Westcoast Integrative Health
88 Lonsdale Ave # 102 V7M 2E6 North Vancouver, BC, Canada

Does it get any better than this on a gorgeous summer’s day? #raspberry #harvest #garden #grow #summer #sunshinecoastbc #robertscreek #getoutside #gratitude

We were quite excited to pull our garlic yesterday. We’ll be curing it indoors for a few weeks and will get to enjoy it over the winter!

Wishing everyone a peaceful summer solstice and a Happy Father’s Day

Hypericum Perforatum or Saint John's Wort One of the most powerful herbs in a herbalist's arsenal, St. John's Wort can be quite effective in the treatment of depression, anxiety, along with neurological pain and post-menopausal symptoms through its inhibition of the Monoamine Oxidase (MAO) enzymes A and B. Caution is required with the use of this herb though, as high doses can lead to photosensitivity as well as reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills and other med...ications. People taking conventional antidepressants also need to be cautious as the effects of St John's Wort can be cumulative with these medications. From an aesthetic perspective, St John's Wort makes an attractive addition to any garden. The bushes are fairly inconspicuous and grow about 3 feet tall with lovely yellow flowers that bloom summer through fall. Most importantly perhaps, this shrub is a big hit with the bees ! #stjohnswort #hypericum #garden #grow #medicinal #flowers #herbs #summer #bees #sunshinecoastbc #robertscreek #getoutside #westcoastintegrativehealth See more

Does it get any better than this on a gorgeous summers day? #raspberry #harvest #garden #grow #summer #sunshinecoastbc #robertscreek #getoutside #gratitude

We were quite excited to pull our garlic yesterday. Well be curing it indoors for a few weeks and will get to enjoy it over the winter!

Wishing everyone a peaceful summer solstice and a Happy Fathers Day

I thought this was very cool and wish that "Western" countries would focus more on integrative medicine and research. It is very probable, for example, that inexpensive treatments like zinc, vitamin D, quercetin and vitamin C can all make a huge difference in outcomes for COVID patients, but why aren't these treatments used? This Meta-Analysis was originally sent to me through evidence alerts from McMaster University and clearly shows the best outcomes I have seen for the tr...Continue reading

Meet our sweet girl, Enya! If you have ever come up to our Roberts Creek location chances are you have never met her because we keep her indoors during clinic hours. Recently, she has been taking advantage of our telehealth appointments by waiting at the front door of the clinic for Dr D to finish his day! We think this is pretty adorable but we are also really looking forward to welcoming you in person again soon. Please stay tuned for more details!

I finally got to a gardening video update amongst the many projects I've got going on. My main focus these days is project "Arlo" and being a Naturopathic Doctor. #lovinglife

One of our favourite times of the year is upon us... our Creeping Thyme lawn is blooming! We planted 300 of these aromatic shrubs a few years ago in order to achieve a beautiful, fragrant and low maintenance lawn. The results do not disappoint! A wonderful bonus is that bees love Creeping Thyme even more than we do! #creepingthyme #lawn #garden #gardening #bees #getoutside #sunshinecoastbc #robertscreek #westcoastintegrativehealth

Stage 2 of Restart BC is set to start tomorrow. Check my COVID update here! https://westcoastintegrativehealth.com/covid-19-update-4/

Even though ours is only just under 2 feet tall, Ginkgo Biloba is a beautiful and very wise looking tree. Its first recorded medicinal use dates back to 15th century China but fossil records for Gingko date back 270 million years! The main indications for this ancient tree are to help with blood circulation to both the head and limbs. It is also thought to act as a mild blood thinner. Traditional and current uses are to help with memory, attention and focu...s. The Gingko tree is a really cool plant that is a special addition to any garden! ps. did you know that its one of Dr Ds favourite trees and the inspiration for the clinic logo? #gingkobiloba #plantfeature #gardening #getoutside #homesteading #naturopathicmedicine #beautifulbc #sunshinecoastbc #robertscreek See more

Eagerly waiting on the creeping thyme!

