September is Healthy Aging Month, a time to celebrate all the wonderful things about getting older. Older adults have far more options today on how to live their lives than ever before. Seniors are reinventing themselves, going back to school, starting new careers, and taking charge of their later years. Rather than allowing things to happen, older adults are actively deciding how to spend their time and energy, which includes choosing how they manage their healthcare.

In studies on older adults and their views on naturopathic medicine, three points stood out. People sought naturopathic medicine because they wanted to be heard, they wanted to feel supported, and they appreciated the focus on health education, including prevention and self-care. (1) There are many alternatives in how to manage the effects of aging. While traditional medicine has its benefits, it tends to have a one-size-fits-all mentality. Naturopathic medicine looks at the individual and helps them customize the right path for them.

Naturopathic Remedies For Healthy Aging

Patients receiving naturopathic medical care may find that supplements are an effective way to support their physical and mental health. For active adults, supplements can be an attractive way to assist with health concerns. They have the advantage of having minimal side effects and can be part of a preventive plan to ward off disease.

For example, for people dealing with mental health problems, certain supplements can aid them in their recovery journey. There have been excellent studies showing the positive benefits of CBD for anxiety and PTSD, for example. (2) Supplements can also be helpful for other common mental health problems, like depression. Vitamins, essential fatty acids, and magnesium, for example, can all be part of a customized naturopathic care plan for depression and fatigue.

CBD is also being studied for its ability to relieve the symptoms caused by osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia. (3)(4) These painful conditions can be challenging to manage and reduce the quality of life for those suffering from them. As a pain management alternative, CBD may be the right choice for those looking for a more natural path.

Supplementation can be useful in other areas as well. Adults concerned about their skin can benefit from naturopathic care like diet and lifestyle modifications, along with supplements such as Vitamin E, C, A, and Zinc, all of which can help with proper maintenance of the skin, which is of particular importance as we age. Our skin gets drier and thinner as we age, however some therapies can help.

Another common ailment of age is diabetes. For someone who wishes to have a long, energetic life, the symptoms of diabetes, like low energy, foot problems, and uncontrolled blood sugar, can be frustrating. Proper supplementation, along with our Diabetes Relief Program, can help with all of these and put you back on the path to getting out and doing things. 

Healthy Aging Includes Staying Active

A key to graceful aging is staying active. Exercise, spending time with friends and family, and working on hobbies and outdoor activities are all good for our mental and physical health. But, it isn’t always easy to get up the energy to go. Supplements can help here, as well. If you are having problems with fatigue, there are vitamins like Vitamin D that can be helpful. Or, if you have concerns about falls, Calcium might be a good choice for you. Being an older adult should not stop you from doing the things you want to do. If you want to get out there and live life to its fullest, you should be able to.

CBD can be found in any gas station these days, and the grocery store shelves are stocked with vitamins and minerals. Why do you need a naturopathic doctor? For one, a naturopathic doctor looks at your entire health history. They want to know what medications you are taking, past medical history, and any concerns you might have. They will work with you to put together a plan that makes sense for you. Another reason is that some supplements can be dangerous when taken in the wrong amounts or have adverse reactions with other medications. Finally, not all supplements are the same; they are not regulated the way that pharmaceuticals are. When it comes to your health, you want the highest quality supplements, and in the right amounts. A naturopathic doctor has the skill and expertise to guide you in the right direction.

Here at Nature Cure Clinic in Green Valley, we take a holistic approach to our patients’ wellness. If you’d like to visit with Dr. McConnell about your health challenges and goals, schedule your next appointment by calling 520-399-9212 or filling out the form on our website at http://naturecuredoc.com/contact-us/

Works Cited

(1) Oberg, Erica B., et al. “Older Adults’ Perspectives on Naturopathic Medicine’s Impact on Healthy Aging.” PubMed, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24439094/.

(2) Bitencourt, Rafael M., and Reinaldo N. Takahashi. “Cannabidiol As a Therapeutic Alternative for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: From Bench Research to Confirmation in Human Trials.” Frontiers, www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2018.00502/full.

(3) Philpott, Holly T., et al. “Attenuation of Early Phase Inflammation by Cannabidiol Prevents Pain and Nerve Damage in Rat Osteoarthritis.” PubMed, Dec. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28885454/.

(4) Fiz, Jimena, et al. “Cannabis Use in Patients with Fibromyalgia: Effect on Symptoms Relief and Health-Related Quality of Life.” PubMed Central (PMC), www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3080871/.