completed a few half-marathons. Hoping to get ready for another this fall!
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Q: Tell me a little bit about naturopathy.
A: Naturopathic medicine is a unique and comprehensive approach to health care in that naturopathic doctors (NDs) provide both primary health care services and disease prevention counselling.
Naturopathic medicine treats all forms of health concerns - from acute to chronic illness, from the physical to the psychological, and across all age spans.
It is the approach, philosophy and training that sets naturopathic medicine apart from other forms of health care.
Naturopathic medicine supports and stimulates the body's ability to heal itself, focusing on prevention and using non-invasive natural therapies. It integrates the art and science of medicine into a practice which addresses the physical, mental, emotional, environmental and spiritual aspects of health.
While a significant part of the job is concerned with helping to alleviate symptoms, the focus of the naturopathic perspective is to identify and address the root cause of illness while bringing the body back into balance.
What this means is that naturopathic doctors are concerned with "why" an illness is occurring as well as with the "what" of an illness.
Naturopathic doctors are trained in a wide array of therapies including, but not limited to: botanical or herbal medicine, homeopathy, acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine, clinical nutrition and lifestyle counselling.
This allows for a truly integrated treatment protocol that is individualized to each patient's specific needs. Naturopathic treatments may be used to prevent disease and restore health, or they may be used to complement other forms of medicine.
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Q: What type of training do naturopathic doctors receive?
A: Naturopathic doctors obtain comprehensive training in a structure similar to medical doctors and have a minimum of seven years of post-secondary education.
Licensed naturopathic doctors that have graduated from one of the six accredited institutions in Canada or the U.S. have the following training:
* An undergraduate degree with a minimum of three years premedical study,
* four years of study at an accredited naturopathic college,
* a minimum of 1,500 hours supervised clinical experience,
* two sets of licensing board exams, and
* ongoing continuing education courses.
In Canada there are two accredited programs - the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto and The Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine in Vancouver.
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Q: How did you find yourself practising naturopathy? What about it inspires you? What is your favorite part of your practice?
A: Since my teen years, I have always been very interested in health, especially as it relates to nutrition. When I learned about naturopathic medicine, it struck a chord with me because it just made sense from every angle.
True health is about wellness and prevention. It is more than just a lack of sickness; it is all about optimizing your health and being your best possible self.
Given the current state of our over-burdened health-care system, our society is in desperate need of change. We need a holistic approach to treating illness and promoting health.
Naturopathic doctors can work in partnership with other regulated health-care providers to ensure that patients receive the most comprehensive and effective care possible.
When I can genuinely see that I have provided someone with a new perspective and awareness into their health, I am inspired. When patients see results and when I can see that light bulb go off in their head and they make the connection with regards to something we have discussed, that inspires me. That is what lights my fire and keeps it burning.
When I can feel as though I have helped someone to make any positive change, no matter how small, it puts everything into perspective.
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Q: Do you have any advice for those who wish to turn over a new leaf and kick start a brand new year with a healthy lifestyle?
A: Water is needed for every physiological process in the body. To determine how much water you need on a daily basis, divide your body weight (in pounds) by two. This equals the number of ounces of water you need per day.
A normal glass is approximately eight ounces. Note that increased levels of stress and activity will increase your personal requirement for water.
Also, water is best consumed between meals, not while you are eating as it can dilute the digestive juices needed to adequately breakdown food.
Eating a diet high in essential fatty acids, complex carbohydrates, and plenty of fruits and vegetables (at least 6-10 servings) is crucial to a strong immune system. Avoid processed or sugary foods as much as possible.
Aim to eat every three to four hours. Eating regularly will prevent the blood sugar highs and lows which can negatively affect your mood and impede weight loss.
Reduce or eliminate canned, frozen, processed, refined food and foods with additives, synthetic colourings, chemicals, hormones, pesticides or other toxins.
Aim to get to bed before 10 or 11 p.m. and keep your bedroom dark. Melatonin, the main hormone for balancing sleep, needs darkness.
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Megan MacKay is a native of Prince Edward Island and a recent graduate of St. Thomas University's journalism program. Send comments to letters@dailygleaner.com.