We have recently been getting questions around our opening hours and current level of service. At this time, only those clients at risk of imminent or serious harm where alternative care is not available may be seen in office. These appointments need to be made by phone. For clients who do not fit the above criteria but still wish to consult with us, telemedicine is available and can be booked via our website.... Warmest regards, Dr D

We had to share an update on our Gravenstein apple blossoms. Arent they stunning?

Mahonia aquifolium - Oregon Grape. . . . As its name suggests, this is the state flower of Oregon and an important traditional west coast plant. In addition to being a source of food with edible tart berries, its traditional medicinal uses were primarily for stomach ailments and skin conditions. Oregon grape roots can now be used to extract berberine, which is an alkaloid that I use all of the time to treat Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)! ... . . #westcoast #oregongrape #westcoastintegrativehealth #SIBO #sunshinecoastbc #robertscreek See more

Check out Dr Secheult MD's advice about what he does and takes personally for SARS-CoV-2 prevention. Of course these recommendations are not a replacement for conventional medical care, nor suggested to treat COVID-19. The benefit outlined by research that is presented versus potential harm from the following recommendations are considered in providing this information. https://youtu.be/NM2A2xNLWR4

Get out there and get your gardening on!

Our Gravenstein apple blossoms are looking ever so beautiful on this Earth Day 2020!

Clinic update linked below! https://mailchi.mp/578259bc/clinic-updates-april-18th-2020

Hello, Further to my last COVID-19 Update .... Critical in understanding COVID-19 testing (at least in the US and Canada). The following short videos are complicated but help people understand some concerns with respect to testing for SARS-CoV-2 and the "numbers" that we see based on RT-PCR tests. If this sounds like gibberish, then tell me about it. This is hard to understand but critical to the reliability of data that we are using to interpret COVID-19. This is not to say... that all current recommendations by the BC Health Authority are not critical to our safety at this time. BTW ... I love this guy. He is very astute. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cggRSo1GfU https://peterattiamd.com/how-to-interpret-screening-tests-/

Happy Easter! Emily, Arlo and I were supposed to host 20 plus family members for Easter today but social distancing lead to some serious gardening and a lovely Buddha bowl for dinner! Take a peek at this video if you are interested in learning about our garden watering system.

Start of the gardening season in Roberts Creek I hope everyone is well and using their time productively to try something new! Like gardening ....

Check out my recent blog about my opinion on testing, prevention and when things are going to get back to normal. https://westcoastintegrativehealth.com/covid-19-update-2/

New skill- Arlo and me laying down some beets! Pickling 5000. #naturopathic #beets #socialdistancing

Many homemade hand sanitizer products are being sold these days. I even heard one local producer claim that his product is government approved, when it is clearly not. It is best to only use products that are Health Canada approved with a DIN number, when relying on hand sanitizers to effectively clean hands or surfaces. I prefer good old soap and water myself! ... https://healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-aler//72687a-eng.php

Here is a link to a CBC article outlining some of the latest SARS-CoV-2 research going on in BC. The DMARD (Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs) hydroxychloroquine, which I have mentioned in previous posts, and the antiviral Remdesivir are being used experimentally to treat COVID-19 positive patients at one facility in BC, in conjunction with international trials. https://www.cbc.ca//br/malariaa-medication-covid-1.5513899... The original study was done in France by Dr Didier Raoult using a combination of hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin showing 100% success in the treatment of test positive patients. Dr Didier Raoult is confident his research will stand up in larger trials but we will have to wait and see. Here is a reasonable article on why it is important to be careful with this new information, outlining the most concerning risks of these medications and problems with the original research. https://forbetterscience.com//chloroquine-genius-didier-r/

This video is a little glitchy, but empowering for sure! It should change your life and protect your family. After watching this video, instead of saying "stay safe" you will likely say "dont touch your face"! Conservatively reported by Dr Bonnie Henry yesterday, it looks like we have STARTED to "flatten the curve" in BC and that our vulnerable populations will likely be taken care of, if needed, with the best medical care available. Great work so far everyone. ... What an incredible learning experience for humanity. Lets hope for positive changes in the world after this is over. https://vimeo.com/399733860

