By WIN Contributor: Dr. Laura Imola, Naturopathic Doctor

After being in practice for almost two decades, (I can’t believe it’ll be 17 years this Fall!), I am always inspired by the potential within each person. I see it every day. People who…

  • Take up the challenge to make tough changes that are for the better

  • Make time for themselves

  • Stick with a healthy lifestyle as best they can even through all the distractions, time crunches, change in routines, etc.

…and it always gives me great hope to see that we can do these tough things and feel as great as our bodies are designed to be.

However, when it comes to natural health products, I’m still as cynical as I was when I started. Back then I knew, just as I know now, that optimal health does not come from a silver bullet.

And this was when natural health wasn’t mainstream… Welp!… I never imagined that natural health would explode the way it has… and as a result we have a tidal wave of natural health brands, formulas and trends all promising awesome health in a pill, a powder, a liquid, a program, a diet.

Keep in mind….

It seems you can take almost any natural health product because they all have at least one “benefit”!

…and…

If it seems too good to be true…It is!

There are so many natural products out there that have an incredible amount of marketing behind them. The labels look nice, there may be a great website, ad or personality to go with it…but it doesn’t mean that it will do what it says.

When they don’t do as promised, this leads to disappointment, discouragement and the feeling that “natural medicine doesn’t work.”

Google has replaced mom & the doctor!

We all go to Google to get advice. Goggle has replaced that phone call for mom’s step by step. Google has even replaced asking a doctor.

Google will only give you one side of the story when it comes to natural health products. You may not get the truth about…

  • Ingredient quality

  • If it’s right for you

  • If it will interact with anything you’re taking (e.g. medication)

  • Side effects

I know that when people go seeking advice with their conventional health provider about natural health they may come away with not enough guidance or answers. This is understandable! Natural health is not what conventional health care providers are trained to use therapeutically. It’s not in their tool box, and that’s ok.

As more people are wanting to be proactive in their health care and prevent illness, Naturopathic Doctors are trained to give professional guidance. We help discern what herbs, homeopathic, vitamins, minerals, etc., are a good fit for the individual given their whole health picture which includes factoring in:

  • State of health

  • Physical assessment

  • Lab test results

  • Medications

  • Risk factors

  • Other natural remedies

  • Allergies or sensitivities

  • Treatment goals

This is how Naturopathic Doctors fill the gap in health care for those seeking proactive health and preventative medicine. Consider looking for guidance before you leap in to taking the latest natural health product. Naturopathic Doctors can help.