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CJNM / Volume 1

Issue 3 December 2021

17/12/2021
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Issue 3, Volume 1

The lineup of review articles is must-read stuff! Neil McKinney does a tremendous job of showcasing the basis for consideration of cannabidiol in cancer care. Odessa Gill and Erin Valente introduce a simple, non-invasive liver scan with impressive sensitivity and specificity for detecting liver fibrosis. The test can easily be rolled out in outpatient integrative healthcare practice. Tori Hudson and Sarah Tindall deliver an excellent review of ginger with a focus on women’s health. Several applications backed with human level evidence are certainly news to me! Daniella Perri delivers an eloquent and detailed review of mechanisms through which vitamin D achieves outcomes of immunomodulation. I am privileged to provide a review establishing safety of low- hyperforin extracts of St John’s wort with all classes of...

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Cannabidiol (CBD) in Cancer Care

16/12/2021
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Issue 3

Abstract Cannabidiol (CBD) is a medically active but non-psychotropic constituent of Cannabis spp. It is a modulator of the intrinsic endocannbinoid system, which has significant regulatory and homeostatic functions in several important systems in the human body. Of particular interest is the impact CBD may have on the immune system, inflammation, anxiety, pain, and neuronal injury. Emerging evidence suggests these properties of CBD may be a valuable adjunct to the standard of care in oncology. It may reduce harm from chemotherapy and radiation therapy with no reduction in therapeutic efficacy. It may moderate graft-versus-host disease after stem cell transplants and moderate the formation of cancer stem cells involved in cancer progression, spread, treatment resistance, and relapses. CBD may even directly suppress cancer cells via mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis...

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FibroScan as a Simple Non-Invasive Screening Tool in Predicting Fibrosis in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Patients

16/12/2021
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Issue 3

Abstract The use of FibroScan in a clinical setting has been well established. Numerous studies demonstrate the efficacy of FibroScan as a screening tool in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients. This non-invasive device is a valuable tool in a naturopathic practice to help identify NAFLD patients and those with suspected liver disease. The article will showcase human evidence assessing sensitivity and specificity of this important clinical tool. It is hoped the paper encourages more naturopathic doctors to make this simple, safe, and cost-effective tool available to their patients. Introduction Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a condition in which there is an accumulation of excess fat in hepatocytes in people who consume little or no alcohol. The prevalence of NAFLD is estimated to be 20 to 40%...

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Ginger in Women’s Health Care: Gynecology and Primary Care

16/12/2021
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Issue 3

Abstract The well-known herb ginger, or Zingiber officinale, has been used for medicinal and culinary purposes for thousands of years throughout the world. Traditionally, ginger has been used to address a variety of ailments including nausea, vomiting, colds, arthritis, and headaches, among others. Although it is not often thought of as an herb for women’s health, there are a myriad of clinical uses for ginger to support medical conditions that are women-only as well as some that tend to impact women more often. This article seeks to highlight some of these uses of ginger beyond its antiemetic action by also discussing applications of ginger for dysmenorrhea, heavy menses, migraines, IBS, osteoarthritis, and exercise induced myalgia. Introduction Ginger root (Zingiber officinal Roscoe) is widely known and used as a...

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Vitamin D: Focus on Immune Modulation

16/12/2021
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Issue 2

Abstract Vitamin D supplementation is not strictly for healthy bone metabolism. There is a significant expression of vitamin D receptors (VDRs) in specific target cells and tissues. Vitamin D deficiency is very common around the world, being affected by latitude/winter season, melanin production, pharmaceutical side effects, obesity, and fat malabsorption disorders. Deficient serum vitamin D levels modulate VDR expression which influences expression of downstream genes and induces protein cascades in different tissues to elicit disease symptoms. The common theme in all of the studies reviewed is the role vitamin D plays in the immune response. Vitamin D deficiency has been implicated in not only immune related conditions, but chronic medical conditions as well. While the mechanism of action of vitamin D in these conditions has not...

