In the morning I now take a multivitamin and mineral capsule with a protein and fruit shake; with lunch and dinner I take a digestive aid; in the evening I have another protein shake; and at bedtime, it’s magnesium in a glass of water and a melatonin capsule. The magnesium and melatonin are to help me sleep. I only started this regime a few days ago, and although I haven’t yet slept through the night without waking, I do feel more rested when I start the day.

I promised myself I would approach this makeover with an open mind, take the advice given, and try all suggestions. I am bound and determined to take full advantage of this opportunity.

Rob: A New Direction for Health

I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve been to a doctor in the last five years; I’ve just dropped by my neighbourhood clinics.

I’ve experienced a sense of reckless freedom in not having a regular GP–I don’t go to the doctor regularly and I don’t have to take medication regularly. I thought this was acceptable. However, when I went to see naturopathic doctor Nigma Sciortino, I found out that my sporadic visits to various local clinics are not a good thing.

Weird Science?

The day I saw Dr. Sciortino started well–I was late. After I rushed in and disturbed the clinic’s peace, Dr. Sciortino’s assistant, Erin, gave me some filtered water. (I would discover its importance later.) She escorted me into an examination room where she took all of my preliminaries: age, blood pressure, height, weight.

Then she hooked me up to an odd little machine: a bioimpedence analyzer. This is apparently the same machine that Lance Armstrong uses to test his fitness level. Cool. The machine spat out a little piece of paper which went into my file. With all but one step of the data collection over, it was time for Dr. Sciortino to see me.

Show You My What?

This was my first experience with a naturopathic doctor. Dr. Sciortino’s examination was quite normal: eyes, ears, nose, throat, mouth, tongue, fingernails. Fingernails? Yes, their appearance told her something about my health status.

Using the information sheet I had filled out before my appointment, Dr. Sciortino asked about my health and my parents’ health. We talked about my problem with swimmer’s ear, and she noted scar tissue in both ear canals. She drummed my abdomen, which told her that I have an unhappy intestine.

Two Parting Shots

Before I could leave, Erin had to collect one more thing. I shot back my last sip of filtered water, grabbed the discrete paper bag, and headed to the washroom to do my duty. When I came back from the washroom, Dr. Sciortino was waiting with a consent form for any recent blood tests. My sporadic visits to local clinics presented a problem–I had no medical files–and Dr. Sciortino wasn’t impressed.

I was pleasantly surprised, however, by her message: naturopathic doctors should work with traditional doctors toward a more holistic, complementary health care model. This sounds like a good idea; we’ll all be better for it.

Next Month...

Rob and Toni receive unique nutritional and dietary advice–from two different holistic practitioners–but a few common themes emerge. Is there a conspiracy between the two
nutrition experts? Pick up the March 2007 issue of alive to find out.

Source: alive #292, February 2007