Does everyone need vitamins or herbals as a supplement to their diet? My answer is another question to consider, “How is your health?” If you want to improve your health while and have digestive, emotional, immune, or hormonal health issues, then it is my belief, as a naturopath, that vitamins as well as herbals can and do help to restore health.
There are millions of supplements on the market today. There are millions of dollars spent on marketing to sell you vitamins. How do you know what you need? How do you know which company to buy?
First, I believe a foundational micronutrient formula is a good place to start. You can not achieve this with a one-a-day pill. If you have any health challenges you definitely can benefit from repleting specific nutrients related to your health condition. Also as we age, or if we have underlying immune issues, allergies, digestive issues I believe we need more antioxidants, and minerals. If you are over 40 I believe a nutrient test is a valuable tool. A local lab I refer to offers such tests, as well as hormone tests and food sensitivity testing. I personally did this a few years ago and found it very beneficial.
Second, choose vitamins carefully. Look for a few stamps or certifications on the label such as good manufacturing practices, nutritional council membership, third party testing, accreditation for in-house labs, and certification to produce organic products. Usually, quality supplements are sold by health-care practitioners. Also know that most vitamins are water soluble, so they are not stored in the body. But the fat soluble vitamins such as A, E, Zinc, Selenium, D are stored in the body so you can take too much. Vitamins should be a part of an overall naturopathic plan which includes nourishing whole foods, herbs, and homeopathy, to strengthen vitality, optimize your health and energy rather than merely treat the symptoms of disease. I feel strongly everyone benefits from a customized naturopathic plan.

By Caroline O’Halloran

Masks and hand washing only go so far. To fight off COVID-19, we need to clean from within. So says pre-eminent board-certified Doctor of Naturopathy Lynn Feinman (above) who’s been successfully guiding Main Line clients toward optimum health for 12 years.

“With COVID, a lot of people realize they better get their act together,” she says.

SAVVY sat down with Dr. Lynn to discuss her top tips for disease prevention and better health.

What are signs of a weakened immune system?

Allergies, asthma, frequent colds and viruses, Lyme disease, fatigue, auto-immune and thyroid problems – those are the big ones that show things are starting to break down.

How do you help clients boost their immune systems?

It’s more about helping the immune system regulate itself. Food is the foundation: micronutrient antioxidant support, a plant-based diet, not a lot of sugar or alcohol, making sure you get restorative sleep, getting an optimal level of Vitamin D (which can be tested). If I’m going to be stranded somewhere, Vitamin D is the one vitamin I’m going to take.

What can you do if you’re diagnosed with COVID-19?

If I were starting to show symptoms, I would take Vitamin D and Vitamin C every few hours. There’s no harm in taking extra, especially compared to the unknown dangers of the virus, particularly if you’re immuno-compromised. Natural anti-inflammatories like flavonoids and curcumin can be helpful, too. I have a list I’ll be keeping on hand for my family this winter.

A few of Feinman’s suggested immunity and vitality boosters.

Who stands the best chance of surviving the virus?

Clearly, the healthier you are, the better. Why do some people get really sick with Lyme or HPV and others clear it from their bodies? I help clients find their personal best health quotient. It’s making sure you’re getting good sleep, balanced exercise and that you do get natural sun. In addition to vitamins, I think superfoods such as greens, nuts and seeds are a great benefit to overall inflammatory status. Ultimately, it is about naturopathically supporting health rather than only seeking to kill the germ.

Why might a naturopathic doctor be an especially wise investment during a pandemic?

Prevention is the name of the game. You want to stay out of the hospital during this pandemic. You don’t want to have anything else go wrong. The naturopathic model is about improving vitality. The more vital you are, the less disease. And in general, medications are suppressive. Naturopathy teaches you what your body needs. You don’t want to take a million things. You just want to take the thing you need. It’s about outrunning the bus. When you get run over, you have to go to the hospital. But beforehand, you try to outrun the bus. The modern naturopath uses food, nutrition, diet, herbs, homeopathy and lifestyle. It considers the whole person.

What’s the Number One thing people don’t understand about their health?

That we can deeply influence our health status and overall well-being. We can impact and improve any disease state, but especially our immune health, digestion, hormonal health and emotional balance. Our health is our responsibility.

What’s the most common mistake women make when faced with symptoms of menopause?

Not recognizing our hormonal cycles represent underlying imbalances and damage and that hormonal health is linked to immune health and seeking to “fix” it with hormone-replacement therapy (HRT). We do an in-office assessment and saliva testing for perimenopausal imbalances, then create a customized plan. Diet, supplements and sleep support are key. In 95 percent of cases, we can bring hormones into balance without HRT – there are other ways to cool off the hot flashes.

Does everyone need a detoxifying cleanse – even people with no symptoms?

Yes. Allowing the body short periods of digestive rest and nutrient dense foods to flush the system can benefit everyone. There is so much we are exposed to in foods and the environment.

Can diet really affect our mental health?

Yes! There’s a deep connection between our microbiome (your digestive ecosystem) and mood. We are what we eat. Take care of your microbiome – more prebiotics instead of probiotics – and you’re taking care of your brain and mental health.

What drew you to practice naturopathy?

I’ve always been interested in nutrition and battled to be thin in college – I tried every diet. The turning point for me was when I was diagnosed with Lyme and Hashimoto’s disease and then when I had my own children, there were way too many antibiotics being thrown at me, especially for my son’s ear chronic infections. I pursued homeopathic and naturopathy for them and myself. I went back to school 17 years ago. I thought, ‘I’m going to make myself and my family healthier and if I can do that, I’ll help other people.’