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Low-Hyperforin Extracts of St John’s Wort are Safe to Combine with Prescription Medications of All Classes and are Effective in Treating Common Mental Health Concerns

16/12/2021
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Issue 3

Abstract St John’s wort (hypericum perforatum) (SJW) has both a rich history of use as well as a well-established body of modern human intervention trials showcasing its ability to benefit a wide array of common mental health concerns. However, academic curriculums training healthcare providers of all disciplines highlight the potential for horrifying herb-drug interactions with SJW. It may be the most well-known contraindication across all disciplines of medicine; do not combine SJW with prescriptions of any type! The objective of this review is to showcase evidence forcing a re-evaluation of the long-held notion that SJW cannot be combined with prescriptions. Specific molecules within SJW (hyperforin and hypericin – most relevant being hyperforin) are known inducers of several cytochrome P450 enzyme systems, and thus the interactions so...

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Polymorphisms in IRS1 and FABP1 Modify Insulin Resistance in Response to Fatty Acid Composition in Non-Diabetic Subjects With Abdominal Obesity: A Clinical Randomized Trial

16/12/2021
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Issue 3

Abstract Background: The prevalence rates of insulin resistance (IR) and its health consequences are increasing worldwide. Emerging evidence suggests a modulatory effect of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on IR response to dietary fatty acid (FA) composition; yet, evidence from clinical trials is missing. Objective: We evaluated the response of IR measures to different levels of dietary FA composition, and the impact of IR-associated genetic polymorphisms on this response. Methods: Non-diabetic adults (n=116) with abdominal obesity were included in a randomized, controlled-feeding, double-blinded, crossover, multicentre trial. During each phase, participants consumed one of three treatment oils (20% of total fat) for six weeks, separated by a four to 12 week washout. Treatment oils included two-high monounsaturated FA (MUFA) oils, conventional canola or high-oleic acid canola, or a low-MUFA high-saturated...

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Issue 2 September 2021

16/09/2021
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Issue 2, Volume 1

The issue begins with an Invited Commentary from Bob Bernhardt, the current President of the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM). Bob showcases some very interesting changes to the training of ND’s and practice itself over his 17 years in the profession. Rebecca Word delivers a wonderful summary of human evidence in relation to the herb Melissa officinalis. I was unaware of how far human evidence has progressed regarding this herb, and was grateful for being brought up-to-speed. ...

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Melissa officinalis: Review of Published Evidence in Humans by Rebecca R Word, ND

15/09/2021
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Issue 2

Abstract Melissa officinalis (MO) is broadly distributed across the globe, and as a member of the mint family can grow in seemingly inhospitable conditions. In addition to a rich history as a revered medicinal plant, a large and growing body of human level evidence has emerged evaluating MO for a very broad range of applications. Human evidence has emerged for a role of MO in neurodegeneration, mental health, and cardiovascular health. There is also evidence supporting a role of MO for use in children, dysmenorrhea, and a selection of other indications with limited yet existing human level evidence. The herb is administered in a variety of forms (crude herb, tea, aqueous or ethanolic extracts) as well as in a variety of methods (topical, aromatherapy, oral ingestion)....

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Grief and Sickness Behaviour in Naturopathic Practice: Standards of Care for Screening and Support by Aoife Earls, MSc, ND

15/09/2021
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Issue 2

Abstract Lifestyle counselling is a part of practice scope for naturopathic doctors, however, the identification of grief management is not well reviewed or identified for screening in practice. Acute grief has many physical attributes that are similar to sickness behaviour, and when identified properly, can be supported as part of a general health care plan and are within naturopathic care strengths, including herbal medicine and lifestyle resources such as forest bathing, journaling, and creativity. In addition, complicated grief or prolonged grief disorder should be identified and referred to appropriate care as many individuals benefit from complicated grief therapy, and will also have numerous health concerns that will not improve when not getting adequate support. Standards of care for different aspects of grief therapy in therapeutic practice...

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