I am excited to hear of the provincial government’s recent decision to include prescription rights in our new scope of practice legislation. Far too often, we are forced to send our patients away when they need a prescription for antibiotics, for example, thereby duplicating services in an already overburdened health care system, and causing unnecessary and dangerous delays in treatment for our patients. Many of my patients would prefer to be able to get appropriate prescriptions from the physician that knows their case the best, rather than have to explain their entire history to a doctor at a walk-in clinic in the five minutes available for most appointments.

Naturopathic doctors receive extensive training in many “traditional” disciplines, including diagnostics and pharmacology. The BCNA and CNPBC are currently working on a continuing education package which will build on this background and ensure that we are cognizant of the latest pharmaceutical information. This package should be available in the next year, which means NDs will be able to use their prescription rights in the next one to two years. These are very exciting times to be an ND!

Should you want to learn more about our training, the historical background to this decision, or have more questions, please feel free to contact me or the BCNA at www.bcna.ca.

A recent study performed by Health Canada has found trace amounts of BPA in brands of nursing bottles marketed as BPA-Free. The amounts have been minute and they seem to disappear over time for many of the bottles tested. The new bottles are made from polypropelene, which is supposed to be BPA-free, but trace amounts were found in many brands of bottle tested. For more information, see the original CANWEST press story at http://www.ottawacitizen.com/health/Health+Canada+tests+find+bisphenol+free+bottles/1873201/story.html

Recently, a leader in traditional Chinese medicine, Giovanni Maciocia, has reviewed the H1N1 Swine Flu pandemic from a TCM perspective. According to Maciocia, Swine Flu can be seen as an External Invasion of Wind-Heat, and he has developed acupuncture protocols and herbal prescriptions to treat the initial symptoms as well as more serious cases. In the face of a pandemic which is months away from a vaccine, these protocols can help treat Swine Flu, as well as more traditional seasonal influenzas, effectively. Dr Handford has a special interest in TCM and welcomes those patients interested in preventing and treating Swine and other influenzas using these protocols.

Read the entire article at the Eastern Currents website (www.easterncurrents.ca)

One key to being in optimal health is knowing your stats: those numbers that could indicate possible health problems down the road. Here is a list of indicators you need to know about yourself:

1.Your BMI (Body Mass Index). While not applicable to everyone (such as athletes, those under 18 and over 65 and pregnant and breastfeeding women), the BMI is a good rough indicator of how your weight can affect your health, by incorporating height as well. The formula to find your BMI is weight (in kilograms)/ height (in metres)2. Many sites offer free online calculators, including Health Canada at http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/nutrition/weights-poids/guide-ld-adult/bmi_chart_java-graph_imc_java-eng.php

2.Your waist measurement. Because abdominal obesity is associated with greater risks of both cancer and heart disease, where your fat is distributed can be just as important as your percentage of fat. For men, waists greater than 102 cm or 40 inches (90 cm or 35 inches for men of Asian and Indigenous American ancestry) are indicative of higher risks. For women, the magic number is 90 cm (35 inches) and 80 cm (32 inches) respectively. As with the BMI, these measurements don’t apply to those under 18, over 65, pregnant or breastfeeding.

3.Your serum Vitamin D level. Recent research has created new awareness about the multiple health risks of Vitamin D deficiency. In Canada, there are many months of the year in which even overt exposure to the sun will not stimulate enough Vitamin D production, and increased use of sunscreen has decreased our levels in the summer months as well. Blood tests measure the level of 25-hydroxy-Vitamin D, with a typical normal range being between 32.0 and 100.0 nanograms(ng)/ml. Because Vitamin D can be toxic at high levels, it is important to know your level before beginning supplementation. Vitamin D blood tests are available from your naturopathic doctor.

4.Your blood pressure. Even mildly elevated blood pressure can be a risk factor for heart disease and stroke, as well as other related problems. Normal blood pressure (for those below 60) is considered to be 120/80, although recently some have suggested 110/70 as a better indicator of healthy BP. Anything above this needs attention, because hypertension (elevated BP) has many health effects, so much so that it has been called the “silent killer”.

5.Your fasting cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Both the total amount of cholesterol and the amount of LDL or “bad” cholesterol can indicate possible problems in terms of heart disease, stroke and inflammatory diseases. Currently, a level of less than 200 mg/dl or 5.20 mmol/L for total cholesterol and 60-180 mg/dl (less than 3.2 mmol/L) for LDL is considered normal. Total triglycerides should be below 160 mg/dl (1.81 mmol/L) for men and 135 mg/dl (1.52 mmol/L) for women. These tests are available from your naturopathic doctor.

6.Your fasting blood sugar level (FBS). Elevated blood sugar causes damage to organs and tissues, as well as stressing your pancreas’ ability to produce insulin and promoting inflammation. A FBS above 5.8 mmol/L is considered elevated, with 7.7 mmol/L indicative of diabetes. Your naturopath can test for elevated FBS.

Knowing these numbers can help you focus on improving your health and longevity as well as preventing problems before they arise.

Disclaimer: this information is not intended to replace your physician’s advice or care. Make sure to bring up any concerns you have with your care provider on your next visit.

Dr Handford has joined the Alta Vista Naturopathic Clinic in Kitsilano! She will be working Wednesdays and Fridays, 9 am to 5 pm. New and past patients are encouraged to call for an appointment at 604-736-3800. She can also be reached at 604-762-8402 (cell).

The address of the clinic is:

210-2678 W. Broadway, Vancouver, BC. It is located above Gaia Gardens, at Trafalgar and Broadway.