Yesterday, after I sent out an essential email closure letter to my clients encouraging people to try and stay home and follow proper hygiene procedures, while outlining the current statistical modelling for COVID-19, I received an email from a client that was concerned about fear mongering. But with spring break coming to a close and many Canadians returning home, it is hard not to be a little concerned about what may lie ahead for Canada in the next few weeks. At the same t...ime, being "stuck" at home for an extrovert like myself is certainly a challenge, especially when I love going to work or going out and about. So what is likely going to happen in Canada in the weeks to come? First I want to address the fear mongering. I understand that for people with health anxiety, this is must be a very scary time. I completely empathize. However, part of me knows that taking control of ones health, understanding what is underlying ones condition, and focusing on overcoming significant health challenges is very possible and comes with such an amazing sense of liberty. So when it comes to chronic health concerns, the way I see it is that change equals liberty, which will be hindered by fear. Change in diet, change in lifestyle, learning to be mindful about how we feel and what is happening in our bodies helps create freedom. An additional note ... I have read a lot of quotes about our grandparents going to war, (which 2 of mine did,) and the freedoms they gave up. We are being asked to stay at home to help our fellow Canadians. Well facing oneself is sometimes scarier than facing ones enemies but we can do this. In the weeks to come we are going to hear about a lot of sick people, no doubt. Sadly, everyone of us will be impacted by COVID-19. Do we need to check this 20 or 30 times per day, by continuously streaming news feeds or reading articles. Is this healthy? Probably not. Maybe it is helpful to understand the outcomes that are predicted by public health and epidemiology (excluding anything that Dr Trump has to say of course) which is that almost everyone is likely to get the COVID-19 virus or get immunized against it. The slower the virus is transmitted the less overwhelmed our healthcare system will be, so this is why it is important to stay home. While you are at home, and no doubt this is the hard part, try to do something productive like reading or hobbying or learning a new skill. Try to move around everyday and even consider doing some push up, sit ups, squats or do an online pilates or yoga class. Try to maintain moderation around food and alcohol. Consider learning how to quiet your mind, or meditate. Be kind to yourself.

With the Canadian government considering invoking the Emergencies Act and much of the world on lock down, the majority of us can't help but focus on our families, regardless of our personal feelings about the COVID pandemic. In my demographic, age 43, my biggest concerns about the reported epidemiology of COVID-19 falls to the older generation. I also cannot help but think about the selfishness that we are seeing from some of our fellow Canadians. Canadians trying to profit o...n hoarded hygiene supplies in a crisis is something that I did not think I would ever see, or ever want to hear about. But hoarding supplies and food unnecessarily, especially from local grocery stores, is just un-Canadian. As a small business owner I can say first hand that the struggles many Canadians face right now are very real, and sadly most Canadians cannot afford to hoard. Further, there is really no need to hoard supplies because thankfully Canadians have rallied together as a whole, making great financial sacrifices to reduce the rate of viral spread, and we are already seeing the curve levelling off in Asia from similar efforts around the world. So one reality is that if everyone uses this time to not only be mindful about their own needs but also to be conscious about the needs of others in their communities then perhaps this "stay-cation" can be an incredible and painless learning experience for all of us. We need to be compassionate towards others and consider this an opportunity to take better care of ourselves and our planet (Reference Bill and Ted). Spend a few minutes considering how spoiled we are to live in such an amazing country, where 2 meters of distance between each other is the norm, and then perhaps this crisis can teach us and help us evolve. Also consider buying local and supporting small businesses in your communities so that they can hopefully survive this crisis. Most businesses on the Sunshine Coast are offering delivery or pick up services! I am working remotely from home.