What ever happened with your son’s ear infections?

He was cured in a very short time with homeopathy. He’s a musician today – thank goodness, he didn’t end up losing his hearing.

I see health as an inter-relationship of all the aspects of the self, a continuum. Intervening anywhere within the continuum can ultimately facilitate health. This holds true no matter what your health challenge. For over 30 years, I have been on a quest to seek tools to assist my clients with their health recovery and healing, ultimately finding optimal health for themselves and their families. This past year I embarked on a year- long Clinical Homeopathic Training (Center for Education and Development of Homeopathy). I enjoyed learning about this 200 year old health care practice. For those of you unfamiliar with homeopathy, it is the use of very diluted substances, from plants, minerals, periodic table, and other substances naturally occurring in our everyday environment. The Clinician seeks to find similitude between the medicine and the person. I see great value for both acute and chronic conditions. Especially, immune, ENT, allergies, nervous system support, women’s health, and digestive disorders. Homeopathic medicines are very diluted and can benefit the highly sensitive person. There are no contra-indications or interactions with medications.I am excited to offer this additional modality in my practice. I believe it can be of great benefit for many conditions.

As Featured in Main Line Today October 2019

Balance Your Hormones

Women’s bodies begin changing approximately 15 years before menopause, says Lynn Feinman, a Paoli-based doctor of naturopathy. “How we rebalance our hormones, starting at age 35, determines how we age, our longevity and overall health quotient,” she says.

Feinman advises increasing your intake of hormone-balancing foods—plants over animals. “Flesh foods and reproductive organs—even eggs—have hormones of those animals,” she says.

Feinman doesn’t insist on vegetarianism. Rather, she wants women to choose their meats wisely. Organic, farm-raised and antibiotic-free meats are best.

And food doesn’t supply all of the nutrients we need, especially as we age. Supplements are a must—just don’t overdo vitamins and minerals, Feinman says.

Experienced consultants can create supplement plans that include antioxidants, minerals, calcium, magnesium and B vitamins. They can also help you to engage in periods of nutritional cleansing to optimize liver function. Most of Feinman’s cleansing programs are a month long. But eating clean for even one day a week does a lot of good. “I believe that if your liver is clean, it can better metabolize the fluctuations of hormones,” she says.

When it comes to underlying systemic issues like insomnia and gastrointestinal disorders, hormonal changes can exacerbate them. That’s one reason people feel like they’re falling apart when they hit their mid-40s. “Hormones are messengers, so whatever is there becomes a louder conversation,” says Feinman.

Finding remedies for your ailments will help you brace yourself for change, Feinman contends. Preventative measures include micronutrient testing, food allergy analysis and supplement plans.

Hormone health is attainable and sustainable. “There’s a switch that gets flipped, and that can create damage, but a lot of it is reversible through making good choices,” says Feinman. “We can rebuild. If you’re clear with intentions and you want to get better, you can heal yourself.”

Women’s needs mid-life, as well as during other life stages, or hormonal changes, represent a significant opportunity to rebalance and influence future health and longevity. It may also be a difficult and challenging time for a number of reasons. Mid-life brings about changes in relationships, family, career and often health. Also, of significance is the aging body and changing self-image. There are additional changes in sleep, mood, bones, cognition and memory and weight. As the hormones change, common hormone imbalances arise such as thyroid and adrenal health. These imbalances may amplify various previous digestive, emotional and immune conditions. Thus women can be left with a complicated picture of health. It seems common for women to end up with auto-immune disease, chronic fatigue, pain and inflammation, irritable bowel disease, weight issues, emotional imbalances etc.

Menopause is not a medical condition, but rather a natural female condition. Similar to pregnancy, our bodies know what to do. It is a natural process. However, because of all the imbalances which arise many women end up at their medical practitioner’s office. Medicine can certainly treat a fibroid or provide medical interventions for more serious issues resulting from ill-health and should never be over-looked. Clearly, medicine will not naturally strengthen women’s health

Clearly, women’s needs are completely different at mid-life. Therefor I believe women need a new map, and to chart a new path. I believe by employing a naturopathic and holistic paradigm, and identifying what is unique to each woman we can bring hormones into balance:  improve digestion, immunity, cognitive, emotional health, rebalance weight, sleep issues and other issues which seem to correlate with peri-menopause (the time around menopause which is usually 35-55).By employing a new and optimal path I believe women can age with optimal health and well-being. My Health Transformation Naturopathic Program employs a customized plan for you.

Healing your Gut

Healthy digestion is a fundamental foundation for good health. When the process of digestion is compromised, it often affects not just your gut, but also your immune, hormonal and nervous systems. Even if you eat a healthy diet, you may have impaired nutrient absorption and energy production that can lead to the development of inflammation and allergies.   Utilize the Naturopathic 4 R model gut cleanse program to resolve your digestion issues. Takeaway top naturopathic principles for digestive health. “The Foundational Cooking for Optimal Health Cookbook” by Dr. Lynn Feinman available for purchase.

Building Natural Immunity

NEW Identify the fundamental principles that weaken our immunity. Learn effective tools and techniques of naturopathy: food, nutrition and therapeutic approaches that strengthen immunity. Explore the naturopathic interventions to protect and enhance immunity. Takeaway the top 10 Step Naturopathic Immune Building protocol.