Recent concerns over the Coronavirus has lead to some social unrest, confusion and uncertainty in our communities. These feelings have created fear (and panic in some cases) about the medical consequences surrounding this pandemic and the general health and safety of our loved ones. With any novel (new) infection there is reason for uncertainty but the epidemiology surrounding this infection suggests that the majority of us will be exposed and that we will either get sick wi...th the common symptoms (fever, cough and congestion) and get better, or have very little or no symptoms at all. The concern however, is not with the majority of us but with the minority of people that are of a greater age or immune compromised. That being said, people of greater age or suffering with chronic health concerns make up a majority of my patients and the safety of my patients is paramount to me. In an effort to try and flatten the exposure curve I feel that it is a social responsibility to only offer remote consultations to clients starting Monday March 23rd for 1 or 2 weeks pending public health announcements on the trajectory of the virus. This will also allow Tania (my staff) to work from home. So following this week (March 16th and 17th), we ask that all non-critical pending lab test collections be postponed and all appointments be booked remotely. I will be consulting via secure video or telephone from my Roberts Creek clinic on the Sunshine Coast for anyone that needs my support. With respect to prevention of any viral infection, proper hygiene (hand washing and avoiding contact with pretty much anything) along with rest, good hydration, nutrition and keeping stress levels low is a start. Chicken stock (made from scratch) is a great way to achieve 3 of these recommendations and perhaps the satisfying nature of good chicken stock might even check off box number four. For people that are at risk, additional vitamin C, zinc, probiotics and vitamin D are excellent for supporting immunity, but make sure to leave some for everyone! Also, dont forget to do your deep breathing! Thank you for your understanding. Please feel free to email us if you have any questions and note that the above may chance without notice. https://westcoastintegrativehealth.com/social-responsibili/

Thank you Dr Sharkawy for sharing this! Well said.

Dysbiosis (also called dysbacteriosis) is a term used to describe the imbalance of the microbial inhabitants of the body. As this is thought to be a major contributing factor to virtually all health concerns (yes ... all, even cancers), I would say that it is a pretty big deal! In my practice I see a lot of functional gastrointestinal conditions such as achalasia, gastroesophageal reflux disease, gastroparesis, delayed motility in the small intestine along with irritable bowe...Continue reading

How timely. Does anyone want to live to a heathy age of 500? Apparently all you need to do is become or continue to be a fasting vegan that does resistance training. Yikes! https://www.sciencedaily.com/releas/2020//200108160338.htm

Once again, the A4M (Advancement for Anti-Aging Medicine) Conference in December of 2019 did not disappointment. The advancements in functional medicine treatments and assessments for prolonging life, assessing the causes of autoimmune disease, and addressing cardiovascular disease risk never cease to amaze me. Modern biological medicines first came on the market in 1982 with the development of human insulin. From this point on the pharmaceutical industry has made huge advanc...Continue reading

Happy Bladder Health Awareness Month! Chronic prostatitis (CP) or Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CPPS) (which can affect women too) is a big deal, and I see sufferers all the time in my practice. The reason this is important is because there just is not enough research going into this area of medicine and logic would say that chronic inflammation of any area in the body is just a disaster waiting to happen. The major cause of CP or CPPS is infection or bacterial overgrowth. Pe...riod. There has been links to parasitic infection and SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) in research. I have clinically treated yeast problems that seem to relate to these conditions but most notably are bacterial infections of the urinary tract or prostate that can only be assessed by testing for the bacterial DNA in the urine or seminal fluids. Unfortunately, aside from Chlamydia trachomatis (which is pretty common out there actually) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, our medical services do not use bacterial DNA to assess urinary tract infections, and rely only on bacterial culture methods to detect the presence of infection. Why is this a mistake? Bacterial cultures are only able to generally detect the presence of bacteria that can survive in the presence of oxygen or are able to grow on the culture medium. A lot of bacteria that get into the urinary tract are not able to grow using traditional culture methods so it doesn't mean that they aren't there! I see the presence of infection (or inflammation) in the urinary tract all of the time in the office using a standard "Chem 10 Urine Dipstick" and most of my clients have had this test before and have been told that these results are normal. But it is really "abnormal" to have blood or white blood cells in your urine all the time and it indicates that something is up! And when there are symptoms, I have to ask clients to pay for private testing to assess for the DNA of common bacterial culprits in the urine, along with assess some of the other common causes of inflammation in the urinary tract. Nonetheless the following abstract outlines a recent review of all the treatments we have available for these conditions and although I think it is great that the reviewers included several natural options into their findings, with limited but favourable results, it is still disappointing that medicine does not try harder to identify the causes of these conditions. Check out the abstract here! https://westcoastintegrativehealth.com/chronic-pelvic-pain/

If you are thinking about doing genetic testing now is the time! https://www.23andme.com/en-ca/